Gulf Coast Boat Parades Light Up Local Waters

All along the Gulf Coast, ‘tis the season when captains and crews wrap their vessels in Christmas lights and take to the water for the annual holiday boat parades.

Pensacola Beach will put on a dazzling spectacle of decorated vessels on Friday, December 7, with in its popular Lighted Boat Parade. The procession starts at Pensacola Beach Marina and ends at Flounder’s Chowder House, where the kids will be given light sticks to illuminate the restaurant’s landing site. The nautical parade officially delivers Santa Claus to Santa Rosa Island, where he’ll set up shop and take children’s Christmas orders. Parade time is 6 p.m., and the event is free.

On Saturday, December 8, Gulf Shores and Orange Beach parade participants will assemble at LuLu’s at Homeport Martina for the area’s 27th annual holiday procession. From there, the parade will travel east along the Intracoastal Waterway, pass the Wharf, and end at Zeke’s Marina. Spectators can view the parade from any public area along Canal Road. Start time for the free event is approximately 5:30 p.m.

The following day, Sunday, December 9, Destin-based vessels — commercial, charter, and private – will line up in the harbor for the 26th annual Holiday on the Harbor Lighted Boat Parade. The parade, which starts between 5 and 5:30 p.m., can be viewed best from the HarborWalk Village docks and restaurants. Judging of participants will start at 6 p.m. at Harry T’s Restaurant, and the parade will be followed by a fireworks display in the East Pass.