Holiday Lighted Boat Parades in Tampa Bay

Holiday Lighted Boat Parades

For people from northern climes, an iconic holiday image is that of riding a horse-drawn sleigh through a snow-covered landscape. Here in Tampa Bay, our holiday thoughts turn to lighted boat parades. These annual events feature fleets of watercraft with enough decoration and strings of multi-colored lights to make even Santa’s elves envious. And the gaudiest – er, best decorated – win prizes! Almost every waterfront community in the area either has its own parade or joins up with neighbors, and here’s the dates and times they set sail.

Bradenton – Saturday, December 11, 6:30pm. Staging begins at 6pm at Snead Island on the Manatee River, traveling to the Bradenton Yacht Club, Safe Harbor Marina, Twin Dolphin Marina and then back to the Yacht Club for an exclusive after party.  Powerboats will head under the bridge and down to Caddy’s and loop around before their stop at Twin Dolphin Marina. Boat registration. Arrive downtown early for Sounds of the Season, the annual Christmas celebration on Old Main Street sponsored by Realize Bradenton. Sounds of the Season continues until 10 p.m., so you can go after the boat parade, too.

Clearwater – Saturday, December 11, 6pm. Beginning in Mandalay Channel, boats travel along the inlets of Island Estates before going under the Memorial Bridge and finishing at the Clearwater Yacht Club, 830 Bayway Blvd. Festively decorated boats will parade past Coachman Park around 8:30 p.m. From there, the fleet will cruise under the Memorial Causeway Bridge turning into the Clearwater Marina Channel, then proceed south through the navigable canals to Clearwater Point.

Dunedin – Saturday, December 4, 6pm. Boats will arrive at Marker 1 on the Dunedin Causeway, travel south along the Intracoastal Waterway to Union Street, and return north to the City of Dunedin Marina. Boat registration.  Santa will arrive by boat for the lighting of the city’s Christmas tree in Edgewater Park.

Gulfport – Saturday, December 11, 6pm. The parade will begin at the Gulfport Municipal Marina, traveling past Williams Pier and the Casino, along the beaches and into the canals of Town Shores, Pelican Bay, Skimmer’s Point, Bayview Circle, a portion of Kipps Colony and near Pasadena Yacht and Country Club. Boats will then move along Dolphin Boulevard to the Pasadena Golf Club Estates before swinging across the bay to Isla del Sol and returning to the boats’ slips. To participate, email boatparade@sailbcyc.org

Indian Rocks Beach– Saturday, December 18 Line up converges at 6:45 P.M. Approximately 200 yards South of the southern end of the Holiday Inn. At 7:00 P.M. , the parade heads under the Walsingham Bridge finishing off at Harbor Drive North . NO FEE TO ENTER. SEE ATTACHED ENTRY FORM

Madeira Beach – Saturday, December 11, 6:30pm. The 55^th Annual Festival of Lights Boat Parade will begin at the north end of town near the Rec Center and work its way south to John’s Pass. Registration and information at the Madeira Beach Municipal Marina 727-399-2631. Parade kicks off after a tree lighting at ROC Park. 

Redington Beach and Indian Shores – Sunday, December 19, 5:45pm. Boats will rendezvous north of the Welch Causeway Bridge and east of the Madeira Beach Rec Center. The route will travel north through the Intracoastal Waterway along the communities of Redington Beach, North Redington Beach, Redington  Shores and Indian Shores, ending at Caddy’s Restaurant, 20025 Gulf Blvd. Boat registration

Sarasota – Saturday, December 11, 6:45pm. Starting from City Island, boats cruise across Sarasota Bay to Centennial Park and then south under the Ringling Bridge and across Bayfront Park. Best areas for viewing are Marina Jack Restaurant, Bayfront Park, City Island and Centennial Park. Boat registration

South Pasadena- Friday, December 3 6pm MarineMax is partnering with our City of South Pasadena to throw an exciting holiday weekend extravaganza! On Friday December 3rd meet them on the water with your decked out parade boat as we complete the parade loop and judges pick their favorite boats. Then on Saturday December 4th join us at our MarineMax St. Pete location for their award Docktail party, where we will hand out awards, enjoy food trucks and beverages galore. RSVP today to secure your spot. Info

St. Pete Beach- Friday, December 3, 6pm Grab your friends and family and spread the holiday cheer this year at the 2021 Holiday Boat Parade! Join us while we celebrate the holidays with the holiday lighted boat parade. A viewing party will be held at Horan Park featuring live music form Yacht Rock, a tree lighting ceremony with Mayor Al Johnson, and food vendors. The viewing party will be from 6pm-8pm. Info

Tampa – Saturday, December 18, 6pm. The Riverwalk Lighted Boat Parade begins in the Convention Center basin, travels to the Heights, and ends at Sparkman Wharf. The Holiday Spectacular will be going on along the Riverwalk. It will feature  a 35-foot-tall lighted Christmas tree floating in the harbor, and a gingerbread lighted display and a lighted toy train display floating in the river by Water Works Park. A forest of lighted pine trees will be at The Riverwalk Manor Dock.

Tarpon Springs – Friday, December 3 – Begins at Capt’n Jack’s Waterfront Grille, 21 Oscar Hill Road, and ends at Craig Park/Spring Bayou. Vessels will proceed down the Anclote River and into the bayous where Santa will give out treats. The best viewing is from Craig Park/Spring Bayou. Boats are expected to enter Spring Bayou around 8 p.m. Come early for the tree lighting at 5:45 p.m. Registration forms may be obtained at the City Marina and at the Recreation Division administrative office.

Treasure Island – Saturday, December 4, 6:20pm. Considered by many to be the largest lighted boat parade in Tampa Bay, boats will depart from The Club at Treasure Island (Marker 14), sail past the Treasure Island Causeway Bridge at 7 p.m. and end at 8:15 p.m. at John’s Pass. Viewing areas are the Treasure Island Golf Course at Treasure Bay, along the Treasure Island Causeway Bridge, and at John’s Pass. Rain day is Sunday, Dec. 5. For registration information, contact the Treasure Island Parks and Recreation Department, 727-547-4575 ext. 237 or email recreation@mytreasureisland.org.