Florida Boat Parades

Florida Boat Parades Provide Holiday Fun

New Yorkers have the Macy’s Parade, an age-old institution that’s been thrilling northeasterners for decades and entertaining TV watchers who view it as the official start to the holiday season. But in Florida, where the weather is warm and snow seldom falls, locals celebrate with a different kind of tradition – the Holiday Boat Parade.

Not quite as old a tradition as NYC’s Thanksgiving Parade, boat parades in the Sunshine State have been popular for several decades. Held on various bodies of water throughout the state, the parades feature boats of all sizes and shapes, strewn with lights, inflatable holiday characters – and often – revelers dressed like Santa and his elves or some other holiday personality. People gather on the shore to ooh and aah as the vessels pass by, adorned in their holiday finest. Some are funny, some simply breathtaking. All are entertaining and put a special Florida spin on the holiday season.

Many of the parades are a competition, featuring judges who determine awards in a variety of categories, and it’s quite an honor to win one of these coveted prizes. After the parades, party-goers gather in local watering holes or go shopping for holiday presents in the town’s retail districts. It’s a true Florida holiday event. Some of the most popular boat parades include:

• Winterfest Boat Parade, Ft. Lauderdale – For nearly four decades, this parade has been a favorite with those on the east coast of south Florida. Usually held around the 2nd Saturday of December – this year it’s Dec. 13 – this parade travels 14 miles in and around the Intercoastal waterway. The parade, held in the early evening, is accompanied by all sorts of other events, including a pre-parade decorating seminar, a kick-off party, and much more. This boat parade even has a grand marshal – for 2008 its actor/comedian Jim Belushi. Crowds of about one million generally gather for the event, so parade-goers will want to arrive early for a good view of the vessels. Dubbed the “World’s Most Watched Boat Parade”, the spectacle can also be viewed on a number of television stations throughout the country.


• Treasure Island Holiday Boat Parade – For more than 20 years, the city of Treasure Island – on the north central Gulf coast – has been hosting a holiday boat parade and all the festivities that go along with it. This year, the event is being held on Sunday, Dec. 14 and departs from the Treasure Island Golf and Tennis Club. It winds up at John’s Pass and includes the islands of Paradise, Palms, and Capri. A holiday celebration follows, featuring free food and entertainment poolside at the yacht club.


• Tampa Boat Parades – The city of Tampa is the location for two holiday boat parades this year – the Davis Island Yacht Club parade on Dec. 13 and the Tampa Yacht Club boat parade on Dec. 20. Both sail from the tip of Davis Island, traveling through Sparkman Channel before turning west at Garrison Channel toward Channelside, where lots of city residents gather to watch.


• Other Tampa area parades – Additional holiday boat parades in the Tampa Bay area include the Tierra Verde Lighted Boat Parade, St. Pete Beach Holiday Boat Parade, Boca Ciega Yacht Club Christmas Boat Parade, Madeira Beach Holiday Illuminated Festival of Lights Boat Parade, INDIAN Shores and Redington Beaches Christmas Boat Parade, and the St. Petersburg Holiday Boat Parade.


• Regatta of Lights, St. Augustine – The nation’s oldest European settlement hosts a month long Nights of Lights celebration, which includes this popular boat parade. Boats of all sizes light up Matanzas Bay between the Bridge of Lions and Castillo de San Marcos and awards are given to the best entries. This year’s event will be held beginning at 6 pm on Dec. 13.


• Pompano Beach Holiday Boat Parade – This is the oldest event of its kind in Florida, now celebrating its 46th year. Sponsored by the local Chamber of Commerce, the parade takes place along the intracoastal waterway, traveling through Lighthouse Point and Hillsboro Beach to Hillsboro Blvd. in Deerfield Beach.


• Key West Lighted Boat Parade – This holiday favorite sees lots of local boats traveling through Key West Harbor and the waters of the Historic Seaport in their holiday finery. It’s a favorite in this somewhat eccentric beach town. Also in The Keys is the Key Largo Holiday Boat Parade, which takes place on Blackwater Sound. Both will be held this year on Saturday, Dec. 13.