During the Christmas season every year, various Christmas light shows, Santa meet-and-greets, and themed park celebrations such as those at Disneyland, Universal Studios Hollywood, and the Nöel Berry Farm take place across Southern California. Additionally, several bay areas host Christmas boat parades that offer people a dazzling and unique experience.
The Christmas boat parade in Newport Bay in Orange County has the longest history, spanning 116 years to date. Meanwhile, the event at Dana Point Harbor is comparatively “young,” celebrating its 49th year this year. Marina del Rey in Los Angeles County boasts a wide expanse of waters, and the boat decorations in San Diego Bay offer a different kind of festive experience. Most of these events occur between December 13th and 15th, with the Newport parade being a bit later, closer to Christmas. Tickets for the Holiday Lights Cruises are already available for purchase.
The 116th Newport Beach Christmas boat parade, running from the 18th to the 22nd (Wednesday to Sunday), features fireworks and other celebratory activities on the opening and closing nights. Hundreds of yachts adorned with thousands of lights and intricate decorations of various sizes will compete for awards across multiple categories. The boat parade sets sail in three waves each night (5:30, 7:05, and 8:30), with each trip lasting 60 to 90 minutes. Around 1.5 million people attend annually, making Newport Bay a must-visit spot during the Christmas season with millions of coastal holiday decorations.
Popular viewing spots along the shore include Balboa Fun Zone/Boardwalk, Peninsula Point Beach, the area near Balboa Island Ferry, and Lido Park. Nearby restaurants serve as ideal locations for family dining and boat watching, such as Newport Landing Restaurant, Harborside, Rusty Pelican, Blue Water Grill, and Balboa Bay Club.
The 49th Dana Point Harbor boat parade takes place from December 13th to the 15th, setting sail each evening at 6:30. In 1975, Don Hansen, the owner of Dana Wharf Sportfishing, initiated the lighted boat parade, which has grown to include nearly a hundred boats. This year’s theme, “Santa’s Seaside Carnival,” kicks off from the Dana Point Yacht Club, passing through the harbor and showcasing prime viewing spots like Baby Beach, Island Way Bridge, Marina Park, and the Ocean Institute. The Ocean Institute will also host holiday parties on the 13th and 14th, offering exclusive seating for guests to enjoy the boat parade, food and drinks, and cookie decorating.
The 62nd annual Huntington Harbour boat parade, themed “Yacht Rockin’ the Holidays,” will take place on December 14th to 15th, featuring fleets cruising through Huntington Harbour and surrounding islands for everyone to enjoy. This event is a way for the non-profit Huntington Harbour Philharmonic Committee to show appreciation to residents for decorating their homes. The parade is entirely a volunteer effort, not organized or managed by pier companies, cities, or chambers of commerce.
The 62nd Marina del Rey Holiday boat parade will be held on Saturday, December 14th, with a light show from 5:45 to 6:00 PM, followed by the boat parade from 6:00 to 8:00 PM. This year’s theme, “A Margaritaville Holiday,” celebrates the legacy of legendary singer and composer Jimmy Buffett, known for his tropical rock music. Among his over 30 albums, eight have received gold certification.
The 54th San Diego Bay Parade of Lights, themed “Peace on Earth,” will take place on December 15th, featuring around 80 elegantly decorated boats. The boat parade starts at 5:30 PM from Shelter Island, passing through Harbor Island at around 6:15, Seaport Village at 6:45, Embarcadero at 7:15, Cesar Chavez at 7:30, and finally arriving at Coronado Ferry Landing at 7:45. This event annually attracts over 100,000 residents and tourists for a free viewing experience. ◇