Jessica Chenoweth 
This is the weekend of boat parades all over San Diego as locals show off their beautiful decorated ships, yachts, schooners and more!
Mission Bay Parade of Lights
Saturday, December 14
Mission Bay Yacht Club has organized and hosted the holiday boat parade of lights for decades, now a beloved event that delights viewers of all ages with creativity and effort that goes into decorating a brilliant floating light display. It kicks off at 5:30pm with plenty of viewing areas along Mission Bay.
The Dana on Mission Bay
Holiday food and beverage specials, D.J. spinning your favorite holiday tunes. Falling snow party starting at 6:15 after the parade. VIP viewing area seating available for $100 for groups of up to 4. Avoid the hassle of finding a parking spot and reserve paid event parking now.
Paradise Point Resort
Live music, fire pits, complimentary hot cocoa and popcorn and a visit from Santa! Parade of Lights Dinner Experience at Tidal available for booking.
Catamaran Resort Hotel & Spa
Holiday Themed tiki bars with specialty cocktails, zero-proof beverages, and soft drinks
Small assortment of food offerings such as: Spam Musubi, Vegetarian Lumpia, Coconut Crusted Chicken Strips, Popcorn, and Holiday Assorted Cookies.
https://www.catamaranresort.com/parade-lights-viewing-party
Mission Bay Beach Club
Specialty Holiday Cocktails and Lattes
https://www.missionbaybeachclub.com/
Oceanside Harbor Parade of Lights
December 14, 2024 7pm
Bring a blanket, some hot chocolate and pick a comfortable spot to watch this years Parade of Lights celebration in the quaint Oceanside Harbor. Fishing boats, sailboats, yachts, kayaks and dingys will all be dressed-up in holiday swag and circling Oceanside Harbor enchanting onlookers along the harbor and at the neighboring restaurants. Many of the boats even feature people dressed up like Santa waving to the crowd! One of the best viewing spots is along the side of the Oceanside Harbor near the fishing dock and police station. From this vantage point, you can see the parade twice! The concrete walkway that surrounds much of the harbor is also good for viewing the parade.
The Oceanside Harbor Parade of Lights is a must be at event during the holiday season, so if you plan on attending here are a couple of tips.
- Arrive Early. There are a lot of people that will be attending, so give yourself plenty of time to park and walk over to the viewing area.
- Where to Park? There are several parking lots located throughout Oceanside Harbor, please read all parking signs since each area has different restrictions. Carpooling is encouraged. Give yourself plenty of time to park and walk over to the viewing area.
- Can you bring chairs? Yes, you are allowed to bring your own lawn chairs. Please do not block walking pathways and be mindful of others viewing the parade.
- Bring a Blanket and a Jacket. It can be chilly at night, so make sure to come prepared and bring a blanket, jacket, mittens, and scarves so that you can be nice and warm as you watch the parade.
- Bring Snacks and Hot Chocolate. Make an evening of it and bring some snacks or hot chocolate with you to enjoy during the parade. There are several restaurants and shops located within Oceanside Harbor if you would like to dine and watch the event, please call for availability.
The 54th Annual San Diego Bay Parade of Lights
December 15, 2024
The San Diego Bay Parade of Lights brings more than 100,000 San Diego residents and visitors to the shores of San Diego Bay each year. The procession of approximately 80 lavishly decorated boats has become one of the most iconic events in the region. There is no cost to view the parade. This year, for the 6th time, the parade will proceed to the pier at Cesar Chavez Park before making the turn to Coronado, giving spectators another area to view the parade. The procession will start at 5:30 p.m. and will follow the predetermined parade route.
The parade takes approximately one hour to one and a half hours to pass any given point along the parade route. The approximate arrival time of the parade at various locations are:
- Shelter Island (start of parade) 5:30 p.m.
- Harbor Island 6:15 p.m.
- Seaport Village 6:45 p.m.
- The Embarcadero 7:15 p.m.
- The Pier at Cesar Chavez Park 7:30 p.m.
- Ferry Landing on Coronado 7:45 p.m.
To get within a short walk of Harbor Drive, ride the Trolley! Take the UC San Diego Blue Line or Green Line to Santa Fe Depot, or the Orange Line to Courthouse Station. Use your PRONTO card or app to load money in advance. It is recommended that you load enough fare for a round trip to save you time at the station. All riders need their own separate PRONTO card or app and must tap or scan before every ride. On Saturdays and Sundays up to two children (age 12 and under) may ride free with a fare-paying adult (age 18 or older) on all MTS routes. All riders 18 & under can ride MTS and North County Transit District (NCTD) services for FREE with a Youth PRONTO app account, or a Youth PRONTO card. Get more information here.
Another Alternative is to park downtown and utilize San Diego Pedicab service for transportation to the Embarcadero. Fares run about $1 per minute.
- The following outlines other free and paid lots:
- Metered spaces along Harbor Drive Metered – 7 Days a week
- Allright Parking (Broadway & Harbor Dr.) Paid
- Seaport Village Paid
- Parking Lot in front of Fish Market Restaurant north of Seaport Village Metered
- Harbor Island Free but limited
- Shelter Island Free
The north and south ends of the Embarcadero are great areas for viewing, as well as the pathway along Coronado as these areas tend to be less crowded. Another excellent viewing point is the park behind Seaport Village and the new pier at Cesar Chavez Park.
If you plan on viewing the parade from Harbor Island, get there early and be aware that parking is at a premium.
