Visitors and residents alike come to California’s coastal towns to rest, relax, and recharge in the year-round warmth and sun. Enjoy fun in the sun and on the water, with a dash of Christmas cheer this holiday season. There are is a Christmas Parade in Newport Beach and other activities that you can enjoy on land and sea. Ask about decorating your boat and joining in the fun.

Christmas Boat Parade in Newport Beach

The Newport Beach Chamber of Commerce celebrates Christmas on the water. The annual boat parade takes place nightly beginning at 6:30 each evening. The slow cruise that moves around Newport Harbor is in its 114^th year this year and runs December 14-18. Residents and visitors alike will have the chance to view beautifully decorated vessels, from canoes and kayaks all the way up to the largest yachts. Visit their website for a countdown clock and pictures of last year’s winning vessels for some decorating inspiration. The parade sets sail from the Dine & Watch waterfront and Dine & Walk dining options are within walking distance of many of the best public viewing areas.

Holiday Lights Cruise

Separate from the parade, the Holiday Lights Cruise is a one-hour cruise that travels throughout Newport Bay. Catch glimpses of yachts, waterfront estates, and bay front scenery during the mid-morning trip that travels along the Newport Beach coastline. Cruises are 75 minutes long, and there are several times to choose from. If you’d rather enjoy the water without the crowds, you can opt for a pre- or post-parade cruise, too.

Fishing

The parade is the big draw, but there is plenty to do in Newport Beach. While many visitors will dress in bathing suits and gather beach gear for a day on the shore that includes swimming, snorkeling, kayaking, or building sandcastles together, outside of the holiday festivities, some are searching for their next big fish story. Reserve a fishing boat and ask about poles and tackle to enjoy a day on the water catching lunch or dinner.

Balboa Island

The manmade island spears up from the waters of Newport Beach for a fun time out of the water. The island features many upscale shops where you can score some last-minute Christmas gifts for loved ones, and restaurants with wide and varied menus serving every taste, and even an amusement park. Balboa Pier is a great place to spend some time. The winter beach may be a little less crowded than during peak summer season. If you just can’t resist the chance for another fish story, the waters off of the pier are a great spot for the activity.

Dock & Dine

There will be plenty of celebrations and events this Christmas that include food and drink, but if you want something more than party snacks, there are plenty of restaurants to satisfy your hunger. You can choose to pull up to the dock and get out for a sit-down meal inside the venue, or you can take advantage of the many restaurants of the area that participate in the “dock & dine” experience. Participating restaurants allow you and your crew to pull up and enjoy great food right on board your own vessel. You can even order your food to go and have a delicious fresh meal aboard while your adventure continues. There’s a myriad of choices for breakfast, lunch, dinner, happy hour, or even a soothing nightcap – just make sure to designate a captain for the way back to Carefree Boat Club. Enjoy seafood from Newport Landing Restaurant, American fare from the Harborside Restaurant, or your favorite Mexican dish from Sol Mexican Cocina, just to name a few.

Fun Zone Arcade & Game Room

Indulge the kid and gamer in you this Christmas. The arcade features both modern and “old-school” games, like Skee-Ball, Deal or No Deal, and many others. The arcade has been around since 1936 and requires no admission fee. You can wander in and out as you explore the surrounding area and take a break from the high seas.

Christmas Cheer in Newport Beach

Have your boating bases covered this Christmas and holiday season – along with some others you might not have thought of – with a membership to the Carefree Boat Club. There are locations all across the U.S., including the newest one in Newport Beach. We have the boat you need when you need it. Avoid the hit-and-miss availability of small rental companies, as well as the hassles like storage, maintenance, trailering, covering, cleaning, or extra fees like insurance and mooring that come with owning and transporting your own boat. Reserve a boat and it will be ready for your use each time you show up at our marina during your reservation period.

Contact us today to book your next Christmastime Newport Beach boating getaway!