Christmas Light Boat Tour

Christmas Light Boat Tour: San Antonio RiverWalk, in particular, excels in celebrating this season. The riverbanks come alive with over 100,000 lights, creating a magical Christmas spectacle that stands out in Texas. To truly immerse yourself in this enchanting display, embark on a scenic San Antonio Riverwalk Christmas lights boat tour.

 This experience includes festive tunes and complimentary hot cocoas, adding to the holiday spirit. So, bundle up warmly and prepare to witness the San Antonio Riverwalk Christmas lights in a way like never before.

San Antonio, notably the renowned Riverwalk, is arguably the most iconic Christmas city in Texas, undergoing a stunning transformation into a winter wonderland during the holiday season.

The Best and Brightest Holiday Boat Parades Around the World

Santa isn’t confined to his sleigh; sometimes, he chooses a boat as his mode of travel. The iconic North Pole figure is a familiar presence during this festive season, headlining festivals and occupying thrones in shopping malls globally. Santa’s extensive travels, akin to Taylor Swift on her Eras Tour, cover numerous Christmas markets and holiday events worldwide.

Instead of a tour bus or private jet, it seems Santa opts for a yacht to meet his packed schedule. Holiday boat parades have become a significant trend, offering a unique twist to traditional Christmas festivities. These parades feature adorned boats adorned with bright lights, festive music, and a cast of characters.

Typically held after sunset, these holiday boat parades take place in lakes, rivers, and marinas across the US, with a few even extending beyond the country’s borders. Some aim to infuse a tropical vibe into holiday celebrations in warmer regions with more sand than snow.

Others elevate the chilly cheer to new heights, complete with pop-up beer gardens, dazzling bayous, and spectacular fireworks displays. Without further ado, let’s explore the most spectacular holiday boat parades setting sail worldwide.

Alexandria Holiday Boat Parade of Lights Sponsored by Amazon

In Washington, DC, where holiday cheer abounds from the National Christmas Tree to candlelit concerts, a longstanding tradition unfolds on the water. Celebrating its 23rd year, the Alexandria Holiday Boat Parade of Lights magically transforms the Old Town Alexandria Waterfront Park into a winter wonderland, regardless of the snow forecast.

The festivities kick off in the afternoon as part of a weekend filled with events. Highlights include a pop-up beer garden courtesy of Port City Brewing Company, family games, activities, and delectable food, culminating in the parade at 5:30 pm.

Santa makes a grand entrance at the Alexandria City Marina at 3:30 pm, arriving via fireboat. The floating parade sets sail from the marina, navigating one mile southward along the Potomac to Ford’s Landing Park. Here, a dazzling array of boats bedecked with lights and baubles creates a mesmerizing spectacle.

On land, visitors can engage in ornament-making and use the postcard station to send letters to Santa. Dockside food vendors offer a delightful range, from hot chocolate to empanadas, pizza by-the-slice, and even Santa’s favorite snack—cookies. Simultaneously, the Canal Center Holiday Art Mart at Old Town North waterfront hosts a sprawling holiday bazaar featuring arts, vintage items, food, and more.

Croix Christmas Boat Parade

It might be a challenge to immerse yourself in the holiday spirit when the average Christmas temperature hovers around 82 degrees Fahrenheit. However, on St. Croix in the US Virgin Islands, where sugary-white sand substitutes for snow, a cherished Christmas parade delivers an abundance of cheer.

Established in 1998 and now in its 23rd year, the St. Croix Christmas Boat Parade stands out as one of the most iconic celebrations of its kind, born from the heartwarming intention to infuse Christiansted with a uniquely Caribbean holiday spirit.

A full-day event, festivities commence at noon on the Christiansted Boardwalk, featuring vendors offering food, drinks, and gifts, along with special appearances by Santa. The parade sets sail at 6 pm, ushering in a procession of illuminated boats of various shapes and sizes, accompanied by Christmas music as they navigate the historic harbor.

 The grand finale unfolds with a spectacular fireworks display, and an awards ceremony and party unfold at Deep End Bar and Grill, presenting trophies in different categories, including sailboat, small powerboat, and large powerboat.

Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade

A staple on the holiday boat parade circuit, the Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade has stood as a seasonal highlight for 115 years. Originating from a modest Tournament of Lights initiated by an Italian gondolier and a developer of Balboa Island, the event has undergone significant evolution over the past century.

Now featuring a multitude of boats, diverse themes, and various parade routes, it encompasses more than traditional yachts and sailboats. This comprehensive spectacle includes a wide array of water vessels, from kayaks to canoes, sailing along the harbor over five consecutive days.

Commencing each night from December 13 to 17, the floating parades set sail at 6:30 pm from the Tip of Lido Isle. The prime public viewing location is at the 10.5-acre Marina Park, offering an optimal vantage point. 

Additionally, there are designated waterfront restaurants, known as Dine & Watch locations, strategically positioned for dinner and a captivating show. The festivities kick off with a fireworks display at 6:15 pm on December 13 from the Newport Pier and culminate with a closing fireworks show at 9 pm on December 17 from Balboa Pier.

Dawson City’s Annual Boat Parade

In an extraordinary twist where the boat parade aligns with the Arctic conditions, Dawson City’s Annual Boat Parade in the frigid Yukon is a distinctive event taking place on land. Set against the backdrop of the frozen Yukon River, this genuine winter wonderland ingeniously pulls off the parade on snow-covered roads.

Celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, the festivity involves adorned boats embarking from the Visitor Information Center at 6 pm on December 17. Cars and trucks dutifully tow their boats across the town, providing a captivating spectacle for onlookers who can comfortably enjoy the spectacle from their homes, vehicles, or hotels.

Experience the festive spirit in a warm setting at the Festival of Lights Boat Parade, presented by Hawaii Kai Town Center in Honolulu. While the temperatures might not scream holidays, the event transforms the Marina Docks into a holiday spectacle.

From 4 to 7 pm, boats of various sizes don their holiday finery, competing for the title of the jolliest in the fleet. On solid ground, participants can spin a prize wheel for a shot at winning gift cards to local businesses.

What causes Christmas lights to trip?

Unfortunately, when it comes to Christmas lights and decorations and GFCIs, generally all it takes to trip a circuit is for a little moisture to get into the outlet, cord, or lights.

GFCI outlets may trip due to various reasons, and one common cause is an overloaded circuit. Plugging too many Christmas lights into one circuit can exceed the maximum load capacity, leading to a GFCI outlet trip. To prevent this, distribute your lights across multiple circuits or opt for energy-efficient LED lights.

Another potential factor is damaged wiring in the Christmas lights. Exposed wires or frayed insulation can create a short circuit, prompting the GFCI outlet to trip. Regularly inspect your lights for any signs of damage and replace them as needed.

GFCI outlets are sensitive to water exposure, as water conducts electricity. If your outdoor Christmas lights encounter rain or snow, it may trigger the GFCI outlet to trip. Ensure all outdoor connections are properly waterproofed to safeguard them from moisture.

Does Balboa Island have Christmas lights?

It’s not the holiday season in Newport Beach without a stroll around Balboa Island to admire the Ring of Lights! Bundle up and walk by more than two dozen extravagantly decorated waterfront homes on the charming Ring of Lights.

Visit Newport Dunes Waterfront Resort & Marina to witness 40 LED trees and floats illuminating the bay. This 30-year tradition is free to the public and runs every evening until Jan. 1. Additionally, partake in the first annual Fire & Ice Festival, featuring activities like roasting s’mores, writing letters to Santa, selecting the perfect pine tree, and gliding on the bayside ice skating rink.

Experience the enchanting Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade, showcasing a festive fleet of adorned boats and yachts. Running from Dec. 13 to 17 at 6:30 p.m., this magical holiday spectacle can be enjoyed from bayside restaurants, the shore, or a boat.

Join the Night of 1000 Lights at Sherman Library and Gardens for dazzling light displays and entertainment. Navigate the Rainbow Trail, Lollypop Woods, Gumdrop Mountains, Peppermint Stick Forest, and a glistening light tunnel.

Explore the Candy Heart Carnival with games for all ages on December 9, 10, 14-22, from 6-9 p.m. Don’t miss this annual spectacular!

What happens if water gets in Christmas lights?

Even if the string has sealed bulbs, you will find that the insulator on the wiring will still leak enough current to trip the GFCI, especially when wet. If the strings are very leaky, or if the water has dissolved ionic compounds (eg. salt) then the water itself will become conductive and the lights will short out.

In general, it is NOT safe to submerge Christmas lights in water. While some lights and wiring are designed to operate underwater, these are exceptions. If the water is clean or pure, the light string may trip the GFCI outlet, even with sealed bulbs, due to the insulator on the wiring leaking enough current, especially when wet.

 Additionally, if the strings are highly leaky or if the water contains dissolved ionic compounds like salt, the water itself can become conductive, leading to a short circuit in the lights.

Does rain affect Christmas lights?

Though most Christmas lights can get wet, you need to check your lights’ IP rating to determine whether they are well protected against rainy conditions. If you’re using lights for exterior use, you should aim for outdoor lights with an IP65 rating.

Christmas lights serve as a wonderful means to showcase not only your personality but also your festive spirit. However, with the holiday season often comes rain, posing a potential challenge.

Don’t let the weather dampen your holiday spirit. By taking appropriate precautions, you can ensure the safety of your holiday light display, your home, and yourself.

Consider purchasing lights that are specifically designed to be waterproof or rain-resistant. Many eco-friendly lighting alternatives are now available and offer increased durability compared to traditional incandescent bulbs.

LED (light-emitting diode) lights, while still susceptible to water damage due to their use of electricity, exhibit greater resistance to leaks than their incandescent counterparts. Solar lights provide yet another alternative, remaining cool to the touch, which means they won’t burst in cold rain as hot bulbs might. 

Look for outdoor Christmas lights with a red Underwriters Lab (UL) holographic tag, indicating that the product has undergone evaluation by lab engineers to ensure compliance with UL and American National Standards Institute standards. This organization also conducts tests under rainy conditions to assess whether the lights are prone to short-circuiting or causing a fire when wet.

Are Christmas lights safe?

To avoid the possibility of a dangerous electric shock, do not insert or remove bulbs with the set plugged in, especially if outdoors. Always unplug Christmas lights when you go to bed or leave the house. Lights could short and start a fire.

The holiday spirit often comes alive with the warm glow of Christmas lights, and whether it’s the classic white lights, vibrant colors, or twinkling strings, they are essential for any festive display.

However, it’s crucial to be aware of potential risks associated with these beautiful decorations, including falls, electrocution, and fire hazards. According to a 2020 report by the National Fire Protection Association, an average of 770 fires is caused by Christmas lights annually.

To ensure a safe and joyful holiday season, it’s essential to adopt proper preparation and adhere to safety practices. Here are 16 potential hazards related to holiday lights and safety tips to prevent sparks, blowouts, fires, and other potentially dangerous scenarios.

Embark on a unique journey through Mount Dora’s Christmas Lights with our enchanting Christmas Lights Boat Tour! Picture yourself surrounded by friends and family on a leisurely evening cruise across Lake Dora. With Christmas melodies playing softly in the background, you’ll be cozily wrapped up, sipping on apple cider, and indulging in freshly baked cookies.

Celebrate the holiday season with Rusty Anchor Boat Tours throughout early December until the month’s end. Join us for the magical Rusty Anchor Christmas Lights Boat Tour!

As we gently navigate the shores of Lake Dora, we’ll provide hot apple cider and cookies right there on the boat. Heading towards Breezy Point, you’ll witness the radiant Mount Dora skyline adorned in the festive colors of the season. Feel free to bring a small cooler with your favorite snacks and beverages (a hint: rum pairs well with hot apple cider).

Rusty Anchor’s Christmas Lights Boat Tour is a delightful way to witness one of Lake County’s best Christmas lights displays in Mount Dora. Our boats are equipped with coverings, side curtains, and blankets on board, ensuring a cozy experience, even if it gets a little chilly.