Lighted Boats Brighten December
With the first weekend in December comes the first batch of holiday lighted boat parades, the nautical contribution to brightening the year’s darkest month.
December 5:
Lighted Yacht Parade. Contestants will ‘Deck the Hulls’ and proceed along the Oakland-Alameda Estuary tomorrow night. The route is a little longer this year so that Fortman, Grand Marina and the yacht clubs can participate. The boats will stage between the public pier at Fortman Marina and Wind River buildings. The parade will start at dark and proceed west past Encinal and Oakland YCs for judging. The boats will continue to the Rusty Pelican, turn to Jack London Square, cross back to Alameda, return to the staging area, then repeat the entire route. This one benefits Oakland Firefighters Random Acts and the Alameda County Community Food Bank.
Petaluma Lighted Boat Parade. A flotilla of lighted boats will proceed up the Petaluma River tomorrow, departing from the Petaluma Marina around 5:30 p.m., sailing into the Historic Downtown Harbor Turning Basin, where they will remain lit all night.
Vallejo Lighted Boat Parade. Vallejo YC hosts this one, from 5 to 8 p.m.
Santa Cruz’s Lighted Boat Parade is sponsored by SCYC, with support from the Santa Cruz Port District, and will begin at 5:30 p.m. in the South Harbor. Entries will be judged in the categories of Theme, Lights, and Music.
December 6:
Monterey Lighted Boat Parade, hosted by MPYC, 6-8 p.m. in the Monterey Marina.
December 11:
Decorated Boat Parade, put on by St. Francis YC along the San Francisco Cityfront, starting at 6 p.m. ‘Deck the Hulls’ is the theme.
December 12:
Sausalito Lighted Boat Parade, followed by fireworks, 6-9 p.m. A tent in front of the Spinnaker Restaurant will open at 5 p.m. with live music and drinks for sale (a suggested donation of $10 per person for entry will go to charity.) The tent is heated, and the parade will go on rain or shine! Best free viewing will be from Gabrielson Park.
December 13 and 20:
San Diego Bay Parade of Lights. This parade will start at Shelter Island at 5:30 p.m. ‘Christmas Around the World’ is the theme.
December 19:
San Rafael’s Lighted Boat Parade will start at 5:30 p.m. on the Canal. The turning basin in front of SRYC is a prime spot for viewing and can be seen from the Montecito Plaza shopping center.
The San Francisco Maritime National Historic Park at Hyde Street Pier is offering several holiday-related events this month; we’ve listed many on our December Calendar. Let the festivities begin!