As it turns out, not all parades take place on land or in the city. With everything from superyachts to kayaks, boating parades have taken the country by storm. From vessels decked out in holiday cheer to big crowds and cookouts on the water, there’s no better way to celebrate the holidays than by attending a nice holiday boat parade. So whether you’re looking to attend the San Diego Parade of Lights or the Fort Lauderdale Winterfest Boat Parade, we’ve compiled this useful guide covering the best holiday boat parades from coast to coast, courtesy of Boatsetter.
When it comes to boating in the “World’s Luckiest Fishing Village,” there are opportunities for sailors and anglers alike. But when it comes to holiday boat parades, there are few better opportunities to enjoy all of the pretty lights on the water than with the Holiday on the Harbor Lighted Boat Parade. In attendance now for over thirty years, this holiday boat show has everything from Santa visits, a live performance of the Nutcracker, and fireworks over the water at night.
From Pier 39 all the way to Chrissy Fields, there a few boat parades that have a spectacular background and all around great atmosphere than that of the Fisherman’s Wharf Holiday Lights & Sights Boat Parade. With the Golden Gate Bridge lighting the way, you can expect to see boats of all shapes and sizes cruising around the San Francisco Bay. At the end of the day, you can lay out on the grass in the park and enjoy all this beautiful spectacle has to offer.
When it comes to holiday boating parade competitions, the San Diego Bay Parade of Light’s knows what they’re doing. With more than 80 boats in competition each December, the parage panel judges boats based on their annual holiday theme. So if you’re up for a little holiday challenge, be sure to check out this beloved holiday boating parade in San Diego.
Known as the “Greatest Show on H20,” the Fort Lauderdale Winterfest Boat Parade has been dazzling visitors and locals alike for decades. If you’re looking for a good ole holiday party on a boat, this is the place to be. With many of the boats offering everything from live music to barbeques, you can rest assured that there’s plenty of great local food and entertainment for the entire crew!
With everything from holiday caroling to barbeque cookoffs, the Charleston Holiday Parade of Boats provides fun for the entire family. Located in the prime spot, right at the Charleston Maritime Center, this is the perfect location for checking out all the old boats in town that are decked out with Christmas lights. With visits from Santa, as well, you can rest assured your kids will have all the entertainment they need for a full night of holiday fun.