2016 Pinellas County Holiday Boat Parades: What to Know Before You Go

CLEARWATER, FL – With 588 miles of coastline, Pinellas County features some of the most beautiful waterfront views in the nation.

During the holidays, many different communities in Pinellas County invite the public to enjoy their waterfront views with lighted boat parades.

Here’s what area residents need to know before you go to any one of the 2016 Pinellas County Holiday Boat Parades:

Annual Tarpon Springs Boat Parade

The 27th Annual Tarpon Springs Boat Parade will take place Friday, Dec. 2, launching from Tarpon Landing Marina at 6:30 p.m. The parade is a part of Snow Place Like Tarpon celebration.

The parade will follow the Anclote River and head into the bayous where Santa Claus will give out treats to children in Spring Bayou. Boats are expected to arrive in Spring Bayou around 8 p.m. Judging for the best decorated boats will also take place there.

Best viewing: Craig Park/Spring Bayou

St. Pete Beach Boat Parade and Winter Festival in the Park

The St. Pete Beach Boat Parade will take place Friday, Dec. 2 at 6 p.m. The parade will wind its way around the intercostal waterways of St. Pete Beach.

In conjunction with the parade, the Winter Festival in the Park will take place at Horan Park, 7701 Boca Ciega Drive. The event features music, hot chocolate, art projects for children and a visit from Santa Claus.

Best viewing: Horan Park

2016 Pass-A-Grille & Vina Del Mar Lighted Boat Parade

The 2016 Pass-A-Grille & Vina Del Mar Lighted Boat Parade will take place on Saturday, Dec. 3 at 6 p.m. at Merry Pier, 801 Pass-A-Grille Way in St. Pete Beach.

The event will feature caroling on the Merry Pier dock, luminaries along the seawall and a visit from Santa Claus at the Seahorse. St. Petersburg firemen will be on hand to cook hamburgers and hot dogs.

Four $500 prizes will be awarded to captains, including the Best Sail, Best Motor, Most Creative and a Lucky Draw.

Best viewing: Merry Pier

St. Petersburg’s Illuminated Boat Parade

The 30th annual St. Petersburg’s Illuminated Boat Parade will take place Saturday, Dec. 10 at 6:30 p.m. around the Vinoy Basin. The event is hosted by the Rotary Club of St. Petersburg.

This year’s parade will feature a VIP experience with reserved seating, beer, wine and food at 500 Bayshore Drive NE. VIP Experience tickets are $50 while Grandstand Reserved Seats are $8. They are available to purchase by visiting http://www.stpeteboatparade.org/.

Food and drink can be purchased without a VIP ticket. Serving begins at 5 p.m. The event will feature a live performance of holiday music by St. Petersburgh High School’s Pitchforks at 6 p.m.

Proceeds from the event benefit Rotary charities, which support many non-profit organizations in the St. Petersburg area, including the St. Petersburg Free Clinic, Daystar, Christmas Toy Shop, Children’s Dram Fund, Morean Arts Center and more.

Best viewing: Albert Whitted Airport, Spa Beach, Vinoy Yacht Basin, Vinoy Park.

Gulfport & Boca Ciega Yacht Club Holiday Boat Parade

The 31st Annual Gulfport & Boca Ciega Yacht Club Holiday Boat Parade will take place Saturday, Dec. 10 at 6 p.m.

The parade begins at the Gulfport Municipal Marina, passing by the BCYC clubhouse before entering the bay. It then travels to Williams pier and the beach, passing by the Gulfport Casino. The parade then travels through the communities of Town Shores, Kipps Colony and the Pasadena Yacht & Country Club, Pasadena Golf Club Estates, Dolphin Boulevard South and Isla del Soul before returing to the BCYC clubhouse.

Unlike many boat parades with a monetary entry fee, the captains of the Gulfport & Boca Ciega Yacht Club Holiday Boat Parades donate two or more unwrapped toys for Operation Santa. Coordinated by the Gulfport Police Department, Operation Santa collects toys for children in need in Gulfport.

Best viewing: Williams Pier and the beach near the Gulfport Casino

Madeira Beach Festival of Lights Illuminated Boat Parade

The 50th annual Madeira Beach Festival of Lights Illuminated Boat Parade will take place Saturday, Dec. 10 at 6 p.m. The parade is scheduled to start immediately after the community’s Christmas Tree Lighting celebration.

The parade route will launch from John’s Pass Village on Madeira Beach and will end at the Madeira Beach Recreation Center.

Best viewing: Madeira Beach Recreation Center

Island Estates Yacht Club Boat Parade

Clearwater’s Island Estates Yacht Club Boat Parade will take place Saturday, Dec. 10. The annual parade doubles as a memorial for the yacht club’s members who died during the past year.

Decorated boats will assemble at 6 p.m. in the Mandalay Channel between Island Estates and Clearwater Beach. The parade will launch at 6:30 and proceed north through the Mandalay Channel. The parade will wind through many Island Estates canals before moving to Coachman Park around 8 p.m. At Coachman Park, the parade will go under the new Memorial Causeway Bridge and turn into the Clearwater Marina Channel before ending at the Clearwater Yacht Club.

Cash and gift certificate prizes will be awarded to the best-decorated boats.

Best viewing: Coachman Park

Treasure Island Lighted Boat Parade

The 30th Annual Treasure Island Lighted Boat Parade will take place Sunday, Dec. 11 at 6:20 p.m. With more than 70 varieties of boats participating, the Treasure Island event is the largest lighted boat parade in Tampa Bay.

The event kicks off at the Castoff Party, which begins at 4:30 p.m. at The Club at Treasure Island, 400 Treasure Island Causeway. The event features complimentary food, a cash bar, live entertainment and a visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus. Admission to the event is one unwrapped new toy or a monetary donation to local charities.

The parade launches from The Club at Treasure Island at 6:30 p.m., sail past the Treasure Island Causeway Bridge at 7 p.m. and end at 8:15 p.m. at John’s Pass.

Best viewing: John’s Pass Village

Redington Beach & Indian Shores Holiday Boat Parade

The Redington Beach & Indian Shores Holiday Boat Parade will take place Sunday, Dec. 11 at 6 p.m. The parade winds through the intercostal waterways starting at the Tom Stuart Causeway and ends at The Pub restaurant in Indian Shores.

The Town of Indian Shores will provide light refreshments in E.D. Williams Park at its pavilion provided by Salt Rock Grill. The parade is scheduled to pass by between 7:30 and 8:30 p.m.

Best viewing: E.D. Williams Park

Image via the City of Clearwater Facebook page