Posted by: Popular and festive, the Winterfest Boat Parade features elaborately decorated boats floating in formation on The New River & Intracoastal Waterway in Fort Lauderdale.
The event in 2025 is 6 p.m. Saturday, December 13, featuring a prime outdoor watch area in Fort Lauderdale with live entertainment, food vendors and a jolly vibe. Fees apply for the prime watch area.
The 2025 theme is “Yacht Rock of Ages.”
Festivities begin at 5:30 p.m. with a pre-show of non-motorized vessels along the New River in Fort Lauderdale. The parade will begin at 6 p.m. The 2025 grand marshals are artist Romero Britto and rhythm and blues star Montell Jordan.
The parade route is New River in downtown Fort Lauderdale, from 335 SE 6th Avenue, east to the Intracoastal Waterway, north to Lake Santa Barbara in Pompano Beach.
The event will feature:
- Seminole Hard Rock Grand Marshal Showboat, presented by Fifth Third, decorated with creations by Romero Britto
- Santa Showboat leading the parade
- First-ever EDM floating stage
- Salute to the Military entry by FutureTech
- Bluefoot Pirate Adventures with Pirates and the Florida Children’s Theatre
- Piper High School marching performers
- Visit Lauderdale’s Grand Finale showboat
- Aqua Flight’s aquatic fire & water stunt show
- Drums of Polynesia fire show
- Spectacular Dragon entry
Winterfest Boat Parade on TV and online
If you'd like to see it from the sofa, the parade is featured
Online
on video broadcast on TV station WSVN 7
7 p.m. December 19
5 a.m. December 25 & January 1
12 p.m. December 25 & January 1
Photo: Winterfest
Parade Watch Area with fees
Las Olas Intracoastal Promenade Park, 300 Las Olas Circle, Fort Lauderdale 33316.
Gates open at 4 p.m. and offers a festival vibe with entertainment and activities before the parade. Entertainment includes Shane Duncan Band.
Fees are $43.80 for adults, $38.49 for ages 4-12 and free for 3 and younger.
Parking for the prime watch area includes Las Olas Parking Garage, 200 Las Olas Circle, Fort Lauderdale 33316. Parking for the event is $20. Parking information for Fort Lauderdale is on the website.
If you love festive parades featuring decorated watercraft, a holiday boat parade on the Intracoastal Waterway is Friday, December 12 in Pompano Beach.
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