The Annapolis Christmas Lights Boat Parade is one of the most fun and festive holiday events. It brings thousands of people to the beautiful waterfront of old Annapolis, Maryland. Every year, this amazing parade lights up the city as dozens of beautifully decorated boats sail through the harbor, showing off their bright holiday decorations.
The event will begin at 6:30 PM on Saturday, December 13, 2025, and the boats will cruise along the water from City Dock to Eastport. You will not want to miss this event, whether you are taking in the view from one of Annapolis’s beautiful public areas or from the comfort of a reserved waterfront restaurant.
Come for the beautiful lights, stay for the fun atmosphere, and make memories that will last a lifetime at this charming holiday party by the water! Want to know more about what things to do in Annapolis with Zavros Place? Let’s go!
A Sparkling Tradition: The History of the Parade
What started the Eastport Yacht Club Lights Parade? It all started in the early 1980s when a small group of club members living on boats in the marina chose to put lights on their masts, sing Christmas songs, and start something special. The event had grown so much by 1988 that it was officially named Maryland’s “Official Winter Celebration.”
In the past 40 years, it has continued to change, going from a few lit-up boats to more than 70 painted boats in 2025, and adding new prize categories for first-time skippers and new small boat entries. What started out as a fun, casual cruise has grown into a big community event that brings tens of thousands of people to downtown Annapolis every December.
The event is no longer just for fun; the net proceeds now go to the EYC Foundation, which helps local kids by giving them sailing scholarships, running STEM on the water programs, and holding maritime job expos.So, the show is not just about lights; it is also about family, friends, and helping others. Because of this strong connection to place and celebration, the popularity and growth have not stopped.
What to Expect: Decorated Boats, Music, and Festive Cheer
Boats of all shapes and sizes—sailboats, powerboats, and dinghies; decked out in holiday lights, themes, music, and cheer are what the show is all about. Some boats have huge, lit-up Christmas trees on their masts, while others look like characters, like reindeer, Santas, and snowmen. As they go by, many play holiday music or loud songs.
The mood is lively and happy. As dusk falls over the port, a signal or cannon blast turns on the lights, and the procession of lit-up boats starts its journey through Annapolis port and Spa Creek.
What to expect:
- A clearly marked route, often split into two fleets so that people watching from different spots can see different parts of the show.
- Decor with a theme: boats that were turned into the Griswold family station wagon, “Octo Santa” (a lit-up octopus wearing a Santa hat), snowflakes, palm trees with lights, and more have been entered in the past.
- Fans are welcome to cheer, honk, or sing along with the music and crowd involvement. Skippers and players often like how excited and active the people on the shore are.
- The public can watch for free. There are paid choices, like dinner cruises and reserved seats at restaurants on the water, but anyone can watch the parade for free, and there are many great places to watch it.
Where to Watch the Parade of Lights: Best Viewing Spots
The Eastport Yacht Club Lights Parade has something special for everyone to enjoy, whether it is the colorful boats floating through the water or the happy noise of the crowd. You can find a place that feels magical instead of stressful if you plan ahead and look for the best views.
Top Public & Free Viewing Areas
There are great public places where you can watch the parade without spending any money and where the holiday spirit and glow are strongest. According to the event managers, one of the best places to be is at the ends of downtown streets that end in the water. These spots offer clear views of the water and are highly recommended.
City Dock is another great spot. During the show, the boats make a close turn there, giving people a front-row seat. Families and groups looking for a slightly calmer atmosphere should check out the small parks and corner water access points in the Eastport Peninsula and Murray Hill neighborhoods.
Tips for snagging great spots:
- Get there early (a couple of hours early) to find a good rock or edge of the water.
- Bring a blanket or folding chair because it can get cold by the water in December.
- Plan ahead because it may be harder to get to the bathrooms and stay warm in the less busy areas.
Reserved Spots: Waterfront Restaurants and Hotels
There are a number of restaurants and hotels along the water that offer reserved viewing, which means you can sit inside in warmth, enjoy a good meal, and take in the amazing views. For example, on parade night, one place gives ticket users a three-course dinner, access to the viewing deck, and parking. These reserved spots let you sit in the warmth, eat, and watch the show without having to get there hours early to get a spot in the standing room.
Things to weigh when choosing reserved spots:
- The view: It should face the parade path directly or from a high point of view.
- Features: Some deals come with dinner, drinks, and parking, which are all great extras.
- Making reservations early: The best spots fill up quickly (often months in advance).
- Accessibility and ease of use: Choose a spot that makes dealing with traffic and parking as easy as possible; you will thank yourself on parade night.
Planning Your Visit: Transportation and Parking
Are you going to the Eastport Yacht Club Lights Parade in Annapolis? That is a great choice, but because it is a popular event, planning your parking and transportation ahead of time will make things go much more smoothly and have more fun. It is easy to plan if you look at this.
Navigating Annapolis: Parade Day Parking Garages
If you want to drive and park, there are a number of downtown Annapolis parking lots that are close enough to walk to the parade route. Even though the parade usually happens early in the evening, you should get there early to make sure you can park before the biggest crowd of cars.
The best places to park are near West Street and the water. Lots of people tend to move quickly to these spots, and once the parade starts, it can take longer than expected to get out of a lot because of all the people and event traffic. After the show, the lines to get out of the garage can get longer, so pick a garage that you know you can walk to easily. Also, plan ahead for how you will get home.
Also, keep in mind that it will probably be cold because it is December and the waterfront is open. You should plan for the extra walk if you park further away to save money or because all the good spaces are full.
Know Before You Go: Road Closures and Traffic Tips
There are times when the city closes all roads for this show, but there are also times when traffic is especially bad. As an example, the parade route goes through the water around Annapolis Harbor and Spa Creek. This means that shoreline roads and the Eastport Peninsula area can get very crowded.
Here are some traffic tips:
- Try to get there at least an hour or two before the event starts, which is usually around 6 p.m. You will get ahead of the biggest crowd this way.
- When planning your way to get there, keep in mind that bridges and small access roads may become traffic jams, especially in Eastport.
- Leaving the area after the parade will take longer than usual. It will help to plan ahead for how you will leave, such as which streets you will take, whether you will walk to a different parking spot, etc.
- Remember that cars and people walking share small areas if you are going to a certain waterfront viewing spot. Also, getting there early makes it safer for people walking.
Alternative Options: Public Transport and Ride Sharing
If driving and parking sound like too much trouble, especially in the winter and during the holidays, you might want to skip the car altogether. Using public transportation, ride-sharing apps, or even water taxis can help you relax a lot. According to the event information, there are public viewing areas where you can just walk in and enjoy without having to deal with parking or traffic.
Here’s how to make that work best:
- If you use a ride-sharing service like Uber or Lyft, pick up and drop off your passengers at a nearby street that is not right on the busy harbor area. This will save you time and stress.
- If you can, take a waterfront shuttle or public transit and get off close to the parade route. This way, you can escape the crowds at the parking lot.
- Find out if any nearby hotels or restaurants offer valet or bus services on the night of the event. This can be helpful if you are planning to eat or stay the night near the route.
Make it a Magical Night: More Annapolis Holiday Fun
If you want to really get into the holiday spirit at the Eastport Yacht Club Lights Parade, why not plan the whole evening around the parade? Here are some fun things to do in Annapolis at night, from eating with a view of the water before the parade to shopping late at night and seeing decorations all over the city.
Pre Parade Dining: Where to Eat Nearby
Since the parade goes along the water, it is best to plan a meal at one of Annapolis’s great restaurants before or during the event. There are a lot of places right on the water that serve great food and have great views of the parade route.
One well-known place, for example, gives guests a three-course dinner, a great view from the deck, and parking on parade night. Because they serve holiday food and have great views of the lights, these places usually need to be reserved a long time in advance.
No matter if you want a family-friendly place to watch or a fancy night out, pick a place where you can get there early, enjoy the atmosphere, and then go right to a watching spot. As the sun goes down, there is nothing better than eating fresh fish from the Chesapeake Bay, steaks, or comfort food from the area while watching the holiday lights twinkle.
Other Festive Sights: Midnight Madness and City Decorations
The fun does not have to end after dinner and the show. Midnight Madness is a special shopping event in Annapolis that happens on certain Thursdays in December. Downtown stores stay open late. Through holiday decorations, live shows, and late-night deals, this event turns Annapolis’s historic streets into a winter wonderland.
The city has more than just Midnight Madness. There are beautiful holiday light canopies, decorated shops, a big Christmas tree at Market Space, and charming places to take pictures like “Snowflake Alley.” After the parade, walking through these lit-up streets is a great way to enjoy the holiday spirit, check out the shops, and maybe even find a few unique gifts.
When you combine the boat show with a dinner on the water, late-night shopping, and decorating, you get a fun, festive, and full-of-holiday energy evening that you will remember long after the lights go out.