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115th Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade

115th Annual Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade taking place for five spectacular nights Dec. 13-17, 2023 in Newport Beach, Calif. Illuminating Newport Harbor for over a century, 100 beautifully decorated yachts and boats of all sizes will once again light up Newport Beach nightly from 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. For five nights, experience the parade in a wide variety of fun-filled ways, from a family friendly event on the sand, by boat or shore, below is a full line-up of happenings at America’s most iconic Christmas event.

Home to the West Coast’s largest recreational harbor, Newport Beach pays homage to its iconic boating culture through a fleet of wonderfully decorated yachts, boats, kayaks and canoes motoring along a 14-mile course.

RING OF LIGHTS:
Homes along the Christmas boat parade route participate in a decorating contest called the Ring of Lights where each house features its own extravagantly themed decorations. From lights on every façade to roof-top animated scenes and dancing Christmas trees, the Ring of Lights has become as celebrated as the boat parade itself. Visitors can view homes by walking around Newport Beach waterfront neighborhoods such as Balboa Island and Balboa Village or view by boat charter or boat rental.

Ring of Lights

FIREWORKS:
The parade will have an exhilarating firework display from the Newport Pier at 6:15 p.m. on opening night and 9 p.m. from the Balboa Pier on closing night.

Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade

DRONE SHOW:

Through a partnership with Eagle Four Partners, Code Four and Skyworx Drone Shows, the Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade has added another nighttime spectacular with our first in-air drone show. Two shows will be lighting up the skies in front of the Balboa Bay Resort each night on Wednesday, Friday and Saturday nights of the parade at approximately 6:15 pm and 8:30 pm.

PRE-PARADE LIVE ENTERTAINMENT:

Through a partnership with Eagle Four Partners and Code Four, the waters of Newport Beach will be rockin’ with the sounds of “SATISFACTION – THE ULTIMATE ROLLING STONES TRIBUTE BAND” as they cruise around the harbor and appear at various locations in front of the parade on Wednesday, Friday and Saturday nights.

GRAND MARSHALS:

Wednesday, December 13
Hallmark Channel’s
Andrew Walker and Nikki Deloach
Thursday, December 14
Boys and Girls Club of Newport Beach
Friday, December 15
Local Heroes: Newport Beach Police Department
and Newport Beach Fire and Lifeguard Departments
Saturday, December 16
2024 Rose Queen® and Royal Court

WHERE TO VIEW:
Marina Park Event on Opening Night
: Bring the entire family to Marina Park on opening night (Dec. 13) for the 115th Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade kick-off event, which includes a full evening of festivities: an opening ceremony, front-row parade viewing and first-ever Holiday Market! The opening night ceremony starts at 5 p.m. and includes speakers and a live musical performance. Partnering with OC’s premier pop-up market group Creative Communal, the Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade’s holiday market will feature local makers, food vendors, live music, entertainment, photo ops and kids activities. The opening night event is not to be missed, shop last-minute holiday gifts, enjoy good food, the festivities and watch the parade. The Opening Night event starts at 5 p.m., the holiday market begins at 4:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.; Fireworks at 6:15 p.m. and the parade sails by Marina Park at 6:54 p.m. Admission is free. Please note the Marina Park Parking lot will be CLOSED to the public on opening night. Parking is available on the street or surrounding lots.

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

Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade

Dine + Watch
There are over a dozen restaurants throughout Newport Harbor that offer a front-row view of the Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade and dozens more located near the water to dine and then view.

Stay + Watch
Let the Boat Parade serve as a reason to book a holiday-inspired staycation in Newport Beach for a roster of festive events, shop for last-minute holiday gifts, enjoy winter menus and much more!

  • Balboa Bay Resort
  • Lido House
  • Renaissance Newport Beach Hotel
  • Hyatt Regency John Wayne Airport Newport Beach
  • Hyatt Regency Newport Beach
  • Newport Beach Marriott Bayview
  • VEA Newport Beach A Marriott Resort & Spa
  • The Resort at Pelican Hill
  • Pendry Newport Beach

Float + Watch
Book one of Newport Beach’s premier cruise boats to see the holiday lights and displays on the boats in the parade and homes along the water that is guaranteed to be a magical evening under the stars.

Park + Watch
Bundle up, bring a chair and break out the hot cocoa, here are the places to your waterfront spot at all of the vantage points in Newport Beach.

  • Balboa Peninsula is also home to many vantage points of the spectacle. In Balboa Village, consider areas along Edgewater Place, Marina Park and at the Balboa Fun Zone.
  • Balboa Island provides prime viewing location of the Boat Parade and the Ring of Lights home decorating competition.
  • Boats pass directly in front of China Cove Beach, and Lookout Point offers an amazing view. For park settings, choose West Jetty View Park or Via Lido Park.
  • Reserved seating is available at the Newport Boy Scout Sea Base (1931 West Coast Highway).

There are over 50 viewing locations along Newport Harbor, please visit www.christmasboatparade.com for parade route, timing and more information.


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