What’s better than a holiday parade? A holiday parade on water. And Palm Beach County has cornered the market on the best of them.
The county is home to several processions that have been around for decades and one that will make its inaugural run this year, giving people along the Intracoastal Waterway from Jupiter to Delray Beach and spectators lining the shores of Lake Osborne a shot at seeing these uniquely South Florida spectacles.
Each will feature dozens of festively lighted vessels, along with costumed captains and crews, for an amazing display.
Plus, unlike so many things in this world, these are actually free. Not sort of free, but free. Just get down to one of the many parks that line the intracoastal or lake, open a lawn chair, spread a blanket or even just stand and watch.
Want dinner and a show? There are plenty of restaurants along three of the parade routes, and food vendors along another, where you can grab a meal, a few beverages or both and enjoy these incredible displays of holiday cheer, creativity and fun.
Palm Beach Holiday Boat Parade and Toy Drive
This impressive floating procession of dozens of decorated boats in its 31st year will travel along the Intracoastal Waterway from North Palm Beach to the Jupiter Lighthouse. The procession will be led by a Zambelli traveling fireworks display.
These boats are decked out, so to speak, with parade awards, bragging rights and a share of over $10,000 in cash and prizes on the line. They are judged on three factors: lights, enthusiasm and themed decor.
Top viewing locations along the route include the North Palm Beach Country Club, Bert Winters Park, Juno Park, Sawfish Park, Lighthouse Park, Waterway Park, Riverwalk, Harbourside Place, Charlie and Joe’s at Love Street, Square Grouper Tiki Bar, U-Tiki, and Jetty’s. The parade is presented by Lessing’s Hospitality Group, and is the premier event of the Marine Industries Association of Palm Beach County,
Donors welcome: Want to help out with the U.S. Marine Reserves Toys for Tots toy drive? A “toy fleet” of boats from Tow Boat, Sea Tow, and other volunteers traveling along the parade route will make dockside pickups during the parade. Just wave a flashlight when you see a boat with a flashing amber beacon and/or Toys for Tots signage. Uniformed Marines and volunteers will pull right up to your dock to collect donations.
The event kicks off 6 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 6. The parade starts off in North Palm Beach and works its way north to the Jupiter Lighthouse. Free. Information: marinepbc.org/boat-parade
Boynton Beach Holiday Boat Parade
Put on by the Boynton Beach CRA in partnership with the town of Hypoluxo, town of Lantana, and city of Delray Beach, the parade will feature dozens privately-owned and commercial vessels outfitted for the season with dazzling lights, holiday décor, costumed captains and crews.
Though the festive flotilla’s official watch location is the Boynton Harbor Marina, there are plenty of other great locations to watch the show. These include the Old Key Lime House in Lantana; Banana Boat, Two Georges and Prime Catch in Boynton Beach; and Deck 84 in Delray Beach. Parks including Intracoastal Park, Jaycee Park and Harvey E. Oyer Jr. Park in Boynton Beach and Veterans Park and Knowles Park in Delray Beach are also excellent for viewing.
Donors welcome: Each year, the Boynton’s CRA partners with Marine Industries and Sea Tow to collect new, unwrapped toys for Toys for Tots. There will be boats traveling with the parade that will stop at individual docks along the parade route to collect toys. Simply waive a flashlight and a boat will come directly to you for pick-up. There will also be donation boxes at the Boynton Harbor Marina, Banana Boat, Prime Catch, and Two Georges.
Feeling festive and want to enter your own boat in the parade? Click here.
The event takes place at 6 p.m. Friday, Dec. 12. The parade route runs from the Ocean Avenue Bridge in Lantana south to the C-15 Canal in Delray Beach. Free. Information: boyntonbeachcra.com
Boat Parade of the Greater Palm Beaches
Making its debut this year, the Boat Parade of the Palm Beaches will feature approximately 50 decorated vessels, along with costumed captains and crews. The parade begins just north of the Blue Heron Bridge with a six-minute fireworks display and travel south along the east side of the Intracoastal Waterway before cutting across to the west side near Rybovich Safe Harbor and then heading back north all the way to North Palm Beach.
On that side it will pass several excellent spots for viewing including Osprey Park, Brian H. Chappell Park, Bicentennial Park and Kelsey Park as it makes its northward.
The parade is presented by the Sailfish Marina, which will offer another excellent viewing spot. The marina will be hosting a VIP viewing party from 4 to 8 p.m. on their north lawn complete with a DJ, a photo booth and a buffet dinner. The event Benefitting The Little Smiles Annual Holiday Toy Drive even Santa Claus will make an appearance as he rides aboard the KVJ Show Grand Marshall Boat.
The event begins at 6 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 13. Information: sailfishmarina.com/boat-parade-of-the-greater-palm-beaches
Lake Osborne Holiday Boat Parade
In its 11th year, the parade starts and ends at The Hive Waterfront Restaurant & Tiki Bar and features 50 to 60 boats. Fireworks kick off the evening. Then the decorated and illuminated boats will travel north along the east side of the lake, under the bridge at Lantana Road, continue north under the bridge at Sixth Avenue and then follow the shore around before returning south along the west side of the lake back to The Hive.
Viewing spots will be available along Lake Osborne Drive from Lantana Road to Lake Worth Road and in John Prince Park. Food vendors will be parked along Lake Osborne Drive just outside the fence from Lantana Road to Lake Worth Road. Some of these will be mobile and moving along to serve different areas.
A Little Smiles Toy Donation hub will be located at the The Hive Waterfront Restaurant and Tiki Bar. The parade lasts approximately two hours and there will be prizes for the best decorated boats along with an After Party at The Hive.
The parade will be held 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 19. 2412 Floral Road, Lantana. Free. Information: facebook.com/events/s/11th-annual-lake-osborne
Eddie Ritz is a journalist at The Palm Beach Post, part of the USA TODAY Florida Network. You can reach him at eritz@pbpost.com. Help support our journalism. Subscribe today.
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Mark your calendars for these 4 Palm Beach County holiday boat parades
Reporting by Eddie Ritz, Palm Beach Post / Palm Beach Post
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
