Check Out the Ultimate Guide to Locating Holiday Lighted Boat Parades Around Tampa Bay

This the season for dazzling boat parades, folks!

Witness some of the most festive vessels in the city adorned with holiday cheer. Here’s your guide to catching the enchanting procession of illuminated boats in Tampa and throughout the Tampa Bay region.

St. Pete Beach Holiday Boat Parade Date:

December 1 Time: 6 pm – 10 pm Viewing Party: Horan Park, 7701 Boca Ciega Dr, St. Pete Beach For the full parade route, click HERE.

Join the St. Pete Beach community for a boat parade viewing party and a tree lighting ceremony. The parade kicks off near Blind Pass Bridge in St. Pete Beach and makes its way South to the Pinellas Bayway Bridge.

Holiday Sail-A-Bration in Seminole Date:

December 3 Time: 6:30 pm – 8 pm Start Point: 9100 113th St N End Point: 11201 Park Blvd

Seminole welcomes back the annual Holiday Sail-a-Bration Water-less Boat Parade. This unique parade showcases Seminole’s finest along 113th Street. The route commences at the Seminole Recreation Center and concludes at the Seminole City Center.

Downtown St. Pete Boat Parade

• Date: December 9
• Time: 6:30 pm – 8 pm
• Start Point: Near Albert Whitted, 480 Bayshore Dr NE
• End Point: Heads to Coffee Pot Basin, 1st St NE & 31st Ave NE

Pier Dolphin Cruises, Nautical Sounds, Waters Wealth Management, Chris Waters Personal Injury Attorney, and Bob ‘Santa’ Kane from Bob Kane Mortgages are reintroducing the Christmas Lighted Boat Parade to downtown St. Petersburg and the St. Pete Pier.

Madeira Beach Festival of Lights Boat Parade

• Date: December 9
• Time: 6:30 pm – 10 pm
• Start Point: 600 American Legion Dr, Madeira Beach
• End Point: 12901 Gulf Blvd

Starting at the American Legion Post 273 at 6:30 pm, this parade traverses the finger canals throughout the city, concluding at John’s Pass around 9:45/10 pm. Enjoy shopping at the ROC Park Merry Market, live music, a kick-off party on the seawall, and late-night views of the parade at John’s Pass (12901 Gulf Blvd).

Clearwater Yacht Club Boat Parade

• Date: December 9
• Time: 6:15 pm – 9 pm
• End Point: 830 S Bayway Blvd

This illuminated nautical event supports local youth sailing and boating scholarships. Fox13 Tampa Bay’s Laura Moody will be the 2023 Grand Marshal, aboard the 82’ Monte Fino Yacht Andiamo. The parade kicks off north of the Mandalay Channel Bridge at 6:30 pm, traversing the Island Estates community, Coachman Park, Memorial Causeway Bridge, and concluding at Clearwater Yacht Club for judging.

Tampa Holiday Boat Parade

• Date: December 23
• Time: 6 pm – 9 pm
• Viewable along the Tampa Riverwalk from 1910 N Ola Ave to 615 Channelside Dr.

Tampa’s largest lighted boat parade on December 23 features approximately 125 decorated vessels along the 7.5-mile route. Starting at the southern tip of Davis Islands, passing through the Convention Center basin, and heading to Sparkman Wharf, the parade concludes with judging at the Tampa Convention Center by Big Brothers Big Sisters Tampa Bay, awarding first, second, and third-place trophies.