A series of festive boat parades will illuminate California's coastal cities throughout December, according to the tourism portal Visitcalifornia.com.
"From San Diego to Northern California, as the holiday season approaches, evening boat parades featuring yachts, sailboats, rowboats, and sometimes even canoes, adorned with lights and festive displays, will take place," the portal notes.
Spectators can enjoy the spectacle from the shore with a cup of hot cocoa, accompanied by music, and occasional appearances by Santa Claus.
In some cities, visitors will have the opportunity to board a boat and admire the illuminated vessels and decorated waterfront homes.
The portal highlights 11 boat parades that will be held in various California cities throughout the last month of 2024.
For example, in San Francisco, on December 15th, 75 to 100 yachts and boats will embark on a colorful mini-voyage along the waterfront, which can be observed from viewing platforms.
A little earlier, on December 8th, the Evening Parade of Lights will take place in Santa Barbara. First organized in 1985, it typically consists of about 30 boats - some motorized, others with sails or simply oars - that sail along the waterfront. Festive events with fairy-tale elves, tons of snow, and music will begin here as early as noon and culminate in an evening fireworks display.
In San Diego Bay, on December 8th and 15th, about 80 vessels will participate in the annual boat parade. The route passes numerous landmarks near downtown San Diego.
But the king of parades, according to the portal, may be the Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade, held from December 18th to 22nd. This is due to the hundreds of boats involved and the long history of the event, dating back to the 1900s. The parade lasts five nights and can be viewed from various locations along the route, which stretches from Lido Island and circles Balboa Island and other small islands and bridges in the city.
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