It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year — Lighted Boat Parades Begin!

Thanksgiving is in 10 days’ time, and right after that comes Christmas. At least that’s how it feels. But before the fat, jolly guy in a red suit sails his way around the Bay, we get to enjoy the wonderful, once-a-year lighted boat parades. We’ve already had word from organizers about the Oakland Yacht Club and Encinal Yacht Clubs’ joint event, the 46th Annual Lighted Yacht Parade.

The parade is a charity event raising money for Oakland Firefighters Random Acts of Kindness and Alameda County Food Bank.

Last year the parade attracted a record number of boats, and the clubs were able to donate several thousand dollars to their nominated charities along with toys and canned goods that had been received from various locations.

The committee is excited about this year’s event and believes it will, again, be “big.”

The parade is on December 3, starting at 5:30 p.m.

This year’s theme is “Holiday Music,” and there are already more than a dozen boats signed up. If you’d like to join them, get the details and register here: Lighted Yacht Parade.

And if you’d like to make a donation or sponsor the parade, contact [email protected].