Enjoy some holiday family fun at the following Parades or Boat Parades. Most are free to watch and some are a short drive away. Listed in chronological order.
Seal Beach Christmas Parade
Parade route: Main Street from Ocean Ave to PCH, Seal Beach
December 1st, 7:00 pm to 8:45 pm
Cost: FREE
This ‘continuous motion’ parade highlights youth groups, sports groups, schools, businesses, first responders and other organizations from Seal Beach and the surrounding areas. More than 17,000 are expected on Main Street to celebrate the holidays in a hometown ‘Mayberry by the Sea’ parade. This year’s theme is: “The Magic of Christmas.”
35th Annual Belmont Shore Christmas Parade
Parade route: The Belmont Shore Christmas Parade will begin on Livingston & 2nd and march down East Second Street
December 2nd, 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm
Cost: FREE
Featuring over 100 entries, including floats designed by Long Beach businesses and associations, marching bands, and local personalities and dignitaries. And of course, no Christmas Parade would be complete without an appearance by good ole’ St. Nick.
LA Harbor Holiday Afloat Parade
Port of Los Angeles East Basin, Various viewing locations: click here for parade route
December 2nd, 6:00 pm
Cost: FREE
Viewing locations along the parade route, located in Wilmington, the San Pedro waterfront, Ports O’ Call, Warehouse #1, California Yacht, Cabrillo Way and Holiday Harbor Marinas and more, will afford spectators unencumbered views of the elaborately decorated boats.
LA Harbor Afloat Parade Viewing
Battleship IOWA, 250 S. Harbor Blvd, San Pedro
December 2nd, 6:00 pm
Cost: Tickets start at $5, FREE for children (3 and under)
Battleship IOWA offers an up-close view of the Annual Los Angeles Harbor Holiday Afloat Parade from her historic wooden decks. In a time-honored Naval tradition, IOWA will also fire off her 5" guns as the parade commences. Santa Claus will make a visit along with carolers and holiday treats. There will also be face painting, hot cocoa, candy canes and much more. Purchase tickets here.
Spirit of San Pedro Holiday Parade
Downtown San Pedro, San Pedro (click here for parade route)
December 3rd, 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm
Cost: FREE
Each year, this festive tradition brings families, little leagues, scouts, students, high school bands, equestrian units, and volunteers to downtown San Pedro to celebrate the holiday season and our community. More than 9,000 individuals will line the streets to view the parade.
Boat Parade of Lights: A Superhero Holiday
Parade route: Dana Point Harbor (click here to view map)
December 8, 9, 15 & 16, Fri. & Sat. only, 4:30 pm, Boat parade starts at 7:30 pm
Cost: FREE
Enjoy four nights of holiday cheer as boaters light up their harbor with decorations based on the theme “A Superhero Holiday.” Enjoy a holiday extravaganza throughout the harbor each night of the Boat Parade that features carolers, superheroes, games, crafts, and FREE photos with Santa, and culminates with the Boat Parade.
Naples Island Holiday Boat Parade
December 9th, 6:00 pm
Cost: FREE (click here to view where to park)
The Small Boat Parade route is different from the Large Boat Parade route. The Parade will begin at the Appian Way Bridge. The Small Boats will travel South along Bayshore Avenue, continue under the Belmont Shore 2nd Street Bridge and along the Naples Island seawall as close to the homes and docks on Naples Island as possible. There will also be three "groups of carolers" walking around the Island and singing holiday songs by the bridges. Most of the homes in Naples have been decorated for the holidays in accompaniment of the Boat Parade theme. (we have a local competition for best decorated house).
Uptown Whittier Christmas Candy Lane Parade
Parade route: Start at Hadley & Greenleaf, travel down Greenleaf & end at Mar Vista & Washington Ave.
December 9th, 10:00 am to 12:00 pm
Cost: FREE
Attracting nearly 10,000+ parade watchers each year, the Uptown Whittier Christmas Parade is a community-wide celebration. The Parade will include marching bands, vintage automobiles, local dignitaries, floats, equestrians, civic groups, dance troupes, drill teams, marching bands and Santa Claus himself.
King Harbor Holiday Boat Parade
Parade Route: Main Channel of King Harbor, Redondo Beach
December 9th, 4:00 pm
Cost: FREE
This holiday event harnesses the joy of the holiday season—brightly decorated boats and paddle-crafts parade through the marina as they compete for top honors.
Huntington Harbour Boat Parade
Huntington Harbour, 16370 Pacific Coast, Huntington Beach. Parade route: Click here
December 9th and 10th, 5:15 pm
Cost: FREE
Watch as beautifully decorated boats parade through the harbor to celebrate the holiday season. A holiday favorite, the annual Huntington Harbour Boat Parade is a warm tradition to help ring in the holiday season.
South Gate Children’s Christmas Lane Parade & Santa’s Village Festival
The parade starts on California and Tweedy Blvd & travels South on Tweedy Blvd.
December 10th, 12:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Cost: FREE
The parade goes for over one mile of floats, dance groups, horses, trolleys, and of course Santa Claus. Event also includes the Santa Village Festival which will take place at South Gate Park Boys Scout Area. The Festival brings live entertainment, food, prizes, and toy give-a-way. This year, we will feature Azteca TV’s Jugueton toy drive distributing over thousands of toys to the children in our region.
Heart of the Harbor Wilmington Boat Parade
Parade route: from E Street to M Street in Wilmington, ends at Banning Park
December 10th, 12:00 pm - 2:00 pm
Cost: FREE
Celebrate the Heart of the Harbor and march across Wilmington in the spirit of the holiday season. Everyone is invited to come celebrate the season and Wilmington in this all-American event that takes a route across the city before winding up in front of Banning Park.
Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade and Ring of Lights
Parade route: Parade will both commence and finish at the tip of Lido Isle
December 13th to the 17th, approximately 6:30 pm each night
Cost: FREE
Join over a million viewers as you watch beautifully decorated yachts, boats, kayaks, and canoes sail along the harbor in the 109th Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade.
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