TAMPA, Fla. — What better way to enjoy the holiday season than with a boat parade? It's so Florida.
The Friends of the Riverwalk Holiday Lighted Boat Parade set sail Saturday, Dec. 18, with boats big and small cruising through the downtown Tampa area. Many families gathered along Riverwalk got into the holiday spirit.
There was a bit of competition, too, with judges awarding trophies for the best-decorated boat in motor and sailboat categories.
With temperatures in the low to mid-70s and no rain in the forecast, it was a beautiful night to be at the boat parade. But if you couldn't make it or if plans kept you at home, you can re-watch our live stream of the parade below.
The parade was held at 6 p.m.
Prior story below.
Tampa boat parade parking
Looking for a place to park the car? On-street metered parking and parking garages are available. Rates range from $1-2 per hour, with a maximum of $9-12 per day.
Friends of the Riverwalk encourages people to arrive early.
Other transportation options include ridesharing services, the Pirate Water Taxi, Coast Bike Share and TECO Line Streetcar. Streetcar service is free and comes around every 15 minutes.
Tampa boat parade route
Small boats get ready to sail around 6:15 p.m. from the Harbour Island Lighthouse. They'll head north to the Hillsborough River and along the Tampa Riverwalk, passing the convention center and Straz Center before making a turn at Armature Works.
Heading southward, the boats will pass Julian B. Lane Park and the University of Tampa. They'll travel alongside Davis Islands before turning toward and ending at Sparkman Wharf around 8 p.m.
The larger boats will take a similar path starting at 7:15 p.m. but make a turn around Holiday Island and not enter the Hillsborough River.
Tampa boat parade viewing locations
Friends of the Riverwalk highlights several locations where you can catch the sights:
- Armature Works
- Channel Drive
- Curtis Hixon
- Davis Island
- Harbour Island
- Sparkman Wharf
- Water Works Park
Because of construction at the Tampa Convention Center, there will not be public viewing in front of the building.