San Rafael Canal Lighted Boat Parade

December 16, 2023, line forms 5:30 p.m. Parade at 6 p.m.

lightedboatparade.org |

facebook.com/SanRafaelLightedBoatParade/

Several yacht clubs (San Rafael Yacht Club, Loch Lomond Yacht Club (lochlomondyachtclub.com), Marin Yacht Club and Classic Yacht Association) come together to create a holiday spectacle seen along the banks of San Rafael Creek from these locations:

• Montecito Mall - back of mall 200 to 400 3rd Street
• Point San Pedro Road & 3rd St.
• The San Rafael Yacht Club - 200 Yacht Club Drive
• Pickleweed Park / Community Center- 50 Canal Street

Parade route: Outside the San Rafael Canal the parade launches, passing by Marin Yacht Club. The turning basin is in front of San Rafael Yacht Club.

San Rafael Canal lights up with nearly 100 boats and yachts illuminating the water with flashing, dancing lights in the shapes of dolphins, buildings and everything under the sun that can be portrayed with small lights. The 6 p.m. launch of the parade features a grand entrance with Santa and his reindeer and the San Rafael Police. The parade started as separate celebrations organized by the three major yacht clubs in San Rafael in the 1960s with only a handful (8-10) boats. 8 turned into 80 boats and traffic jammed the highway. Boats often come from Vallejo, Sausalito, Emeryville, Antioch, San Francisco and Bay Area marinas and yacht clubs.

Event planners claim this is the third largest Lighted Boat Parade in the country. Action Marine says it is one of the largest boat parades in the Bay Area, which is more likely. Free to see, dress warm and have fun!

The annual lighted boat parade in the San Rafael Canal brings together Marin Yacht Club, San Rafael Yacht Club, Loch Lomond Yacht Club and Classic Yacht Association to benefit Community Action Marin, Marin County's oldest and largest provider of family support services.

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