Christmas time casts a very special, magical spell over U.S. rivers and lakes, where boats adorned with lights and decorations turn them into floating, bewitching, brightfests. The parades of decorated boats and Christmas festivities have long been established customs that run through the entire country from the warm beaches of California to the icy shores of the Pacific Northwest.
Beyond watching from shore, visitors can experience everything from family-friendly sing-along cruises to romantic evenings aboard million-dollar yachts wrapped in thousands of sparkling lights. Here is a list of 20 US Christmas boat tours worth seeing.
Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade
The Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade has been lighting up California’s coastline since 1908, making it one of the oldest holiday traditions in the entire country. Around 100 boats participate each year, decked out with elaborate light displays and holiday themes that stretch over five nights in mid-December.
You can watch from the shore at various viewing spots around Newport Harbor, or book a spot on one of the many charter boats that cruise alongside the parade to get an up-close look at the creativity on display.
Fort Lauderdale Carrie B Christmas Cruise
The Carrie B paddlewheel riverboat offers a nostalgic journey through Fort Lauderdale’s Intracoastal Waterway during the holiday season. This historic vessel takes passengers on evening cruises to view the decorated mansions and yachts that line the ‘Venice of America’, complete with hot cocoa and caroling.
The two-hour tours run throughout December and give you a glimpse of how South Florida’s wealthy residents go all-out with their waterfront decorations.
Mount Dora Spirit of Christmas
Mount Dora’s Spirit of Christmas cruise operates on Lake Dora aboard a vintage-style boat that captures the charm of this quaint Florida town. The one-hour tour takes you past lakefront homes adorned with holiday lights while Christmas music plays and the captain shares local history.
It’s a more intimate experience compared to the big-city parades, perfect for families looking for something low-key but still festive.
St. Augustine Regatta of Lights
St. Augustine combines its Spanish colonial heritage with modern holiday cheer during the annual Regatta of Lights boat parade. The parade winds through the city’s historic waterways while the entire downtown glows with millions of lights as part of the famous Nights of Lights celebration.
Multiple tour companies offer cruises during this event, letting you experience both the decorated boats and the illuminated historic district from the water.
Huntington Harbour Cruise of Lights
Huntington Harbour in California hosts the Cruise of Lights, where residents turn their waterfront homes into winter wonderlands visible only from the water. The parade features dozens of decorated boats cruising through the harbor’s channels for two weeks in December.
Tour operators offer heated vessels with full bars and dining options, making it as much about the onboard experience as the decorated homes you’ll pass.
Marina del Rey Holiday Boat Parade
Marina del Rey’s Holiday Boat Parade brings together the largest concentration of recreational boats in North America for a dazzling display. The parade route winds through the marina’s main channel for about 90 minutes, with boats ranging from small sailboats to luxury yachts competing for awards in different categories.
Spectators can watch from Burton Chace Park or book dinner cruises that follow alongside the parade.
Dana Point Harbor Holiday Lights
Dana Point’s Harbor Holiday Lights cruise showcases the decorated boats moored in this picturesque Southern California harbor. The tour runs on weekends throughout December aboard comfortable vessels that provide hot drinks and snacks.
You’ll get great views of the harbor’s festive decorations while learning about the area’s maritime history and spotting occasional sea lions that call these waters home.
LA Harbor Tall Ship Parade
San Pedro’s LA Harbor hosts a unique boat parade featuring tall ships and historic vessels alongside modern pleasure craft. The parade winds past the Port of Los Angeles, creating a striking contrast between the working waterfront and the festive decorations.
Several companies offer viewing cruises that depart from the historic San Pedro waterfront, where you can also explore maritime museums before or after your cruise.
Long Beach Trolley Waterfront Tour
Long Beach offers a different take on Christmas boat tours with its Trolley Waterfront Tour of Lights, which combines land and water elements. The tour includes a ride on a vintage-style trolley followed by a cruise through Naples Island’s canals, where homeowners create elaborate light displays.
This format works great for families with young kids who might get restless on a longer boat-only tour.
Seattle Christmas Ship Festival
Seattle’s Christmas Ship Festival is a Pacific Northwest tradition that has run since the 1940s, featuring the Argosy Christmas Ship accompanied by a fleet of decorated boats. The festival runs for nearly a month, with the ships visiting different communities around Puget Sound each night.
You can book tickets on the main Christmas Ship for dinner cruises with caroling, or watch the parade from various waterfront parks around the region.
San Diego Bay Parade of Lights
San Diego’s Bay Parade of Lights has been illuminating the harbor since 1971, drawing around 80 decorated boats each year. The two-night parade in mid-December follows a route from Shelter Island past the Embarcadero and Harbor Island.
Various charter companies offer viewing cruises with dinner and drinks, or you can stake out a spot at one of the many public viewing areas along the waterfront.
Alexandria Holiday Boat Parade
Alexandria’s Holiday Boat Parade of Lights features decorated vessels cruising down the Potomac River past the historic Old Town waterfront. The parade typically happens on the first Saturday of December, with boats departing from various marinas and converging near the waterfront.
You can watch from land along the seawall or book a spot on one of the charter boats that join the parade route.
Annapolis Eastport Yacht Club Parade
Annapolis celebrates its sailing heritage with the Eastport Yacht Club Lights Parade, where decorated boats cruise through the city’s numerous harbors and creeks. The parade route takes about two hours to complete, giving spectators plenty of time to see all the participants.
Several companies offer heated cruises with food and beverages, which is definitely worth considering given the chilly Chesapeake Bay temperatures in December.
Chicago Holiday Lake Cruise
The Chicago architectural boats transform into Christmas boats in December, and as part of the season, they provide tours on the Chicago River and Lake Michigan. In addition to views of the city skyline, these excursions feature holiday decorations and seasonal fare such as cookies and hot chocolate.
The combination of contemporary skyscrapers and traditional vacation elements creates an unforgettable atmosphere, and the winterized boats make it comfortable for visitors.
Baltimore Christmas Express
Baltimore’s Inner Harbor hosts the Christmas Express cruise aboard the Seadog speedboat, which gets decked out in holiday lights and decorations. The tour zips around the harbor faster than traditional cruises, making it exciting for kids and adults who want something more energetic.
The harbor also hosts an annual Lighted Boat Parade featuring vessels from local marinas.
Boston Cocoa and Carols Cruise
The Cocoa and Carols holiday experience from Boston Harbor Cruises combines seasonal entertainment with sightseeing. Passengers enjoy free hot chocolate and participate in live holiday music singing as the heated boats take a leisurely ride through Boston’s waterfront landmarks.
Families who wish to see the historic harbor without the competitive parade atmosphere found in other cities should consider this option.
Winter Park Old Fashioned Christmas
Winter Park’s Scenic Boat Tour transforms its daily sightseeing cruises into holiday experiences throughout December. The one-hour tour through the Winter Park Chain of Lakes passes by lakefront estates decorated for the season while the captain shares local history and points out wildlife.
This tour captures the old Florida charm that’s becoming increasingly rare as the state develops.
Punta Gorda Christmas Light Canal Cruise
Punta Gorda’s Christmas Light Canal Cruise takes you through the canals of this Southwest Florida city’s waterfront neighborhoods. The tour runs on multiple nights in December, with the boat winding through narrow canals where homes are just feet away, giving you an intimate view of the decorations.
It’s less crowded than the bigger city parades but still delivers plenty of holiday spirit.
Charleston Parade of Boats
The decorated city boats of Charleston’s annual Parade of Boats turn the harbor cruise into a magic tour of the past with Fort Sumter and the Battery in the background. The parade usually takes place in the first half of December, and participation is open to all types of boats.
A few charter firms provide the option of attending the parade on board a cruise, which comes with Lowcountry snacks and drinks, thus giving you a chance to feel the warmth of Southern hospitality while enjoying the parade of lights.
Lake Tahoe Holiday Cruises
Lake Tahoe’s crystal-clear alpine waters provide a stunning backdrop for holiday cruises aboard vessels like the MS Dixie II paddlewheeler. These cruises run throughout December and offer heated indoor seating with panoramic windows, plus outdoor decks for those willing to face the mountain chill.
The snow-capped peaks surrounding the lake create a postcard-perfect setting that’s completely different from the coastal parades.
When Traditions Meet Tomorrow’s Waters
Christmas boat tours are not merely seasonal follies; they are vibrant living traditions that bring the community closer to the sea while accommodating modern demands and tastes. Many of these parades have managed to stay alive for decades by being in sync with technological advancements, starting from simple strings of lights to extremely intricate LED displays that are even synced with the music.
Yet, they still retain the major attraction of getting together by the water during the darkest part of the year. All these tours are a uniquely American way of celebrating the holidays, whether you like the slow and easy mood of a small-town lake cruise or the glory of hundreds of decorated yachts in a big harbor.
The attractions of the cold winter air and the warm holiday lights reflected on the black water, the families will always have the good times created during this period of the year to remember.
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