A Christmastime tradition celebrating its 117th year, the country's oldest boat parade sets the harbor alight for five consecutive nights. Beautifully decorated yachts, boats, kayaks, and canoes flow to this year's theme: Magical Night of Lights

The 2025 Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade both starts and finishes at the tip of Lido Isle. The parade can be viewed from almost any place on the shore free of cost. A complete map of the parade route is available on the website.

Each night has a different Grand Marshall, first up is actor Ted McGinley on opening night. 

Also on opening night: a fireworks display off the Newport Pier, starting at 6:15pm.  Additionally, colorful holiday drone shows illustrate the skies twice nightly from two locations: Balboa Bay Resort and Peninsula Park.

The parade sails against the backdrop of the Ring of Lights contest, in which bayside homeowners go all out with their holiday lights. The combination of the two events makes a drive to Newport Beach well worth the effort—for what the New York Times calls, "one of the top ten holiday happenings in the nation."

Love holiday boat parades? Check out these other LA & OC Christmas Boat Parades.