Destination Panama City is excited to announce a collaboration with the Bay Youth Music Association to do a mashup of Downtown After Dark and the Panama City Songwriters Festival.

“Panama City has a thriving performance arts scene,” said Jennifer Vigil, president and CEO of Destination Panama City. “We are excited to partner with Will Thompson and bring the Downtown After Dark experience to the Panama City Songwriters Festival weekend.” 

The Panama City Songwriters Festival is hosted by Bay Youth Music Association, a nonprofit organization created to help make the music art available to youth throughout Bay County. Will Thompson, a favorite local musician in Bay County and President and Founder of Bay Youth Music Association, has been spearheading the Panama City Songwriters Festival since its inaugural event in 2018.

Each year, the festival has continued to grow. The 4th annual Panama City Songwriters Festival will feature dozens of nationally acclaimed musicians from across the country. Locals and visitors alike are invited to experience historic downtown as local art galleries and venues transform into intimate listening music rooms where the artists will perform original songs. To kick off the weekend, Downtown After Dark will bring concert vibes into the equation, with performances by Michael and Lisa Gungor and Red Clay Strays.

“This festival gives listeners the opportunity to hear the inspiration and process of how each song was made,” said Will Thompson, festival organizer. “You definitely don’t have to be a musician to enjoy this festival. We want everyone to listen.”

 Start the weekend with Downtown After Dark on Thursday, November 3 at 6 PM. The weekend will continue through November 5 with the Panama City Songwriters Festival. Performances will be from noon to 9:30 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday at different walkable venues in historic downtown Panama City. Young songwriters are also encouraged to perform over the weekend with a Youth Songwriters Contest.

Proceeds from the event will go towards Bay Youth Music Association to help kids follow their musical passion even if they can’t afford instruments.

Schedule of Events:

Downtown After Dark – 6 PM Thursday, 11/3
General Admissions $10.00, VIP $60.00
CLICK HERE to buy tickets!

Songwriters Festival – Friday, 11/4 – Saturday 11/5 (Free to Public)
Click here to see the full schedule and lineup for the Songwriters Festival.