Holiday Boat Parades in Florida
One of the most spectacular holiday events to see in Florida is a boat parade. With all of the coastal communities in Florida, it is not hard to find one. Boaters and Landlovers alike love to come out to see the boats lighting up the waterways. From colorful extravagant illuminations, to simpler unique designs, Floridians get creative and have fun with their boats at Christmas time. We work hard to find all of the Holiday Boat Parades with the most up to date information providing you with the most comprehensive list. Check out our 2019 Ultimate Guide to Florida's Boat Parades below.
Tips for Viewing Boat Parades in Your Florida City
- Visit the website and find the best locations to plan your evening.
- Get there early to get the best viewing spots. Most parades start when it gets dark and it may be more difficult to get to the location once the parade starts, especially if you have to cross a bridge. Some bridges will stay up during the whole parade so be sure you get across early enough.
- Some restaurants along the water offer viewing and we recommend enjoying a good early meal and securing your viewing spot.
If you want to be in the parade with your boat, contact the event host early to be sure you can have a spot and what the criteria and rules are.
Let's have some fun this holiday season! Send up your images and videos to share on our website and social sites.
2019 Ultimate Guide to Florida's Boat Parades
Updated October 1st, we are still waiting on some confirmations from some of the events. Bookmark this page or join our newsletter below. We'll keep you updated.
Events
November 30, 2019
Location: St. Johns River in Downtown Jacksonville, Florida
A holiday tradition in Jacksonville for over 30 years, this Boat Parade is a great family activity with friends and family the Saturday after Thanksgiving.
Come out and see the Jacksonville River illuminated with festive boats cruising along the north and south riverbanks in downtown. The boat parade begins at 6:30 pm and the evening ends with a spectacular fireworks show.
December (tba) 2019
Location: Deland, Florida
Limited only by imagination, each of the themed entries sparkles with thousands of lights. The best spots to view the parade are at Ed Stone Park in DeLand and Lake Beresford Yacht Club . The Parade starts in Lake Beresford (north/east side) about 6pm and travels along the shores of the lake to the St. Johns River where it will go past Hontoon St Park (about 6:30pm) up the river northbound to the Whitehair Bridge (SR 44) and Ed Stone Park (about 7:00pm) and endin past the St. Johns Marina North River Grille.
December (tba), 2019
Location: Palm Valley, Florida
This parade is sometimes known as the Mardi Gras of lighted boat parades for its community involvement and friendly laid back nature.
December (tba), 2019
Location: from Sabine Marina to the Pensacola Beach Boardwalk, Pensacola Beach, Florida
This lighted boat parade is a fun way to kick off the holiday season with the whole family. It includes a pre-show party for kids and an appearance from Santa Claus!
December 6, 2019
Location: Tarpon Springs, Florida
This lighted Christmas parade brings a fun and festive spirit to the Tarpon Springs area every year. Boats will cruise down the Anclote River and into the bayous. Come out to Craig Park that sits along the Spring Bayou where the boats will be parading at around 8pm. Free event.
Saturday, December 7, 2019, 6pm
Location: Apollo Beach, Florida
Any boat owner can decorate their boat and enter it into this fun and festive parade for the community! This event is sponsored by the Tampa Sailing Squadron and includes a Chili Cook-off and fun festivities.
Saturday, December 7, 2019, 6:30 pm
Location: Blackwater Yacht Club, Astor, Florida
This lighted Christmas boat parade is sponsored by The Blackwater Yacht Club to benefit the children of Astor.
Saturday, December 7, 2019, 6 pm
Location: Downtown Waterfront, New Port Richey, Florida
New Port Richey's unique and fun boat parade that cruises along the river with vessels of all types from kayaks to boats. Public viewing at Sims Park includes Dr. Unger's Winterfest with activities, entertainment, food, drink and SNOW!
Saturday, December 7, 2019, 6pm
Location: Daytona Beach, Halifax River, Florida
Daytona Beach Christmas Boat Parade cruises along the Halifax River in Daytona Beach sponsored by the Halifax River Yacht Club.
Saturday, December 7, 2019, 6pm
Location: Edgewater Park, Dunedin, Florida
Come out to Edgewater Park in Dunedin for the annual holiday boat parade.
Saturday, December 7, 2019, 6 pm
Location: Matanzas Harbor and the first two canals of Siesta Isles, Fort Myers, Florida
Enjoy this parade of over 30 decorated boats on the shore, or you can enjoy it from one of the many restaurants and other locals along the bay.
December 7, 2019
Location: Halifax River, Daytona Beach, Florida
Celebrate the holidays by decorating your boat and getting involved in this fun event. Or you can have almost just as much fun by watching the boats pass on the shore!
Saturday, December 7, 2019
Location: Waterfront on Lake Dora in Mount Dora, Florida
Saturday, December 7, 2019, 6 pm
Location: Intracoastal Waterway from North Palm Beach to the Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse, Florida
A Zambelli traveling fireworks display leads off this boat parade, making it one of the most festive ways to celebrate the holiday season in South Florida.
December 7, 2019
Location: Palm Coast, Florida
Palm Coast lights up to kick of the holiday season with this festive boat parade!
Saturday, December 7, 2019, 7 pm
Location: Stock Island, Key West, Florida
December 7, 2019
Location: Venice Beach, Florida
There is no better way to celebrate the Christmas season than to light your boat and join the fun of this parade!
December (tba), 2019
Location: Clearwater, Florida
Clearwater lights up a little bit brighter for one night while decorated boats make their way through the city!
Sunday, December 8, 2019, 6 pm
Location: Destin Harbor, Florida
The Boat Parade begins at Boshamps where boats festively decorated with holiday lights and décor line-up and begin drifting along the Harbor past AJs and HarborWalk Village toward the Destin Bridge and Norriego Point. The evening will conclude with a festive holiday fireworks show over the harbor.
Sunday, December 8, 2019, 6:15 pm
Location: Ski Beach, Lake Shore Dr. Leesburg, Florida
Leesburg Christmas on the Water starts at 5pm with entertainment, food and activities and the lighted boat parade.
Friday, December 13, 2019
Location: Boynton Beach and Delray Beach, Florida
Get festive for the holiday season in Florida style with this boat parade that travels though Intracoastal Waterways throughout Lantana, Boynton Beach, and Delray Beach to the C-15 canal.
Friday, December 13, 2019, 6:30 pm
Location: Pompano Beach & Lighthouse Point, Florida
Come out and enjoy the longest running boat parade in the nation
December 14, 2019
Location: Gulfport, Florida
This Christmas parade is not only a fun community event, it also benefits Operation Santa, making sure every child in the area has a great Christmas.
Saturday, December 14, 2019
Location: Imperial River, Bonita Springs, Florida
One of Southwest Florida's best boat parades, this event lights up the imperial river to celebrate the holiday season!
December 14, 2019
Location: Cocoa Beach, Florida
Head to the coast for a coastal Christmas celebration unlike any other while you watch this festive boat parade sail on past.
December 14, 2019
Location: Carrabelle River, Carrabelle, Florida
Find your favorite spot along the river to enjoy Live Music and other Entertainment while you watch all kinds of decorated boats make their way past!
December 14, 2019
Location: Blackwater Sound, mm104, Key Largo, Florida
Watch this fun and festive parade from the shore, or enjoy it from on your own boat.
Saturday, December 14, 2019
Location: Key West, Florida
In the warm climate of Key West, Christmas traditions are a little bit different, and this boat parade is a big part of that!
Saturday, December 14, 2019
Location: Madeira Beach, Florida
This fun boat parade kicks off at John's Pass with a shop local holiday extravaganza, tree lighting, and boat parade kickoff party for tons of holiday fun the whole family can enjoy.
December 14, 2019
Location: Manatee Beach, Florida
For over two decades now, this boat parade has been lighting up the Christmas season in Manatee Beach!
Saturday, December 14, 2019
Location: Naples Canals, Florida
Gather around the Naples canals for a Christmas experience that could only happen here in Naples!
December 14, 2019
Location: Sarasota Bay, Sarasota, Florida
The Bay lights each year up for a fantastic holiday event that includes tons of great places to view the parade!
December 14, 2019
Location: Fort Lauderdale, Florida
This parade, often called the "Greatest Show on H2O" kicks off the holiday season in South Florida with an extravaganza unlike any other!
December 15, 2019
Location: Intercoastal Waterway starting from the C-15 canal traveling south to Hillsboro Bridge, Boca Raton, Florida
Enjoy the holidays in the most Florida way possible at this festive boat parade! If you have a boat yourself, you can join in on the fun by entering it to be a part of the parade.
December 21, 2019
Location: Four Freedoms Park, Cape Coral, Florida
Come to Four Freedoms Park to watch this festive boat parade and to enjoy food, Christmas music, and a visit from Santa Claus!
Saturday, December 21, 2019, 6 pm
Location: Punta Gorda, Florida
The Saturday Night before Christmas eve, come out for the biggest annual event in the Isles.
Saturday, December 21, 2019
Location: Satellite Beach, Florida
Come out to the Banana River to see the spectacular holiday boat parade.