Holiday Boat Parades You Don’t Want to Miss

Holiday Boat Parades You Don’t Want to Miss - A group of people on a boat in the water - Boat parade
Santa sets sail. SARA MATTHIS.

Friday, Dec. 7
STOCK ISLAND

The Stock Island Lighted Boat Parade is a free event. Activities begin at 5 p.m., with the parade scheduled for 7 p.m., and an after-party at 9 p.m. at Hogfish Bar and Grill, with live music. Guests will delight in seeing the bright lights on everything from tri-masted schooners to dinghies to the shrimp boats that call Stock Island home. The boat parade is presented by Sunset Watersports with free viewing events at Stock Island Marina Village and Safe Harbor.

 

Saturday, Dec. 8
BOOT KEY HARBOR, MARATHON

From dinghies to yachts, both power and sail boats welcome! Parade starts at 6 p.m. from the west end of Boot Key Harbor and slowly winds its way east into the harbor toward Sombrero Marina Dockside, back through the harbor and ending at Lazy Days South at Marathon Marina for a post-parade award party at about 8:30 p.m. Best viewing spots include Lazy Days South, Burdines, Marathon Marina and Sombrero Marina Dockside. Prizes for best boat in each division.305-743-6575

 

Saturday, Dec. 8
KEY LARGO

Blackwater Sound will shimmer as decorated boats parade along the shoreline in celebration of the holiday season; 55-foot yachts to single-person kayaks will set sail at 7:30 p.m. The best viewing and libations are to be found at Sundowners, Jimmy Johnson’s Big Chill, Senor Frijoles, the Marriott Key Largo Bay Resort and Caribbean Club, from MM 103 to MM 104. Awards after-party at Sundowners, at 10 p.m. www.keylargoboatparade.com

 

Sunday, Dec. 9
KEY COLONY BEACH

Christmas lights on outriggers, Santa’s elves and brightly lit deck displays highlight the beautiful festivities during the Key Colony Beach Boat Parade. Set to begin at the 7th Street canal, the parade is open to all boats, and the route visits canals and cuts, and passes city hall three times. Great viewing spots include Sadowski Causeway at MM 53.5 and the dock area behind city hall and the post office. The public is welcome. kcbca.org/boatparade.htm

 

Saturday, Dec. 15
KEY WEST

Lighted and decorated vessels from rowboats to tall ships proceed around Key West’s Historic Seaport and harbor areas. Festivities will begin at 6 p.m. with the children of Gerald Adams Elementary Steel Your Heart Band. Parade is scheduled to begin at 8 p.m. Holiday revelers can watch and applaud from bars, restaurants and resorts in and around the Historic Seaport as vessels of all shapes and sizes dazzle the crowd.305-292-3302 | schoonerwharf.com/special.htm#current