Apollo Beach

Dec. 12 at sunset

Tampa Sailing Squadron is hosting the boat parade and awards ceremony at their clubhouse at 1250 Apollo Beach Blvd. in Apollo Beach. Good viewing is available from the docks, and food and drinks will be available for purchase.

Bradenton

Christmas on the Braden River
Dec. 6 at 5:30 p.m.

All decorated boats should meet on the river at the entrance to Evers Reservoir. Parade sails off at 6 p.m. Participants will pass Jiggs Landing, then head upstream to Linger Lodge.

Manatee River Holiday Boat Parade
Dec. 12 at 6:30 p.m.

The best public viewing sites are the Green Bridge Pier and the Riverhouse Reef and Grill Restaurant in Palmetto, and along the Bradenton Riverfront and the Pier 22 Restaurant in Bradenton.

Clearwater

Island Estates Yacht Club Boat Parade
Dec. 12 at 6:30 p.m.

Boats will assemble in Mandalay Channel and head to Coachman Park under the Memorial Causeway and to the Clearwater Yacht Club’s judging stand. Prizes will be awarded for the best decorated boats.

Cortez/Longboat Key/Bradenton Beach

11th Annual Holiday Lighted Boat Parade
Dec. 19 at 6 p.m.

The parade starts at the Seafood Shack Marina in Cortez. No entry fee is required but a gift donation of a new toy for Toys for Tots is requested. Prizes will be awarded to the best decorated boats in several divisions. Boast must meet USGS safety requirements.

Dunedin

Holiday Boat Parade
Dec. 5 at 6 p.m.

Boats will leave Marker 1 Marina at 6 p.m. and head south through 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 so he can preside over the tree lighting ceremony. Bring lawn chairs. Free to attend.

Gibsonton/Riverview

32nd Annual Alafia Lighted Boat Parade
Dec. 5 at 5 p.m.

The parade will start at Williams Park Boat Ramp on U.S. 41, then go all the way to the Beer Shed and back down the river to Dixie’s Dockside, with a few stops along the way. Sponsors are sought for the parade, and the benefits will fund the Clean Water Project in Honduras.

Gulfport

30th Anniversary BCYC Lighted Christmas Boat Parade
Dec. 12 at 6 p.m.

The parade starts at the Gulfport Municipal Marina and passes by the Boca Ciega Yacht Club clubhouse on the way out the bay. The parade goes past Williams Pier, the beach and the Gulfport Casino before visiting Isla del Sol, then heading back to the clubhouse. Participants are asked to bring two or more unwrapped toys for Operation Santa, coordinated by the Gulfport Police Department.

Hernando Beach

Christmas Boat Parade
Dec. 4 at 6:30 p.m.

The parade leaves the dock at Hernando Beach Yacht Club, then heads down Marlin canal and Cheeks Creek canal before turning and heading down Tarpon canal before ending at the boat ramp. Entry fee is an unwrapped children’s toy. Enjoy hot dogs, drinks and some Christmas cheer after the parade.

Homosassa

Holiday Boat Parade
Dec. 19 at 5:30 p.m.

Indian Rocks Beach

Holiday Lighted Boat Parade
Dec. 19 at 7 p.m.

Madeira Beach

Festival of Light
Dec. 12 at 6:30 p.m.

The parade begins behind the Madeira Beach recreation field at 6:30 p.m. and ends at John’s Pass.

New Port Richey

River of Lights Christmas Boat Parade
Dec. 5 at 6:30 p.m.

The parade starts at Catches Restaurant on U.S. 19 and heads to Sims Park. The parade is extended to include some of Port Richey and the waterfront restaurants.

Redington Beach/Indian Shores

Dec. 20 at 6 p.m.

The parade starts at Tom Stuart Causeway with docking at The Pub.

St. Pete Beach/South Pasadena

Friday, Dec. 4 at 6 p.m.

A viewing party will be held at Horan Park, located at 7701 Boca Ciega Dr. Enjoy music, hot chocolate, face painting and a visit from Santa. The parade starts at the Blind Pass Bridge, then heads south to the Bayway Bridge.

St. Pete Beach/Vina del Mar

Dec. 5 at 6 p.m.

The parade starts in Pass-a-Grille at the Merry Pier. Cash prizes are available for winners in various categories.

St. Petersburg

28th Annual Illuminated Boat Parade
Dec. 12 at 3 p.m.

The festival starts at 3 p.m. with live entertainment, food and drinks and children’s activities. The boat parade starts at 6 p.m., traveling from Bayboro Harbor, passing in front of the Pier, near the shoreline and around the Vinoy Basin and back out into Tampa Bay.

Tampa

Hillsborough River Holiday Boat Parade
Dec. 13 at 6 p.m.

Boaters and paddlers alike are welcome at this parade. Anything that floats qualifies. Put your decorated boat in at the Lowry Park boat ramp to be part of the parade, which goes upriver with an incoming tide to the Sulphur Springs City Pool Park off Nebraska Avenue. The parade can be seen from Lowry Park, riverfront docks or at Sulphur Springs City Pool Park.

Twinkle in Tampa Bay: A Holiday Lighted Boat Parade
Dec. 19 at 6:30 p.m.

The parade extends by Davis Island, Harbour Island and through the Channelside District. Best viewing areas are the stretch of land from Davis Island to Channelside.

Bay Crest Boat Parade
Dec. 12 at 7 p.m.

The parade will start at the main entrance to the channel leading to Bay Crest Park.

Tarpon Springs

Boat Parade
Dec. 4 at 4:30 p.m.

The parade is now combined with Snow Place Like Tarpon. The boat parade will come into Spring Bayou at 8 p.m. but now the festival will have live reindeer, falling snow, food, vendors, carriage and hay rides. The event also includes a kids’ area.

Lake Tarpon Christmas Boat Parade
Dec. 12 at 6:30 p.m.

This parade is hosted by the Tarpon Turtle. Registration is $30 per boat, with $20 of that being used to benefit Wheelchairs 4 Kids.

Treasure Island

Treasure Island Holiday Boat Parade
Dec. 19 at 6 p.m.

The parade leaves from the docks of the Club at Treasure Island at 6 p.m. Residents are invited to the Cast Off Party, which features Christmas cake, hot cider, hot dogs, coffee, a cash bare, live entertainment and an appearance by Santa and Mrs. Claus. Admission is one unwrapped toy. Monetary gifts will also be accepted.

Note: The Treasure Island Causeway Bridge will close to vehicular traffic at 7 p.m. for approximately 30 to 45 minutes to allow the boat parade to pass through.

Weeki Wachee

Weeki Wachee River Lighted Christmas Boat Parade
Dec. 5 at 6:30 p.m

The parade starts at the Weeki Wachee Marina and travels past Rogers Park to the Bayport Pier. The entry fee is an unwrapped toy or cash donation, which will be donated to the Dawn Center.

Winter Haven

28th Chain of Lakes Christmas Boat Parade
Dec. 5 at 6:30pm

The parade starts on Lake May and travels through four of the city’s 24 canal-connected lakes: May, Shipp, Howard and Cannon. Public viewing areas are along the route, as well as at several lakeside restaurants.