Nauti-or-Nice? SWFL Holiday Boat Parades!

Temperatures are chilling throughout most of the U.S. But here in Southwest Florida, the weather is perfect for spreading holiday cheer! 

We’re not talking about your average holiday-themed office events or freezing cold parades along city streets. Our holidays have a tropical twist, of course! For example, have you attended one of our annual holiday boat parades?

2023 SWFL Holiday Boat Parades

It started with just one or two boat parades each year. Now, just about every city here in SWFL has its own holiday boat parade! Check out the list of this year’s parades below.

Saturday, December 2nd - 35th Annual Fort Myers Beach Christmas Boat Parade, 6:00pm, Matanzas Pass. Starting from Salty Sam's Marina. Good viewing from Nervous Nellies. 

Saturday, December 9th - Bonita Springs Christmas Boat Parade starts at Bay Water Boat Club at 5:30 p.m. and moves east on the Imperial River past Riverwalk Park and U.S. 41.

Saturday, December 9th - Naples Bay Christmas Boat Parade, 6:15 pm to 8:30 pm. The parade may be viewed from: Naples City Dock (ticketed), Pinchers Tin City, Riverwalk Restaurant, Naples Landing, Kelly’s Fish House, The Boat House on Naples Bay, and Bayview Park. 

Saturday, December 16th - Cape Coral Christmas Boat Parade, 7:00pm, Four Freedoms Park, 4:00-9:00 p.m. features stage entertainment, local food trucks, crafts, a visit from Santa Claus, and the boat parade. 

Saturday, December 16th - Marco Island Christmas Boat Parade, 6 pm. Recommended viewing includes The Esplanade on Smokehouse Bay and Snook Inn on the Marco River.

Saturday, December 23rd - Punta Gorda Boat Parade, 6:30 pm. The parade route is within Punta Gorda Isles. Best place to view is from a boat. While there are no designated public viewing areas on land along the 4.5-mile parade route, there are many viewing areas along Almar Drive.

We hope you have the chance to experience a boat parade or another classic Southwest Florida holiday event this season!