Lighted Boat Parades and More Holiday Waterfront Festivities for Sailors and Families
Even if their boats are winterized and on the hard, sailors still gather along the waterfront over the holidays to celebrate. Find festivities on the Chesapeake and its tributaries, in Maryland, DC, and Virginia, for the whole family below. Be sure to check the event websites for time or weather-related changes and details. Happy holidays!
Maryland Lighted Boat Parades
Nov. 29: Middle River Lighted Boat Parade. The Mid-Atlantic’s largest lighted boat parade and almost the largest in the USA! To enter: text your name, address, boat type, and size to (410)463-2686. Stay tuned for updates on Facebook: facebook.com/mrboatparade. The captain’s package includes several gift cards from local businesses.
Dec. 6: Bohemia River Boaters Lighted Boat Parade. 5 to 7 p.m. in Chesapeake City, MD. View the parade from Pell Gardens, Chesapeake Inn, or either side of the canal. The boats will leave from the basin by Chesapeake Inn at roughly 5 p.m.
Dec. 6: Pasadena Boat Parade. Launch party 3 p.m. to close at Broken Oar Bar & Grill; $5 cover, kids are free (proceeds go to the fearless captains and first mates). There will be Christmas music, Santa with treats for the kids, and festive bar staff will have spiked hot chocolate for the grownups. Any boaters interested in participating in the boat parade should email Keegan Fisher: [email protected]
Dec. 6: Baltimore Lighted Boat Parade. 5:45-8 p.m. The boats originate from the Anchorage Marina in Canton and slowly make their way along the waterfront towards the Inner Harbor, generally passing by Fells Point around 6 p.m. baltimore.org
Dec. 6: Bear Creek Lighted Boat Parade. On Bear Creek off the Patapsco River. Presented by the Bear Creek Sailing Association. Stay tuned for more details on Facebook.
Dec. 13: St. Michaels Lighted Boat Parade. This event is part of a larger weekend elebration, Christmas in St. Michaels (see more details right). The parade kicks off at 6 p.m. around St. Michaels Harbor. Visit christmasinstmichaels.org and click to the events tab to register and check out a map of the parade route.
Dec. 13: Eastport Yacht Club Lights Parade. Dozens of boats in all shapes and sizes covered in thousands of colored lights parade through the Annapolis Harbor for two magical hours. This year’s parade will feature new prize categories designed to welcome first-time and emerging skippers while still celebrating creativity at all levels. Proceeds from the event benefit the Eastport Yacht Club Foundation. To register, find a list of spectator locations, and more visit eyclightsparade.org.
Dec. 14: Deale Parade of Lights. Organizers are encouraging everyone to get to the parade viewing location by 5 p.m. due to high traffic. The parade will start at 5:30 p.m. on Rockhold Creek. Stay tuned for updates on Facebook: facebook.com/dealemdparadeoflights.
More Maryland Events
Nov. 22-Dec. 24: Baltimore Christmas Village. Experience the charm of an authentic German Christmas Market in Baltimore’s Inner Harbor. The whole festival grounds are free to the public on every single weekday the event is running. To enter the heated festival tent on the charging weekends, a Season Pass needs to be purchased at the entrance of the tent. Kids under 18 are free of charge, adults over 18 pay $5, which is good for the entire season.
Nov. 23- Jan. 1: Lights by the Bay. A two-mile scenic drive with sparkling lights and festive vibes. $23 per car. At Sandy Point State Park. Benefits SPCA of Anne Arundel County: lightsonthebaymd.org
Nov. 30-Dec. 31 Holidays at Piney Point Lighthouse Museum. Enjoy guided tours for all ages. The Keeper’s Quarters and museum will be decorated for the holidays and special festive exhibits will be available. Free family open house on November 30: facebook.com/1836light
Dec. 4, 11, and 18: Midnight Madness in Downtown Annapolis. Stroll along Main Street, West Street, Maryland Avenue, State Circle, Market Space, and Dock Street from 4 p.m. until midnight (until 11 p.m. on the 18th) to support local businesses. Find entertainment, holiday decorations, refreshments, and sales: downtownannapolispartnership.org
Dec. 5-6: A Dickens of a Christmas. Experience historic Chestertown, MD’s Victorian holiday extravaganza! This two-day event includes entertainment, home tours, food, book talks, merchandise, and more. And don’t forget to come dressed up!
Dec. 5 - Jan. 10: Christmas on the Creek. A month-long celebration of lights, music, food, and family activities in historic Oxford, MD. Events include the lighting of the dock trees on Dec. 6, the lighting of the Oxford-Bellevue Ferry, and more.
Dec. 6: Cambridge-Dorchester County Christmas Parade. The lineup begins at 4 p.m., followed by the parade at 5 p.m. This year’s theme is “Surfing into Christmas.” The Parade route begins at Long Wharf, progresses down High Street, turns left onto Poplar, straight down Race Street, and ends at Washington Street by Haddaways.
Dec. 6: Rock Hall Tree Lighting. Santa arrives by boat at the Rock Hall bulkhead at 6 p.m. and arrives on Main Street (approx. 6:30 p.m.) for the tree lighting.
Dec. 6: Queen Anne’s Watermen’s Association Crab Basket and Tree Lighting Vendor Fair. 12 to 6 p.m. Tree lighting at 6 p.m. at Fishermen’s Crab Deck in Grasonville, MD. Handmade artisans and crafters, hot apple cider and cocoa, kids’ activities and face painting, food trucks, and more. Find more details on Facebook and at kentnarrowsmd.com.
Dec. 6-7: Baltimore’s Most Festive Weekend. Holiday shopping, festive lighted boats, and beloved holiday characters will all converge to make this Baltimore weekend the merriest and brightest of the whole season. Holiday Makers Market at Light St. pavilion, family weekend at the Christmas Village at West Shore Park, Fells Point Old Tyme Christmas on Saturday, and more.
Dec. 12-14: Christmas in St. Michaels. The mission of Christmas in St. Michaels is to provide resources to help local nonprofit groups enhance the quality of life for the residents of the Bay Hundred community. Events include a gingerbread house competition and display, marketplace, breakfast with Santa, Talbot Street Parade (Saturday at 10:30 a.m.), Lighted Boat Parade (Saturday at 6 p.m.), and more: christmasinstmichaels.org.
Dec. 13: Poplar Hall Christmas Parade of Horses and Market. Chesapeake City, one of the most beautiful Victorian towns in the country, will be the home of an equestrian Christmas wonderland. From 9-9:45 a.m. say hello to the parade riders and their horses at the Chesapeake City Elementary School while they’re preparing for the parade, which begins at 10 a.m. Starting at 11 a.m. the Poplar Hall team will transform Pell Gardens into a unique all handmade, old world style Christmas Market, plus a concert and more events.
Virginia and DC Lighted Boat Parades
Dec. 6: Holiday Boat Parade and Party at The Wharf. This free event features over 60 beautifully decorated boats parading up the Washington Channel (beginning at 7 p.m.), as well as fun landside holiday activities including hot toddies, live music, ornament decorating, holiday karaoke, family photos with Santa, fireworks (8 p.m.), a 45-foot illuminated Christmas tree on District Pier, and more. 5 to 8 p.m. at The Wharf in Washington, DC.
Dec. 6: Alexandria Holiday Boat Parade of Lights. Dozens of brightly lit boats will cruise along one mile of the Potomac River shoreline beginning at 5:30 p.m. Enjoy dockside festivities in Waterfront Park from 2 to 8 p.m. including a pop-up beer garden from Port City Brewing Company, food, activities, and more. This event is part of Alexandria’s biggest holiday weekend. Learn more at visitalexandria.com.
Dec. 6: Yorktown Lighted Boat Parade. Pre-parade festivities start at 6 p.m. at the Yorktown, VA, waterfront and include caroling around illuminated braziers, a musical performance by the Fifes and Drums of York Town, and complimentary hot cider from the Boy Scouts of America. At 7 p.m. the boats will finish out the evening as they make their way down the river in a dazzling display of lights.
Dec. 13: Hampton Lighted Boat Parade. The parade takes place at the Downtown Hampton waterfront and is visible from anywhere along the Hampton River. Stay tuned for more details at hampton.gov.
More Virginia Events
Dec.: Yorktown Celebrates Christmas. Events throughout the month in historic Yorktown, VA, including the Christmas Tree Lighting December 5 at Riverwalk Landing, Christmas Market on Main December 6-7, Mistletoe Market December 13, and more.
Dec. 6: Alexandria Scottish Christmas Walk Parade. 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in Old Town Alexandria, VA. Dozens of Scottish clans dressed in colorful tartans parade through the streets of Old Town, joined by pipe and drum bands, as well as terriers and hounds, community groups, and more to celebrate the city’s Scottish heritage.
Dec. 24: Waterskiing Santa Show. For a sight you have to see to believe, head to Alexandria’s waterfront between BARCA Pier and Founders Park on Christmas Eve to witness Santa and his friends gliding along the Potomac River: visitalexandria.com.
