Beach Home for the Holidays: where to eat in Panama City Beach

Beach Home for the Holidays runs November 27 and 28 at Aaron Bessant Park, beside Pier Park. Big Mama's PCB, 10071 Hutchison Blvd, Panama City Beach, is a few minutes' drive away, serving fried chicken, country fried steak and peach cobbler. Call (850) 588-5085 to confirm hours before you go.

When is Beach Home for the Holidays?

Visit Panama City Beach lists the 2026 event for Friday, November 27 and Saturday, November 28, the weekend after Thanksgiving, at Aaron Bessant Park. Its listing says the Panama City Symphony and Panama City Ballet will perform festive favorites.

We did not find 2026 start times. Listings from past years describe campfires, s'mores, Santa and a tree lighting, but those are old schedules, so treat them as a guess. Check Visit Panama City Beach for the real times, and note that two listings disagree on the park's street address.

Where do you eat before or after?

Think about the day as two meals with a long stretch outdoors in between. Families with kids tend to want an early dinner before dark, and the evening crowd wants something after the music.

Big Mama's PCB sits in the old Applebee's building on Hutchison Blvd, a few minutes' drive from Pier Park, with a large free lot out front. Parking is not a puzzle, which matters when you are herding a car full of coats and kids.

What is on the menu those two days?

The specials board is the easy way to choose. Specials come with two sides, a third is $2 more, and when we are out, we are out.

• Friday, November 27: chicken n' rice, plus prime rib from 4 PM to close
• Saturday, November 28: brunch, plus prime rib from 4 PM to close

The rest of the lunch and dinner menu runs behind them. Bone-in fried chicken starts at $15, country fried steak is $16 and the Big Papa Platter is $28. Prime rib starts at $30. The all-day menu lists every price.

What about people who still want Thanksgiving food?

Some visitors are in town for the whole holiday week and want the Thanksgiving plate again. Dressing is a $4 side every day, and sides like mac and cheese, collards and green beans are $4 each. Cornbread is $2.

We have not published Thanksgiving Day hours or a holiday menu. Big Mama's PCB does not claim to be open that Thursday. For the Friday and Saturday of the festival, call (850) 588-5085 to confirm what the kitchen is running.

Is Saturday morning different?

Saturday we open at 9 for brunch. Biscuits and gravy start at $7 for a half, the Big Mama plate is $16 and Chicken N' Waffles is $16. Country fried steak and gravy is $11, and cocktails and margaritas are on at brunch.

That suits a day where the park fills up in the afternoon. Eat first, then walk over.

What if the family is spread across a condo or hotel?

Order ahead on Toast and pick it up. Peach cobbler is $8 and comes with homemade whipped cream, and bread pudding is $8 too. Kids plates are $10: tenders, fish, a smash burger or shrimp.

A larger group can call ahead and we will do our best to have a table ready. Parties of 6 or more carry an 18% gratuity, and prices are cash prices with a 3% card fee added. Ask about catering for a trayed meal for a family gathering.

How to pick

Friday early, go for chicken n' rice and two sides before the park. Friday later, prime rib from 4 PM. Saturday, brunch at 9, then the festival. Short on time with kids, tenders and a smash burger at $10 each. Want to eat in the room, order on Toast.

For more on the restaurant, see the contact page. Big Mama's PCB is at 10071 Hutchison Blvd, Panama City Beach. Hours are still being confirmed, so call (850) 588-5085 before you drive, or order ahead on Toast.