Thanksgiving at the Beach: A Few of Our Favorite Traditions

For our family, Thanksgiving in Panama City Beach starts with Chex Mix.

Not turkey. Not pie. Chex Mix.

I make a big batch early in the week, and my family always says that once the condo smells like Chex Mix, it feels like the holidays. Apparently, we can trade fall leaves for palm trees, but some things need to stay the same.

We usually spend the whole Thanksgiving week in PCB. Sometimes we still have work to do from the condo, but even those days feel more relaxing. There’s something about looking up from your laptop and seeing the water that helps.

Over the years, we’ve found a few traditions that make the week feel like Thanksgiving to us, with plenty of room left over to do very little.

A little shopping before the holiday

Early in the week, my daughter and I take a road trip to Rosemary Beach for shopping and lunch before the holiday crowds arrive.

This is not right around the corner from the condo. It’s an outing, so I wouldn’t send you that way for a quick lunch between beach activities. But if browsing shops and having a leisurely lunch sounds like your kind of day, it’s a lovely way to spend some time together.

It’s become one of the things I look forward to that week.

Thanksgiving dinner, with options

Some years, we cook Thanksgiving dinner at the condo. My parents and I divide the cooking between our two kitchens, then we all eat together.

I like that we can keep the parts of the holiday we love while spending the week somewhere that feels like a break. We can still have our family meal. We just get a beach walk, too.

We’ve also gone out for Thanksgiving dinner. We’ve eaten at Runaway Island, sitting outside near the water, which is a pretty wonderful way to enjoy the holiday.

Someone else cooks. Someone else does the dishes. You get to look at the Gulf.

There’s a lot to like about that arrangement.

The Grand Marlin is another option to check for Thanksgiving dining. If you’re planning to eat out, look at the restaurants’ current holiday offerings and make reservations ahead of time.

Beach walks and very little on the schedule

One of my favorite things about being there in the fall is walking on the beach.

It’s usually less crowded, and we’ve enjoyed some beautiful weather during our Thanksgiving trips. Of course, November weather can vary, so bring layers and leave yourself a little flexibility.

For us, the week isn’t about fitting in as much as possible. We watch football. We snack on Chex Mix. We go for walks. Sometimes we make dinner, and sometimes we go out.

It doesn’t sound especially ambitious.

That’s part of the appeal.

From Thanksgiving to Christmas

On Black Friday, we like to shop at Pier Park and then head to the holiday festivities at nearby Aaron Bessant Park on Friday evening.

The event is called Beach Home for the Holidays, and it’s a fun way to make the switch from Thanksgiving to Christmas. This year, it’s scheduled for November 27 and 28, with holiday concerts, s’mores, Santa, and activities for kids. Check the official event schedule before heading over.

By then, we’ve had our Thanksgiving dinner, watched some football, and hopefully spent plenty of time outside. A little Christmas music feels like a good next step.

Why we keep coming back

I love that Thanksgiving at the beach still feels like our Thanksgiving.

We have our familiar food, time with family, and little traditions we look forward to each year. But the week feels peaceful. There’s less running around and more time to enjoy being together.

Really, that’s what I love about fall in Panama City Beach in general. Usually fewer crowds, beautiful days, and plenty of time to enjoy being there.

Thanksgiving just gives us a reason to gather everyone around the table. And afterward, instead of heading home, we can head down to the beach.