Panama City Beach Spring Break 2016 Preview: Sun, surf, sand — sans shoreline suds

PANAMA CITY BEACH — The parties of Spring Break 2016 will look somewhat different from those that came before, in part because of new ordinances prohibiting the consumption of alcohol on the sandy beach.

But that just means the indoor and poolside parties are sure to be crowded.

Spinnaker Beach Club, 8795 Thomas Drive, will kick off the season with its “Spring Break Opening Party and Ladies’ Night” beginning at 10 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 27. (Details: SpinnakerBeachClub.com or 850-234-7892.) Women age 21 and older can enjoy drink specials and free cover; service industry members can pick up their new 2016 Lifetime SIN Cards. But the pre-party starts for Spinnaker Spring Break VIP and Ultimate Party cardholders at 7 p.m. with Top 40, EDM and Hip Hop sounds by resident DJ Das Beachhouse.

Spinnaker is also the home of the Mega Beach Party, marking its 10th year. The Mega Beach Party has evolved into the biggest free daytime event in Panama City Beach during the month of March, featuring stage contests, celebrity appearances, EDM and prizes. Hosted by Das Beachhouse and DJ Elemnt, it is held on the Waterfall Stage from noon to 5 p.m. daily from March 5-25.

The Mega Beach Party includes adult beverages, dancing, music trivia, the Frozen T-Shirt Challenge, the Ms. Spinnaker Spring Break Pageant and more.

The party will include two free, all-ages concerts by country music performer Cole Swindell at 4 p.m. on March 9 and 10. Doors open at 11 a.m. daily, and concert-goers are encouraged to arrive early to get a good spot close to the stage.

“Honestly,” said Swindell, who was selling merch for Luke Bryan three years ago, “I just want it to be fun. I get people who see me on stage who say, ‘Hey, it looks like you’re having the time of your life up there,’ and I really am. Every night is just a blast and they join in.”

Club La Vela, 8813 Thomas Drive, is will crank up its Spring Break Kick-Off Party featuring OT Genasis at 7 p.m. on Thursday, March 3. Advance tickets are $23.09 at ClubLaVela.com (or call 850-2234-FUNN for details). The largest nightclub in the U.S., with 11 different theme rooms featuring everything from Top 40 to live rock, and from Country to EDM, Club La Vela has 38 bar stations, a newly redesigned Tropical Pool Deck and a capacity of more than 6,000 people.

Sharky’s Beach Club, 15201 Front Beach Road, will host the Beach Bash Music Fest, featuring an array of national performers on the largest stage on the beach for three consecutive days, March 14-16. Doors open at 10 a.m. Dannic opens the party March 14, Steve Aoki takes the stage for the “Main Event” on March 15, and Brett Eldridge brings the country to the shore on March 16. Red Cup Nation closes the festival with the official after-party March 16.

Limited “early bird” general admission tickets for all four events are available through March 8 for $49.99 plus a processing fee at BeachBashMusicFest.com/tickets. Limited VIP tickets ($79.99 plus a fee) give admission to all four events plus free beer, private restrooms and express entry; sales end March 8.

Boardwalk Beach Resort, 9600 South Thomas Drive, is maintaining its reputation for throwing some of the best Spring Break parties this year. And although the private beachfront is a draw for those rooming at the resort, the daily DJ Dance Party is open to all spring breakers, 1-5 p.m. Monday through Friday from March 7-25.

Pay no cover and enjoy DJs, contests, dancing, a foam machine, digital photo booth, beach games, a full bar, and free draft 1-3 p.m. Past Boardwalk Spring Break parties have included celebrities such as All American Rejects, Lil Wayne, Sara Evans, LoCash Cowboys and others.

Over at the Holiday Inn Resort, guests will enjoy a Luau kickoff party each week, as well as guest-only concerts by Dan+Shay on March 8, and LoCash and Chris Janson on March 22. (Details: SpringBreakHQ.com)

For more events, updated weekly, see our Spring Break Calendar.