BOCA RATON, FL (Boca Post) (Copyright © 2025) — South Florida’s holiday boat parade season is only halfway through, and six more parades are still scheduled between Dec. 12 and Dec. 19. From Boynton Beach to Fort Lauderdale and Lake Osborne, decorated boats and waterfront crowds will light up local waterways over the next two weekends.
Boca Raton residents looking to join the celebrations will once again need to travel. The Boca Raton Boat Parade, once a longtime city tradition, was canceled in 2023 after the city cited dwindling participation. It has not returned, leaving neighboring communities to carry the region’s holiday boating traditions.
Parades Already Held This Month
The first major holiday parade of the season — the Palm Beach Holiday Boat Parade — took place on Dec. 6, drawing decorated vessels from North Palm Beach to Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse and collecting Toys for Tots donations along the route. Several smaller neighborhood displays have occurred across the region since then, marking the unofficial start of the holiday waterway season.
The main lineup now shifts south as the bulk of December’s parades launch this week.
UPCOMING SOUTH FLORIDA BOAT PARADES
Boynton Beach Holiday Boat Parade — Dec. 12
The 53rd annual Boynton Beach Holiday Boat Parade begins at 6 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 12. The flotilla gathers at the Ocean Avenue Bridge in Lantana at 6:30 p.m. before traveling south to the C-15 Canal in Delray Beach. Viewers may bring flashlights to signal Toys for Tots donation boats.
Boynton Harbor Marina is the primary viewing location, with Santa scheduled to appear and live music planned. Bridges along the route — including Ocean Avenue, Woolbright Road, George Bush Boulevard, Atlantic Avenue, and Linton Boulevard — will close temporarily as the parade passes.
When is the Boynton Beach Boat Parade?
Time: 6:00 p.m. start
Where to Go: Boynton Harbor Marina (best viewing), Ocean Ave Bridge area
Route: Ocean Ave Bridge in Lantana → south along Intracoastal → ends at C-15 Canal (Delray Beach)
Notes: Boats collect Toys for Tots; flashlights signal pickup.
Pompano / Lighthouse Point / Deerfield Beach Boat Parade — Dec. 12
Also on Dec. 12, the 63rd annual Greater Pompano Beach Chamber of Commerce Holiday Boat Parade begins at 7 p.m. Roughly 50 decorated vessels will travel from Lake Santa Barbara north to Hillsboro Boulevard.
Public viewing stands will be located at Miraggio Italian Grill, Sands Harbor Resort, and Alsdorf Park. Bridges at Atlantic Boulevard, the 14th Street Causeway, and Hillsboro Boulevard will remain upright beginning at 6:15 p.m.
When is the Pompano Beach Boat Parade?
Time: 7:00 p.m. start
Where to Go: Miraggio Italian Grill, Sands Harbor Resort, Alsdorf Park
Route: Lake Santa Barbara Park → north to Hillsboro Blvd
Notes: Bridges held upright at 6:15 p.m.
Boat Parade of the Greater Palm Beaches — Dec. 13
Debuting this year, the Boat Parade of the Greater Palm Beaches launches at 6 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 13. About 50 vessels will depart from Sailfish Marina on Singer Island, led by KVJ Show hosts Kevin Rolston, Virginia Sinicki, and Jason Pennington.
A fireworks display will start the parade, which travels south along Palm Beach before looping at Safe Harbor Rybovich Marina and heading back north. A VIP party at Sailfish Marina will accept toy donations benefiting Little Smiles.
When is the Greater Palm Beaches Boat Parade?
Time: 6:00 p.m. start; fireworks kickoff
Where to Go: Sailfish Marina (VIP & main viewing), Singer Island shoreline
Route: Assemble north of Blue Heron Bridge → south along Palm Beach side → loop at Safe Harbor Rybovich → back north
Notes: KVJ Show hosts are grand marshals; trolley service available.
Wellington Holiday Boat Parade — Dec. 13
The Wellington Holiday Boat Parade returns to Lake Wellington on Dec. 13. Festivities begin at 5:30 p.m., with boats launching from Meadowland Cove around 6:20 p.m. The parade circles the lake and passes behind the Wellington Community Center.
Parking is available at Village Hall and the community center. Visitors may bring their own seating.
When is the Wellington Boat Parade?
Time: 5:30 p.m. festivities; boats launch ~6:20 p.m.
Where to Go: Behind Wellington Community Center (prime viewing), Town Center Promenade
Route: Lake Wellington loop starting at Meadowland Cove
Notes: Family-oriented; easy parking; bring your own seating.
Winterfest Boat Parade (Fort Lauderdale) — Dec. 13
The 54th annual Seminole Hard Rock Winterfest Boat Parade — one of the largest holiday boat parades in the country — also kicks off at 6 p.m. on Dec. 13. The 12-mile route begins at the Stranahan House on the New River before heading north along the Intracoastal to Lake Santa Barbara.
Grand marshals Montell Jordan and Romero Britto headline a lineup that includes Ryan Cabrera, NSYNC’s Chris Kirkpatrick, Capt. Lee, and Miss Florida Lou Schieffelin. Winterfest will offer a reserved viewing area at Las Olas Intracoastal Promenade Park and will livestream the parade online.
When is the Winterfest Boat Parade?
Time: 6:00 p.m. start
Where to Go: Las Olas Intracoastal Promenade Park (ticketed), Riverwalk, Intracoastal seawalls
Route: Stranahan House → New River → Intracoastal → north to Lake Santa Barbara
Notes: 12-mile route; largest event of the season; streamed online.
Lake Osborne Holiday Boat Parade — Dec. 19
The season’s final parade, the 11th annual Lake Osborne Holiday Boat Parade, begins at 7 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 19. Fifty to sixty decorated boats are expected to travel counterclockwise around the lake, starting and ending at The Hive Waterfront Restaurant and Tiki Bar.
Viewing areas include Lake Osborne Drive and the John Prince Park campground. Volunteers at The Hive will collect unwrapped toys for Little Smiles.
When is the Lake Osborne Boat Parade?
Time: 7:00 p.m. start
Where to Go: The Hive Waterfront Restaurant & Tiki Bar, Lake Osborne Drive, John Prince Park
Route: Counterclockwise loop around Lake Osborne
Notes: 50–60 boats expected; toys collected for Little Smiles.
Although we won’t have our own Boca Raton Boat Parade again this year, many local families are expected to visit neighboring cities to enjoy South Florida’s holiday traditions on the water.
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