All Aboard: 7 SoCal Holiday Boat Parades
One of the perks of celebrating the holidays near the Pacific are the spectacular holiday boat parades. Vessels adorned with festive decor, twinkling lights, holiday tunes and costumed carolers cruise harbors and channels, summoning holiday spirit and merry competition. The annual sea traditions are free for viewers, except for the cost (and joy) of parking.
We've corralled 7 for you to check out this month, and it looks like Saturday, December 10 is the day of the boat parade.
37th Annual Dana Point Boat Parade of Lights
When: Friday, December 9, Saturday December 10, Friday December 16, Saturday, December 17, 7:30pm
Where: Dana Point Harbor (34555 Golden Lantern, Dana Point, CA)
Details: The parade can be viewed for free anywhere in the harbor.
49th Annual Marina del Rey Holiday Boat Parade
When: Saturday, December 10, 6pm-8pm
Where: Main channel of the Marina
Theme: "Christmas Carnivale"
Details: Parade will commence with a fireworks display at 5:55pm off the south jetty. "Brilliantly lit and decorated vessels" will circle the main channel of the Marina, per a release. Best viewing spots are Burton Chace Park (13650 Mindanao Way) and Fisherman's Village (13755 Fiji Way). Both spots are free of charge.
29th Annual Long Beach Parade of 1,000 Lights
When: Saturday, December 10, 6:30pm-8:30pm
Where: Long Beach Downtown Marina
Theme: "Light the Night"
Details: Boats line up at 6pm on the east side at Island Grissom. Parade begins at 6:30pm. An awards banquet follows the parade at 8:30pm. Viewing locations are from restaurants and the boardwalk at Shoreline Village, the Marina breakwall behind Shoreline Village and Shoreline Park around the lighthouse.
King Harbor Boat Parade in Redondo Beach
When: Saturday, December 10, 5:30pm-7pm
Where: King Harbor Marina
Details: Viewing locations are from King Harbor Marina to the Redondo Beach Pier.
103rd Annual Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade
When: Wednesday, December 14 - Sunday, December 18, 6:30pm-9pm
Where: Bay Island
Theme: "Feelin' Christmas-Sea in Newport Beach!"
Details: Parade begins and ends at Bay Island. A fireworks display will close out the parade on its final day at 9pm. Viewing locations are on the bay side of the Balboa Peninsula from 18th Street to the end of Bay Avenue, anywhere along the water on Balboa Island, along PCH between the Balboa Bay Club and Riverside Drive and along the water on Lido Isle.
35th Annual Ventura Harbor Holiday Parade of Lights
When: Friday, December 16 and Saturday, December 17, 7pm
Theme: "California Dreamin'"
Details: Parade is followed by a fireworks display. Free parking is provided.
65th Annual Naples Island Holiday Boat Parade
When: Saturday, December 17, 6pm
Theme: "T.V. Land Holidays"
Details: Large boats will assemble off Lido Lane and off the sea wall in front of Naples Plaza beginning at 6pm. Small boats will assemble in Marine Stadium starting at 6:30pm. "Parade night" streets close at 5pm. Viewing locations for the small vessels are from the bridges and along the canals around Naples Island. Large vessels can be viewed from the 2nd Street bridge, the Appian Way bridge and along Alamitos Bay Marina.
