Holiday Parades and Tree Lightings in Tampa Bay

Posted by Jenni Booth on Wednesday, November 1, 2023 at 11:32 AM By Jenni Booth / November 1, 2023 Comment

It's pretty unique to Florida ... a holiday boat parade. And it's one of our favorite ways to celebrate the season. Take a look at these fun parades - both on the water and through our communities - around Tampa Bay as well as tree lighting ceremonies to kickoff the holiday season.

Holiday fun in Tampa Bay

PARADES

Tarpon Springs Illuminated Boat Parade

Dec. 1, 2023

Boats will proceed down the Anclote River and into the bayous. The best viewing is from Whitcomb Bayou/Craig Park/Spring Bayou. Boats enter Spring Bayou around 8 pm.

Treasure Island Boat Parade

Dec. 16, 2023

10315 Paradise Blvd, Treasure Island

Festivities begin at the Treasure Bay Golf & Tennis with a DJ, a visit by Santa and Mrs. Claus, interactive entertainers and food/beverage concessions. The parade will begin promptly at 6:20 p.m. just south of the Treasure Island Causeway. The route travels south of Paradise Island, back through the Treasure Island Causeway Bridge at 7 p.m., around the Isles of Palms and Capri, and finishes at John’s Pass at approximately 8:15 p.m

Dunedin Lighted Holiday Boat Parade

Dec. 2, 2023 @ 6pm

Decorated boats parade through the Dunedin Marina and Edgewater Park. Santa to arrive by boat for the lighting of the city’s Christmas tree. Staging in the basin area just South of Marker 1 Marina, located on the Dunedin Causeway. The parade will follow the ICW South to the Dunedin/Clearwater border, turn North, and proceed into the City of Dunedin Marina.

Zephyrhills Festival of Lights and Parade

Dec. 2, 2023 @ 7pm

38537 5th Ave, Zephyrhills

Featuring food, entertainment, vendors, and parade! The Festival starts at 4pm and parade begins at 7pm.

Temple Terrace Winter Wonderland

Dec. 2, 2023@ 5:30pm

407 Woodmont Ave, Temple Terrace

Winter Wonderland activities include: an ice slide, caroling, food trucks and carnival games plus tree lighting at 7pm. The Golf Cart Parade starts at 6 pm from the Family Recreation Complex and ends at Woodmont Park.

Festival of Lights Holiday Boat Parade

Dec. 9, 2023 @ 6:30pm

Madeira Beach

The parade begins at the American Legion Post 273 at 6:30pm, travels all the finger canals through the city, and ends at John's Pass. Watch the parade from ROC Park or John’s Pass.

Santa Parade & Tree Lighting

Nov. 25, 2023, 6:30pm

The Santa Parade begins at Albert Whitted Park and runs along Bayshore Dr. to 5th Ave. NE. The Tree Lighting immediately follows the parade in North Straub Park. Tree Lighting time is based on when the parade ends.

Tampa’s Holiday Boat Parade

Dec. 23, 2023 @ 6pm

Hillsborough River

The 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.

Safety Harbor Holiday Parade

Dec. 2, 2023 @ 10am

Main Street, Safety Harbor

Floats, old fashioned cars, community groups and Santa are just a few of the highlights.

Apollo Beach Lighted Boat Parade

Dec. 9, 2023 @6pm

1250 Apollo Beach Blvd, Apollo Beach.

The parade will begin at dusk near marker 12 in the south basin of Apollo Beach. Charity event sponsored by the Tampa Sailing Squadron.

Clearwater Holiday Lighted Boat Parade

Dec. 9 2023 @ 6pm

Beginning in Mandalay Channel at 6 p.m., boats travel along the inlets of Island Estates before going under the Memorial Causeway Bridge and finishing at the Clearwater Yacht Club, 830 Bayway Blvd. Parade to pass Coachman Park around 8:30 p.m. Free and family-friendly!

Boca Ciega Yacht Club’s Holiday Boat Parade

Dec. 9, 2023 @ 6pm

Parade starts at the Gulfport Municipal Marina and pass by the Clam Bayou Nature Park and Osgood Point, on our way out into the bay, heading to Gulfport's Williams Pier and the Gulfport Casino before passing by the Gulfport beach. We then make our way through the communities of Town Shores, Pelican Bay, Skimmers Point, Bayview Circle, past Kipps Colony, near the Pasadena Yacht & Country Club (please note, that due to the Marina, we can only get halfway down that canal), then along Dolphin Blvd, to the Pasadena Golf Club Estates, across to Isla del Sol.

Redington boat parade map