Boat-Events

Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade Location: Newport Beach, CA Date: Dec 17–21, 2025 Watch beautifully decorated yachts, boats, kayaks and canoes sail along the harbor in the 117th Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade. This year’s parade will be held Wednesday through Sunday, December 17-21, 2025, and is once again hosted by the Commodores Club of the Newport Beach Chamber of Commerce. San Diego Bay Parade of Lights Location: San Diego, CA Date: Dec 14, 2025, at 6:30pm Make your spirits bright at the San Diego Bay Parade of Lights, a time-honored holiday tradition brought to San Diego by the boating community. The parade features over 80 lavishly decorated boats sailing in the bay, hoping to win a prize for originality and creativity. Gather with friends, family, and over 100,000 others on the shores of San Diego Bay for one of the most iconic events in the region. Marina del Rey Holiday Boat Parade Location: Los Angeles, CA Date: DECEMBER 13, 2025, at 6pm Each year a theme is chosen for the parade, and the theme for 2025 was chosen to be “A Nightmare Before Christmas” celebrating the 13th of December. The 2025 parade begins with a spectacular light show. Each year, boat participants come up with their own ideas and decorate their boats with lots of holiday lights and decorations based on our theme. They also wear costumes, dance, sing, and perform live music. Both boaters and spectators enjoy themselves immensely. Long Beach Christmas Boat Parade (Naples Islands) Location: Long Beach, CA Date: December 20, 6:00pm The Naples Boat Parade features holiday-decorated boats and watercraft winding their way through the romantic canals of Naples Island in Long Beach. Everyone loves the boat parade because it offers excitement and festive decorations in the water below, but holiday cheer also emanates in the brightly and creatively decorated homes all along the canals. Huntington Harbor Cruise of Lights Location: Huntington Beach, CA December 19 - 23, 2025 The Huntington Harbor Philharmonic Committee Cruise of Lights® offers 50-minute narrated boat tours through the waterways of Huntington Harbor in Huntington Beach, California. In December both locals and visitors share the beauty of thousands of lights and animated displays on brightly decorated homes, docks, decks and boats. St. Augustine Regatta of Lights Location: St. Augustine, FL Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025, | 6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. It will travel north along the Intracoastal Waterway from North Palm Beach to the Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse, ending around 8 p.m.. You can view the decorated boats and a fireworks finale from various locations along the route, including Harbourside Place, Charlie & Joe's at Love Street, and numerous public parks. Palm Beach Holiday Boat Parade Location: Palm Beach, FL Saturday December 6, 2025, starting at 6PM It will travel north along the Intracoastal Waterway from North Palm Beach to the Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse, ending around 8 p.m.. You can view the decorated boats and a fireworks finale from various locations along the route, including Harbourside Place, Charlie & Joe's at Love Street, and numerous public parks. Madeira Beach Festival of Lights Parade Location: Madeira Beach, FL Dec 13, 2025 (starts 6:15 PM) Join us for the 59th Annual Madeira Beach Festival of Lights Holiday Boat Parade. Madeira Beach's lighted boat parade will happen Saturday December 13th, 2025. The parade begins at the ROC Park at 6:15pm, travels the finger canals through the city, and ends at John's Pass. Clearwater Holiday Boat Parade Location: Clearwater, FL Saturday December 13th, 2025 at 6:30pm The parade launches just north of the Mandalay Channel bridge, and cruises through Island Estates, past Coachman Park (a prime viewing area) and near Memorial Causeway, all the way to the Clearwater Yacht Club, where the boats will be judged. Cash, trophies and prizes will be awarded for several categories. Tampa Holiday Lighted Boat Parade Location: Tampa, FL Saturday December 20, 2025 at 6:15pm From there, large boats will conclude at the Convention Center, while smaller boats (under 12’ air draft) continue upriver past Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park and Ulele, finishing near Water Works Park and Armature Works. Spectators can enjoy free viewing along the Riverwalk at multiple locations, with judging and a VIP viewing area located at Sparkman Wharf. All registered boats are eligible for prizes — so deck out your vessel and be part of Tampa’s most magical holiday tradition! Fort Myers Beach Christmas Boat Parade Location: Fort Myers Beach, FL December 6th 2025 at 6:00pm Get ready to be enchanted by the twinkling lights and festive spirit at our annual Fort Myers Beach Christmas Boat Parade! Come and witness a spectacular display of beautifully decorated boats, each adorned with dazzling lights and holiday decorations. As the boats glide gracefully across the water, you’ll be captivated by the shimmering reflections and the joyous atmosphere. Bring your family and friends to enjoy this unforgettable evening filled with holiday cheer, music, and the warmth of the community. Don’t miss out on this magical event that will surely light up your holiday season! Orange Beach / Gulf Shores Lighted Boat Parade Location: Gulf Shores & Orange Beach, AL Saturday, December 13th 2025 at 4:00pm After the sun goes down, the magic begins! Join us at LuLu’s to watch a dazzling fleet of boats of every shape and size cruise the Intracoastal Waterway, glowing with thousands of sparkling Christmas lights! Destin Harbor Lighted Boat Parade Location: Destin, FL Date: December 14th, 2025 at 6pm Boats will parade through the harbor, showcasing holiday lights and creative themes, and the event will conclude with a fireworks show. Viewers can watch from various spots along the harbor. Pensacola Lighted Boat Parade Location: Pensacola, FL Date: December 12, 2025 at 6:30pm The 2025 Lighted Boat Parade will set sail from Sabine Marina in Little Sabine Bay at 6:30pm, do a loop, wind its way around the Santa Rosa Sound/Boardwalk area and circle back to Sabine Marina. Alexandria Holiday Boat Parade of Lights Location: Alexandria, VA December 6th, 2025 at 5:30pm Old Town Alexandria’s historic waterfront will shine for the 25th Annual Alexandria Holiday Boat Parade of Lights sponsored by Amazon as dozens of brightly lit boats cruise along one mile of the Potomac River shoreline. Enjoy dockside festivities in Waterfront Park including a pop-up beer garden from Port City Brewing Company. Seattle Lake Union Christmas Ship Festival Location: Seattle, WA Date: Saturday December 13th, 2025 at 6pm The Argosy Cruises Christmas Ship Festival is a Seattle holiday tradition where a large, decorated lead ship, the Spirit of Seattle, sails to various waterfront communities in Puget Sound and Lake Union, accompanied by follow boats. Onboard, a live choir performs carols for passengers, while on-shore communities gather to watch and listen. The festival features festive onboard entertainment and is a major local event. Gig Harbor Lighted Boat Parade Location: Gig Harbor, WA Date: Saturday December 13th, 2025 at 6pm. Head down to the waterfront and enjoy this Gig Harbor tradition put on by the Gig Harbor Yacht Club. The Parade begins around 5pm and there are several great viewing locations like Skansie Brothers Park, Jerisich Dock, Ancich Waterfront Park, and the Bogue Viewing Platform. Be sure to grab dinner reservations for your family at one of our amazing waterfront district restaurants! Annapolis Eastport Yacht Club Lights Parade Location: Annapolis, MD Date: Saturday December 13th, 2025 at 6pm The Eastport Yacht Club Lights Parade is an annual Annapolis, Maryland holiday tradition where boats are decorated with festive lights and parade through the harbor. It typically takes place on the second Saturday in December and is a popular community event that marks the beginning of the winter holiday season. The parade route includes the Annapolis Harbor and Spa Creek waterfront, with good viewing spots on shore and on other boats like the Harbor Queen. Wrightsville Beach Holiday Flotilla Location: Wrightsville Beach, NC The Wrightsville Beach Holiday Flotilla is an annual event featuring a lighted boat parade and other holiday festivities, which typically takes place in late November or early December. The weekend often includes a Festival in the Park, with vendors and activities, as well as a fireworks display that concludes the event. The lighted boat parade is a major highlight, with various categories for decorated boats to compete for prizes. Biloxi Christmas on the Water Boat Parade Location: Biloxi, MS December 6th, 2025 at 6pm The "Christmas on the Water" Boat Parade in Biloxi is an annual holiday tradition where decorated boats parade along the waterfront, culminating in a fireworks display. The parade starts near the Biloxi Lighthouse, travels east along the channel between Deer Island and Biloxi Beach, and continues past the Golden Nugget. The event often features music and is a free, family-friendly community event for viewing from the shore. Lake Havasu Festival of Lights Boat Parade Location: Lake Havasu, AZ Date: December 13th, 2026 at 6pm Every year, the magical holiday spirit comes alive in Lake Havasu City with the much-anticipated Lake Havasu Parade of Lights, a dazzling display of festivity and creativity on water. Holiday lights are expected to adorn more than 100 boats as they glitter and glisten through the famed Bridgewater Channel under the London Bridge.