Pirates of the High Seas 2026: Where to Stay in Panama City Beach

• Dates: Friday, October 9 - Sunday, October 11, 2026
• Location: Aaron Bessant Park, 500 W Park Dr, Panama City Beach, FL 32413 (Pier Park area)
• Admission: Free (per Visit Panama City Beach FAQs)
• Hours (per Visit PCB FAQs): Friday 4:00 PM-8:30 PM; Saturday 10:00 AM-8:15 PM; Sunday 12:00 PM-6:00 PM
• Highlights (overview): fireworks, live mermaid shows, a fire circus, parades, a treasure drop, and a Renaissance marketplace with live entertainment
• Parade notes (per Visit PCB FAQs): Kid's Parade Friday at 5:30 PM (Pirate Krawl follows); Krewe of Dominique Youx Main Parade Saturday at 5:00 PM along Pier Park Drive
• Festival parking: Free parking throughout Pier Park, steps from the festival grounds (per Visit PCB FAQs)
• Official festival info: visitpanamacitybeach.com/pirates-of-the-high-seas-fest
• Chamber listing: pcbeach.org event listing

By The Sea Resorts does not organize this festival. Schedules, parade times, fireworks, and stage entertainment can change — always confirm the latest details on the official Visit Panama City Beach festival page and FAQs before you travel.

Pirates of the High Seas & Renaissance Fest brings three days of family-friendly entertainment to Aaron Bessant Park and Pier Park, so a Gulf-front base nearby keeps the weekend simple. By The Sea Resorts offers Gulf-front hotels along Front Beach Road — close to Pier Park energy and an easy ride to the festival grounds.

Beachcomber Beachfront Hotel: Gulf-front and close to Pier Park, with rooms that have full kitchens and private balconies, plus an outdoor pool. A strong pick when you want a central base near the festival area.
Book Beachcomber →

Palmetto Beachfront Hotel: Gulf-front with direct beach access, an outdoor pool, and an indoor pool at the Palmetto Inn. Centrally located for festival-weekend errands and evenings by the Gulf.
Book Palmetto →

Chateau Beachfront Hotel: An original beachfront hotel welcoming guests since 1966, with a beachfront pool and tiki bar. Full kitchens are available when you want to keep meals simple between festival days.
Book Chateau →

Palm & Tide Beachfront Hotel: A two-tower Gulf-front hotel with a lobby marketplace for quick bites and essentials, plus a pool deck for easy evenings by the Gulf.
Book Palm & Tide →

Sugar Sands Beachfront Hotel: A quieter Gulf-front option on the west side of Panama City Beach. Every room has a Gulf view, and larger floorplans with kitchens work well for families and friend groups.
Book Sugar Sands →

The Barefoot Hotel: Part of the By The Sea Resorts family and preparing for a 2027 debut. It is not bookable for Pirates of the High Seas weekend in October 2026 — choose one of the Gulf-front hotels above for this festival.

Eat nearby: After a day at the festival, visit our Barefoot restaurants — Barefoot on the Beach and Barefoot Hide-a-way.

Getting around festival weekend: Aaron Bessant Park sits at 500 W Park Dr in the Pier Park area. Beachcomber and Palmetto sit closest to the Pier Park side of the beach; Chateau and Palm & Tide are farther east; Sugar Sands is on the west side. Pier Park and Front Beach Road can be busy during parades and fireworks, so leave extra time and follow local parking guidance.

October festival weekends fill quickly, so we recommend booking your Gulf-front room early.

Your Pirates of the High Seas stay starts on the Gulf. Book direct with By The Sea Resorts for Gulf-front stays in Panama City Beach around October 9-11, 2026. Check availability or call 1-888-627-0625.

Bringing a larger crew? Planning rooms for family, friends, or a group outing? Request a group room block for festival weekend.

Every stay includes parking. A $14 resort fee applies. Book Direct with By The Sea Resorts for the Gulf-front hotels listed above.

When is Pirates of the High Seas & Renaissance Fest 2026?
The festival runs Friday, October 9 through Sunday, October 11, 2026, in Panama City Beach, Florida. Confirm hours and the full entertainment schedule on visitpanamacitybeach.com/pirates-of-the-high-seas-fest.

Where is the festival located?
Per Visit Panama City Beach FAQs, the festival is at Aaron Bessant Park, 500 W Park Dr, Panama City Beach, FL 32413, in the Pier Park area. Free parking is available throughout Pier Park.

Where should I stay for the festival in Panama City Beach?
Stay Gulf-front with By The Sea Resorts at Beachcomber, Palmetto, Chateau, Palm & Tide, or Sugar Sands. Beachcomber and Palmetto sit closest to the Pier Park side of the beach. Book Direct or call 1-888-627-0625.

Is parking included, and what is the resort fee?
Parking is always included with your stay. A $14 resort fee applies. We do not publish nightly rates in headlines — check live availability when you book.

Is the festival free?
Yes. Visit Panama City Beach states admission is free. Optional experiences and vendor purchases may cost extra — confirm details on the official festival FAQs.

Can I book a group room block for my family or friends?
Yes. Submit a request through our groups and events RFP form, and our team can help with a room block for festival weekend.

Does By The Sea Resorts organize Pirates of the High Seas?
No. By The Sea Resorts does not organize this festival. Confirm schedule, parade times, and entertainment on official Visit Panama City Beach sources. We offer Gulf-front lodging and restaurants for visitors — we are not affiliated with festival operations.

Where can we eat after a day at the festival?
Visit Barefoot on the Beach and Barefoot Hide-a-way for Panama City Beach dining near our Gulf-front hotels.