Why the Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade is One of the Most Magical Holiday Events in California

The first official lit boat parade in the harbor took place in 1908. Led by Italian gondolier John Scarpa, a procession crossed the bay with eight canoes trailing behind, each lit by Japanese lanterns. In 1913, the parade became known as the Illuminated Water Parade, with each entry judged and prizes awarded, a tradition that resembles the modern Christmas Boat Parade that Newport has come to love. 

Photo courtesy of Balboa Island Museum/Visit Newport Beach.

Over the next several decades, the parade was hosted sporadically, with notable interruptions due to World Wars I and II. The program also fell out of favor with locals who were tired of the large crowds and traffic that came with the annual celebration.  

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It wasn’t until Newport Beach City employees began annually towing a barge through the bay—adorned with an illuminated Christmas tree—that illuminated boats returned to the water to take part in the holiday cheer. Today, more than 100 boats participate in the annual celebration, which starts at the tip of Lido Isle and makes a 14-mile loop around the bay.

Hosted by the Commodores Club of the Newport Beach Chamber of Commerce, the parade is a popular attraction for recreational boaters who adorn their vessels with lights, as well as for local businesses and residents who enter the Ring of Lights, a judged competition for waterfront properties decorated for the holidays.

Photo by Bleu Cotton.

This year, the parade will take place from December 17-21, and participants are encouraged to decorate their boats and homes in a fantastical and dreamlike style to match the theme, “Magical Night of Lights.” 

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If you want to view the parade, there are several luxe places to dine and watch Southern California’s most popular holiday attraction. These include A + O Restaurant Bar at Balboa Bay Resort, Harborside Restaurant, and Newport Landing Restaurant, each offering beautiful waterfront views and a delightful, elevated menu. Booking public and private cruises to tour the water during the parade is also an option, as is private, reserved seating on the waterfront. 

Whether you view the parade from the warmth of a luxurious indoor dining room or brave the open waters and step onto a private yacht, the Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade offers a spectacular and memorable experience for all. Celebrating 116 years of bringing a dazzling show to the bay, the parade represents the joy of the season and the historical charm of Newport that you won’t want to miss.