You live by the beach for many reasons. In summer, you love the warm sand, cool water and salty sea air. In winter, you LOVE the Christmas Boat Parade. This year’s parade is one you won’t want to miss. Marking it’s 109th year, this Newport Beach tradition runs nightly from December 13 to December 17. Hosted by the Commodores Club of the Newport Beach Chamber of Commerce, the Boat Parade is a sight to see with up to a hundred yachts, kayaks and boats lighting up the harbor.
With a switch in the parade starting and ending point (now at the tip of Lido Isle), the first public viewing spot will be at beautiful Marina Park (1600 W. Balboa Boulevard). With the parade starting at approximately 6:30pm, the first boats will pass Marina Park around 6:45pm, allowing your children a prime viewing spot and a relatively decent bedtime.
And this year, Marina Park is throwing an Opening Night Party! On December 13th (opening night) bring the kids to Marina Park for a slew of free family friendly activities beginning at 5:00pm. With food vendors, caricature artists, face painters, photo ops with Frosty the Snowman and Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer (MY personal favorite), and a performance by Orange County School of the Art’s Performance Ambassadors MONTAGE!, the kids are going to have a hard time containing their excitement. The Charger Girls will also be making an appearance from 5-6pm and kids and adults alike can test their skill at the Los Angeles Charger football toss. Marina Park will also be the perfect spot to catch the opening night firework show off the pier at 6:15pm. Then grab some hot chocolate and your loved ones and settle in for a magical parade of lights!
**Like our post on Facebook and Instagram @NewportMesaMoms to be entered into our drawing for an invitation to the private viewing area on the second floor of the community center (with cookies and hot chocolate of course).
Check out the parade route and public viewing areas on the map below, or click HERE for more details on the 109th Annual Christmas Boat Parade!
See you there!
