The 2025 riding season for much of the country will be winding down within a couple of months, but there are some events on the fall calendar in the Sunbelt that you shouldn’t miss. One of them is the Thunder Beach Rally, which returns to Panama City Beach, Florida, for its fall event Oct. 22-26, offering a full lineup of musical talent, a huge vendor park, and plenty more. And it’s free!
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Thunder Beach hosts both a spring and a fall rally. The spring rally is the larger of the two, while the fall rally is great for riders who want all the fun of Thunder Beach in an atmosphere that’s more laidback and less crowded. As an added benefit, fewer riders and other tourists means there are more lodging options available at lower rates.
The rally is held at several venues around Panama City Beach. Rally central is Frank Brown Park, a 100-acre city park that offers an expansive layout of exhibits, bike builders, Thunder Rally merch, and vendors, and it’s where the Thunder Beach Motorcycle Rally Concert Series takes place. The Thunder Beach Saloon under a large tent in the center of the park is the stage for daily live music and also offers food and drinks. And be sure to head to the Harley-Davidson display to sign up for a demo ride. Motorcycle parking and all musical events at Frank Brown Park are free.
After checking out the sights at the park, jump on your bike and cruise a couple miles down the road to the Crossroads, which hosts a vendor village, a full bar, a variety of food purveyors, and covered seating. It’s also the hotspot for custom bike shows, sound-off contests, and other competitions.
The third big Thunder Beach location is Harley-Davidson of Panama City Beach. This dealership, located a little over a mile from the Crossroads and about 2 miles from Frank Brown Park, is a state-of-the-art facility that offers plenty of free bike parking as well as three full bars, food sellers, another vendor village, bike detailing and pinstriping, and lots of motorcycles and H-D PCB merch for sale.
These three venues are the main hubs of activity, but one great thing about the Thunder Beach Rally is that there’s stuff going on wherever you look. Take a stroll around these venues to find bars and restaurants catering to rallygoers, many of them offering their own live music. Pack a swimsuit and enjoy a splash in the Gulf or some chill time on Panama City’s white sand beaches. Or better yet, take a couple hours away from the activity to enjoy some riding.
Florida is not known for epic motorcycling roads, but that doesn’t mean you won’t find gorgeous riding in the area. Within Panama City Beach itself, start with a beachfront cruise along Front Beach Road for panoramic views of the clear waters of the Gulf, and stretch your legs with a walk on Russel-Fields City Pier. Next, check out the Grand Lagoon area with a loop around Thomas Drive, along which you’ll find St. Andrews State Park and Captain Anderson’s marina and restaurant. Also explore the West End of PCB along Back Beach Road, with a stop at Camp Helen State Park to enjoy some nature. After checking out the sights within PCB, take a ride up State Route 30A, designated a Florida Scenic Highway, for more views of the Gulf, rolling sand dunes, and quaint beach villages.
Lodging options are plentiful in Panama City Beach. Those wanting a secluded vacation experience will enjoy The Pines at West Bay, located on SR-39 just a few miles from Frank Brown Park. This brand-new resort offers spacious three-bedroom units (two rooms with king beds plus a room with bunk beds), a full kitchen, and a private balcony. On the campus, you’ll find a large swimming pool, pickleball, basketball, volleyball, a fitness room, and more. The resort is a short walk to Boon Docks seafood restaurant, Bayside Cafe (breakfast and lunch), and Wild Thang Airboat Tours. The Pines at West Bay is offering a 15% discount on rooms using the code Thunder2025 – visit The Pines at West Bay’s website for rates, reservations, and more.
Give the 2025 riding season one last hurrah at the Thunder Beach Rally. Visit the Thunder Beach Rally website for more information and to start planning your trip.
