Music plays a central role in Panama City Beach’s festival scene, with events that combine live performances and coastal atmosphere. The Mardi Gras Celebration & Music Festival brings colourful parades, family-friendly entertainment and beachfront performances, while the Seabreeze Jazz Festival attracts leading smooth jazz artists for a laid-back springtime weekend by the sea.

For a more energetic soundtrack, Gulf Coast Jam delivers major country acts and open-air concerts over several days, creating a high-energy festival atmosphere. Across all events, music is paired with Gulf Coast food and outdoor settings, making Panama City Beach an easy and accessible destination for live music lovers.

New Orleans is one of America’s great music cities, with festivals that reflect its global influence and deep-rooted heritage. The New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival celebrates jazz, blues, gospel and brass band traditions, while French Quarter Festival showcases local performers across historic venues.

Events such as Crescent City Blues & BBQ Festival highlight the city’s musical range, from contemporary sounds to jazz legends. Music here is inseparable from the city itself, spilling into streets, parks and neighbourhoods year-round.

Panama City Beach’s food scene adds another layer to the experience, with events that celebrate bold Gulf Coast flavours. Cajun on the Coast brings crawfish boils, gumbo and jambalaya to the beachfront, combining food, live music and family-friendly fun.

Seasonal menus also spotlight Mardi Gras-inspired dining, with local restaurants serving king cake, po’ boys and Cajun-spiced seafood. These food-focused experiences encourage visitors to explore beyond the beach, discovering a destination shaped by Southern and coastal influences.

Food defines New Orleans just as strongly as music. Festivals such as the New Orleans Wine & Food Experience showcase local chefs and regional ingredients, while the Jazz & Heritage Festival and French Quarter Festival feature some of the city’s most loved dishes.

From gumbo and jambalaya to crawfish bread and beignets, food is woven into every celebration. Cocktail-focused events like Tales of the Cocktail further highlight the city’s culinary creativity, making New Orleans a destination where flavour and culture go hand in hand.

Outdoor adventure is a key part of life in Panama City Beach. Along the coastline and out to Shell Island, visitors can enjoy kayaking, paddleboarding, jet skiing and snorkelling, often alongside dolphins. Offshore, historic shipwrecks add an extra layer of exploration for divers.

On land, Conservation Park offers hiking and cycling trails through wetlands and boardwalks, while attractions such as Cobra Adventure Park and Shipwreck Island Waterpark provide high-energy fun. Fishing is also popular, whether on a deep-sea charter or from one of the area’s modern piers, with year-round catches including snapper and Spanish mackerel.

Beyond the city streets, New Orleans reveals a rich natural landscape shaped by water. Guided swamp and bayou tours take visitors into cypress-filled wetlands, home to alligators, turtles and birdlife.

Closer to the city, Lake Pontchartrain and Bayou St. John offers opportunities for kayaking, paddleboarding, cycling and fishing, while boardwalks and nature trails provide easy access to marshland scenery. These outdoor experiences offer a different perspective on New Orleans, complementing its music and food with immersive natural surroundings