If you’re looking for fun and festive ways to get your family out on the water this holiday season, consider making a Christmas boat parade part of your annual tradition! Whether you want to deck your boat in lights and decorations and join in the procession or watch from the sidelines, holiday boat parades are a surefire way to get into the spirit of the season. Lots of waterfront communities have holiday boat parade options, but if you want to experience something extra-special, check out these five time-honored holiday spectacles from coasts around the country!
Charleston Holiday Parade of Boats
Celebrate the holidays in Lowcountry style at the Charleston Holiday Parade of Boats. Each year, thousands of Charlestonians gather along the banks of the Ashley River and Charleston Harbor to see hundreds of light-covered boats on parade, ending with a brilliant fireworks finale over the harbor. This year’s parade of boats marks the 38th anniversary of the tradition.
When: Saturday, December 14, 2019
Best places to see the action: The Battery, Waterfront Park and Mount Pleasant Memorial Waterfront Park Pier.
Marina Del Rey Holiday Boat Parade
The Marina Del Rey Holiday Boat Parade began in 1963, as a way to advertise the marina. At the time, there were about 100 boats in the marina, and twenty families paid the $2 entry fee to participate in the parade. Over the decades, the marina grew to nearly 6,000 boats, and the holiday boat parade tradition lives on. It includes vessels of all shapes and sizes -- from boats to yachts -- and draws crowds of about 25,000 people every year. The festivities kickoff in the morning with a free ‘Snow Wonder’ festival at Chace Burton Park, where kids can enjoy real snow, sledding, arts and crafts, face painting, a live DJ, food trucks and more.
When: Saturday, December 14, 2019
Viewing Spots: Burton Chace Park and Fisherman’s Village
Venice Christmas Boat Parade
The Venice Christmas Boat Parade boasts one of the best-viewed parades on the coast. Spectators can get up-close to the action as decorated boats of all sizes cruise the intracoastal waterways. Since their first boat parade in 1989, Venice starts their Christmas season on the first Saturday of December with a ‘come one, come all’ welcome to all boaters. Their goal is to make their parade the most viewed and talked-about holiday show in southwest Florida.
When: Saturday, December 7, 2019
Newport Beach Boat Parade
This year, Newport Beach celebrates its 111th Annual Christmas Boat Parade! You’ll have plenty of opportunities to catch this one, as it runs for five nights in a row. Each night, the Newport Beach Boat Parade begins and ends at Lido Isle. Beloved by residents and visitors alike, this holiday tradition lights up the harbor and offers great dining and holiday activities the whole family will love.
When: December 18-22, 2019
Viewing Spots: the new 10.5 acre Marina Park and numerous ‘Dine & Watch’ waterfront restaurants. Or take one of the public boat cruises to get right in the action as you travel with the parade and view bayfront homes in all their holiday splendor.
Eastport Yacht Club Lights Parade
The Eastport Yacht Club Lights Parade is a beloved Annapolis holiday tradition. It’s worth braving the cold to see the darkened harbor suddenly burst into colorful, festive light as boats, docks and balconies festoon the water like Christmas ornaments.
When: Saturday, December 14, 2019
Best places to see the action: the Eastport bridge offers the best vantage point. For more great views, check out the Naval Academy seawall, city dock, and Watermark’s moored Harbor Queen cruise ship (for the latter, bring a bag of non-perishable food, pet food items, or a cash donation -- $10 recommended -- and you'll be welcomed aboard
Chaparral has been building quality family boats since 1965. Founded in Fort Lauderdale, Florida - Chaparral has called Nashville, Georgia home since 1976. Encompassing over 1 million square feet of manufacturing facilities, we are one of South Georgia’s largest employers with a full time roster of over 800 employees. Building high quality boats is still a process completed by hand by skilled craftsmen. At Chaparral, many of our builders are second or third generation boat builders that take personal pride in every boat they build.
