Support Us Button Widget
Events

Bookmark these Tampa Bay holiday boat parades

Take part in the magical tradition along Florida’s Gulf Coast from the Riverwalk to Madeira Beach.

December 1, 2025 • 
Bailey LeFever
Snapinsta.app_318877954_144132728116928_3391134782635958401_n_1080.jpg

Make sure you pack your camera for the Holiday Lighted Boat Parade.

Photo via @cityoftampa

New York City has the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree lighting. Monsters good and bad take to the Richmond streets for RVA Krampusnacht each December — yes, it’s a thing. And Tampa Bay has its lighted boat parades.

Because where else can one see festive flotillas filled with both bright white twinkly lit sailboats and power boats packed with Bucs and Bolts jersey wearin’ sailors?

Don’t miss the TBAY spectacle, here’s some of this year’s boat parades:

Editor’s note: We recommend registering your boat as soon as possible.

Weeki Wachee Christmas Boat Parade | Saturday, Dec. 6

Downtown St. Pete Lighted Christmas Boat Parade | Sunday, Dec. 7

Tarpon Springs Illuminated Boat Parade | Friday, Dec. 12

Madeira Beach Festival of Lights Holiday Boat Parade | Saturday, Dec. 13

BCYC Christmas Lighted Boat Boat Parade | Saturday, Dec. 13

Friends of the Tampa River Walk Holiday Lighted Boat Parade | Saturday, Dec. 20

Indian Rocks Beach Holiday Boat Parade | Saturday, Dec. 20

Events
meat cooking on a grill with flames coming up and a person's hand in the top left corner
Sponsored
Ready, set, grill: Grills Gone Wild returns Feb. 9-10
Sponsored by
Colorful beads sit in a truck bed of all different colors, ready to be thrown out into Gasparilla crowds. The small circular objects are piled high.
City
Help clean up after Gasparilla
There are a few different ways to keep our area clean after the Gasparilla festivities.
January 26, 2024
 · 
Patrick Sidwell
Someone throws beads from a flat at Gasparilla. The beads are in mid-air and the sky is clear.
City
Keep Gasparilla beads out of Tampa Bay with the Florida Aquarium
Check out how to put those Gasparilla beads to good use.
January 24, 2024
 · 
Patrick Sidwell
52425656066_accbe213c9_k.jpg
Events
The party is here: Tampa Bay’s 2024 Guide to Gasparilla
We’re breaking down this year’s schedule of events, parties, and sharing our local tips.
January 23, 2024
 · 
Bailey LeFever
Children aboard a Gasparilla pirate ship float. They are throwing beads into the crowd, dressed like pirates.
Culture
Children’s Gasparilla Parade preview
Get ready for the Tampa Bay area’s biggest kid-centered event of the year.
January 18, 2024
 · 
Patrick Sidwell
Two people clink champagne flutes on a boat. There is water in front of them.
Events
Get ready for the St. Petersburg Power and Sailboat Show
If you’re gonna need a bigger boat, you’re in the right place.
January 16, 2024
 · 
Patrick Sidwell
Snapinsta.app_269947922_978840979713430_2478511590637000694_n_1080.jpg
Events
Put these Tampa Bay area MLK events on your radar
Tampa and St. Pete are home to a variety of events this weekend, from parades and service days to scavenger hunts.
January 11, 2024
 · 
Bailey LeFever
LAL.TBAY-Visit Central Florida Triple Crown-1.12.24.JPG
Sponsored
This inaugural Florida Triple Crown of BBQ competition is smokin’ hot
Sponsored by
11042023_RiseUpStPete_LNE_TheRevivalists_TheHails_HoneyWhat_StPetePier_StPetersburgFL_YvonneGougelet_@yvonnegougelet_05687.jpg
Events
Mark your calendar with these January 2024 events in the Tampa Bay area
From Broadway shows to Gasparilla parties, we’ve got it all.
January 5, 2024
 · 
Bailey LeFever
Storm surge floods Bayshore Boulevard. The Tampa Convention Center is in the background.
City
Look back at 12 months of TBAY stories
From Gasparilla to Hurricane Idalia, and a few Taylor Swift shows in between, it’s been a big year, TBAY.
December 19, 2023
 · 
Patrick Sidwell
Load More