Bay area residents will take their holiday celebrations to the water with holiday boat parades throughout the month of December. Find a boat parade in your community.
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Homosassa
Holiday Boat Parade
Saturday, Dec. 20 at 5:30 p.m.
Homosassa River
The parade begins at marker 7 on the Homosassa River and is located at MacRae's of Homosassa, Seagrass Resort and Riverhaven Marina.
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Weeki Wachee
Weeki Wachee River Lighted Christmas Boat Parade
Saturday, Dec. 13 at 6:30 p.m.
Weeki Wachee Marina
The parade starts at the marina and travels past Rogers Park to the Bayport Pier. Entry fee is an unwrapped toy or cash donation to be donated to the Dawn Center. No cost for spectators.
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Apollo Beach
Apollo Beach Lighted Boat Parade
Saturday, Dec. 13 at 6:30 p.m.
Tampa Sailing Squadron is the host of the event, and they will be holding the party, chili cookoff and awards ceremony at their clubhouse at 1250 Apollo Beach Blvd. Good viewing is available from their docks as well.
Gibsonton/Riverview
Alafia Lighted 29th Annual Lighted Boat Parade
Saturday, Dec. 6 at 6 p.m.
Alafia River/Showmen's Event Center, 6915 Riverview Dr., Gibsonton
The parade will have two boat entry divisions with cash prizes for 1st and 2nd place in each division. The event will include music, entertainment, food and drinks, kids' rides and activities, a chili cook-off and a silent raffle. Entry fee is $25 per boat. Public admission is free.
Tampa
Hillsborough River Holiday Boat Parade
Sunday, Dec. 7 at 6 p.m.
Hillsborough River, Lowry Park or Sulphur Springs City Pool Park
Decorate your boat and put it in at the Lowry Park boat ramp at 6 p.m. Paddlers are invited, and they will lead the parade, followed by powerboats. Event is free to the public.
Twinkle in Tampa Bay: A Holiday Lighted Boat Parade
Saturday, Dec. 20 at 6:30 p.m.
Channelside district of Tampa
The parade starts at 6:30 p.m. in the water near Davis Island, Harbour Island and the Channelside District. Parking is available at several public parking lots.
Bay Crest Boat Parade
Saturday, Dec. 13 at 7 p.m.
Bay Crest Park, Tampa
Parade will start at the main entrance to the channel leading to Bay Crest Park.
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Bradenton
Christmas on the Braden River
Saturday, Dec. 6 at 5:30 p.m.
Bradenton
The vessel registration begins at Jiggs Landing Preserve, and the parade starts at 6 p.m. The parade will end at 7:30 p.m. at the Linger Lodge.
Longboat Key/Bradenton Beach
10th Annual Holiday Lighted Boat Parade
Saturday, Dec. 13
Cortez/Longboat Key/Bradenton Beach
All vessels decorated in appropriate holiday fashion are welcome to join. No entry fee is required but a gift donation of a new toy for Toys for Tots is requested. Prizes will be awareded for the best decorated boats in several divisions.
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New Port Richey
Holiday Boat Parade
Saturday, Dec. 20 at 7:30 p.m.
The Dockside at the Magnuson Hotel and Marina in New Port Richey
The parade will benefit Wheelchairs 4 Kids.
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Clearwater
Island Estates Yacht Club Boat Parade
Saturday, Dec. 13 at 6:30 p.m.
Coachman Park, Clearwater
Decorated boats will assemble in Mandalay Channel and head to Coachman Park, under the Memorial Causeway Bridge. Prises will be awarded for the best decorated boats.
Dunedin
Holiday Boat Parade
Saturday, Dec. 6 from 6-9 p.m.
Dunedin Marina, Dunedin
Boats will leave Marker 1 Marina at 6 p.m. and head south along the Intracoastal Waterway to Marker 2, then turn around and arrive at the Dunedin Marina at 7:30 p.m. Festivities will also include holiday music, s'mores and Santa's arrival on the last boat. Free to attend, bring lawn chairs.
Gulfport
Boca Ciega Yacht Club's Annual Light Parade
Saturday, Dec. 13 at 6 p.m.
The 28th annual Lighted Christmas Boat Parade is open to the public. The parade starts at the Gulfport Municipal Marina at 6 p.m. then travels past William's Pier and into the canals of Town Shores Condominiums and Pasadena Yacht Club Estates. Entry fee is either two unwrapped toys or a cash donation.
Indian Rocks Beach
Holiday Lighted Boat Parade
Saturday, Dec. 20 at 7 p.m.
Madeira Beach
Festival of Light
Saturday, Dec. 13 at 6:30 p.m.
Lighted and decorated boats will light up the waterways. The parade will start behind the Madeira Beach recreation field at 6:30 p.m. and will end at John's Pass.
Redington Beach/Indian Shores
Boat Parade
Sunday, Dec. 21 at 6 p.m.
The parade starts at the Tom Stuart Causeway, with docking at the Pub.
St. Pete Beach
Holiday Lighted Boat Parade
Friday, Dec. 5 at 6 p.m.
Boca Ciega Bay, St. Pete Beach and South Pasadena
The parade will start in South Pasadena and head south towards Pass-a-Grille. The tree lighting and concert will be held in Horan Park, located at 7701 Boca Ciega. The park will also give a good view of the parade as it passes by the community center.
Pass-a-Grille/Vina Del Mar Parade
Saturday, Dec. 13 at 6 p.m.
Pass-a-Grille/Vina Del Mar, St. Pete Beach
The parade starts at 6 p.m. at the Merry Pier. Cash prizes will be awarded.
St. Petersburg
27th Annual Illuminated Boat Parade
Saturday, Dec. 13 at 6 p.m.
Downtown St. Petersburg
The Holiday Festival starts at 3 p.m. with live entertainment, food and drinks and children's activities. The boat parade starts at 6 p.m. It travels from Bayboro, in front of the Pier, near the shoreline around the Vinoy Basin and into Tampa Bay.
Tarpon Springs
Boat Parade
Friday, Dec. 12 at 4-9 p.m.
Spring Bayou, Tarpon Springs
The parade is part of Snow Place Like Tarpon, which includes live reindeer, falling snow, food, vendors, carriage and hay rides, and a kids' area with Christmas movies and inflatables. The boat parade will come into Spring Bayou at 8 p.m.
Treasure Island
Treasure Island Holiday Boat Parade
Saturday, Dec. 20 at 7 p.m.
Treasure Island
Viewing spots are avilaable along the Intracoastal Waterway. The causeway bridge will close to traffic at 7 p.m. for 30-45 minutes to allow the boat parade to pass through.
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28th Chain of Lakes Christmas Boat Parade
Saturday, Dec. 6 at 6:30 p.m.
Winter Haven
The parade starts on Lake May at 6:30 p.m., then travel to lakes Shipp, Howard and Cannon. Santa himself will lead the parade.
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Christmas Boat Parade of Lights
Saturday, Dec. 13 at 6 p.m.
Sarasota
The best places for viewing are Marina Jack Restaurant, Bayfront Park, City Island and Centennial Park.