13 Spectacular Holiday Boat Parades in Florida
One of my favorites idiosyncrasies of living in Florida during the holidays is the nontraditional events we can hold and attend because of great weather. Boat parades, for example. With more than 8,000 miles of coastline along oceans, rivers, bays, and lakes, Florida boasts the second largest coastline in the United States, according to calculations from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). All of this coastline means that holiday boat parades in Florida have become one of the most popular seasonal events between Thanksgiving and Christmas.
In this article, we briefly introduce thirteen of the most beautiful and spectacular holiday boat parades in Florida. These parades have existed for a number of years and draw crowds of tens of thousands to waterways around Florida. Though generally free to attend, if you want to watch one, plan to snag a spot by the water early. Like street parades, the best viewing places fill up fast.
1. Boca Ciega Yacht Club Christmas Boat Parade
2025 will mark the 39th year Boca Ciega Yacht Club members have decorated their boats in holiday cheer and headed into the waterways around Pasadena and Gulfport to entertain those who gather to watch. For participants, the fee to enter a boat is just two unwrapped toys for Operation Santa. The Gulfport police department spearheads Operation Santa, a toy drive for the children of Gulfport.
Date: Cancelled for 2024 due to hurricane damage
2. Boca Raton Holiday Boat Parade
Per Boca Raton’s website, this parade is permanently cancelled due to lack of attendance and lower boater participation.
Date: Cancelled
3. Carrabelle Boat Parade of Lights
Part of Carrabelle’s larger holiday celebration, Holiday on the Harbor, the Boat Parade of Lights travels along the Carrabelle River. Viewers find lots of open space along the banks from which to see delightfully-decorated yachts. A fireworks show closes the evening after the boat parade.
Date: December 14, 2024
Time: “Dark-30”, according to the Carrabelle website
4. Daytona Beach Christmas Boat Parade
Hosted by the Halifax River Yacht Club, the Daytona Beach Christmas Boat Parade starts at the Seabreeze Bridge and travels south on the Halifax River. Several riverfront locations offer spectacular vantage points from which to view the parade. Like others on this list, expect the boats to be extravagantly decked out in lights, ornaments, and other decorations.
Date: December 21, 2024
Time: 5:30 PM
5. Destin Boat Parade
The Destin Boat Parade happens in conjunction with Harborwalk Village’s Holiday on the Harbor celebration. The parade starts at Boshamps Restaurant, then cruises past AJs, HarborWalk Village, and heads towards the Destin Bridge and Norriego Point. The evening concludes with a fireworks show and fire spinning.
Date: December 15, 2024
Time: 6:00 PM
6. Dunedin Holiday Boat Parade
Dunedin’s Holiday Boat Parade is cancelled in 2024 and likely in 2025 and 2026 as well. The marina where the parade ends and the judges and audience watch the parade was damaged during Hurricanes Helene and Milton. The city states at this time that repairs will take at least two years and the marina and park will be closed during that time.
Date: Cancelled due to hurricane damage
7. Fort Lauderdale Winterfest Boat Parade
Fort Lauderdale’s Seminole Hard Rock Winterfest Boat Parade is one of the oldest and most festive holiday boat parades in Florida. It begins with pre-parade festivities of non-motorized vessels. The parade route takes it from Stranahan House east along the New River to the Intracoastal Waterway. From there the parade travels to Pompano Beach for a total of 12 miles.
Date: December 14, 2024
Time: 6:30 PM
8. Jacksonville Light Boat Parade
The Jacksonville Light Boat Parade coincides with “the largest small business Saturday” event the weekend after Thanksgiving. The parade travels along one shore of the St. John’s River turns around and parades along the opposite shore. Viewers from both sides of Florida’s most historic river will have great viewing opportunities.
Date: November 30, 2024
Time: 6:00 PM
9. Madeira Beach Festival of Lights Boat Parade
The 58th Annual Festival of Lights Boat Parade at Madeira Beach winds around the town’s many residential peninsulas and ends at John’s Pass. Anyone who wants to watch the parade can do so best from ROC park or John’s Pass. Entrants have a chance to win up to $3,000 for festively-decorated boats.
Date: December 14th, 2024
Time: 6:30 PM
10. Pompano Beach, Lighthouse Point, Deerfield Beach CHAOS Holiday Boat Parade
More than 50 boats are expected to participate in the 62nd Annual boat parade which starts in Pompano Beach and travels the Intracoastal Waterway north to Deerfield Beach. This year’s event theme is “A Salute to Our First Responders” and the Grand Marshalls will be the Ely Fire Cadets. In addition to beautifully-decorated boats, Santa and Mrs. Claus will make an appearance.
Date: December 13, 2024
Time: 7:00 PM
11. St. Augustine’s Regatta of Lights
If you haven’t been to St. Augustine during Nights of Lights, go. The oldest continuously inhabited European city in the United States is lit up in holiday magic. And one of the events held during this festive season is the Regatta of Lights, their holiday boat parade. Participants vie for a number of prizes while the general public views decorated boats from the Bridge of Lions to Castillo San Marcos.
Date: December 14, 2024
Time: 6:00 PM
12. Tarpon Springs Illuminated Boat Parade
The 35th Annual Tarpon Springs Illuminated Boat Parade starts at the world-famous Sponge Docks on the Anclote River. The parade then winds through Whitcomb Bayou and Spring Bayou before exiting back to the river. Anyone wanting to view can do so from many locations including the Sponge Docks and Craig Park.
Date: December 6, 2024
Time: 6:30 PM
13. Venice Christmas Boat Parade of Lights
With miles of Intracoastal Waterway, Venice offers a perfect place to see an iconic holiday boat parade in Florida. The Venice parade starts at Albee Farm Bridge and travels south to Circus Bridge. Here the ICW is narrow and those who wish to view the parade find themselves in close proximity to the boats. It’s one of the reasons this boat parade is one of the most viewed on Florida’s Gulf Coast.
Date: December 7, 2024
Time: 6:00 PM
Tips for Watching Holiday Boat Parades in Florida
Holiday boat parades in Florida offer a fun, Florida-style kickoff to the holiday season. Here are a few tips for the best viewing.
- Know the route and where you can watch.
- Get there early to secure to a great place from which to see the parade.
- Expect crowds. Many of these boat parades draw tens of thousands of spectators.
- Bring a camera, whether it’s your phone or your a digital camera.
- Stick around to see more lights. Some of these parades begin or end at marinas or areas with docks. If you can, walk the docks to see the boats up close.
- Enjoy any other festivities happening at the same time, like holiday tree lightings, holiday festivals in a nearby town or village, or holiday lights at a botanical garden.
- Have fun!
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Oooh I love this! Madeira’s is coming up this weekend and is right by me! I’ll have to check it out.
Holiday boat parades sound so Florida, and so fun! I grew up visiting Destin Beach in the summer, so I would love to check out the Destin Boat Parade to see how they celebrate the holidays. Thanks for putting together this great list 🙂
I LOVE boat parades! Didnt even know they were a thing until I lived in Newport Beach, California and I was blown away; its such a great idea! Thanks for putting this list together. I would love to do Florida for Christmas one year and a boat parade would be ideal. I’ll keep this list handy. Thanks! – Linzey @thefamilyfuntour
I lived in Florida for 11 years and never made it to a holiday boat parade, looks like a lot of fun!
Oh I didn’t know a holiday boat parade was a thing but I’ve clearly been missing out! These all look like such magical experiences. I’d especially love to see Tarpon Springs Illuminated Boat Parade. Thanks for the great guide!
This sounds like such a fun, unique experience! I knew Florida did boat parades, but I hadn’t heard of holiday boat parades before. What a fun things to watch all the light float by!
What a treat this would be to watch. Amazing all of the different Christmas activities in this world simply based upon where you live.