2022 Holiday Lighted Boat Parade Schedule

’Tis the season to celebrate the holidays on the water! And what better way to make merry than by attending a lighted holiday boat parade? Come with us to add more joy, laughter, and light to this holiday season. Here’s a look at the top places that host holiday boat parades this year:

• California
• Florida
• Maryland
• North Carolina
• New York
• South Carolina
• Tennessee
• Virginia
• Washington State

Read the entire post for a special section on holiday boat parades in Washington, D.C.! Our list of boat shows is divided by region and state.

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Holiday Boat Parades in the South

(South) Florida

Boca Raton’s Holiday Boat Parade will be on December 17. It’s the 48th annual version of the event, with public viewing areas at Red Reef Park, Wildflower Park, and Silver Palm Park.

Fort Lauderdale will be home to the Seminole Hard Rock Winterfest Boat Parade on December 10. The route starts at Stranahan House, then goes to the New River and Intracoastal Waterway before continuing to Lake Santa Barbara in Pompano Beach.

The Marine Industries Association of Palm Beach will present the 28th annual Palm Beach Holiday Boat Parade on December 3. The event includes more than $10,000 in cash and prizes and benefits Toys for Tots and Little Smiles.

The Palm Beaches 2022 Holiday Boat Parade will take place on December 9. It runs along the Intracoastal Waterway from Boynton Beach to Delray Beach. The event helps to collect toys for the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation.

Tampa’s lighted boat parade is scheduled for December 17 along the Hillsborough River. The route starts at Davis Islands, travels through the Convention Center basin, and then goes up to the Heights, where the boats turn around and head to Sparkman Wharf.

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North Carolina

The North Carolina Holiday Flotilla is planned for November 26. The event includes food vendors, arts and crafts vendors, a car show, and fireworks after the boat parade.

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South Carolina

The Charleston Holiday Boat Parade will be on December 10. Its route runs from the Cooper River to Charleston Harbor and into the Ashley River.

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Tennessee

The Hendersonville Christmas Boat Parade is set for November 19. The theme is “Deck the Hulls.”

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Virginia

The Alexandria Holiday Boat Parade of Lights, sponsored by Amazon, is set to take place on December 3. It includes dockside festivities in Waterfront Park, such as a pop-up beer garden from Port City Brewing Company.

Virginia Beach will host a Holiday Boat Parade of Lights on December 10. Check the website for up-to-date details about the event.

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Holiday Boat Parades in the West

California

Marina Del Rey’s 60th Annual Holiday Boat Parade is scheduled for December 10. It includes a fireworks display.

The 60th anniversary Huntington Harbour Boat Parade will be on December 10 and 11. This year’s theme is “Swinging to the Sounds.”

Morro Bay will host a Lighted Boat Parade on December 3. The event is organized by the Rotary Club with the Morro Bay Harbor Department and the City of Morro Bay.

The Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade is a multi-day event, scheduled this year for December 14-18. This parade encourages decoration creativity, with awards for everything from the most humorous display to the best special effects.

San Diego Bay will host its 52nd annual Parade of Lights on December 11 and December 18. The route starts at Shelter Island and runs past Harbor Island, The Embarcadero, Seaport Village, the Pier at Cesar Chavez Park, and the ferry landing on Coronado.

Sausalito has scheduled its 2022 Lighted Boat Parade and Fireworks for December 19. The event is viewable from much of the Sausalito waterfront.

Stockton’s annual Lighted Boat Parade will be held on December 3. It’s the 39th edition of the event, with the best viewing from behind Banner Island Ballpark and the Stockton Marina, the south shore near the marina and waterfront warehouse, and Weber Point.

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Washington

Seattle’s Christmas Boat Parade is set for December 17. The event includes a toy drive and supports Seattle Children’s Hospital.

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Holiday Boat Parades in the Northeast

Maryland

Eastport Yacht Club’s Lights Parade is scheduled for December 2022, in celebration of its 40th anniversary. This year’s diamond sponsor is Long & Foster Real Estate, with Christie’s International Real Estate.

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New York

Patchogue’s Christmas Holiday/Boat Parade will be held on November 20. The theme for this year’s event is “A Winter Wonderland.” It’s the 27th annual edition of the parade.

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Holiday Boat Parades in Washington, D.C.

More than 60 boats are expected to take part in the District’s Holiday Boat Parade on December 3 along the Washington Channel, which parallels the Potomac River. This boat show is double special for being held in our nation’s great capital and for taking place on the water!

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