San Diego Bay

San Diego Bay Parade of Lights: When and where to watch the holiday boat procession

This year's theme is "Christmas Traditions Around the World," and about 80 boats will be decorated accordingly

TZ BOAT PARADE OF LIGHTS 3

If you aren't already in the holiday spirit, this year's San Diego Bay Parade of Lights may be the perfect event for you.

On Sunday, Dec. 10, and Sunday, Dec. 17, the highly-anticipated annual event — filled with around 80 boats decked out in holiday decorations and spectacular lights — will return for its 53rd year.

The free spectacle draws in more than 100,000 San Diegans and visitors to the bay's waterfront each year, according to the parade's website.

Every year has a new theme, which inspires the vessel decorations. This year's theme is "Christmas Traditions Around the World." Previous themes include "FantaSEA on the Bay" and "A Southwest Christmas."

The Parade of Lights begins at 5:30 p.m. on both days at Shelter Island and embarks on a one-and-a-half to two-hour journey through Harbor Island, the Embarcadero, Seaport Village, Cesar Chavez Park Pier and the Ferry Landing on Coronado.

San Diego Bay Parade of Lights
The route for the San Diego Bay Parade of Lights is pictured above. (Image courtesy of San Diego Bay Parade of Lights)

Here are the holiday boat parade's estimate arrival times for these locations:

  • Shelter Island: 5:30 p.m.
  • Harbor Island: 6:15 p.m.
  • The Embarcadero: 6:45 p.m.
  • Seaport Village: 7:15 p.m.
  • The Pier at Cesar Chavez Park: 7:30 p.m.
  • Ferry Landing on Coronado: 7:45 p.m.

Last year, the procession was canceled for one weekend due to a wind advisory. The conditions made it dangerous for boaters, according to organizers.

"The parade would've gone on rain or shine, but the wind is what's dangerous when you get a lot of boaters out there in the dark," Larry Bauman, chairman of the San Diego Bay Parade of Lights, told NBC 7 last year.

If you'd like to join the parade on your boat, click here.

The highly anticipated holiday boat parade, San Diego Bay Parade of Lights, returned Sunday, celebrating its 50th year. NBC 7's Kelvin Henry reports.
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