Chesapeake Bay Lighted Boat Parades and Other Holiday Festivals
Nothing says holiday fun for sailors quite like lighted boat parades and Chesapeake Bay-style winter festivals. We recommend checking event websites directly before attending, as weather and Covid could cause changes and/or cancellations.
Let there be light: lighted boat parades around the Bay
The District’s Holiday Boat Parade: December 4 in Washington, DC. From 6 to 9 p.m., there will be activities throughout The Wharf, including a wine and beer garden, fireworks, and live music. Decorated boats will parade along the Washington Channel, beginning at 7 p.m. This event is free and open to the public; no registration is required to view the parade or enjoy the activities. Find more information and register your boat here.
Alexandria Holiday Boat Parade of Lights: December 4 in Alexandria, VA. Beginning at 5:30 p.m., Old Town Alexandria's historic waterfront will shine with illuminated boats as they cruise one mile of the Potomac River shoreline. Send questions or find more information here.
Baltimore Parade of Lighted Boats: December 4 in Baltimore, MD. 4:30 to 8 p.m. at Anchorage Marina in Baltimore, MD. Tree lighting and holiday cheer begin at 5 p.m. on P dock. This event is sponsored by Anchorage Marina and Sail Baltimore. Social distancing rules apply, and masks are strongly suggested. Register here.
Solomons Lighted Boat Parade: December 4 in Solomons, MD. Christmas Walk in Solomons begins with the lighting of the gazebo Christmas tree and Santa’s parade with the Solomons Volunteer Fire Department at 5 p.m. The lighted boat parade will be organized at Solomons Island Yacht Center at 6 p.m. and arrives at Patuxent Riverwalk at 7:15 p.m. Find information on participation or email questions.
Yorktown Lighted Boat Parade: December 4 in Yorktown, VA. Pre-parade festivities start at 6 p.m. and include caroling around a beach bonfire, a musical performance by the Fifes & Drums of York Town, and complimentary hot cider. The boats will finish out the evening as they make their way down the river with a show of lights beginning at 7 p.m. This free event is sponsored by the Yorktown Lighted Boat Parade Committee. Find more details here.
Colonial Beach Yacht Club’s Lighted Boat Parade: December 4 in Colonial Beach, VA. Boats will parade in colorful formation up the beachfront of Colonial Beach and the town pier. The parade will begin approximately at 4:45 p.m.at Marker 2, go past the Riverboat to the condos, and return to Colonial Beach Yacht Center on Monroe Bay. Visit the club website, email, or call (804) 761-8021 for questions and/or to register.
Bear Creek Lighted Boat Parade: December 4 in Dundalk, MD. Parade begins at 5:30 p.m. Public viewing from Inverness Park, Wise Avenue Bridge. New route will take some boats through the Wise Avenue Bridge. Find details and more information.
Christmas in St. Michaels Lighted Boat Parade: December 10 (note date change! Was originally scheduled for December 11!) christmasinstmichaels.org
Eastport Yacht Club Lights Parade: December 11 in Annapolis, MD. 6 to 8 p.m. along the Annapolis waterfront. Skippers circle the waterfront in two fleets: one circling in front of Eastport, the City Dock, and the Naval Academy seawall; the other circling the length of Spa Creek, inside the bridge. Information, including parade registrant information, parade maps, parking information, viewing sites, and decorating tips can be found here.
Hampton Lighted Boat Parade: December 11 in Hampton, VA. 2 to 9 p.m. at the downtown waterfront. The highly anticipated gathering of illuminated powerboats and sailboats is visible from anywhere along the Hampton River. More details.
Deale Parade of Lights: December 15 in Deale, MD. On Rockhold Creek at 5 p.m. Presented by Shipwright Harbor Marina and Happy Harbor Restaurant. For updates, visit Facebook.
Eight more holiday events and festivals in Chesapeake country
- Ocean City Winterfest of Lights: November 18-January 2
- SPCA Lights on the Bay: November 21-January 2
- Retro Christmas at Piney Point Lighthouse Museum: November 28-January 2
- Midnight Madness in Annapolis: December 2 and 9 from 4 p.m. to midnight and December 16 until 11 p.m.
- Hampton Holiday Wonder Walk: December 4-12
- Christmas in St. Michaels: December 10-12
- St. Clements Island Museum Holiday Open House: December 5
- Mount Harmon Christmas Concert and Celebrations: Friday and Saturday evenings and Sunday afternoons in December
Have a favorite lighted boat parade or holiday event that you don’t see here? Send a note to the SpinSheet editorial team.
Need a Slip?
When heading to any of the above holiday events in Baltimore, Annapolis, or Washington, DC, check out these local Oasis Marinas. Make reservations here.
- Harbor East Marina in Baltimore, MD
- The Crescent Marina in Baltimore, MD
- Inner Harbor Marina in Baltimore, MD
- Lighthouse Point Marina in Baltimore, MD
- Inner Harbor West in Baltimore, MD
- Baltimore Yacht Basin in Baltimore, MD
- Port Covington Marina in Baltimore, MD
- The Pendry Hotel and Dock in Baltimore, MD
- The Marina at Nautilus Point in Annapolis, MD
- Annapolis Town Dock in Annapolis, MD
- The Wharf Marina in Washington, DC
- The Yards Marina in Washington, DC
- Coming soon: Oasis Marinas at Clinton Street Boatel, Baltimore, MD
