News Summary
Newport Beach will host its annual Christmas Boat Parade, featuring nearly 100 decorated yachts navigating a scenic 14-mile route. The community is invited to submit theme ideas for the 2025 parade until July, with a contest offering winners VIP admission to the event’s opening night. With a legacy of 116 years, this festive tradition generates significant revenue for local businesses and draws over one million spectators each year. Participants are encouraged to suggest themes that enhance the holiday spirit for both boaters and homeowners.
Newport Beach is set to host its annual Christmas Boat Parade from December 17 – 21, 2025, featuring nearly 100 decorated yachts navigating a scenic 14-mile route through Newport Harbor. The Newport Beach Chamber of Commerce’s Commodores Club has extended an invitation to the community to submit theme ideas for the upcoming parade, with the submission period open until July 21, 2025.
Participants can contribute up to three theme ideas using a designated form on the official Christmas Boat Parade website. Submitted themes should be concise and allow for decorative possibilities not just for boaters but also for homeowners wishing to join in the festive spirit. After reviewing the submissions, the Boat Parade Committee will select the top entries, from which one winning theme will be chosen.
The winner of the 2025 theme contest will receive admission for two to the prestigious opening night VIP party of the Christmas Boat Parade, along with the honor of having their chosen theme showcased throughout the event. The theme for the 2024 Christmas Boat Parade, “Christmas Across the Decades,” was selected from nearly 200 submissions and emphasized the enduring joy of Christmas traditions despite evolving styles.
With a legacy spanning 116 years, the Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade is a hallmark celebration in Southern California, generating approximately $10 million in revenue for local businesses yearly. During the event, spectators can enjoy vivid decorations that transform the harbor into a dazzling display of lights and inflatable holiday figures.
The parade route features numerous optimal viewing areas, including notable locations such as the Balboa Bay Club, Marina Park, and the Balboa Fun Zone, making it accessible for over one million viewers annually. Past participants have noted that preparing for the parade can take months, involving extensive efforts in decorating and programming the dazzling lights.
Previous themes of the Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade over the last two decades include:
– 2024: “Christmas Across the Decades”
– 2023: “The Most Festive Coastal Destination in America”
– 2021: “Jingle on the Waves”
– 2017: “The Holidays Shine Brighter in Newport Beach”
– 2015: “Seas the Holidays”
– 2014: “Deck the Hulls with Bows of Jolly”
– 2013: “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree”
– 2012: “Surf, Sand & Santa”
– 2011: “Feelin’ Christmas-Sea in Newport Beach”
– 2010: “Lights…Camera…Christmas in Newport Beach”
– 2009: “The Joys of Christmas Toys”
– 2008: “100 Years of Christmas Cheer”
– 2007: “Twas the Lights before Christmas”
– 2006: “Holiday Magic Through the Eyes of a Child”
– 2005: “A Centennial Celebration of Lights”
The Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade not only serves as an enchanting display of holiday spirit but also plays a critical role in fostering community engagement and economic support through local spending and tourism during the festive season. With planning and participation from both locals and visitors, the event continues to be a vibrant highlight in the holiday calendar.
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HERE Resources
Additional Resources
- Newport Beach Indy
- Los Angeles Times
- ABC7
- Orange County Register
- Google Search: Christmas Boat Parade Newport Beach
Author: STAFF HERE COSTA MESA WRITER
COSTA MESA STAFF WRITER The COSTA MESA STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERECostaMesa.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Costa Mesa, Orange County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the OC Fair, Concerts in the Park, and Fish Fry. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Costa Mesa Chamber of Commerce and Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Orange Coast, plus leading businesses in retail, fashion, and technology that power the local economy such as Vans, Experian, and South Coast Plaza. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAnaheim.com, HEREBeverlyHills.com, HERECoronado.com, HEREHollywood.com, HEREHuntingtonBeach.com, HERELongBeach.com, HERELosAngeles.com, HEREMissionViejo.com, HERESanDiego.com, and HERESantaAna.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into California's dynamic landscape.
