Newport, RI Hosts Illuminated Boat Parade Friday

Discover Newport’s Illuminated Boat Parade. Photo/Corey Favino

Newport, Rhode Island will kick off the holiday season with the annual Newport Illuminated Boat Parade at 6 p.m. on Friday, November 29.

Discover Newport’s Illuminated Boat Parade. Photo/David Hansen

The parade, which is hosted by the Newport Yacht Club, has helped ring in Newport’s holiday season for the last 25 years.

The parade will feature decorated boats circumnavigating Newport Harbor. In addition to helping get spectators into the holiday spirit, vessels will compete for awards in such categories as Best Decorated Sailboat, Best Decorated Powerboat, and Best Decorated Fishing Boat.

Spectators can view the dazzling display from many points along the Newport waterfront. Parade boats will rendezvous south of Goat Island Causeway and proceed east, passing the Newport Yacht Club, where a panel of judges will be located.

The parade continues past Perrotti Park, then passes Bowen’s Wharf and Bannister’s Wharf before finishing back at Goat Island Causeway.

Following the parade, an awards ceremony will be held at 7:30 p.m. at the Newport Yacht Club.

Any organization, business, or boat owner who would like to participate in the parade needs to register by noon on Thursday, November 28.