LIST: Holiday boat parades in Florida

Video above: Lighted boats cruise down the Hillsborough River for the 2023 parade.

TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — The Christmas season is here. And what better way to celebrate the holidays— Florida style— than with boat parades?

For more than 60 years, holiday boat parades have become a Florida tradition every weekend leading up to Christmas, according to the Florida Rambler.

Grab your swimsuits and Santa hats and catch one of these 43 parades near you.

Saturday, Nov. 30

Jiggs Landing Holiday Boat Parade in Bradenton

6106 63rd Street East
Parade begins at sunset at Jiggs Landing

Jacksonville Lighted Boat Parade

Begins at 6 p.m. at the Hyatt Regency Riverfront Hotel
The parade concludes with waterfall fireworks on Main Street and Acosta Bridge

Friday, Dec. 6

Tarpon Springs Illuminated Boat Parade

Parade begins at 6:30 p.m. down the Anclote River and into the bayous
Santa will hand out treats in Spring Bayou
Best view spot: Whitcomb Bayou, Craig Park, or Spring Bayou
Boats must be registered to enter for the judging at 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, Dec. 7

Alafia Lighted Boat Parade

Riverview Park and Civic Center
Parade starts at 5 p.m. at Williams Park and will conclude around 7 p.m. at River’s Edge for awards and a VIP party

Venice Christmas Boat Parade

Parade begins at 6 p.m. just north of the Albee Road bridge
Route will head south on the Intracoastal out to the channel marker in the jetty before circling back, continuing south and ending at the Circus Brudge

Fort Myers Beach Boat Parade

Parade begins at 6 p.m. at Salty Sam’s Marina
Best view spot: End of the canals or the fountain next to Nervous Nellies

Lake Weir Holiday Boat Parade

Pre-parade festival with food vendors, live music, a toy drive, and an appearance from Santa starts at 10 a.m.
Parade begins at 6:30 p.m. (boat launch at 5:30 p.m.) at Carney Island Boat Ramp
The parade will end at Eaton’s Sandbar and Grill

Mount Dora Lighted Boat Parade

Downtown Waterfront and Donnelly Park
Parade begins at 7:30 p.m. at the Lighthouse across from Gilbert Park on Tremain Street and Liberty Street
The Marine Corps Reserve will be accepting new unwrapped toys or cash donations from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Palm Beach Holiday Boat Parade

Parade begins at 6 p.m. at North Palm Beach Marina on Marina Drive
Volunteer bosts will travel for dockside pickups for Toys for Tots donations
Best view spots: North Palm Beach Marina, Juno Park, Bert Winters Park, Sawfish Bay Park, and Harbourside Place

Palm Valley Boat Parade

Parade starts at 6:30 p.m. one mile south of Palm Valley Bridge
Route heads north for seven miles, ending in Marsh Landing
Best view spots: Near the bridge, end of Canal Street, Mickler’s Wharf, or restaurants along Roscoe Boulevard

Sunday, Dec. 8

Leesburg Christmas on the Water

Pre-parade activities begin at 5 p.m. with holiday music and live performances, food trucks, lighting ceremony and free hay rides
Parade begins at 6:15 p.m. at Venetian Gardens Park
To enter, contact Fred O’Brien at 352-326-8274

Friday, Dec. 13

Cocoa Village Holiday Boat Parade

Parade begins at 6 p.m. at Coca Riverfront Park
All proceeds benefit the Sharing Center of Central Brevard

Lantana-Boynton Beach, Delray Beach Holiday Boat Parade

Parade begins at 6:30 p.m. at the Ocean Avenue Bridge in Lantana
Route will head south into Delray Beach
Best view spots: Boynton Harbor Marina, Intracoastal Park, Jaycee Park, Veterans Park, and Knowles Park
Toys for Tots will collect new, unwrapped toys

Pompano Beach Holiday Boat Parade

Parade begins at 7 p.m. at Lake Santa Barbara
Route will travel north to Hillsboro Boulevard in Deerfield Beach
Best view spots: Sullivan Park, North Riverside Park, Scott Winters Memorial Park, NE 16th Street Park, Harbor’s Edge Park, Alsdorf Park, and the restaurants along the Intracoastal Waterway in Pompano, Lighthouse Point, and Deerfield Beach

Saturday, Dec. 14

Clearwater Holiday Lighted Boat Parade

Parade begins at 6 p.m. on Mandalay Channel
Boats will travel along the inlets of Island Estates and under the Memorial Causeway Bridge to wrap up at the Clearwater Yacht Club

Madeira Beach Festival of Lights Illuminated Boat Parade

Parade begins at 6:30 p.m. at the American Legion Post and will end at John’s Pass
There will be holiday music, food, and spirits
Best view spot: ROC Park

Apollo Beach Light Boat Parade

Parade starts at 6 p.m. near marker 12 in the south basin of Apollo Beach

Manatee River Holiday Boat Parade

Pre-parade festivities include holiday music and the annual celebration on Old Main Street
Parade begins at 6:30 p.m. in Bradenton
Best view spots: Riverhouse, Pier 22, and the Bradenton Yacht Club

Sarasota Holiday Boat Parade of Lights

Parade ebigins at 6 p.m.
Best view spots: Bayfront Park and Marina Jack (reservations required)

Homosassa Christmas Boat Parade

Parade begins after dark at the Homosassa River and Prices Creek
Boats will travel to the Marguerita Grille and around the restaurants, parks, and marinas

Sebring Christmas Boat Parade

Parade begins at 7 p.m. on Big Lake Jackson
Route will go from Don Jose Mexican Restaurant, around the lake and back to the restaurant
Best view spots: Don Jose’s, Veterans Beach, City Peir, Hidden Beach, Crescent Beach, and Sunset Grille

Key Largo Boat Parade

Parade begins at 7:30 p.m. at mile marker 103 Bayside in Blackwater Sound
Best view spots: Jimmy Johnson’s Big Chill, Sundowner’s, and the Caribbean Cub

Christmas Boat Parade on Naples Bay

Parade begins at 6:15 p.m.
Best view spots: Naples City Dock (ticketed), Pinchers Tin City, Riverwalk Restaurant, Naples Landing, Kelly’s Fish House, The Boat House on Naples Bay, and Bayview Park

New Smyrna Beach Boat Parade

Parade will pass Riverside Park in downtown NSB and along the North Causeway to Riverview and will circle back to Riverside Park
Best view spots: Riverside Drive, Smyrna Yacht Club, Riverside Park, Anglers Yacht CLub, NSB Boat & Ski Club, Outriggers Tiki Bar & Grille, and The Grille at Riverview

St. Augustine Regatta of Lights

Parade begins at the St. Augustine Yacht Club
Best view spots: The bayfront seawall between Bridge of Lions and the Castillo de San Marcos and any restaurants facing the river

Indian River County Holiday Boat Parade

Parade begins at 6 p.m. in Vero Beach
Best view spots: Merrill Barber Bridge, Riverside Cafe, Riverside Park, Veterans Memorial Island, Quail Valley River Club, Young’s Park, and Royal Palm Pointe

Martin County Holiday Boat Parade

Parade begins at 6:30 p.m. in Stuart
Best view spots: Stuart City Docks, Stuart Riverwalk, Evans Crary Bridge, Sandspirit Park,a dn Manatee Pockets dock

St. Lucie County Holiday Boat Parade

Parade begins at 6 p.m. in Fort Pierce
Best view spots: Fort Pierce Cirt Marina Boat Ramp/Park, South Causeway, Museum Pointe Park, Riverside restaurants along A1A, and South Jetty Park

Bonita Springs Christmas Boat Parade

Parade begins at 5:30 p.m. at Bay Water Boat Club
Route moves east on the Imperial River past Riverwalk Park and U.S. 41

Carrabelle Holiday on the Harbor and Boat Parade of Lights

Parade festivities begin at 11 a.m. through 6 p.m. with music, shopping, festival vendors, and a visit from Santa
Route will go along the Carrabelle River, east of Apalachicola on U.S. 98
Parade will conclude with a fireworks show

Fort Lauderdale Winterfest Boat Parade

Parade begins at 6:30 p.m. at the New River in downtown Fort Lauderdale
Route moves east to the Intracoastal Waterway, then heads north on the Intracoastal to Lake Santa Barbara
Best view spots: High Taylor Birch State Park and Las Olas Intracoastal Promenade Park

Cocoa Beach Christmas Boat Parade

Parade begins at 6:30 p.m. at Marker 101 near Centennial Park on SR-520
Best view spots: Sunset Cafe, Wildlife Watersports, End of South Banana River Boulevard, and Cove Park

Key West Schooner Wharf Bar Lighted Boat Parade

Parade begins at 8 p.m. at Key West Bight Marina at the Historic Seaport
Boats are encouraged to be decorated to score bragging rights and prizes

Sunday, Dec. 15

Redington Beach and Indian Shores Holiday Boat Parade

Parade begins at 6 p.m. just south of the Park Boulevard Bridge
Boats will travel south through the Intracoastal Waterway and end at the American Legion Post 273

Destin Harbor Lights Boat Parade

Parade begins at 6 p.m. followed by fireworks at 7:30 p.m.
Best view spots: restaurants in Harborwalk Village, the Destin Bridge, the docks of the Harborwalk Boardwalk and the beaches at Norriego Point

Palm Coast Holiday Boat Parade

Parade begins at 6 p.m. at the Cochise Waterway
Free shuttle service available between the Palm Coast Community Center, the Daytona State College parking lot and European Village

Friday, Dec. 20

Lake Osborne Holiday Boat Parade

Parade begins at 7 p.m. at the Hive Waterfront Restaurant and Tiki Bar in Lantana
Best view spots: John Prince Park and the campground area

Saturday, Dec. 21

Tampa Riverwalk Lighted Boat Parade

Parade begins at 6:15 p.m. at the southern tip of Davis Islands and goes up to Sparkman Wharf
Best view spots: Armature Works, Channel Drive, Curtis Hixon, Davis Island, Harbour Island, Sparkman Wharf, and Water Works Park

Treasure Island Holiday Boat Parade

Parade begins at 6 p.m. just south of Treasure Island Causeway
Best view spots: Treasure IslandGolf & Tennis Club, along the Treasure Island causeway Bridge and John’s Pass

Crystal River Christmas Boat Parade

Parade begins at 6:15 p.m. in Kings Bay
Theme: Hallmark Movies and Holiday Films
Best view spots: Crackers Restaurant, Dockside Ice Cream/Charlie’s Restaurant, The Crab Plant, Pete’s Pier, The Port Hotel/Waterfront Social Restaurant

Punta Gorda Boat Parade

Parade begins at 6:30 within Punta Gorda Isles
Best view spot (by boat): Almar Drive

Daytona Beach Christmas Boat Parade

Parade begins at 6 p.m. along the Halifax River
Benefits the VEterans Support Fund
Best view spots: Chart House Restaurant, Daytona Marina and Boat Works, City Island, Manatee Island, and Halifax Harbor Marina

Marco Island Christmas Boat Parade