Holiday boat parades are ready to light up the nights
Seminole Hard Rock Winterfest Boat Parade, Dec. 11
The rite of holiday passage, when hundreds of extravagantly lighted boats and yachts set sail through South Florida’s charming waterways, is almost upon us.
There is plenty to celebrate in 2021 with Seminole Hard Rock’s Winterfest Boat Parade turning 50 and, in general, cheering on all the holiday events that are back this year.
For the best spots to see the pomp and circumstance, or where to avoid driving because you can’t get over drawbridges, check out our list below.
Palm Beach Holiday Boat Parade, Dec. 4
Millions of twinkling holiday lights will illuminate 80 boats, sail boats and mega yachts for the North Palm Beach and Jupiter boat parade. This is the 27th year for the free event organized by the Marine Industries Association.
The parade route starts at 6 p.m. in North Palm Beach and travels up the Intracoastal Waterway to the Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse, where a grand finale fireworks show ends the event at 8 p.m.
The parade, known for its annual toy collection, will offer several stops along the route where people can drop off unwrapped toys to be picked up dockside by U.S. Marines in volunteer “toy boats.” You’ll need a flashlight to wave them down.
For drivers, drawbridges will be up for a while. Parker Bridge will open around 6 p.m.; PGA Bridge will open around 6:15 p.m.; Donald Ross Bridge will open around 7 p.m.; Indiantown Road Bridge will open sometime around 7:30 p.m.; Jupiter Federal Bridge will open around 7:45 p.m., according to organizers.
If you can’t make it, you can watch live at wpbf.com. More information at marinepbc.org/ boat-parade.
Delray Beach and Boynton Beach Holiday Boat Parade, Dec. 10
Costumed captains and 35 holiday themed boats will take part in the 49th annual Boynton Beach and Delray Beach holiday boat parade.
The event begins at 6:30 p.m. at the Ocean Avenue Bridge in Lantana and travels south to the area of the Linton Boulevard Bridge in Delray Beach.
The Boynton Harbor Marina, located at 735 Casa Loma Blvd., serves as the official watch location with festive music, children’s activities, and a special visit from Santa. Guests can bring an unwrapped toy to donate.
For other watch locations and drawbridge information you can call 561-600-9097 or 561-243-7250.
Greater Pompano Beach Holiday Boat Parade, Dec. 10
The longest running boat parade in the nation sets sail for its 59th year with more than 50 merry and magical boats.
The event presented by the Greater Pompano Beach Chamber of Commerce begins at 7 p.m. at Lake Santa Barbara and will head north passing the Hillsboro Bridge on its way to Sullivan Park at 1633 Riverview Road in Deerfield Beach.
People can watch from bleachers set up at Alsdorf Park on the 14th Street Causeway.
For drivers, the Northeast 14th Street Causeway and Atlantic Boulevard Intracoastal Waterway Bridges will be locked into the open position from 6:30 p.m. until the parade passes, according to organizers.
For more information call 954-941-2941.
Celebrating 50 years of Hard Rockin’ fun is the theme this year of Broward County’s biggest boat parade. Holiday-loving spectators will watch as show boats, private boats and mega yachts dazzle a 12-mile span of South Florida waterways.
The parade starts at Stranahan House in Fort Lauderdale, traveling east along the New River to the Intracoastal Waterway and continuing north to Lake Santa Barbara in Pompano
Beach. The parade takes approximately 2 ½ hours. A pre-show of non-motorized vessels start at 6 p.m. while the larger holiday-lit vessels kick off at 6:30 p.m.
Winterfest’s official parade viewing area is at Las Olas Intracoastal Promenade Park. Gates open at 4 p.m. with live entertainment. Tickets are $25 for adults and $15 for children.
For more information on other viewing locations and drawbridge closures at winterfestparade.com.