The Newport Beach Chamber of Commerce proudly hosts the 103rd Year of this spectacular Holiday Tradition
Weather Update: The parade will run in rainy or windy weather. However, if the Coast Guard or Harbor Master declares the conditions as being unsafe, a message will be posted on this web site, and posted on Facebook and Twitter at approximately 5:30 pm each night of the parade.
Join over a million viewers as you watch beautifully decorated yachts, boats, kayaks and canoes sail along the harbor in the 103rd Annual Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade. Hosted by the Commodores Club of the Newport Beach Chamber of Commerce, we invite you to celebrate this year as we feature the theme "Feelin' Christmas-Sea in Newport Beach!"
The Event
As Newport Beach's Christmas Card to the world, the boat parade will set the harbor ablaze for five consecutive nights, beginning Wednesday, December 14 and ending Sunday, December 18, 2011. The parade starts off Bay Island at 6:30 pm and finishes at the same site at approximately 9:00 pm each evening.
Beautiful multi-million dollar yachts, kayaks,
canoes and other small boats will light up the harbor as a dazzling
array of holiday lights and music fill the air at the Christmas
Boat Parade. Many of the boats will be richly decorated with
animated Christmas scenes accompanied by music and costumed
carolers. Some boat owners in the past have spent over $50,000 to
decorate their vessels for the event. The Christmas floats will
wind their way some 14 miles around the harbor to give viewers in
restaurants, yacht clubs, on public beaches, and in private homes
an incredible sight that has delighted millions of people for a
century.
The Christmas Boat Parade, which has been hailed as "one of the top ten holiday happenings in the nation" by the New York Times, is truly a magical holiday tradition for all ages. The parade continues to be a premier event during the holiday season in Southern California that brings joy and happiness to all that view it.
2011 Parade Route
The 2011 Parade will utilize the same starting and ending point
as last year, located off Bay Island, and follow the same route.
Ring of Lights
Serving as the backdrop for the hundreds
of lighted boats in the parade is the annual "Ring of Lights"
contest, hosted by the Commodores Club of the Newport Beach Chamber
of Commerce.
Beautifully decorated bayside homes and businesses surrounding the harbor go "all out" with their own holiday spirit, featuring everything from roof-top animated scenes to dancing Christmas trees. With its own judged categories and prizes awarded, the "Ring of Lights" has become as celebrated as the boat parade itself.
Fireworks
On the final night of the parade, Sunday, December
18, a special fireworks display will close out the parade.
Beginning at approximately 9:00 pm, the fireworks will be visible
from all around the harbor, being launched from the Balboa
Pier.
Special thanks to Ruby's Balboa Pier for closing early to allow for the fireworks show. Also, thanks to the Balboa Island Ferry and other community supporters for helping underwrite the display.
Awards Dinner and Auction
Both the Boat Parade and the Ring of Lights competitions culminate at the annual Awards Dinner & Auction to be held on January 27, 2012 at the Balboa Bay Club. Open to the public, this gala event will honor award winners from both competitions. Additionally, the party will feature live entertainment, dancing and an incredible live and silent auction. Details on how your business can support the auction and the parade, will be available shortly.
For more information about these events, or to request information about viewing areas, restaurants and boat charter companies, please call the Newport Beach Chamber of Commerce at (949) 729-4400. For a complete listing of member restaurants and boat charters please see the Viewing Page.
The 2011 Parade will utilize the same starting and ending point as last year, located off Bay Island.
