Schooners Lobster Festival 2026: Panama City Beach's Ultimate Seafood Celebration

Schooners' annual Lobster Festival runs October 12–18, 2026 at Schooners Last Local Beach Club in Panama City Beach. It is a week-long celebration rather than a single-day event: lobster specials are served inside the restaurant all week, a Lobster Beach Feast moves onto the sand on Saturday and Sunday, and live music plays on the Beach Stage Thursday through Sunday. A giant sand sculpture rounds out the festivities, and the festival is a no-cover event.

2026 Dates and Quick Event Information

• Dates: October 12–18, 2026
• Location: Schooners Last Local Beach Club, Panama City Beach, Florida
• Venue address: 5121 Gulf Drive, Panama City Beach, FL
• Admission: No cover
• Lobster specials (restaurant): Monday, October 12 through Sunday, October 18, from 11 AM
• Lobster Beach Feast (on the beach): Saturday, October 17 and Sunday, October 18, from 11 AM
• Live music (Beach Stage): Thursday, October 15 through Sunday, October 18

Lobster Specials Inside the Restaurant

Nine lobster specials are served inside the restaurant throughout the festival week, starting at 11 AM each day. The 2026 menu covers a wide range, from lighter starters to full plates:

• Lobster Bisque — rich and creamy, garnished with chopped lobster
• Lobster Ceviche — chopped lobster marinated in citrus juices with tomato, bell pepper, onion and cilantro
• Lobster Flatbread — chopped lobster with smoked gouda, cheddar jack, parmesan and tasso on a crispy flatbread
• Lobster Salad and the Lobster Roll Unwrapped, served on toasted naan
• Grilled Lobster Tail — a 9 oz. split warm-water tail with lemon and drawn butter
• Lobster Pot Pie, Lobster Ravioli and Lobster Mac & Cheese

Prices and dishes can change, so check the official Schooners Lobster Festival page for the current menu.

The Lobster Beach Feast

On Saturday, October 17 and Sunday, October 18, the Lobster Beach Feast brings more lobster dishes out to the beach, starting at 11 AM. The weekend menu features Lobster Potato Salad, Lobster Ceviche, Lobster Pot Pie, Lobster Mac & Cheese and Grilled Lobster Tails. For a bit of everything, the Lobster Five Way Tray offers a sampling of five festival favorites. The Beach Feast is served on the weekend only, so plan around Saturday or Sunday if it is the experience you are after.

Live Music: 2026 Beach Stage Schedule

All performances take place on Schooners' Beach Stage.

Thursday, October 15

• 6–9 PM — Alex Napier & Daybreak

Friday, October 16

• 6–9 PM — Glory Days

Saturday, October 17

• 2–5 PM — Alex Napier & Daybreak
• 6–9 PM — Glory Days

Sunday, October 18

• 2:30–5:30 PM — The Modern Eldorados

What Makes the Festival Different

Most seafood festivals take place in parking lots or fairgrounds. This one happens at a beach club directly on the Gulf, so the food, the music and the sand are all in the same place. The focus is narrow — lobster, prepared many ways — which makes it easy to try several dishes across a visit. The weekend Beach Feast, live music on the sand, the giant sand sculpture and no-cover admission together make it an easy event to drop into, whether you plan a full afternoon around it or stop by for a meal.

Planning Your Visit

Pick your days based on what you want from the festival:

• Monday–Wednesday (October 12–14): the restaurant lobster specials are available. A good fit if your main goal is the food.
• Thursday–Sunday (October 15–18): the lobster specials plus live music on the Beach Stage.
• Saturday–Sunday (October 17–18): the full experience — restaurant specials, the Lobster Beach Feast and afternoon and evening music.

For the latest details, menus, schedule changes or anything not covered here, check the official Schooners event page before you go.

Panama City Beach Trip Planning

Mid-October is a pleasant time to build a longer stay around the festival. Our Panama City Beach destination guide covers the beaches, neighborhoods and logistics, and our things to do in Panama City Beach guide has ideas for the rest of your trip. If you want somewhere more upscale to stay, see our luxury resorts in Panama City Beach guide. And if lobster leaves you wanting to catch your own seafood, look at our guide to fishing charters in Panama City Beach. For more about the venue itself, read our profile of Schooners, the Last Local Beach Club.

Official Event Information

Schooners publishes the festival details, full menus and the entertainment schedule on its official Lobster Festival page. Check it before your visit for any updates.