(This story has been updated with information about the 2025 Bonita Springs Christmas Boat Parade)
Christmas boat parades once again will light up Southwest Florida waterways this holiday season.
Nautical types will deck out boat decks with everything from stringed holiday lights to inflatables and other Christmas decor.
Here’s a few to check out from Marco Island to Cape Coral.
LEE COUNTY
Fort Myers Beach Boat Parade
The 37th-annual Fort Myers Beach Boat Parade returns with more decorated, illuminated boats traveling along the Fort Myers Beach shoreline. Santa and Mrs. Claus lead the way in the first boat. 6 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 6. Free. The boats start at Salty Sam’s Marina and travel northwest along Matanzas Pass, under the Matanzas Pass Bridge, through Estero Pass and toward Pink Shell Beach Resort before looping back to Matanzas Harbor.
This year, the parade will make a second loop through the back bay area. Some of the best options for parade viewing include along the pedestrian walkway atop Matanzas Pass Bridge, the shoreline by Bayside Park, and local bars and restaurants. fortmyersbeach.org/events/37th-annual-boat-parade
Cape Coral Holiday Boat-A-Long
Annual festival featuring holiday-themed stage entertainment, food trucks, crafts, Santa Claus, an outdoor movie on a big inflatable screen and the main event: A parade of boats decorated with lights and inflatables. The parade lines up in Bimini Basin and passes the park beach at about 7:30 p.m. before traveling along various South Cape canals.
The festival takes place 4-9 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 20. Free. Bring your own blankets or lawn chairs. To participate in the parade, call Sea Tow at 239-945-4820. Four Freedoms Park, 4818 Tarpon Court, Cape Coral. bit.ly/46PhG7X
Bonita Springs Christmas Boat Parade
The annual Bonita Springs Christmas Boat Parade won’t be happening this year, according to organizers. At least, not officially.
The Bonita Springs Historical Society won’t be hosting the annual parade this year, the society announced in early November. The event has returned to its previous organizers, Bay Water Boat Club, but they’re not planning a parade for 2025.
“We have been working through some transitions this year and, unfortunately, do not have the resources to organize the Boat Parade in Bonita Springs,” organizers wrote Nov. 28 on the official Facebook page for Bonita Springs Christmas Boat Parade. “However, there are two other options if you would like to participate. On the 6th, Fort Myers Beach Chamber is having theirs. On the 13th, Marina Industries of Collier County is having theirs.”
Boaters, however, can still get together and hold their own unofficial parade, the post said. “You are more than welcome to decorate and take your boat up the Imperial River as normal. It just won’t be organized. We wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.”
COLLIER COUNTY
36th Annual Marine Industries Christmas Boat Parade
The 36th annual event begins at 6 p.m. Saturday Dec. 13, 2025. Watch from Naples City Dock with a ticket but the boat parade can be viewed from Pinchers Tin City, Riverwalk Restaurant, Naples Landing, Kelly’s Fish House, The Boat House on Naples Bay, and Bayview Park. More information at https://www.miacc.org/event/christmas-boat-parade-on-naples-bay/
Marco Island Christmas Island Style Boat Parade
Annual boat parade begins at 6 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 20, on the Marco River. Best viewing spots are The Esplanade, on Smokehouse Bay and The Snook Inn. Learn more here or christmasislandstyle.com.
This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: Where can I see Christmas boat parades in Fort Myers Beach, Cape Coral
Reporting by Charles Runnells and Dave Osborn, Fort Myers News-Press & Naples Daily News / Fort Myers News-Press
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
