TDC looks forward to the annual Beach Ball Drop

PANAMA CITY BEACH, Fla. (WJHG/WECP) -The Bay County Tourist Development Council is gearing up for the annual Beach Ball Drop to ring in 2026, continuing a Panama City Beach tradition that began in 2008.

The celebration features the release of 15,000 inflated beach balls at 8 p.m., followed by a larger beach ball drop and a fireworks show at midnight. For a second year, the event will include an expanded kids zone at Aaron Bessant Park in addition to the longtime Pier Park location.

TDC leaders say major holiday events like the Beach Ball Drop help drive year-round tourism in Panama City Beach.

“The beach ball drop was December 31st, 2008, and the TDC made it a very specific strategy, let’s create new festivals and events during the non-summer months just to help grow business, help strengthen our economy, keep people employed on a year-round basis, and we have seen that growth over time,” said TDC Executive Director Dan Rowe. “More businesses are operating in Panama City Beach on a year-round basis now than there were 18 years ago.”

This year’s event will also mark a milestone for the TDC. Richard Sanders, the creator of the Beach Ball Drop, will oversee the drop one last time as his final task before retirement.

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