THE HOLIDAYS GLITTER AT LOCAL MARINAS AND HARBORS

From Ventura to Orange County the coastal waters are glowing with holiday spirit during the month of December. Most harbors and marinas have a decked out holiday boat parade on one of the weekends during the month. Newport Beach takes the parade to another level that lasts for 5 nights. Many of the harbors also offer boat tours of the decorated homes and boats throughout the month or you can go there and hoof it around the area. On parade nights you'll want to go early to find a good spot to view from the shore. 

Details and dates...


Marina del Rey Holiday Boat Parade Saturday, December 14 - 6:00 pm

Join the Marina's Free Annual Holiday Boat Parade and Fireworks Display. Rain or shine, dozens of colorfully decorated boats compete to light the harbor and hearts of the community. The night kicks off with a 5:55 p.m. fireworks show, followed by the parade from 6 - 8 p.m. See website for parking, viewing and contest details as they are made available.

Bring the whole family to Burton Chace Park before the parade for a host of holiday fun. Come around 3 and grab your free holiday gift from the Visitors Center table as you enter the park. Head over to ornament arts & crafts, face painting, balloon shaping, hula hooping and more! Burton Chace Park, 13650 Mindanao Way. mdrboatparade.org

Channel Islands Harbor: 48th Annual Parade of Lights
Saturday, December 14, 2013
12:00 PM - 8:00 PM
2013 Theme: Jingle Bell Rock
Parade starts at 7:00 PM
This time-honored tradition kicks off the holidays with Snow Play at 12:00 PM and Santa and Mrs. Claus from 12:00 PM - 4:00 PM. There will be arts & crafts and food vendors as well as live entertainment starting at 3:00 PM. At 7:00 PM thousands of sparkling lights dance on the water and Santa flies across the sky at the beginning of the parade. www.channelislandsharbor.org

Ventura Harbor - Fri and Sat Dec 20-21
This two-day celebration features visits by Santa & Mrs. Claus for last minutes gift requests at the Carousel Stage and harbor-front dining with a fireworks display each night following the Parade of Lights. 

Santa and his sleigh cross the sky on Saturday evening courtesy of Aspen Helicopters. Stop by the Ventura Harbor Village booth near Coastal Cone Ice Cream to get a pair of 3D glasses to watch the fireworks display. 

Saturday, December 21, 1-5 pm come early for the Winter Wonderland festivities, live reindeer, crafts, holiday shopping, Santa & faux snowfall. - More Information at: venturaharborvillage.com

Newport Beach Holiday Boat Parade 5 nights Dec 18-22 you can view the parade on shore or take a cruise and be in the parade on parade nights.  The decorated homes and boats will be on display the entire month of December and cruises are available to view them. More information at  christmasparadeboats.com

Naples Island in Long Beach Dec 21 The large boats float at 6pm and small boats follow at 6:45 - if you want to view the parade you'll get all you questions answered on the Commonly Asked Questions page of the website

Visit the Eye Spy LA Holiday Guide for all kinds of holiday themed events during December.