Holiday Lights Glimmer on Waters of Newport Beach

Annual Christmas Boat Parade attracts nearly 1 million visitors

Site Staff Arts & Entertainment

 

More than 100 vessels are expected to light up Newport Harbor for the 105th annual Christmas Boat Parade, Dec. 18-22, – the longest running lighted event of its kind.

The parade features watercraft ranging in size from 15 feet to more than 100 feet adorned with lights, decorations, moving displays, dancers and more. The boat parade is run in conjunction with the "Ring of Lights", the waterfront home decoration competition.

Hosted by the Newport Beach Chamber of Commerce, the theme for this year’s five-night event is “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree".

The parade begins at 6:30 p.m. in the Balboa Village area, and navigates the 14.7-mile route ending outside Bay Island at 9 p.m.

"The Parade is our community's 'Christmas Card to the World' and sets the harbor ablaze with twinkling lights and holiday spirit like no other tradition in the country," says Steve Rosansky, Newport Beach Chamber of Commerce president and chief executive officer .

Named the “No. 2 Destination for Holiday Lights” by Yahoo Travel in 2011 and a “Top Ten Christmas Happenings in the nation” by The New York Times, the Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade attracts nearly 1 million visitors each year.

“The Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade embodies the spirit of generosity, kindness and a true passion and love for community akin to Dickens’ A Christmas Carol," says Newport Beach & Company President and CEO Gary Sherwin.

As is customary, the first and last night of the parade features a firework show from the Balboa Pier.

For more information, how to order hotel packages or restaurants with specials during the parade, visit the Newport Beach events website.