Spotlight on: Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade

Watch Newport Harbor come aglow with spectacular holiday lights at the 103rd annual Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade. 

It’s a flotilla of Christmas spirit as yachts, small boats, canoes and even kayaks cruise the harbor fully decked out in lights. Many of the larger vessels have animated scenes with music and carolers.

Some of the boat owners have spent as much as $50,000 on their displays. It is truly a sight to see as the lights reflect off the water and the night sky. This year’s theme is “Feelin’ Christmas-Sea in Newport Beach.”

The parade, which features as many as 100 boats, runs from Wednesday, Dec. 14 through Sunday, Dec. 18, starting at Bay Island at 6:30 PM, circling 14 miles around the harbor, and returns to to the same place at 9 PM. Spectators can watch from the beach, restaurants, yacht clubs and, of course, their own homes. 

Fireworks will put a fantastic ending on the parade the final night, when they are launched from Balboa Pier at 9 p.m.

While you enjoy the parade, you can also check out the Ring of Lights, which is an annual contest hosted by the Commodores Club of the Newport Beach Chamber of Commerce.

Those gorgeous bayside homes and local businesses also get completely decked out for the holidays and serves as the perfect backdrop for the parade.

The event began back in 1907, when an Italian Gondolier, John Scarpa, and Josephy Beek, who was the early developer of Balboa Island, started an event called the Tournament of Lights. The next year, Scarpa led a parade of boats illuminated by Japanese Lanterns. 

Aside from breaks during World War I and World War II, the parade has lit up the harbor every year.

If you go plan on attending, allow extra travel time as the event draws thousands of people. City parking lots will be open, and there is plenty of parking near the Balboa Island Fun Zone. You can also watch from restaurants - though recommendations are strongly recommended.  Some reserved seating is available, as are private charter boat tours.