Boat Parades
Whether you live on the West Coast or East Coast, the Gulf Coast, the Great Lakes or some other inland sea, you can enjoy fabulous boat parades. Most are absolutely free to the public. Occasionally boat owners pay a fee to sail, but spectators need only find an anchoring spot in a clear patch of water or an on-land parking lot and convenient viewing place.
Here are some of the more popular holiday boat parades we found. This is by no means an exhaustive list. There are many more parades that are not listed here along both coasts of the U.S., as well as in Canada, the U.S. Gulf Coast, and inland. Many of those in our northern climes happen in the summer for Canada Day or the Fourth of July. Many more occur around the Christmas holidays.
Did we miss your favorite parade? Send your additions to karen@goodoldboat.com. We’ll post them on our growing list.
U.S. West Coast
Argosy Christmas Ship Festival
Seattle, Washingtonwww.argosycruises.com
This is a popular “theme” cruise line offering everything from jazz brunch series to murder mystery dinners. They offer a holiday dinner cruise for parade watchers.
Morro Bay Lighted Boat Parade
San Luis Obisbo County, Californiawww.morrobay.org
You can get more information about this annual event from the area chamber of commerce at 805-772-4467. This boat parade is often accompanied by a holiday street fair offering fun for the entire family in beautiful Old Town Morro Bay. The fair offers face painting, arts and crafts, entertainment, food, children’s activities, and many street vendors.
The Annual Christmas Ship Parade
Portland, Oregonwww.christmasships.org
This event spans a cruise along the Columbia and Willamette rivers. More than 50 decorated ships pass up and down the rivers for two weeks. Portland city officials provide detailed information on hotels, restaurants, and outdoor viewing places so families can enjoy this exciting fleet of fanciful holiday ships. Advance reservations are recommended at restaurants that pepper the riverfront. Ideal viewing spots disappear quickly.
Channel Islands Harbor Parade of Lights
Oxnard, Californiawww.channelislandsharbor.org
The folks in Oxnard offer pre-parade activities during the day and manage to include snow play for kids along with visits from Santa and Mrs. Claus.
Marina del Rey Holiday Boat Parade
Marina del Rey, Californiawww.mdrboatparade.org
This event kicks off with a super-duper fireworks display. Boaters compete for best boat decorations, so you’ll see some pretty outrageous lighting. For boaters interested in participating, a helpful list of do’s and don’ts is posted online. Popular radio announcers and television celebrities provide live commentary from Burton Chace Park where a judges’ stand is located. The park is a terrific place for a family or holiday party. You can also stake a spot along Fisherman’s Village or make early reservations at a variety of restaurants with fabulous views of this parade.
Naples Island Annual holiday Boat Parade
Long Beach, Californiawww.naplesca.com
This quaint little city tucked in the Long Beach, California, area offers beachside parking lots, free and metered. As local restaurants don’t offer great viewing of this parade, participants generally eat early, then walk down to the beach to view the parade.
San Diego Bay Parade of Lights
Photo from Marv Sloben,
San Diego Bay Parade of Lights
www.sdparadeoflights.org
The 2011 theme for the San Diego Bay Parade of Lights is “Back To The Future.” The city always hosts a large number of award-winning boats, so if you’re interested in competing, contact them right away.
Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade
Newport Beach, Californiawww.christmasboatparade.com
This parade is located in a ritzy part of Los Angeles County known for million-dollar homes and celebrity homeowners. As a backdrop to the flamboyant boat parade, the bayside homes and businesses are beautifully decorated with everything from animated rooftops to dancing Christmas trees. Prizes are awarded as part of the “Ring of Lights” competition. This bright light boat parade has been going on for more than a century.
Huntington Harbor Cruise of Lights
Huntington Beach, Californiawww.cruiseoflights.org
This was voted one of the Top 10 by Coastal Living Magazine. This is a ticketed event. To reserve your tickets call 714-840-7542.
Santa Barbara Parade of Lights and Fireworks
Santa Barbara, Californiawww.santabarbaraca.gov/Visitor/Things/Waterfront/Annual_Parade_of_Lights.htm
This event begins with a Santa’s Village setting and they bring in 10 tons of snow, a real treat for California kids who rarely see snow amidst the palm trees.
Ventura Harbor Parade of Lights and Fireworks
Ventura, Californiawww.venturaharborvillage.com/html/venturaharbor.html
“California Dreaming” is this year’s boat decorating theme.
Sidney Lighted Sailpast Boat Parade
Vancouver Island, British Columbiawww.victorialodging.com/event/Sidney-lighted-sailpast-boat-parade
Start the festivities off with a delicious pancake breakfast. Last year’s breakfast served more than 150 kids, who then got to see Santa. Hot drinks are served throughout the parade to adults, and kids are given glow-in-the-dark sticks to twirl.
Hawaii Kai Marina Christmas Boat Parade
Honolulu, Hawaii
www.hkmca.com
With a tropical backdrop, this parade offers bystanders free Blinkies to toss around, a stage of early musical concert entertainment before the parade and lots of free parking.
U.S. East Coast
Patchogue Riverfront Committee’s Boat Parade
Patchogue, New York
www.patchogueboatparade.com
This parade happens sometime in late November. The popular riverfront celebration also schedules a preview of the brightly decorated boats on display a few days before the parade.
Gloucester Boat Parade
Gloucester, MA
http://www.capeannvacations.com/schooner/schedule/
Discovery in Gloucester
The Gloucester Cup - Rick Isaacs photo
The parade starts up at Jones Creek off the Annisquam River, travels through the River and then around Gloucester Harbor (outer and inner) where the boats then anchor for the Fireworks Display which occurs once the parade has finished. The fireworks are shot off form Stage Fort Park, right off of Historic Stacy Boulevard. Spectators may view the parade and fireworks display from the banks of the river, the boulevard, boats anchored in the harbor, or anywhere else they can see the spectacular display. It's a wonderful and fun event that many, both near and far, look forward to!
Holiday Flotilla at Wrightsville Beach
Wrightsville Beach, North Carolinawww.ncholidayflotilla.org
This flotilla is heralded as one of the top 20 must-see events of the Southeast. This event features a popular 5k run and a festival in the park.
Santa sails into New York City Harbor
Harbor Town, New Yorkwww.sail-nyc.com/new-york-harbor-lighted-boat-parade.html
When Santa sails into port, it’s as popular as the Macy’s Parade. Santa makes his appearance on the final boat of this flotilla.
Cocoa Village Boat Parade
Cocoa City, Floridawww.cfnews13.com/article/news/2010/september/151613/Boaters-needed-for-Cocoa-Village-Holiday-Boat-Parade
Cocoa Village is always looking for boaters to join the parade. Not only will they have a slew of dressed up parade boats, they also offer free, family-oriented movies at the nearby park.
Davis Island Yacht Club Parade
Tampa, Floridawww.diyc.org
Davis Island Yacht Club claims to be “The Sailingest Club in the South.”
Fort Walton Beach Christmas Boat Parade
Destin, Floridawww.vacationsmadeeasy.com/DestinFortWaltonBeachAreaFL/eventCalendar/ChristmasBoatParade.cfm
Fort Walton Beach is so hospitable the city fathers are offering families 70 percent discounts on stays at four-star hotels just to entice them to come and enjoy this popular holiday parade.
Parade of Boats
Charleston, South Carolinawww.charlestonlowcountry.com/specialpages/Parade_of_Boats.html
Charleston invites sailors to simply register with the city of Charleston, decorate their boats from stem to stern, and join this popular parade. They throw a party for captains and crew complete with prizes in power and sail categories. The Best-in-Show Award is given to the highest scoring boat overall.
Alexandria Holiday Boat Parade
Washington, D.C.http://dc.about.com/od/christmasevents/a/AlexHolBoatPara.htm
Photo courtesy of the Alexandria Convention & Visitors Assoc.
Rain or snow, this event along the Potomac River includes powerboats, sailboats and even the district’s fireboat. Parade committee members design competitive categories such as “Best in Show,” “Best Thinking outside the Christmas Box,” and a full weekend of holiday festivities.
Hampton Lighted Boat Parade
Hampton, Virginiawww.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/g/a/2010/10/21/prwebprweb4685384.DTL
Hampton invites captains who wish to enter their seafaring vessel in this Virginia parade to contact the Hampton Public Piers at 757-727-1276.
Inner Harbor Lighted Boat Parade
Baltimore, Marylandwww.whatsonwhen.com/sisp/?fx=event&event_id=108176
This parade is sponsored by the Fells Point Yacht Club. Anyone wishing to attend or participate is encouraged to contact the yacht club at <www.fpyc.net>.
Holiday Boat Parade
Dunedin, Floridawww.tampabay.com/news/humaninterest/dunedin-santa-comes-by-boat-parade/1137603
Even tugboats are part of this boater-cade . . . along with a seafaring Santa.
St. Petersburg Holiday Boat Parade
St. Petersburg, Floridahttp://visitsouth.com/articles/article/illuminated-boat-parade-st.-petersburg-fl
This parade is a bright and beautiful St. Petersburg/Clearwater tradition on Florida’s Gulf Coast. Boats turn into gigantic floats full of glowing palm trees. There’s a bouncing inflatable Santa Claus, chili cook-offs, and lots of family fun.
Annapolis Boat Parade
Annapolis, Marylandhttp://dc.about.com/od/christmasevents/a/AnnapBoatParade.htm
A boat parade is just one event in Maryland’s state capital during the holiday season. The U.S. Naval Academy plays an active role in the boat parade and there are also candlelight tours, holiday concerts, and lovely shops throughout this historic seaport town. Free shuttles from convenient parking lots at the Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium will transport visitors to the boat parade area.
St. Pete Beach Holiday Boat Parade
Tampa, Floridawww.tampabaybeaches.com/cwt/External/WCPages/WCEvents/EventDetail.aspx?EventID=953
You don’t have to be in the St. Pete Beach parade to enjoy it, but for those who participate, organizers remind captains to ensure their boats’ lights are in good working condition, to get there early and plan to stay a little later to avoid the rush, to be equipped with enough life jackets for everyone on board, to have a chart plotter with “tracking” turned on, and to enjoy the show.
Boca Ciega Yacht Club Christmas Boat Parade
Tampa, Floridawww.sailbcyc.org/PDF%20Files/BCYC%20Christmas%20Boat%20Parade%20Press%20Release%202011.pdf
The Boca Ciega parade is 26 years old and going strong. To enter your boat in this parade, there’s a small fee of $5 and the donation of two unwrapped toys for the Gulfport’s Police Department. The toys are donated to needy children as part of Operation Santa.
Winterfest Boat Parade
Ft. Lauderdale, Floridawww.winterfestparade.com/index.php?p=content&categ=5
The Winterfest Boat Parade organizers claim theirs to be the “World’s most-watched boat parade.”
Regatta of Lights, St. Augustine Yacht Club
Jacksonville, Floridawww.sayc2000.com/YachtHolidayRegattaBrochure2010_1.pdf
Photo by Dick Dixon
Pompano Beach Holiday Boat Parade
Miami, Floridawww.pompanobeachchamber.com/index.php?src=events&srctype=profile&refno=16391
With its own claim to fame, Pompano Beach boasts that it has the oldest and most continuous boat parade in the United States. There is no entry fee for participating boats and as many as 50 to 75 boats participate each year.
Key West Lighted Boat Parade
Key West, Floridawww.keywestvacationguide.com/kw-7341-Key+West+Lighted+Boat+Parade.html
In Key West, all participating boats are entered in an impressive raffle that promises great prizes. Participants pay a registration fee of $25 per boat.
Christmas on the Water Boat Parade
Biloxi, Mississippiwww.biloxi.ms.us/Contact/
Last year, Mark Oehmichen’s “Blow Me Away” Sailboat took first place in the Pleasure Sailboats Category of this local Christmas parade.
Indian Rocks Beach Christmas Boat Parade
Indian Rocks, Floridawww.indian-rocks-beach.com
Legend has it this beach community got its name because American Indians discovered natural sulfur rock springs where a native medicine man healed their chief. These days, they’re creating new legends with their annual Christmas boat parades.
Treasure Island Holiday Boat Parade
Treasure Island, Floridawww.mytreasureisland.org/boatparade.htm
There are plenty of prime viewing spots on this island retreat.
