No event is as celebratory as a parade. So what better way to celebrate the season than with a festive holiday-themed one?
Whether on land or on the water, there are several parades in the area that are sure to bring on the holiday cheer!
Holiday Boat Parades in Tampa Bay:
36th Annual Treasure Island Holiday Lighted Boat Parade and Celebration
Dec. 4 at 5:00 p.m.
The Treasure Island Holiday Lighted Boat Parade and Celebration begins at the Treasure Bay Recreation Facility. The Holiday Celebration begins at 5:00 p.m. with the Boat Parade leaving at 6:20 p.m. The parade can be viewed from a spectacular vantage point and guests can participate in the events at Treasure Bay. A DJ, a visit by Santa and Mrs. Claus, interactive entertainers, and food and beverage concessions will be available. Check out the City of Treasure Island’s Facebook page for more info.
Dunedin Holiday Parade and Tree Lighting
Dec. 4 at 6:00 p.m.
Ring in the holidays during this traditional waterfront celebration as decorated boats parade through the Marina. Festivities during this event also include Santa’s arrival (on the last boat of the parade), holiday music, S’Mores and the tree lighting ceremony in Edgewater Park. The parade begins at Marker 1 Marina and ends at Dunedin Marina at 7:00 p.m. dunedingov.com
31st Annual Tarpon Springs Holiday Boat Parade
Dec. 4 at 6:30 p.m.
The boats will take off from Captain Jacks and proceed down the Anclote River and into the bayous. Public viewing areas include Sponge Docks, Whitcomb Bayou, Craig Park, and Spring Bayou. If you can’t attend, the parade will also be live-streamed from the Tarpon Springs Recreation Division Facebook page.
36th Annual Boca Ciega Lighted Boat Parade
Dec. 11 at 6:00 p.m.
The parade begins at Gulfport Municipal Marina and passes by the Boca Ciega Yacht Club clubhouse on the way out into the bay heading to Gulfport’s Williams Pier and the beach, passing by the Gulfport Casino. The route includes the communities of Town Shores, Pelican Bay, Skimmers Point, Bayview Circle, past Kipps Colony, near the Pasadena Yacht & Country Club then along Dolphin Blvd, to the Pasadena Golf Club Estates, across to Isla del Sol, and then back to the slips. In lieu of entry fees, participants are asked to bring two unwrapped toys for Operation Santa. sailbcyc.org
Tampa Holiday Lighted Boat Parade
Dec. 18 (rain date is Dec. 19) at 6:00 p.m.
Tampa’s largest boat parade begins at the southern tip of Davis Islands, travels through the Convention Center basin and up to the Heights where the boats will turn around and head to Sparkman Wharf. Boats will be judges by pairs from Big Brothers and Big Sisters and the 1st, 2nd and 3rd place winners of the sailboat and motorboat competitions will each receive a trophy. Many viewing spots along the Riverwalk between Armature Works all the way through the Sail Pavilion and over by Sparkman Wharf provide fantastic views of the parade. thetampariverwalk.com
Indian Rocks Beach Holiday Boat Parade
December 18, 2021, 7pm
Parade lineup at Holiday Inn Harbor Side
Parade will begin at the Walsingham Bridge, winding through the fingers and ending at Harbor Drive North. indian-rocks-beach.com
Holiday Street Parades:
Santa Fest Parade in Tampa
December 4 at 1:30 pm
Tampa’s beloved annual tradition is back this year! Santa Fest returns to Downtown Tampa for a day full of festivities including the Santa Fest Parade which steps off at 1:30 pm at Morgan and Madison Streets and then make its way through downtown before ending at Curtis Hixon Park. Santa Fest festivities will be celebrated from 3:00 pm-5:30 pm with the Tree Lighting Ceremony following at 6:00 pm. A showing of The Grinch will cap off the best day ever! Learn more here.
Safety Harbor Holiday Parade
December 4 at 10:00 a.m.
Floats, old fashioned cars, Shriners, and Santa are just a few of the highlights. cityofsafetyharbor.com
Indian Rocks Beach Christmas Street Parade
December 5 at 1:00 p.m.
The Parade line-up converges at noon along East Gulf Blvd. At 1:00 P.M., it will begin to
weave throughout each “finger” ending at Kolb Park. indian-rocks-beach.com
Old-Fashioned Christmas and Holiday Parade in Dunedin
December 11 at 4:00 p.m.
The parade travels along Douglas Avenue from Beltrees Street heading north to Skinner Blvd. Watch Santa arrive during the Holiday street parade then stay downtown for the festivities along Main Street and Broadway Avenue. Activities include carriage rides, train rides, snow slide, kids crafts, old fashioned games, storytelling, face painting, street performers and singers, snow flurries, visit with Santa Claus, and live music in Pioneer Park featuring “Late Night Brass.” facebook.com
