The season has arrived for one of the Bay’s most magical traditions—the lighted boat parade. No matter which part of the Chesapeake region you like to frequent, you can watch boats light up the night as creative displays float by.
Whether you’re the one spending hours stringing lights up the mast, or you’re bundling up to watch the parade from the water, or you prefer to just cozy up to a window seat at a waterfront restaurant with a parade view, it’s a Bay moment.
The first of the Bay’s lighted boat parades kicked off on Saturday evening, Nov. 16. The Deep Creek Lighted Boat Parade, just inside the Magothy River, is in its second year and growing quickly. Organized by a handful of Deep Creek neighbors, the date was planned for mid-November to allow smaller boats, center-consoles, and those without warm cabins, to participate while the weather is relatively mild.
Jack Bahen, who thought up the idea for this small parade a couple of years back, says, “I started this parade to bring the community together and kick off the holidays. Also, so that smaller boats could enjoy the fun before it gets too cold.”
35 boats, from small skiffs to a 44-foot catamaran, looped around both sides of the creek and were greeted with loud cheers from waterfront homes, a community beach, and the waterfront restaurant Donnelly’s Dockside (check out our Donnelly’s dock & dine experience here).
Donnelly’s parade festivities included a watch party with tables set right on the pier and live music. The restaurant leveraged its boat slips for the night to auction them off for charity.
Chesapeake Bay Magazine was lucky to stow away aboard Sweet & Salty, a 44-foot catamaran that just arrived on the Bay from a charter stint in the British Virgin Islands. It only made sense that owners Matt and Suzanne Orendorff decorated the boat with a “Christmas in the Caribbean” theme of palm trees, an inflatable tropical Santa, and island music. They mixed up Bahama Mama cocktails and joined the line of parade boats lighting up the sunset sky.
Among the group of friends on board were transplants from other states, or from inland areas of Maryland, who now call the Broadneck peninsula home and love the boat parade tradition. “Why would I live anywhere else?” was a common sentiment as we watched the full moon rise over the water.
In the end, Sweet & Salty took the prize for Best Decorated boat, and donated their $800 winnings (fully matched by a local company, for a total of $1,600) to children’s cancer organization Blue Skies Ministries.
For some of those watching from shore, the wide range of decorated boats served as inspiration to participate next year.
There are many more parades yet to come along the Bay this season. If you haven’t made it out to a lighted boat parade in recent years, now is the time. From Chesapeake City, Maryland, to Hampton Roads, Virginia, there’s a parade for you. Just be sure to dress in layers and bring your holiday spirit to the water.
Maryland
Middle River Parade of Lighted Boats: Nov. 30, 5:30-8pm
Organizers claim this eastern Baltimore County tradition is the mid-Atlantic’s largest lighted boat parade, and close to the largest in the U.S. Nearly 100 boats are expected to participate in Middle River’s 36th parade.
Bear Creek Lighted Boat Parade: Dec. 7, 5pm
Hosted by the Bear Creek Sailing Association also in eastern Baltimore County, the fifth annual parade begins and ends at Hard Yacht Cafe, and smaller boats get to make a bonus loop if they can fit under the Wise Avenue bridge.
Bohemia River Boaters Lighted Boat Parade In Chesapeake City, Md 2024: Dec 7., 5pm
The third annual lights parade organized by the popular Bohemia River Boaters group is swelling to 52 boats and counting. Organizers boast a mile-long parade of boats expected this year. Good places to watch from include Pells Gardens, Bayard House, Schaefer’s, and Chesapeake Inn Restaurant and Marina. The parade begins near the mouth of the Bohemia.
Pasadena Boat Parade: Dec. 7, 5pm
The Broken Oar Bar & Grill, along with Captains Jimmy Jernigan and Jason Krauch, will be hosting the Pasadena Boat Parade. Decorated boats will do two loops through Stoney Creek and Nabbs Creek, with a special Santa sighting on the water. The Broken Oar will have Christmas Music, special drink menu, a Kiddie Corner, and visits with Santa.
Baltimore Parade of Lighted Boats: Dec. 7, 6-8pm
Sail Baltimore’s lighted boat parade is visible along the Charm City waterfront promenade, from Canton to Fells Point and the Inner Harbor. This parade has one of the largest free viewing areas open to the public.
Eastport Yacht Club Parade of Lights: Dec. 14, 6-8pm
Always held on the second Saturday in December, this lights parade is the granddaddy of them all. Running for 42 years, the EYC Parade of Lights has been voted among the top holiday parades in the nation by USA Today’s 10Best. Two fleets participate and switch places mid-event: 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.
Christmas in St. Michaels: Dec. 14, 6pm
Right out of a Hallmark holiday movie, this weekend-long event includes a Saturday evening lighted boat parade. There’s also breakfast with Santa, a decorated homes tour, musical performances, and more, making it worth it to spend the weekend. The lights parade is visible up and down the St. Michaels waterfront.
Solomons Lighted Boat Parade and Soup Potluck: Dec. 14, 5-9pm
Solomons Island Yacht Club hosts this event where it’s BYOS (Bring Your Own Soup). The Yacht Club will provide hot dogs with all the fixings at its members’ dinner as boats large and small, sail and power, parade by at 3 knots. This year’s theme is “Santa”.
Deale Parade of Lights: Dec. 15, 5:30pm
Deale, Maryland, in southern Anne Arundel County, holds its seventh annual parade of lights on Sunday evening. At Skipper’s Pier, you can make a reservation for dinner with parade viewing after or dine while the parade goes past you.
Tilghman Island Lighted Boat Parade: Dec. 21, 6pm
“An Island Christmas” begins with the Crab Basket Tree Lighting at the Tilghman Waterman’s Museum at 5pm, including sing-along Christmas carols, cookies and refreshments, and photos with the Clauses. Then at 6, the lighted boat parade begins at Knapps Narrows. Gina’s @ the Bridge will emcee.
Washington, D.C.
The Wharf Holiday Boat Parade & Party: Dec. 7, 7pm
This free event at the Wharf in D.C. brings more than 60 beautifully decorated boats out along up the Washington Channel. You can also partake in fun holiday activities including hot toddies, live music, ornament decorating, holiday karaoke, musical performance, family photos with Santa, fireworks and more.
Virginia
Colonial Beach Annual Lighted Boat Parade: Nov. 30, 5-7pm
This lighted boat parade organized by Colonial Yacht Club begins at Marker #2, just off of the Colonial Beach Point. An after party will be held at Dockside Restaurant and Tiki Bar, with winners announced at 7:30 p.m. and cash prizes handed out.
“Lights on the Creek” Lighted Holiday Boat Parade (Rappahannock River): Nov. 30, 5-6:30pm
The Rappahannock River Yacht Club puts on this lights parade, visible along Carter’s Creek off the Rappahannock. Parade participants, their guests and club members partake in a chili dinner afterwards.
Yorktown Lighted Boat Parade: Dec. 7, 7pm
Decorated boats will parade along the Yorktown waterfront. This event is for visitors young and old. The Boy Scouts will host an Apple Cider and Hot Chocolate Station. All the resident restaurants will be open and as usual there will be Food Trucks on hand to provide snacks and more.
Alexandria Holiday Boat Parade of Lights Sponsored by Amazon: Dec. 7, 5:30pm
This 24th annual parade in Old Town Alexandria is part of Alexandria’s Biggest Holiday Weekend. There are dockside festivities beginning at 2pm.
VB Holiday Boat Parade of Lights: Dec. 7, 5pm
Virginia Beach will hold this parade benefitting VB Rescue – Volunteer EMS Squads. Beginning at 5pm, Chicks Oyster Bar hosts a ticketed VIP Viewing event to support local emergency responders. The lights parade will also be live streamed for those who can’t make it in person.
Hampton Lighted Boat Parade: Dec. 14, 7-8pm
The Hampton River will come to life as a fleet of decorated boats parade past the Downtown Hampton waterfront. The parade concludes with an awards ceremony at 8:30pm.
Is there a lighted boat parade in your community you’d like us to add to our list? Email us at [email protected]!
