Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade

About this happenin

In 1946, Newport Beach city workers put a lighted Christmas tree on a barge and towed it around the harbor while passengers sang carols to the houses on shore. Decorated boats started following it, and that became the Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade. The organiser traces lighted boat parades here back further, to a gondola and eight canoes on July 4, 1908. Now yachts, kayaks and canoes wrapped in lights leave the tip of Lido Isle at about 6:30 p.m., Wednesday through Sunday in mid-December, and loop the harbor back to it. Marina Park, at 1600 W Balboa Boulevard, is the biggest public viewing spot on the route. Getting in is free, and it has 177 parking spaces. Opening night starts with fireworks off Newport Pier, and drone shows go up over the Balboa Bay Resort and Peninsula Park, near the Fun Zone, every night. Waterfront homes compete separately in the Ring of Lights. The Commodores Club of the Newport Beach Chamber of Commerce hosts.

More in December: 8 other Los Angeles events.

Where

Marina Park · 1600 W Balboa Blvd, Newport Beach, CA 92663