Have you heard of the Newport Boat Parade? If you haven’t, then you should know that you are certainly missing out on a special Christmas event. Of course, if you want to find out more, then you have come to the right place. This is an extravaganza that you and your family will love, and it is a Christmas tradition that has been going on for more than 110 years.
What Is the Newport Boat Parade?
110 years ago, a few boat owners thought it would be fun to get everyone in the Christmas spirit by decorating their vessels and parading them out in front of onlookers. Back then, there were fewer than a dozen boats involved, but it was an event that people came to love.
As a result, the Newport Boat Parade began to grow, and grow it did. In 100 years, it has become a force to be reckoned with as one of the largest boat parades in the country. In fact, it is one of the top 10 Christmas events in America. Why is it such a big deal?
Boat owners go all out these days. In fact, it is not uncommon for these people to spend more than ten thousand dollars on the decorations, which can include lights, themes, displays, and even special effects. This is certainly not some amateur parade anymore.
Here’s the fun part. During the Newport Beach Boat Parade every type of boat owner gets involved. You will see multi-million dollar yachts, fishing boats, canoes, kayaks, sailboats, and much more from the biggest to the smallest. All of them will be decked out in dazzling Christmas displays.
Enjoying the Displays:
Bright Lights and Christmas Spirit, The Newport Boat Parade
You will certainly be surprised at the many displays to enjoy during the Newport Boat Parade. You don’t just get to see the hundreds of boats and yachts decked out in their Christmas finest. You will also find that many of the homeowners all along the shore have gotten in the tradition as well. They have spent money to deck out their homes and docks in breathtaking style. All of them go all out so that spectators can enjoy a display they will never forget.
Newport Boat Parade: The Specs
If you are interested in going to the Newport Boat Parade, then you will certainly want to plan early. You don’t want it sneaking up on you only to find that you missed your opportunity. Here are the details that you need to know:
• The parade takes place for five nights in a row in December.
• You will need to plan a visit sometime from the third Wednesday of December to the third Sunday of the month.
• The boat parade will take place at 9:00 pm every night for those five nights.
• An opening ceremony will include fireworks on the first night. Then, a finale closing ceremony will include fireworks on the last night.
• The parade starts and ends at Bay Island with a regular parade route so that you know where to go.
You will find plenty of different places to watch the Newport Boat Parade, and the people in charge of the event recommend viewing areas like: The Fun Zone, waterfront restaurants, and local boat rental shops.
Some of the restaurants that offer great views of the event include:
• Balboa Bay
• Harborside
• The Crab Cooker
• Lido Shipyard Sausage Company
• Rusty Pelican Restaurant
• Malarky’s Pub
• Baja Sharkeez
• Bluewater Grill
Additionally, there is reserved seating available at the American Legion and the Newport Sea Base.
That all sounds great, right? What if there was a better way to enjoy the Newport Boat Parade? What if you could enjoy an immersive experience that you certainly will never forget? Actually, there is.
Davey’s Locker: The Newport Boat Parade
Throughout the Newport Boat Parade, Davey’s Locker makes it easy for you to enjoy the event with the finest seating possible. That’s because Davey’s Locker offers Christmas cruises that will take you out on the water where you can see the hundreds of boats as well as homes that have been decorated for the occasion. You won’t miss anything and it certainly is more fun than viewing from the shore.
Each of the five nights of the parade, Davey’s Locker offers a total of three cruises from which you can choose. In addition, there is even a finale cruise on the last night so that you can enjoy the fireworks from the water as well.
You have a couple of options when choosing the boat parade Newport cruises through Davey’s Locker. You could go on one of the regularly scheduled cruises through general admission. If you want to do something extra special, however, you can even rent a cruise boat for the evening. Then, your whole family will enjoy the event all to themselves.
Davey’s Locker even goes above and beyond to ensure you have the perfect holiday season. Some people will not be able to make it to Newport to see the boat parade itself. That’s ok. They can still enjoy a special holiday occasion. Every night from December 1 to December 31, Davey’s Locker offers holiday cruises for people to enjoy. These cruises take place at 5:30 pm, 7:00 pm, and 8:30 pm every night throughout the month. The whole holiday cruise lasts 75 minutes and it can be quite fun for the season.
When you choose the Newport Boat Parade cruises, you will be delighted to find that the boats used by Davey’s Locker have even been decorated for the event. In other words, you will truly be a part of the occasion.
If you are looking for something special to do this holiday season, then do not forget the Newport Boat Parade. This is an event the whole family will enjoy, and it is certainly hard to explain the beauty and breathtaking views that you will get to enjoy if you take part in a Christmas cruise. This parade only happens once a year for five short days, so you certainly do not want to miss it. You can start planning your trip today.
TICKETS ARE PRE-PAID AT TIME OF BOOKING – ALL SALES ARE FINAL
Holiday Lights Cruises
[Sundays through Thursdays]
Dec. 6 – Dec. 17 | Dec. 23 – Jan. 1
Holiday cruise departure times are 5:30pm, 7:00pm, 8:30pm
Duration: Varies by vessel (75 Minutes | 105 Minutes)
| Boat Name | Length | Passengers | Price per trip | Additional hour |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Newport Legacy | 72 feet | 144 people | $2,050 – $3,075 | $450* |
| Freelance | 80 feet | 93 people | $1,250 | $400* |
| Ocean Explorer | 70 feet | 102 people | $1,400 – $2,100 | $300* |
| Nautilus | 72 feet | 72 people | $1,250 – $2,000 | $300* |
| Western Pride | 75 feet | 88 people | $1,100 | $300* |
| Patriot | 72 feet | 76 people | $1,000 | $250* |
| Thunderbird | 65 feet | 47 people | $1,000 – $1,500 | $200* |
| Aggressor | 65 feet | 47 people | $1,000 | $200* |
| Catallac | 50 feet | 40 people | $1,800 | $425* |
| * Additional hours may be added prior to the first departure or after the last departure only. | ||||
[Fridays & Saturdays]
Dec. 6 – Dec. 17 | Dec. 23 – Jan. 1
Holiday cruise departure times are 5:30pm, 7:00pm, 8:30pm
Duration: Varies by vessel (75 Minutes | 105 Minutes)
| Boat Name | Length | Passengers | Price per trip | Additional hour |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Newport Legacy | 72 feet | 144 people | $2,600 – $3,900 | $1,400* |
| Freelance | 80 feet | 93 people | $1,600 | $1,000* |
| Ocean Explorer | 70 feet | 102 people | $2,150 – $3,225 | $1,300* |
| Nautilus | 72 feet | 72 people | $2,000 – $3,000 | $1,300* |
| Western Pride | 75 feet | 88 people | $1,550 | $1,000* |
| Patriot | 72 feet | 76 people | $1,500 | $1,000* |
| Thunderbird | 65 feet | 47 people | $1,400 – $2,100 | $900* |
| Aggressor | 65 feet | 47 people | $1,300 | $800* |
| Catallac | 50 feet | 40 people | $2,700 | $1,250* |
| * Additional hours may be added prior to the first departure or after the last departure only. | ||||
Christmas Parade
Dec. 18 – Dec. 22
[Wednesday, Dec. 18]
| Boat Name | Length | Passengers | Price per trip | Additional hour |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Departure Times: 6:00pm & 8:15pm | Trip Length: 1h 45m | ||||
| Newport Legacy | 72 feet | 144 people | $6,500 | $2,000* |
| Ocean Explorer | 70 feet | 102 people | $5,000 | $1,900* |
| Nautilus | 72 feet | 72 people | $4,300 | $1,400* |
| Thunderbird | 65 feet | 47 people | $2,900 | $1,000* |
| Catallac | 50 feet | 40 people | $3,600 | $1,800* |
| Departure Times: 5:30pm, 7:05pm, & 8:30pm | Trip Length: 1h 15m | ||||
| Freelance | 80 feet | 93 people | $2,900 | $1,400* |
| Western Pride | 75 feet | 88 people | $2,500 | $1,500* |
| Patriot | 72 feet | 76 people | $2,300 | $1,400* |
| Aggressor | 65 feet | 47 people | $1,600 | $1,000* |
| * Additional hours may be added prior to the first departure or after the last departure only. | ||||
[Thursday Dec. 19]
| Boat Name | Length | Passengers | Price per trip | Additional hour |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Departure Times: 6:00pm & 8:15pm | Trip Length: 1h 45m | ||||
| Newport Legacy | 72 feet | 144 people | $6,500 | $2,000* |
| Ocean Explorer | 70 feet | 102 people | $5,000 | $1,900* |
| Nautilus | 72 feet | 72 people | $4,300 | $1,400* |
| Thunderbird | 65 feet | 47 people | $2,900 | $1,000* |
| Catallac | 50 feet | 40 people | $3,600 | $1,800* |
| Departure Times: 5:30pm, 7:05pm, & 8:30pm | Trip Length: 1h 15m | ||||
| Freelance | 80 feet | 93 people | $2,900 | $1,400* |
| Western Pride | 75 feet | 88 people | $2,500 | $1,500* |
| Patriot | 72 feet | 76 people | $2,300 | $1,400* |
| Aggressor | 65 feet | 47 people | $1,600 | $1,000* |
| * Additional hours may be added prior to the first departure or after the last departure only. | ||||
[Friday, Saturday, & Sunday Dec. 20 – 22]
| Boat Name | Length | Passengers | Price per trip | Additional hour |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Departure Times: 6:00pm & 8:15pm | Trip Length: 1h 45m | ||||
| Newport Legacy | 72 feet | 144 people | $8,600 | $2,500* |
| Ocean Explorer | 70 feet | 102 people | $6,300 | $2,500* |
| Nautilus | 72 feet | 72 people | $6,200 | $1,800* |
| Thunderbird | 65 feet | 47 people | $3,700 | $1,200* |
| Catallac | 50 feet | 40 people | $4,200 | $1,800* |
| Departure Times: 5:30pm, 7:05pm, & 8:30pm | Trip Length: 1h 15m | ||||
| Freelance | 80 feet | 93 people | $4,100 | $2,100* |
| Western Pride | 75 feet | 88 people | $3,800 | $2,000* |
| Patriot | 72 feet | 76 people | $3,800 | $1,700* |
| Aggressor | 65 feet | 47 people | $2,000 | $1,200* |
| * Additional hours may be added prior to the first departure or after the last departure only. | ||||
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
*Additional hours can be added before the 5:30PM departure or after the 8:30PM departure
All charter reservations require a 50% non-refundable deposit when booked!
** Note pricing does not include 15% gratuity which may be added at the time of booking **
For more information contact us at (949) 675-0551
