I Love Stock Island Lighted Boat Parade

The inaugural Stock Island Lighted Boat Parade will take place Friday, Dec. 8 at 7 p.m. with pre-parade activities starting at 6 p.m. from Stock Island Marina Village. Held the day before the Schooner Wharf Lighted Boat Parade, the Stock Island event will allow vessels of all shapes and sizes the opportunity to double the fun with an extra night of showmanship. Guests will delight in seeing the free-to-watch bright lights on everything from tri-masted schooners to dinghies to the shrimp boats that call Stock Island home. Come early for great food at Matt’s, the Salty Oyster and Deluna’s as well as concessions and multiple bars throughout the property. Walk the docks to see spectacular decorations and lights on the boats and liveaboards who make Stock Island Marina home. The Howard Livingston Trio plays live at Hogfish Bar & Grill at the official after party.

32nd Annual Key Largo Boat Parade

The 32nd annual Key Largo Boat Parade is scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 9 at 7:30 p.m. through the waters of Blackwater Sound.

Islamorada Councilman Mike Forster has been chosen as this year’s grand marshal. ‘This year’s theme is ‘Paradise is Back’ #FloridaKeysStrong.

“As one of the first annual holiday events after Irma, we’d like to see this parade with more boats than ever,” said Sue Finney, event coordinator.

The boats will line up at Dusenbury Creek at 6:30 p.m. and will head north along the shoreline to Stillwright Point at 7:30. Best viewing locations are the Marriott Resort, Sundowners, Senor Frijoles, Jimmy Johnson’s Big Chill and the Caribbean Club.

Entry to the parade is free and all boats except the “best overall” grand prize winner are entered into the $500 cash drawing, which is drawn at random from participating entries at the awards ceremony on Saturday night. There will be cash prizes as well as trophies in seven categories. The awards ceremony will begin at 10 p.m. on the beach at Sundowners Restaurant.

The entry form is available at www.keylargoboatparade.com. More information is available from Finney at 305-394-3736.

27th Annual Schooner Wharf Lighted Boat Parade

UPDATE — This boat parade has been rescheduled to Friday, Dec. 15, due to expected, inclement weather!

The 27th Annual Schooner Wharf Lighted Boat Parade will take place Saturday Dec. 9 at 8 p.m. with festively illuminated watercraft, including classic schooners, fishing and pleasure crafts, kayaks and dinghies at the Key West Bight Marina at the Historic Seaport in Key West. Attendees are welcome to show up early to stroll through the magical beauty of the Key West Harbor Walk of Lights with its array of shops, restaurants and watering-holes, charmingly decorated for the holidays. At 6 p.m., catch the Gerald Adams Elementary School Steel Your Heart Band as they perform holiday tunes on the Schooner Wharf stage, followed by more live music.

Key Colony Beach Boat Parade

The Key Colony Beach Fishing and Boating Club will be holding its annual Lighted Boat Parade at dusk, around 6 p.m., on Sunday, Dec. 10. The best viewing is from the causeway or behind the Key Colony Beach City Hall/Post Office. Currently, there are eight boats signed up but they certainly have room for more. Free overnight dockage for participants is available in Key Colony Beach. This year’s parade is being dedicated to the memory of Tucker Degraw, who used to oversee this event. To enter the parade, call Ted Fischer at 302-841-9812 or email ted.fischer1@verizon.net. *After the boat parade, catch the lighted bike parade BTA starting at 7 p.m.

Marathon Boot Key Harbor Boat Parade

As of press time, it appears the Boot Key Harbor Lighted Boat Parade in Marathon will not officially take place after speaking to several entities who have been involved in the past.