FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 28, 2023
Contact:
Anna Griffin
626.755.6310
San Diego Bay Parade of Lights Announces 2023 Theme
Parade of Lights Returns to San Diego Bay on December 10 and 17 for its 53nd Running
SAN DIEGO, CA —The San Diego Bay Parade of Lights today announced the theme for the 2023 holiday boat parade is “Christmas Traditions Around the World.” This year marks the 53rd annual Parade of Lights, one of San Diego’s most cherished and long-standing holiday traditions held in the San Diego Bay.
The dates for this year’s parade are December 10th and 17th, 2023. The procession will begin at 5:30 and continue for approximately two hours. This is a free event for all to enjoy.
The San Diego Bay Parade of Lights brings more than 150,000 San Diego residents and visitors together on the San Diego Bay waterfront each year. The procession of 80 to 100 uniquely decorated boats has become one of our region’s most iconic holiday events and has brought the community together for over half a decade now.
The parade route has been the same for the last six years. It starts at Shelter Island and travels west past Harbor Island, then south along the Embarcadero, Seaport Village, and Cesar Chavez Park before turning parallel with the Coronado Bridge to the west side of the bay. The parade then proceeds past the Coronado Ferry Landing to the finish line. It takes about two hours to complete the procession and there are many comfortable waterfront viewpoints along the route.
A variety of prizes and awards are presented to the best decorated boats and those that best capture the parade’s theme this year.
Viewing areas span across multiple areas of the San Diego Bay. Prepare for traffic and parking ahead of time. Please report any suspicious activity to the Harbor Police. The possession of open alcoholic beverages is prohibited along the parade viewing area. Drones and other unmanned aircraft systems are also prohibited. Spectators and participants are asked to comply with San Diego County health guidelines when attending the event.
Those interested in entering their boat in the parade can visit https://sdparadeoflights.org/join-the-parade/participant-info/ to access the signup form which will be available starting in October of 2023. Anyone with a boat can enter the parade, whether you have a small kayak or a large yacht. The entry fee for a boat is $75 and after December 2nd rises to $100.
Those interested in sponsoring the San Diego Bay Parade of Lights, can contact Larry Baumann at 619-222-1181 or larry@balihairestaurant.com.
For more information and parade details, visit sdparadeoflights.org.
San Diego Bay Parade of Lights
The San Diego Bay Parade of Lights is a time-honored tradition brought to the San Diego Bay by the boating community. Each year, more than 80 lavishly decorated boats proceed around the San Diego Bay on two consecutive Sundays in December. For more information, please visit www.sdparadeoflights.org
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