Coastal Christmas: the Newport Beach Boat Parade

We’re about to kick off the holidays in a big way here!  For five days each December,  over a million people come to Newport Beach to watch beautifully decorated yachts, boats, kayaks and canoes sail along the harbor in the Annual Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade.   This year is the 103 year of this beautiful tradition here in our seaside haven and the fun begins next week!

Beautiful multi-million dollar yachts, kayaks, canoes and other small boats light up the harbor with a stunning show of holiday lights, while Christmas music fills the air. Boat owners decorate their vessels with animated Christmas scenes accompanied by music, costumed carolers and even bands and dancing Grinches!  In the past, some boat owners have spent upwards of $50,000 to decorate their vessels.

This dragon boat is one of my favorites…I love his hat!

The boats wind their way 14 miles around Newport Beach harbor and people come from all over the world to line the restaurants, yacht clubs,  public beaches, bluff-top parks and private homes to see this truly incredible sight, which has been named one of the top ten holiday happenings in the nation by the New York Times.

Truly a beautiful, fun sight!

Accompanying this amazing sight are a dazzling array of decorated homes blanketing the different islands in Newport Bay:  Newport Island, Balboa Island, Little Balboa Island, Collins Island, Bay Island, Harbor Island, Lido Isle and Linda Isle.  Homes in this area range from small cottages to massive mansions and most are decorated to the hilt in competition for the Ring of Lights contest hosted by the Commodores Club of the Newport Beach Chamber of Commerce.  Homeowners and restaurants go all-out in a colorful, festive display featuring everything from roof-top animated scenes to dancing Christmas trees and thankfully, the City of Newport Beach photographs them, though these pictures don’t do them justice.

A home on East Bayfront Drive on Balboa Isle

Another East Bayfront Drive home

I have seen this home and it is a bright and wondrous sight

The City of Newport Beach even lights the Balboa Pavilion.  First built in 1906, the Pavilion was built as a boathouse, bath house and pavilion to attract investors and land developers to an area that was essentially a swamp.  Once the Red Car Line trolley included a stop nearby, people began purchasing lots and developed the area now known as the Balboa Peninsula. I wish my ancestors had the foresight to purchase one of those lots!

Then (City of Newport)

Now (City of Newport)

This year, as with most years, there is a buzz about town in the shops and restaurants. Many people are excited to see what new themes the boat and homeowners will come up with this year and who will win the awards and prizes.  On the final night of the parade,  a special fireworks display closes out the parade, visible from all around the harbor, launched from the Balboa Pier.

City of Newport

Final night of fireworks (City of Newport)

With 102 years of tradition behind it, I think this year will be one of the best and I am looking forward to spending time with family and friends enjoying it!