California Lighted Boat Parades Information

With 1,000 miles of shoreline and much more inland lake, delta and river frontage, California is the capital of Christmas boat parade celebrating. The State of Florida actually touts more boats parades (50 compared to California's 30,) but there's no shortage of entertainment for West Coast fans.

The holiday tradition of illuminating your vessel with decorations and lights doesn't span just the decades, but is a 100 year tradition. Newport Beach is credited with having one of the oldest Christmas Boat Parades launched in the early 1900s.

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

From the U.S.-Mexico border in San Diego to Marina Del Rey in Los Angeles, Southern Californians and their visitors enjoy  spectacular lighted boat parades. Marinas and harbors filled with luxury yachts play host to well known parades in San Diego and Newport Beach, two favorites to add to your watch list!

DANA POINT: Dana Point Harbor Christmas Boat Parade of Lights is a popular annual event

HUNTINGTON BEACH: Huntington Beach Christmas Boat Parade held before the Cruise of Lights boat tour fundraiser. Cruise of Lights is not a parade, but a boat ride open to the public to see lighted homes

LONG BEACH: Long Beach Boat Parade glides its way through the harbor to the backdrop of the Queen Mary

LOS ANGELES: Los Angeles - San Pedro Holiday Afloat Lighted Boat Parade is surrounded by containerized shipping and sometimes cruise ships in America's most bustling harbor.

MARINA DEL REY: Marina del Rey  Christmas Boat Parade is extremely popular for the South Bay crowd which attracts residents from Torrance Beach to Santa Monica and everything in between (Hermosa, Redondo, Manhattan & Venice.)

NAPLES: Naples Boat Parade in Long Beach travels the canals of the community called Naples Island. Parking requires walking some distance but on foot, you'll have some fun seeing decorated waterfront homes and the small boats, gondolas and craft taking part in this lighted parade.

NEWPORT BEACH: Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade is a 100-year tradition in which spectators are invited to book a cruise and actually ride in the parade which spans several nights.  Boat Parade Viewing

OCEANSIDE: Oceanside Parade of Lights Boat Parade
Parade of Lights & Holiday Craft Fair hosted by OYC - harbor boat parade of holiday lights. Contests held for best decorated power, sail and small craft oceansideyc.net

REDONDO BEACH: Redondo Beach King Harbor Christmas Boat Parade
Christmas Boat Parade is sponsored by King Harbor Yacht Club. khyc.org

SAN DIEGO: San Diego Parade of Lights Christmas Boat Parade happens on two weekends and includes fireworks. The bay offers many places to view the boat parade.

CENTRAL COAST CALIFORNIA

Central Coast lighted boat parades range from Ventura in the south to Morro Bay in San Luis Obispo County. Santa Lucia Mountain range and Big Sur wilderness take over the coastal landscape so you won't find a boat parade again till the mountains end near Monterey.

MORRO BAY: Morro Bay, California Lighted Boat Parade in true Central Coast style features incredible charm, which means it's not one of the biggest boat parades in California, but it is a beloved tradition

OXNARD: Oxnard Christmas Boat Parade of Lights shares the same harbors and waterways with its sister (or brother) parade in Ventura Harbor

SANTA BARBARA: Santa Barbara California Christmas Boat Parade of Lights is a multi-event celebration with snow play for kids, a tree lighting at Stearns Wharf and the celebrated boat Parade of Lights

VENTURA: Ventura Harbor Parade of Lights is a multi-night event in the beautiful waterways of Ventura and Oxnard

NORTHERN CALIFORNIA

From Monterey and the Bay Area to inland Sacramento with its rivers and delta, lighted Christmas boat parades in Northern California's cooler climate enjoy a warm reception and enthusiasm.

BENICIA: Lighted Boat Parade December 2025 (first Sunday possibly), 6-7 p.m. at Benicia Marina
400 East Second Street
Benicia, CA 94510
Free, public invited,
beniciayachtclub.org/ events
Prizes for the best Top 3 decorated boats. Free guest slips for visiting boats.

DISCOVERY BAY: Discovery Bay Christmas Boat Parade
The Lighted Boat Parade heads toward Bays of Discovery

ISLETON: Lighted Boat Parade December 13, 2025, 5-11 p.m.
Marina West Yacht Club - MWYC / Oxbow Marina      Location: Oxbow Marina Resort, 100 Oxbow Marina Drive, Isleton, CA. marinawestyachtclub.com

LAKEPORT: Lakeport Lighted Boat Parade

MARTINEZ: Martinez Lighted Boat Parade December 12, 2025, 6-8 p.m. Location: Martinez Marina, 7 N. Court Street, Martinez, CA. Celebration of the holiday on Martinez cherished waterways! Boats moored at the Martinez Marina are encouraged to participate by adding lights and holiday themed decorations to their boats. The public is invited to view the lighted boats from the newly remodeled Martinez Fishing Pier, walking paths, and other locations at the waterfront. Free city event in partnership with Martinez Yacht Club, Sportmen's Club, Downtown Martinez and F3 Marina.

OAKLAND: Oakland Lighted Yacht Parade travels in the big bay overlooking San Francisco lighted skyline at night.

PETALUMA: Petaluma Holiday Lighted Boat Parade

PITTSBURG: Pittsburg Yacht Club Lighted Boat Parade December 13, 2025,  6 p.m. Cruising the Delta.
Location: PYC Yacht Club, 3 Marina Blvd., Pittsburg, CA. Take Highway 4 towards Pittsburg and take the Railroad Avenue exit. Follow Railroad Avenue North to Third Street (approximately one mile), take a left turn on Third Street, then a right turn at Marina Boulevard and turn right after the boat launch area. The Yacht Club is located at the end of the turn-around. Pittsburg Yacht Club clubhouse is easily accessible.   pittsburgyc.com

SAN FRANCISCO: San Francisco Fisherman's Wharf  Holiday Boat Parade

SAN FRANCISCO: South Beach Yacht Club Lighted Boat Parade NO INFO 2025 AS OF 11/17/25 
Location: 40 Pier, Suite 5, nestled between Pier 40 and AT&T Park, home of the San Francisco Giants. The closest intersection to the Club is 2nd & King. Delivery address is 899 2nd Street, San Francisco, CA 94107.
southbeachyachtclub.org

SAN JOAQUIN: San Joaquin Yacht Club Lighted Boat Parade Bethel Island

SAN MATEO: San Mateo Holiday Lighted Boat Parade

SAN RAFAEL: San Rafael Canal Lighted Boat Parade - San Rafael Yacht Club, Loch Lomond Yacht Club, Marin Yacht Club and Classic Yacht Association come together

SANTA CRUZ: Santa Cruz Harbor Lighted Boat Parade

SAUSALITO: Sausalito Lighted Boat Parade, California

STOCKTON: Stockton Boat Parade

SUISUN CITY: Lighted Boat Parade December 6, 2025, 5:45 p.m. parade begins
Location: Solano Yacht Club, 703 Civic Center Drive, Suisun City, CA 94585  solanoyacht.club/

Whatever your passion, you won't want to miss this special time of year in California, when the boats are extra lively & bright!

Events are not guaranteed. It is your responsibility to confirm before going.