Tampa’s Christmas Boat Parade 2025

It's happening again! Tampa's Christmas Boat Parade 2025. If you haven't seen Tampa's Christmas Boat parade, then you must come this year. This is one of the largest boat parades around. Thousands gather along the Riverwalk to check out the lighted boats as they float along the Hillsborough River.

This year, the parade will be the Saturday before Christmas, December 21st. You can see hundreds of boats all decorated with Christmas lights, twinkling decorations and all things Christmas during this events. And this year, Santa will be there as well, Santa will be riding in a pontoon in Tampa. There will be celebrations on and off the water.

The parade will begin at the southern tip of Davis Islands, then travel through the Convention Center basin and up to the Heights where the boats will turn around and head to Sparkman Wharf where judging will occur and the parade will end

As a spectator, you can head to the Tampa Riverwalk, with prime viewing outside Curtis Hixon Park (600 N Ashley Dr), the Tampa Convention Center (333 S Franklin St) and Sparkman Wharf (615 Channelside Dr). The festivities begin at 6:15pm.

If you want to be on your boat in the parade, you can register online now. The first 50 boats to register lock in early registration pricing of $85! Boat registration just opened up, and you can secure your spot in the procession HERE. Get your lights ready for Tampa's Christmas Boat Parade 2025.

There are a bunch of other Holiday events coming to the Tampa Riverwalk area.

By the way, the Tampa Riverwalk is currently nominated or the best public holiday display in America by USA Today.