So many Bay area residents are transplants from other parts of the U.S., but once new roots are planted, some of the more popular and distinctively Florida traditions are adopted as their own. While the lighted holiday boat parade is certainly not unique to Florida, these events are immensely popular from one Florida county to the next, from city to city, even from neighborhood to neighborhood. Here is a helpful guide by county of scheduled lighted holiday boat parades listed in date order and the pertinent details you will need – where, when, and how to get more information for participating or watching.
Now it’s time to plot a roadmap for a fun weekend. Chart out a plan to go from one lighted parade to another over the weekend or celebrate the holidays across different local waterways every weekend of the season.
DESTINATION TAMPA BAY welcomes any information about additional lighted holiday boat parades inadvertently left off the list. Email us at editor@destinationtampabay.com and be sure to send us the details and a link to where others can find out more.
For those of you who participate or watch any of this year’s lighted holiday parades and wish to share photos on Instagram or Facebook with DESTINATION TAMPA BAY, please tag us and use the hashtags #DestinationTampaBay, #bestholidayboatparades #distinctivelyFLholidays. And happy holidays! You can also post your images directly to the Destination Tampa Bay Group Page.
PINELLAS COUNTY BOAT PARADES:
The City of St. Pete Beach Presents Holiday Lighted Boat Parade
WHEN: Friday, December 3, 6:00 p.m.
WHERE: Colonel Michael J. Horan Park (for viewing), 7701 Boca Ciega Drive, St. Pete Beach
LEARN MORE: https://www.facebook.com/cityofstpetebeach
Tarpon Springs Illuminated Boat Parade
WHEN: Friday, December 3, 6:40 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
WHERE: Craig Park, 100 Library Lane, Tarpon Springs
LEARN MORE: https://spongedocks.net/event/tarpon-springs-illuminated-boat-parade/
Treasure Island Holiday Boat Parade & Celebration
WHEN: Saturday, December 4, 5:00 p.m. (parade launch at 6:20 p.m.)
WHERE: Treasure Bay Recreation Facility, 10315 Paradise Boulevard, Treasure Island
LEARN MORE: http://www.mytreasureisland.org
Dunedin Holiday Boat Parade
WHEN: Saturday, December 4, 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
WHERE: Dunedin Marina/Edgewater Park, 51 Main Street, Dunedin
LEARN MORE: https://www.dunedinboatparade.com
Clearwater Holiday Lighted Boat Parade
WHEN: Saturday, December 4, 6:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
WHERE: Coachman Park (parade viewing, 8:30 p.m.), 301 Drew Street, Clearwater; Clearwater Yacht Club (parade finishes here, 9 p.m.), 830 Bayway Boulevard, Clearwater
LEARN MORE: http://clearwateryachtclub.org/
City of Seminole Holiday Sail-A-Bration Waterless Boat Parade & Toy Drive
WHEN: Sunday, December 5, 6:00 p.m.
WHERE: Seminole Recreation Center (parade start), 9100 113th Street N., Seminole
LEARN MORE: https://m.facebook.com/events/city-of-seminole-recreation-department/holiday-sail-a-bration/491697128524719/
Boca Ciega Yacht Club’s Holiday Boat Parade (Gulfport)
WHEN: Saturday, December 11, 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
WHERE: Clam Bayou Nature Park, formerly Osgood Point (parade start), south of 29th Avenue S on Miriam Street, Gulfport; viewing at Gulfport Pier and Casino, about 6:30 p.m. as well as other viewing locations
LEARN MORE: https://www.sailbcyc.org/ChristmasBoatParade
The 55th Annual Festival of Lights Boat Parade (Madeira Beach)
WHEN: Saturday, December 11, 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
WHERE: Madeira Beach Marina (parade launch), 503 150th Avenue, Madeira Beach; best parade viewing at R.O.C. Park, 200 Rex Place, Madeira Beach
LEARN MORE: https://madeirabeachfl.gov/event/55th-annual-festival-of-lights-boat-parade/
The 2nd Annual Smacks Bayou Christmas Boat Parade (St. Petersburg)
WHEN: Saturday, December 18, 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
WHERE: Smacks Bayou, near St. Raphael Catholic Church, 1376 Snell Isle Boulevard NE, St. Petersburg
LEARN MORE: https://www.facebook.com/events/smacks-bayou/2nd-annual-smacks-bayou-christmas-boat-parade/571908917453627/
Redington Beaches & Indian Shores Lighted Holiday Boat Parade
WHEN: Sunday, December 19, 6:00 p.m.
WHERE: Viewing at County Boat Park/Launch, 18651 Gulf Boulevard, Indian Shores; and Indian Shores Town Clerk,19305 Gulf Boulevard, Indian Shores
LEARN MORE: https://www.facebook.com/RBISboatparade (image of past parade above left).
HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY BOAT PARADES:
Alafia Lighted Boat Parade (Riverview)
WHEN: Saturday, December 4, 5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
WHERE: Williams Park (Parade Launch), 9425 U.S. Highway 41 S., Riverview; Viewing at Riverview Park & Civic Center, 11020 Park Drive, Riverview
LEARN MORE: https://www.alafiaboatparade.com/
21st Annual Hillsborough River Holiday Boat Parade (Tampa)
WHEN: Sunday, December 5, 6:00 p.m.
WHERE: Launch/Viewing at Lowry Park, 7525 N. Boulevard, Tampa and viewing at Sulphur Springs Pool Park, 701 E. Bird Street, Tampa
LEARN MORE: https://www.facebook.com/events/930750804236916/?acontext=%7B%22event_action_history%22%3A[%7B%22mechanism%22%3A%22search_results%22%2C%22surface%22%3A%22search%22%7D]%2C%22ref_notif_type%22%3Anull%7D
Apollo Beach Lighted Boat Parade and Chili Cook-Off
WHEN: Sunday, December 5, 6:00 p.m.
WHERE: Tampa Sailing Squadron, `1250 Apollo Beach Boulevard, Apollo Beach
LEARN MORE: https://www.sail-tss.org/content.aspx?page_id=22&club_id=109032&module_id=276503&fbclid=IwAR0uh5-GX7jpmrdTz_a_PLFFS8BprEDqqtqp3YpNedxN2JlGR-DYToKspl0
Bay Crest Park 22nd Annual Holiday Boat Parade and Dock Decorating Contest (Tampa)
WHEN: Saturday, December 11, 6:45 p.m. – 7:45 p.m.
WHERE: Bay Crest Park Community, Town ‘N’ Country (Tampa); boat route runs from Old Bay Crest (parade launch) to New Bay Crest (parade finish)
LEARN MORE: https://www.baycrestpark.org/event-calendar/bay-crest-park-20th-holiday-boat-parade-and-dock-decorating-contest-5r258-7cj6y
Alafia Lighted Boat Parade (Riverview)
WHEN: Saturday, December 4, 5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
WHERE: Williams Park (Parade Launch), 9425 U.S. Highway 41 S., Riverview; Viewing at Riverview Park & Civic Center, 11020 Park Drive, Riverview
LEARN MORE: https://www.alafiaboatparade.com/
21st Annual Hillsborough River Holiday Boat Parade (Tampa)
WHEN: Sunday, December 5, 6:00 p.m.
WHERE: Launch/Viewing at Lowry Park, 7525 N. Boulevard, Tampa and viewing at Sulphur Springs Pool Park, 701 E. Bird Street, Tampa
LEARN MORE Click Here.
PASCO COUNTY BOAT PARADES:
Cotee River Christmas Boat Parade (New Port Richey)
WHEN: Saturday, December 4, 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
WHERE: Sims Park, Grand Boulevard and Bank Street, New Port Richey
LEARN MORE: https://www.facebook.com/BBAandNPRMainStreet
MANATEE COUNTY BOAT PARADES:
Manatee River Holiday Boat Parade (Bradenton)
WHEN: Saturday, December 11, 6 p.m.
WHERE: Launch from Snead Island, Bradenton; Viewing at Bradenton Riverwalk and Green Bridge, Bradenton
LEARN MORE: https://holidayboatparade.org/
SARASOTA COUNTY BOAT PARADES:
Sarasota Christmas Boat Parade of Lights
WHEN: Saturday, December 11, 6:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
WHERE: Launch/Viewing at City Island, Sarasota and Viewing at Bayfront Park/Marina Jacks, 2 Marina Plaza, Downtown Sarasota
LEARN MORE Click Here.
Content put together by Chris Kuhn for Destination Tampa Bay
. All photos are of past boat parades and are for editorial purposes only all rights reserved.
The post Ahoy! A Guide to Bay Area Lighted Holiday Boat Parades appeared first on Destination Tampa Bay™.
Customer Reviews
Thanks for submitting your comment!