Deck the Hulls with Lights & Buoys! Your Guide to Florida Holiday Boat Parades

Holiday Boat Parade Edgewater, Florida

It’s that time of year again—Christmas is almost here, and in Florida, that means boat parades. For more than 60 years, these floating light shows have turned into a holiday tradition all across the state. If you haven’t seen one yet, check out a boat parade near you and get in on the fun.

Saturday, Nov. 29

Jacksonville Lighted Boat Parade

• River festivities begin at 5 p.m.

• Parade begins at 6:30 p.m. at the Hyatt Regency Riverfront Hotel

• Concludes with waterfall fireworks on Main Street and Acosta Bridge

Saturday, Dec. 6

Alafia Lighted Boat Parade

• Riverview Park and Civic Center

• Parade starts at 5 p.m. at Williams Park and will conclude around 7 p.m. at River’s Edge for awards and a VIP party

Fort Myers Beach Boat Parade

• Parade begins at 6 p.m. at Salty Sam’s Marina

• Vessels will make a second loop through the back bay to give everyone another chance to enjoy

Lake Weir Christmas Boat Parade

• Parade begins at 5 p.m. from Carney Island

Martin County Holiday Boat Parade, Stuart.

• Parade begins at 6:30 in Stuart

• Best viewing spots: Stuart City Docks, Stuart RiverWalk, Evans Crary Bridge, Sandspirit Park and Manatee Pocket docks

Palm Beach Holiday Boat Parade

• Parade begins at 6 p.m. at North Palm Beach Marina on Marina Drive

• Volunteer bosts will travel for dockside pickups for Toys for Tots donations

• Best view spots: North Palm Beach Marina, Juno Park, Bert Winters Park, Sawfish Bay Park, and Harbourside Place

Palm Valley Boat Parade

• Parade starts at 6:30 p.m. one mile south of Palm Valley Bridge

• Route heads north for seven miles, ending in Marsh Landing

• Best view spots: Near the bridge, end of Canal Street, Mickler’s Wharf, or restaurants along Roscoe Boulevard

Venice Christmas Boat Parade

• Parade begins at 6 p.m. just north of the Albee Road bridge

• Route will head south on the Intracoastal out to the channel marker in the jetty before circling back, continuing south and ending at the Circus Brudge

Sunday, Dec. 7

Leesburg Christmas on the Water

• Pre-parade activities begin at 5 p.m. with holiday music and live performances, food trucks, lighting ceremony and free hay rides

• Parade begins at 6:15 p.m. at Venetian Gardens Park

• To enter, contact Fred O’Brien at 352-326-8274

Friday, Dec. 12

Cocoa Village Holiday Boat Parade

• Parade begins at 6 p.m. at Coca Riverfront Park

• All proceeds benefit the Sharing Center of Central Brevard

Lantana-Boynton Beach, Delray Beach Holiday Boat Parade

• Parade begins at 6:30 p.m. at the Ocean Avenue Bridge in Lantana

• Route will head south into Delray Beach

• Best view spots: Boynton Harbor Marina, Intracoastal Park, Jaycee Park, Veterans Park, and Knowles Park

• Toys for Tots will collect new, unwrapped toys

Pompano Beach Holiday Boat Parade

• Parade begins at 7 p.m. at Lake Santa Barbara

• Route will travel north to Hillsboro Boulevard in Deerfield Beach

• Best view spots: Sullivan Park, North Riverside Park, Scott Winters Memorial Park, NE 16th Street Park, Harbor’s Edge Park, Alsdorf Park, and the restaurants along the Intracoastal Waterway in Pompano, Lighthouse Point, and Deerfield Beach

Tarpon Springs Illuminated Boat Parade

• Parade begins at 6:30 p.m. down the Anclote River and into the bayous

• Santa will hand out treats in Spring Bayou

• Best view spot: Whitcomb Bayou, Craig Park, or Spring Bayou

• Boats must be registered to enter for the judging at 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, Dec. 13

Daytona Beach Christmas Boat Parade

• Parade begins at 6 p.m. along the Halifax River

• Benefits the Veterans Support Fund

• Best view spots: Chart House Restaurant, Daytona Marina and Boat Works, City Island, Manatee Island, and Halifax Harbor Marina

Fort Lauderdale Winterfest Boat Parade

• Parade begins at 6:30 p.m. at the New River in downtown Fort Lauderdale

• Route moves east to the Intracoastal Waterway, then heads north on the Intracoastal to Lake Santa Barbara

• Best view spots: High Taylor Birch State Park and Las Olas Intracoastal Promenade Park

Apollo Beach Lighted Boat Parade

• Parade starts at 6 p.m. near marker 12 in the south basin of Apollo Beach

Boca Ciega Yacht Club’s Holiday Boat Parade

• Parade starts at 6 p.m. at Osgood Point

• Boats will continue to the Municipal Marina, on to Gulfport’s Williams Pier, Casino, and beach before moving on to Town Shores, Kipps Colony, Skimmer’s Point and other communities. 

Clearwater Holiday Lighted Boat Parade

• Parade begins at 6 p.m. on Mandalay Channel

• Boats will travel along the inlets of Island Estates and under the Memorial Causeway Bridge to wrap up at the Clearwater Yacht Club

Cocoa Beach Christmas Boat Parade

• Parade begins at 6:30 p.m. from Marker 101 near Centennial Park, across from Cape Canaveral Hospital

• Best view spots: Sunset Cafe, Wildlife Watersports, End of South Banana River Boulevard, and Cove Park

Crystal River Christmas Boat Parade

• Parade begins at 6:15 p.m. in Kings Bay

• Theme: Hallmark Movies and Holiday Films

• Best view spots: Crackers Restaurant, Dockside Ice Cream/Charlie’s Restaurant, The Crab Plant, Pete’s Pier, The Port Hotel/Waterfront Social Restaurant

Homosassa Christmas Boat Parade

• Parade begins after dark at the Homosassa River and Prices Creek

• Boats will travel to the Marguerita Grille and around the restaurants, parks, and marinas

Key Largo Boat Parade

• Parade begins at 7:30 p.m. at mile marker 103 Bayside in Blackwater Sound

• Best view spots: Jimmy Johnson’s Big Chill, Sundowner’s, and the Caribbean Cub

Key West Schooner Wharf Bar Lighted Boat Parade

• Festivities begin at 6 p.m. at Schooner Wharf

• Parade begins at 8 p.m. at Key West Bight Marina at the Historic Seaport

• Boats are encouraged to be decorated to score bragging rights and prizes

Festival of Lights Illuminated Boat Parade Madeira Beach

• Parade begins at 6:30 p.m. at the American Legion Post and will end at John’s Pass

• There will be holiday music, food, and spirits

• Best view spot: ROC Park

St. Lucie County Holiday Boat Parade, Fort Pierce

• Parade begins at 6 p.m. in Fort Pierce

• Best view spots: Fort Pierce Cirt Marina Boat Ramp/Park, South Causeway, Museum Pointe Park, Riverside restaurants along A1A, and South Jetty Park

Manatee River Holiday Boat Parade, Bradenton

• Parade begins at 6:30 p.m. in Bradenton

• Best view spots: Riverhouse, Pier 22, and the Bradenton Yacht Club

Christmas Boat Parade on Naples Bay

• Parade begins at 6:15 p.m.

• Best view spots: Naples City Dock (ticketed), Pinchers Tin City, Riverwalk Restaurant, Naples Landing, Kelly’s Fish House, The Boat House on Naples Bay, and Bayview Park

Palm Coast Holiday Boat Parade

• Parade begins at 6 p.m. at the Cochise Waterway

• Free shuttle service available between the Palm Coast Community Center, the Daytona State College parking lot and European Village

New Smyrna Beach Holiday Boat Parade

• Parade will pass Riverside Park in downtown NSB and along the North Causeway to Riverview and will circle back to Riverside Park

• Best view spots: Riverside Drive, Smyrna Yacht Club, Riverside Park, Anglers Yacht CLub, NSB Boat & Ski Club, Outriggers Tiki Bar & Grille, and The Grille at Riverview

St. Augustine Regatta of Lights

• Parade begins at 6 p.m. from the St. Augustine Yacht Club

• Best view spots: The bayfront seawall between Bridge of Lions and the Castillo de San Marcos and any restaurants facing the river

Sarasota Holiday Boat Parade of Lights

• Parade begins at 6 p.m.

• Best view spots: Bayfront Park and Marina Jack (reservations required)

• Guests are encouraged to bring an unwrapped toy or book, which will be distributed by Suncoast Charities for Children to local charities 

Sebring Christmas Boat Parade

• Parade begins at 7 p.m. on Big Lake Jackson

• Route will go from Don Jose Mexican Restaurant, around the lake and back to the restaurant

• Best view spots: Don Jose’s, Veterans Beach, City Pier, Hidden Beach, Crescent Beach, and Sunset Grille

Friday, Dec. 19

Lake Osborne Holiday Boat Parade

• Parade begins at 7 p.m. at the Hive Waterfront Restaurant and Tiki Bar in Lantana

• Best view spots: John Prince Park and the campground area

Saturday, Dec. 20

Marco Island Christmas Boat Parade

• Parade begins at 6 p.m. on the Marco River

• Best view spots: The Esplanade on SMokehouse Bay and Snook Inn

Punta Gorda Boat Parade

• Parade begins at 6:30 within Punta Gorda Isles

• Best viewing spot is along Almar Drive

Tampa Riverwalk Lighted Boat Parade

• Parade begins at 6:15 p.m. at the southern tip of Davis Islands and goes up to Sparkman Wharf

• Best view spots: Armature Works, Channel Drive, Curtis Hixon, Davis Island, Harbour Island, Sparkman Wharf, and Water Works Park

Treasure Island Boat Parade

• Parade begins at 6 p.m. just south of Treasure Island Causeway

• Best view spots: Treasure IslandGolf & Tennis Club, along the Treasure Island causeway Bridge and John’s Pass