15 Awesome Holiday Parades and Lighted Boat Parades in Tampa Bay
The winter parade season has kicked off in Tampa Bay with several street parades and lighted boat parades on schedule. Parades are such a fun way to celebrate the holidays with the family, and the best part is, it's free to attend!
It's also pretty cool to view holiday lights on the water! Get those calendars ready and let's start planning the holiday parade season in Tampa Bay!
Updated December 2025 by Hailea Boykin. Pictured: Tampa's Holiday Lighted Boat Parade.
Holiday Parades in Tampa Bay
(Listed in order of date.)
Santa Parade and Tree Lighting at North Straub Park in St. PeteÂ
- Date: Saturday, November 29, 2025, parade starts at 6:30 pm
- Location: Downtown St. Pete
The Santa Parade and Tree Lighting is the perfect way to kick off the holidays in St. Pete. The fun begins with the illuminated Santa Parade that starts at Albert Whitted Park, followed by the Tree Lighting at North Straub Park right after the parade.
Lakeland's 44th Annual Christmas Parade
- Date: Thursday, December 4, 2025
- Location: Downtown Lakeland
The Junior League of Greater Lakeland and the City of Lakeland are hosting the 44th annual Lakeland Christmas Parade in Downtown Lakeland on Thursday, December 4, 2025. A fireworks display over Lake Mirror will kick off the festivities at 7 pm. At the same time, the parade will leave the RP Funding Center, making its way down Lemon Street, through Downtown Lakeland.
Holiday Parade at Safety Harbor
- Date: Saturday, December 6, 2025, 10 a.m.
- Location: Main Street of Safety Harbor
Beautifully decorated boats and an appearance by Santa at the end of the parade are just a few of the highlights. Further details will be released as the parade date gets closer. This parade will be held rain or shine.
City of Tampa Santa Fest Parade and Festivities
- Date:Â Saturday, December 6, 2025, at 1 pm
- Location: Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park
The parade steps off at 1:00 p.m. at Morgan Street and Madison Street and then travels west on Madison Street to Ashley Drive before turning north and ending at Ashley Drive and Cass Street. The best viewing is along Madison Street. After the parade, head to Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park for Santa Fest entertainment and activities from 1 pm-4 pm, which will be followed by the Tree Lighting Ceremony at 6 pm with Mayor Castor!
Neighborhood Weeki Wachee Boat Parade
- Date: Saturday, December 6, 2025, 6:30 p.m.
- Location: Rogers Park Beach
Boats will line up at Rogers Park and continue upstream in front of W Richard Drive. Viewing can be from the Upper Deck Cafe (you must be a patron), Rogers Park, and viewing will not be available from Bayport. Small boats and vessels will go from the Big Cypress Canal to Rogers Park to join in on the festivities.
Annual Tarpon Springs Iluminated Holiday Boat Parade
- Date: Friday, December 12, 2025, 7 p.m.
- Location: Craig Park, Tarpon Springs
Vessels will begin at the Tarpon Landing Marina and will end in Spring Bayou at 8 p.m. Trophies will be awarded to the best-decorated boats!
57th Annual Festival of Lights Boat Parade
- Date: Saturday, December 13, 2025
- Location: Best public viewing at ROC Park – Madeira Beach
The parade begins at the American Legion Post 273 at 6:30 p.m., travels all the finger canals through the city, and ends at John's Pass.
Davenport Holiday Parade and Winterfest
- Date: Saturday, December 13, 2025, 4 pm
- Location: 207 North Blvd. West, Davenport
Celebrate the season with a free holiday parade and community event, Winterfest, which follows the parade! There will also be fireworks, a snow slide, and of course, Santa!
Old Fashioned Christmas and Holiday Parade in Dunedin
- Date: Saturday, December 13, 2025, from 3:30 pm-9 pm
- Location: Downtown Dunedin
Don't miss Dunedin's annual downtown holiday parade featuring festive floats, bands, performers, and Santa Claus! Then stay downtown for the festivities where you can enjoy live music in Pioneer Park, and activities like horse-drawn carriage rides, ice-skating, snow slide, kids crafts, games, face painting, s'mores, street performers and singers, and snow flurries!
Gulfport Annual Lighted Christmas Boat Parade
- Date: Saturday, December 13, 2025, 6 p.m.
- Location: Begins at Gulfport Municipal Marina
See the parade from the Gulfport Municipal Marina, Clam Bayou Nature Park, Osgood Point, Gulfport's Williams Pier, and Gulfport Casino before passing by the Gulfport beach.
The parade will then make it's way through the communities of Town Shores, Pelican Bay, Skimmers Point, Bayview Circle, past Kipps Colony, near the Pasadena Yacht & Country Club (note: due to the Marina, the boats can only get halfway down that canal), then along Dolphin Blvd, to the Pasadena Golf Club Estates, across to Isla del Sol.
Clearwater Yacht Club Annual Holiday Boat Parade
- Date: Saturday, December 13, 2025, 6:30 p.m.
- Location: Clearwater
The annual Clearwater Yacht Club Holiday Boat Parade can be seen from waterfront restaurants and hotels. The parade launches just north of the Mandalay channel bridge, following its traditional route heading north, and boats will be judged as they pass by the Clearwater Yacht Club. Cash, trophies, and prizes will be awarded for several categories, including a grand prize!
Palm Harbor Annual Holiday Parade
- Date: Saturday, December 16, 2025, 3 pm-8 pm
- Where: Downtown Palm Harbor
Enjoy holiday fun at Harbor Hall, along with a holiday parade and a gift market! The parade begins at 4 p.m.
Annual Treasure Island Holiday Lighted Boat Parade and Celebration
- Date: Saturday, December 20, 2025, at 5:45 pm
- Location: Treasure Island Waterways
Last year, spectators watched the parade from a spectacular vantage point and participated in the events at Treasure Bay. A DJ, a visit by Santa and Mrs. Claus, interactive entertainers, and food/beverage concessions were available to enhance the evening.
Tampa Riverwalk Holiday Lighted Boat Parade
- Date: Saturday, December 20, 2025, 6:15 p.m.
- Location: Tampa Riverwalk
The parade begins near the lighthouse off Davis Islands and travels past Sparkman Wharf, Harbour Island, and the Tampa Convention Center. The small parade boats will continue upriver past Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park and Ulele, finishing near Water Works Park and Armature Works.
Indian Rocks Beach Holiday Boat Parade
- Date: Saturday, December 20, 2025, 7 p.m.-10 p.m.
- Location: 1507 Bay Palm Blvd., Indian Rocks Beach
Last year, the parade began at the Walsingham Bridge, winding through the fingers and ended at Harbor Drive North. This year’s parade will be led by Pinellas Suncoast Fire & Rescue District.