Christmas Boat Parades in Florida
November 20th, 2009
City sidewalks, sandy sidewalks, dressed in palm leaves and shells. In the air there’s a feeling of salt spray….silver shells, silver shells, its Christmas time on the beaches…. Yes, that’s the way we sing it in Florida, well some of us anyway.
Down here Santa shows up in his boat and leaves our presents on our screened in back porches since most of us don’t have chimneys. When we deck our halls for Christmas, we include our boats as well with twinkling lights far up the masts and from bow to stern. After they are all decorated we show them in parades which are a great way to get the whole family in the holiday spirit. Here is a list of upcoming boat parades, look for one near you.
Boat Parades along the Space Coast
Cocoa Tree Lighting & Space Coast Boat Parade
The city of Cocoa will hold the official lighting of the tree & Space Coast Boat Parade on Friday Nov. 27 from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Come listen to a variety of entertainment on the main stage, visit with Santa Claus, ice skate in the outdoor ice rink and watch a classic Christmas movie on the outdoor big screen. Call 639-3500 or visit View Website ».
Port Canaveral Holiday Boat Parade
Port Canaveral will hold its Holiday Boat Parade Saturday Dec. 5 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at Port Canaveral. Boats will start at the Yacht Club, they are hosting the event, and head to the Jetty’s fishing area. All the restaurants at the Cove will have a great view of the parade, for further information contact the Yacht Club at 321-507-3232.
Cocoa Beach Christmas Tree Lighting and Boat Parade
Cocoa Beach invites you to Ride along as a spectator on Saturday Dec. 12 from 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. for its 16th Annual Christmas Tree Lighting Boat Parade! Join the fun and journey along the beautiful canals in our festively decorated boat! Enjoy the brightly decorated homes along the route and sing Christmas carols for a fabulous way to kick off the holiday season and get into the spirit! Contact Walt Blazer at 321.783.1207 for more info.
Boat Parades in the Florida Keys and Key West
“Hooray For Hollywood” Holiday Boat Parade on Blackwater Sound in Key Largo
Decorations, music and animations are to entertain holiday celebrants and spectators who watch the seafaring procession from the bayfront area on Blackwater Sound in Key Largo, located around mile marker (MM) 104. Each entry in the fabulous parade of decorated, musical boats competes for cash, prizes and yearlong bragging rights for Best in Parade, Best Use of Theme, Most Colorful, Most Original, Best Business and Best Boat under and over 25 feet in length. In addition, each (free) entry qualifies for a $500 random cash drawing. Parade boats will line up at the headpin to Dusenbury Creek and continue north along the shoreline to the tip of Stillwright Point. Viewing and libations are to be found at Sundowners, Señor Frijoles, the Marriott Key Largo Bay Resort and the Caribbean Club, all near MM 103-104. Saturday, Dec. 12, 7:30 p.m. An awards party is to follow at 10 p.m. at Sundowners’ tiki hut. Contact: Robert Stoky at (305) 451-4502, ext. 1, to register a boat.
Schooner Wharf Bar Lighted Boat Parade in Key West
Lighted and decorated vessels, from rowboats to tall ships, are to proceed around the Historic Seaport in Key West and harbor areas. The parade is to feature the music of the best world beats from Africa and Caribbean island rhythms of George Victory and the Observant Lion Band, a heart-racing musical combination of reggae, soca, funk and classic soul. Prior to the boat parade, at 6 p.m. the Gerald Adams Elementary School Steel Your Heart Band will welcome spectators with songs of the season. Judges observe the parade from the Schooner Wharf Bar, 202 William St., awarding prizes to the most creatively bedecked boats. Spectators can watch and applaud from bars, restaurants and resorts in and around the Historic Seaport. Saturday, Dec. 12, 8 p.m. Contact: Evalena or Sheree at (305) 292-3302.
Key Colony Beach Lighted Boat Parade
Christmas lights on outriggers and displays on boat decks are part of the beautiful festivities during the Key Colony Beach Boat Parade in the Middle Keys, set to begin at the 7th Street canal and wind in and out of neighboring canals. Great locations for public viewing include Sadowski Causeway at MM 53.5 oceanside and the area behind City Hall. Open to all boats, the parade route visits canals and cuts, and passes City Hall three times. Sunday, Dec. 13, dusk Contact: Tucker Degraw at (305) 743-7214.
Lower Keys Lighted Boat Parade on Little Torch Key
All boats are welcome to enter the parade, including deep-sea cruisers, dinghies, kayaks and canoes. If it floats, decorate it and join the fun. Santa and Mrs. Claus are expected to arrive and hand out candy to the kids. The best recommended viewing is from Pine Channel Causeway or Parrotdise Waterfront Bar & Grille, 183 Barry Ave. on Little Torch Key, Saturday, Dec. 19, 7 p.m. For more info contact Holly at (305) 872-0106.
Boat Parades along the Treasure Coast
Martin County Christmas Boat Parade
The 29th Annual Martin County Christmas Boat Parade will be held on Saturday, Dec. 5 at 6 p.m. followed by a spectacular fireworks display both on the St. Lucie River. The parade will start just south of the Evans Crary Bridge and continue south to the Manatee Pocket next to Sandsprit Park.
St. Lucie County Christmas Boat Parade
The 20th Annual St. Lucie County Christmas Boat Parade is scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 12 at 6 p.m., there will be a viewing station set up at the Fort Pierce City Marina.
Vero Beach Christmas Boat Parade
The 4th Annual Vero Beach Christmas Boat Parade in Indian River County is scheduled for Friday, Dec. 11 at 6 p.m. directly following the Tree Lighting Ceremony at Royal Palm Point. The boats will parade down the Intracoastal Waterway between the bridges and end at the Vero Beach City Marina.
For additional information on any of these events, please contact the Marine Association of the Treasure Coast at 772-692-7599.
More Boat Parades
Boynton & Delray Beach’s Holiday Boat Parade
Festivities begin in the Boynton Beach Inlet at as a flotilla of brightly-decorated boats line up and motor south along the Intracoastal Waterway to the C-15 canal in Delray Beach. Viewing areas located along the parade route. Dec. 11 at 6:30 p.m. View Website »
Destin Holiday on the Harbor Boat Parade
The Destin History and Fishing Museum will host the 23rd Holiday on the Harbor Boat Parade in Destin on Sunday Dec. 13 at 6 p.m. Courtesy of the largest charter fleet in Florida this event will feature a sparkling parade of festively decorated boats that can be viewed from docks and restaurants west of Grand Harbor Condominiums. View Website »
Venice Christmas Boat Parade
The Venice Christmas Boat Parade is scheduled for Saturday Dec. 6 at 6 p.m. Come celebrate Christmas in Venice with the lights, the palm tress and the waterways, decorate your boat for the holiday season and join in the fun. Contact: 914-809-8100 or go to View Website »
All dates and times subject to change
