Newport Beach Boat Parade

The 117th Newport Beach Boat Parade is a fantastic display of holiday lights. Each night, more than 100 elaborately decorated boats will make their way along a 14-mile route through Newport Harbor, starting and ending at the southeastern tip of Lido Isle.

Cost: You can view the parade for free from shore either from one of the public access areas along the harbor. You can also book at table at one of the many restaurants that line the harbor, or by ship either in the parade or stationary in the bay for a cost. Visit the website for details.

Drone shows are set to take place over Balboa Bay Resort (at 6 and 8:15 p.m. Dec. 17 and then at 6:15 and 8:15 p.m. on the other four nights) and over Peninsula Park near the Balboa Fun Zone (at 6:45 and 8 p.m. all five nights). Each drone show will last 15 minutes.

Traffic:  The area does get very congested and parking can be difficult to find.  From Newport Dunes, you can walk down to Balboa Island and view the boat parade.

Walking Route to Watch Boat Parade:  It’s a 1.2 miles to see the boat parade along Newport Harbor. Once on Balboa Island, you may want to enjoy the Ring of Lights event – most of the houses along the water are decorated in impressive light displays.

You can walk along Back Bay Drive (right at the entrance).  Then take a right onto the sidewalk at Jamboree.  You just stay on Jamboree Road and you’ll walk over a bridge onto Balboa Island.  Walk all the way down the main street until you are along Newport Harbor.  (The boat parade does not go along the narrow channel where the bridge is.)