2026 Holiday Boat Parades In New England

Photo courtesy Cape Cod Chamber of Commerce.

If you think the holidays and boating are two things that don’t go together, then you’ve been missing out.

While many people might think the region’s boating culture goes into hibernation once the leaves fall, that’s not the case. Each year, towns throughout New England celebrate the holiday season with lighted boat parades, as waterfronts come alive and boats of all shapes and sizes cruise by decked out in their most elaborate and colorful holiday decor.

Here are five New England holiday boat parades you can enjoy … regardless of whether you’ve been naughty or nice.

Newport, Rhode Island

The Newport Illuminated Boat Parade will take place along Newport Harbor on November 28, 2025. Festivities begin at 6 p.m. The parade—which has been a Newport tradition for more than 25 years—features decorated boats circumnavigating Newport Harbor. In addition to helping get spectators into the holiday spirit, vessels compete for awards in such categories as Best Decorated Sailboat, Best Decorated Powerboat, and Best Decorated Fishing Boat.

Mystic, Connecticut

The Mystic Holiday Lighted Boat Parade will draw crowds to the beautiful Mystic waterfront on November 29, 2025. Santa will travel by tugboat, arriving at Mystic River Park at 2 p.m. There will be a Christmas Tree lighting at 6 p.m., followed immediately after by the boat parade.

Boothbay Harbor, Maine

The Boothbay Harbor Lighted Boat Parade helps cap off an all-day holiday celebration in Boothbay Harbor on December 6, 2025. Kids will want to be at the event early to catch Santa arriving by boat at 2 p.m. After an afternoon of events, the boat parade lights up the waterfront beginning at 6:45 p.m., followed by a fireworks show.

Hyannis, Massachusetts

The Hyannis Holiday Boat Parade will be part of an all-day holiday celebration along Hyannis Harbor on December 6, 2025. The annual Hyannis Village Stroll begins at 9 a.m. with breakfast with Santa. The rest of the afternoon features activities for the entire family to enjoy, including horse and carriage rides, holiday arts and crafts, a cookie stroll contest, a petting zoo, and more. At 4 p.m., everyone will gather at the harbor to enjoy the beautifully decorated boat parade.

Portland, Maine

The Portland waterfront celebrates the season on December 13, 2025 with the Portland Harbor Christmas Parade of Lights. The colorful parade of boats decorated in bright holiday lights will cruise along the waterfront beginning at 4:45 p.m.