As the holiday season approaches, and especially because Thanksgiving is upon us, we at L&H Boats in Stuart, Florida, find ourselves reflecting on the past year and on those who have helped us shape our business. We want to take the time to let you know that we value our relationship with you and look forward to building, working, boating and fishing with you in the year to come!
Okay, so the most wonderful time of the year is just about here and because it’s especially wonderful in beautiful South Florida, we want to advise you of the upcoming holiday boat parades. Every December, many of our coastal communities come together for an annual holiday boat parade. Whether you take your boat out on the water to watch, observe from our many drawbridges or from the shoreline, or even charter a cruise to see them, this is one holiday activity you definitely don’t want to miss.
You can't help but get into the holiday spirit with the fabulous lights glistening off the warm rippling Floridian waterways and the holiday sounds coming from the richly decorated vessels. Depending on where you are located you will be able to see the Intracoastal Waterway transformed by millions of holiday lights! To help you decide on the parades are best for your location, we are offering a list of boating parades in South Florida that are coming up for the holidays.
You can make a day of it depending on how large of a show you want to see. There are immense parades like the one in Fort Lauderdale with over 200 boats to smaller ones in Vero Beach with more of a hometown feel. Read on to see which of the holiday boat parades appeal to you. All events in alphabetical order.
BOCA RATON 43rd ANNUAL HOLIDAY BOAT PARADE
December 15th, 2019 from 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm (from the C-15 Canal at the Boca/Delray border and will travel south to the Hillsboro Blvd. Bridge.).
The 43rd Annual Boca Raton Holiday Boat Parade is the perfect way to experience the Holiday season! Enjoy the parade, food, and drinks from Red Reef Park (west), the Wildflower Property, or Silver Palm Park viewing areas. The draw bridges will be held in the up position for approximately 45 minutes during the parade. Parade and law enforcement officials ask drivers to please avoid these areas during estimated closing times to avoid traffic delays.
Estimated Bridge Closing Times: Bridges are held in the up position for approximately 45 minutes.
Free viewing areas: Red Reef Park (west), the Wild Flower Property or Silver Palm Park. Contact: 561-367-7073.
BOYNTON BEACH/DELRAY BEACH ANNUAL HOLIDAY BOAT PARADE
December 13th, 2019 5:30 pm
The Boynton Beach Community Redevelopment Agency and the City of Delray Beach invite you to celebrate the holiday season Florida style, as a flotilla of brightly decorated boats light-up the Intracoastal Waterways for the annual Holiday Boat Parade.
This holiday illumination show can be viewed in Boynton Beach at Boynton Harbor Marina, Intracoastal Park, Jaycee Park and in Delray Beach from Veterans Park and Knowles Park.
The watch party at the Boynton Harbor Marina (735 Casa Loma Blvd, Boynton Beach, FL 33435) starts at 6:30 PM and will feature music, children’s activities, and a special visit from Santa Claus. Parade-goers are welcome to pack a picnic and encouraged to bring chairs and blankets to enjoy the colorful view from the marina lawn.
Please support Toys for Tots by bringing a new, unwrapped toy to the watch party or to the Boynton Beach CRA office prior to the night of the parade. During the parade, Sea Tow and the United States Marines will make convenient dockside pickups. Just wave a flashlight when you see the parade and they will pull up to your dock to collect toy donations.
For more information: Boynton Beach 561-600-9097 or go to CatchBoynton.com or the City of Delray at 561-243-7250 or go to MyDelrayBeach.com.
FORT LAUDERDALE
48th Annual Fort Lauderdale Seminole Hard Rock Winterfest Boat Parade.
The theme of this event is: "Lights, Camera, Action - Movies on Parade".
Saturday, December 14th, 2019 beginning in the Downtown Area at 6:30 p.m.
The Seminole Hard Rock Winterfest Boat Parade will stage on the New River in downtown Fort Lauderdale, along the docks west of Stranahan House to the Broward Center for the Performing Arts. The Parade starts at Stranahan House traveling East along the New River in Fort Lauderdale to the Intracoastal Waterway as it continues North to Lake Santa Barbara in Pompano Beach. It’s 12 Miles of the "Greatest Show on H20." The parade takes approximately 2 and 1/2 hours to view from one location (starting locations stagger as you travel north).
Private boats to the giant showboats and corporate megayachts will be adorned with hundreds of thousands of lights, music, entertainment, decorations, celebrities, musical groups, beauty queens and many other exciting entries expected to be viewed by over one million spectators.
FORT PIERCE
Lighted Boat Parade and Paddleboard/Kayak Parade of Lights.
December 14th, 2019 - Paddle Parade at 6:00 pm / Boat parade at 6:30 pm.
This marks the 29th Anniversary of the St. Lucie Christmas and Winter Holiday Boat Parade. The parade route begins at Taylor Creek near Harbortown Marina at 6:30pm and proceeds past the South Beach Causeway turning around westward at the Fort Pierce Inlet at ~ 7:00 pm. The parade route then continues, ending at the Fort Pierce City Marina and Tiki restaurant at ~ 7:45 pm. The captains meeting will be held on Friday, Dec 6 at 6:00 pm at Sailfish Brewery in Fort Pierce.
The public is invited to enjoy viewing the parade boats at restaurants, parks and other locations along the route including Causeway Park and along the river walk . Prizes will be awarded to winning boats at the Fort Pierce City Marina and Tiki Restaurant following the parade. All mariners are encouraged to decorate their vessels, large or small, and enjoy some good family fun for the holidays. The public is invited to walk along the docks and view the boats and crews. The event is free for spectators and participants. More details can be found on the website www.miatc.com.
JUPITER/PALM BEACH
Jupiter Boat Parade and Celebration.
December 7th, 2019,Beginning at 6:00 pm.
A premier event of the Marine Industries Association of Palm Beach County (MIAPBC) and gift to the community, the 2019 Palm Beach Holiday Boat Parade kicks off the holiday season on Saturday, December 7!
What: 25th Annual Palm Beach Holiday Boat Parade and 20th Annual Toy Drive benefiting Toys for Tots and Little Smiles.
Where: The parade, led by a Zambelli traveling fireworks display navigates up the Intracoastal Waterway from North Palm Beach to the Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse.
When: Saturday, December 7. Parade begins at 6 p.m. and arrives in Jupiter at approximately 8 p.m.
LANTANA
Annual Lake Osborne Holiday Boat Parade.
December 20, 2019, 7:30.
The parade will start promptly at 7:30 pm leaving Lakeside Anchor INN, the parade should reach Lantana Rd and Lake Osborne Dr at approx. 8pm. This is where most of the public viewing is. The parade will continue the route north along Lake Osborne Dr, completing an entire circle around the lake by Lakeworth Rd Boat Ramp and heading back south and return to Lakeside Anchor INN around 9 pm.
Viewing parade will be best on Lake Osborne Dr. North of Lantana Rd all the way to Lake Worth Rd at the boat ramp at John Prince Park or Campground.
Viewing parade will be best on Lake Osborne Dr. North of Lantana Rd all the way to Lake Worth Rd at the boat ramp at John Prince Park or Campground.
Registration is now open and is free! If you would like to decorate your boat and participate in this year's festivities, please send an email to Osborneyachtclub@gmail.com to get a registration form.
The parade will start promptly, leaving Anchor INN @ 7:30 pm.
Participants meet in flotilla outside Anchor Inn at 6:30pm or earlier to socialize. We have 45-55 boats so Please be courteous! And Watch out for Weeds or Shallow spots. Parade Route 1.5hr @ 5mph to start at Anchor Inn kicked off with fireworks following Eastside shoreline around Paul Mar Dr back to Kingston Dr and loop back North to Lantana Bridge and STAY IN LINE to Lake Worth Rd Boat Ramp then back South by John Prince Campground to end at Anchor Inn for a full night of fun and awards!
If interested in participating or volunteering PLEASE email to: osborneyachtclub@gmail.com for a FREE Registration form.
MARTIN COUNTY
Annual Martin County Parade
December 7th, 2019 at 6:00 pm, Sandsprit Park, Port Salerno, FL.
This marks the Annual Martin County Parade being held Saturday, December 7th, which will begin at the Jensen Beach Causeway at 6pm and proceed to Sandsprit Park and into the Manatee Pocket where we will end at the Twisted Tuna and announce the winners.
All mariners are encouraged to decorate their vessels, large or small, and enjoy some good family fun for the holidays. The public is invited to enjoy viewing the parade boats at restaurants, parks and other locations along the route. The public is invited to walk along the docks and view the boats and crews. The event is free for spectators and participants for additional information please contact the Marine Industries Association of the Treasure Coast at 772.692.7599.
Parade Location: Sykes Creek.
Captains Party: Thursday Dec. 13, 2018 @ Sunset Cafe 6:00 pm.
MAIAMI
Miami Outboard Club Holiday Boat Parade.
December 14th, 2019 6:10 pm.
The Annual Miami Outboard Club Holiday Parade will have nearly 75 Boats are expected to take part in the Holiday Boat Parade, which starts at 7:00 pm on Saturday, December 14, 2019. The event is an Integral Part of The Miami Outboard Club’s Family and community activities. Each year this event brings residents together for the Holiday Season. The Official viewing site is Bayfront Park and there will be Food Vendors, Bounce House, DJ and Firework Show at 9:00 pm.
Over the past 19 winter seasons, the Holiday Boat Parade has grown in both size and scope, attracting club members and non-members alike. Over the past few years, the event has featured more than 50 boats, and nearly 60 are expected this year. Fast forward to the present and with donations and toy collections benefiting the children of the city of Miami, last year’s parade collected and donated over 1000 toys for the children of our community. The Miami Outboard Club’s Holiday boat parade has expanded by hosting private and community events. These events are a fundamental part of The Miami Outboard Club’s Family and community activities.
The annual New Smyrna Beach Christmas parade will kick off at dusk, Saturday, December 14, and travel the NSB Waterfront Loop from Flagler Avenue to Canal Street in New Smyrna Beach. The annual boat parade will follow at dusk in Riverside Park at the end of Canal Street. The event is free. For more information, please call New Smyrna Beach Recreation Department 386-428-1600.
PALM BEACH
Palm Beach Holiday Boat Parade.
December 7th, 2019 6:00 pm.
A premier event of the Marine Industries Association of Palm Beach County (MIAPBC) and gift to the community, the 2019 Palm Beach Holiday Boat Parade kicks off the holiday season on Saturday, December 7!
What: 25th Annual Palm Beach Holiday Boat Parade and 20th Annual Toy Drive benefiting Toys for Tots and Little Smiles.
Where: The parade, led by a Zambelli traveling fireworks display navigates up the Intracoastal Waterway from North Palm Beach to the Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse
When: Saturday, December 7. The parade begins at 6 p.m. and arrives in Jupiter at approximately 8 p.m.
POMPANO BEACH
Holiday Boat Parade.
December 13th, 2019 6:30 pm.
The Greater Pompano Beach Chamber of Commerce is proud to present the longest-running Holiday Boat Parade in the nation. The 57th Annual Holiday Boat Parade is free for boats and observers and winds past crowds in three towns. Boat decorations will be judged by a panel, and many prizes will be awarded at the Captain’s Party at a later date. For more Info: Call the Pompano Beach Chamber of Commerce at 954-941-2940 or visit www.pompanobeachchamber.com.
ST. LUCIE
Lighted Boat Parade and Paddleboard/Kayak Parade of Lights.
December 7th, 2019 (Paddle Parade at 6:00 pm Boat parade at 6:30 pm).
This marks the 29th Anniversary of the St. Lucie Christmas and Winter Holiday Boat Parade. The parade route begins at Taylor Creek near Harbortown Marina at 6:30 pm and proceeds past the South Beach Causeway turning around westward at the Fort Pierce Inlet at ~ 7:00 pm. The parade route then continues, ending at the Fort Pierce City Marina and Tiki restaurant at ~ 7:45 pm. The captains meeting will be held on Friday, Dec 7 at 6:00 pm at the Sailfish Brewery.
The public is invited to enjoy viewing the parade boats at restaurants, parks and other locations along the route including Causeway Park and along the river walk. Prizes will be awarded to winning boats at the Fort Pierce City Marina and Tiki Restaurant following the parade. All mariners are encouraged to decorate their vessels, large or small, and enjoy some good family fun for the holidays. The public is invited to walk along the docks and view the boats and crews. The event is free for spectators and participants.
There will also be a Downton Christmas Holiday Paddle Parade at City Marina at 6:00 PM. The route starts at the Manatee Center and ends at the Tiki Restaurant where judging and awards will be held. Attend the mandatory Captain's meeting at the Sailfish Brewery on Friday, December 9th at 6:30 PM.
STUART / MARTIN COUNTY
Stuart Christmas Boat Parade 2019.
This marks the Annual Martin County Parade being held Saturday, December 8th, which will begin at the Jensen Beach Causeway at 6pm and proceed to Sandsprit Park and into the Manatee Pocket where we will end at the Twisted Tuna and announce the winners.
All mariners are encouraged to decorate their vessels, large or small, and enjoy some good family fun for the holidays. The public is invited to enjoy viewing the parade boats at restaurants, parks and other locations along the route. The public is invited to walk along the docks and view the boats and crews. The event is free for spectators and participants for additional information please contact the Marine Industries Association of the Treasure Coast at 772.692.7599.
All mariners are encouraged to decorate their vessels, large or small, and enjoy some good family fun for the holidays. The public is invited to enjoy viewing the parade boats at restaurants, parks and other locations along the route. The public is invited to walk along the docks and view the boats and crews.
VERO BEACH / INDIAN RIVER COUNTY
Vero Beach Holiday Boat Parade.
December 14, 2019, Beginning at 6 p.m.
The boat parade will assemble at 5:30 and will start at 6 in the intracoastal waterway between the two bridges and finish at the Vero Beach City Marina. The Captains meeting will be held on Friday, Dec. 13 at 5:30 pm at the Quail Valley River Club.
Viewing stations include Royal Palm Point and Vero Beach City Marina. Consider taking lawn chairs and blankets for seating. The event is free for spectators and participants.
