December Recurring Events

Lighted Holiday Boat Parades

One of my favorite things about this time of year is the numerous lighted boat parades that take place along the waterways of Pinellas county.

The exact dates vary from year to year, but they’re generally coordinated and spread out so that they don’t all convene on the same nights.

Following is a listing of the area lighted holiday boat parades.  You can visit the specific event’s website for more details.

  • Gulfport & Boca Ciega Yacht Club’s Lighted Boat Parade – December 8, 2018
  • Treasure Island’s Lighted Boat Parade – December 14, 2018
  • Pass-A-Grille and Vina Del Mar Boat Parade
  • Indian Rocks Beach Holiday Lighted Boat Parade – December 15, 2018
  • Redington Beaches/Indian Shores Holiday Boat Parade
  • Madeira Beach Festival of Lights Holiday Boat Parade – December 8, 2018
  • St Pete Beach Holiday Boat Parade and Winter Festival in the Park – December 7, 2018
  • St Petersburg Annual Rotary Club Illuminated Boat Parade – this event has been canceled for 2018 due to ongoing construction at the Pier.

 

If your explorations are taking you outside of the St Petersburg area during the month of December, Florida by Water publishes a very comprehensive list of boat parades around the state, complete with short descriptions and links to websites. (But ours is more helpful if you’re in just the St Petersburg area.)

Florida By Water Boat Parade List

December Special Events

You can dress up for this one.  The Parade Viewing Party starts at 6 pm in Horan Park and includes music, hot chocolate, art projects for children and a visit from Santa.  Admission is free.

Horan Park is next to the St Pete Beach Community Center at 7701 Boca Ciega Dr.

Click here for the parade route.

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In 2018 this event is being held on December 1 at John’s Pass Village.  The entry fee is an unwrapped toy and non-perishable food item.  Donations benefit Santa’s Angels and The Kind Mouse.

All fishing myst be done from the dock or beach only. No fishing from boats or kayaks.

See the Angler Amory website for more rules, pictures and details!

Snowfest

No fake snow here! Sixty-four tons of snow will fall on North Straub Park in early December. (Possibly December 1 in 2018)

St Petersburg Annual Rotary Club Illuminated Boat Parade

This event is organized by the Rotary Club, this event moved back to downtown St Petersburg in 2017.  The boat parade starts at 401 Bayshore Dr, NE at 6 pm and the other festivities start at hour earlier, at 5pm.

Gulfport & BCYC’s Holiday Boat Parade

December 8, 2018.  The parade begins at Gulfport Municipal Marina, passing by the Boca Ciega Yacht Club clubhouse, then to Williams Pier, Town Shores, Pasadena Yacht Club, Pasadena Golf Estates and Dolphin Boulevard South, finally visiting Isla del Sol and returning to the BCYC clubhouse for the Post Parade party.

Visit the website to download a boat parade flyer, or to find out how to participate with your boat!  Entry “fees” are unwrapped toys for Operation Santa.

And see below for Gulfport’s Holiday Hoopla, taking place on the same day!

Click here for a link in Paradise News about this event that is in its 33rd year.  Sponsors are needed!

sailbcyc.org/christmasboatparade

Holiday Hoopla is a celebration of arts, crafts, foods, holiday music and roving holiday characters.

The festivities run from 10 am to 6 pm on Beach Boulevard in Gulfport’s Waterfront District.  The event benefits Operation Santa and Gulfport families in need.  Come find one-of-a-kind gifts that cannot be found anywhere else!

           Roving Rudolph at Gulfport’s Holiday Hoopla

Historic Old Northeast Candlelight Tour of Homes

This event is being held December 9th in 2018.

Check the HONNA (Historic Old Northeast Neighborhood Association) Facebook page for details as the event gets closer.

Christmas Market & Parade on St Pete Beach

The parade starts at St Pete Beach City Hall (155 Corey Ave) and heads west down Corey Ave, south on Blind Pass Road, east on 73rd to Bay Street and back to City Hall.

The best parade viewing areas will be along Corey Avenue and parking is available at the Community Center.

This event also includes a visit from Santa and an opportunity to meet with all the Whos in Whoville. Grinch themed crafts, face painting and light refreshments too.

Pass-A-Grille and Vina Del Mar Boat Parade

This small event starts at Merry Pier in Pass-A-Grille. I’ve heard that Santa will make an appearance at The Seahorse, where St Pete firemen will cook burgers and hot dogs outside.  Santa is also available for pictures with the kids.  Luminaries along the sea wall and carolers at Merry Pier.

Festivities start at 5 pm.

Indian Rocks Beach Holiday Lighted Boat Parade

The parade starts at the Holiday Inn Harborside. then goes under the Walsingham Bridge and ending at Harbor Drive North.

Redington Beaches/Indian Shores Holiday Boat Parade

This boat parade goes from the Tom Stuart Causeway to “The Pub” restaurant in Indian shores.  The event starts at 5:45 pm.

New in 2018 is a lighted dock competition, but this would be hard to experience unless you’re in the parade yourself.

Festival of Lights Madeira Beach Boat Parade

The Madeira Beach “Festival of Lights” boat parade begins at ROC Park and ehads down the Intracoastal Waterway to John’s Pass Village and Boardwalk.

The event starts at approximately 6:30 pm and goes until 9 pm.

Check out the event flyer here.

Treasure Island’s Lighted Boat Parade

Treasure Island says its lighted boat parade is like Las Vegas on the water – dazzingly decorated boats of all kinds.  There is a friendly competition for prizes.

The TI Causeway Bridge closes to vehicular traffic during the parade (usually around 7 pm) and stays closed for 30 – 45 minutes to allow the boat parade to pass through.

The best public viewing areas for the Treasure Island Lighted Boat Parade are:

  • 115th Avenue on the Isle of Palms
  • Treasure Island Causeway Bridge
  • Kingfish Drive at John’s Pass (Gator’s Cafe & Saloon)
  • Blind Pass Bridge (between Treasure Island & St Pete Beach)

Click here for a map of the parade route.  It’s an old map but the route hasn’t changed in years.

Corey Avenue Art Festival

December 1 and 2, 2018.  10 am to 5 pm both Saturday and Sunday. 595 Corey Ave in St Pete Beach Fl.

More than 100 talented artisans with jewelry, pottery ceramics, photography, painting, clothing.  There is also an expansive Green Market with plants, orchids, exotic flora, handmade soaps, gourmet spices and other goodies.

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