Let there be lights: Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade starts
Families and friends from throughout the region gathered around Newport Harbor on Wednesday evening to see the Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade begin its light-filled, five-night run.
More than 90 vessels — more than last year — were expected to participate in the 106th annual event. Guided by this year’s theme of “Deck the Hulls with Bows of Jolly,” the boats cruised the 14.7-mile route through the harbor, which started and ended at Bay Island.
New this year for registered participants of “Newport Beach’s Christmas card to the world” were decorative burgees and plaques. The burgee design will change each year to match the year’s theme, Newport Beach Chamber of Commerce officials said, adding that the annual event is a strong booster for the city’s restaurant and hotel industry.
Over months of planning, some boat owners spent tens of thousands of dollars fitting their boats with elaborate systems of lights.
Things started off Wednesday in the Balboa Bay Resort, where the event’s first-ever grand marshals — actress Leslie Mann and singer Mark McGrath, both Newport natives — made an appearance.
McGrath, of the band Sugar Ray, recalled seeing the lights of the parade when his family lived in the Harbor View Hills neighborhood decades ago. He added that brought his twins to the event. For them, it was their first boat parade experience, and one that happened to have “their daddy as grand marshal,” McGrath said.
“It’s a generational thing,” he added. “The parade means so much to the people of Newport Beach … it’s just not Christmas without the Newport Beach boat parade.”
Mann said her children were watching from across the bay at her mother’s house.
“I get to wave to them,” she said with a smile. “It’s incredible and exciting to be here.”
McGrath and Mann shared a laugh after commenting that they were the first-ever marshals in the event’s long and storied history.
“Are you kidding me?” McGrath joked. “After a 106 years … you chose me?”
On Saturday, the Pasadena Tournament of Roses’ Rose Queen and Royal Court will be featured.
The boat parade runs nightly, from 6:30 p.m. to around 9 p.m., through Sunday.
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If You Go
Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade
When: 6:30 to about 9 p.m. daily through Sunday
Where: Newport Harbor
Cost: Free to watch
Information: (949) 729-4400, christmasboatparade.com
Parade cruises: 5:30, 7:15 and 8:30 each night of the parade; $32 to $36. Newport Landing, 309 Palm St., (949) 675-0551, christmasparadeboats.com
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Ring of Lights
What: Bayside homes and businesses decorated with light shows and other displays
When: Nightly through Jan. 4
Where: Newport Harbor
Cost: Free to visit
Holiday lights cruises: 5:30, 7:15 and 8:30 p.m. Monday through Jan. 4; $32 to $36. Newport Landing, 309 Palm St., (949) 675-0551, christmasparadeboats.com
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Christmas Boat Parade awards dinner and auction
What: Gala to honor the winners of the Christmas Boat Parade and Ring of Lights decorating competitions and raise funds for next year’s parade. Auctions will offer items such as travel, dining, jewelry, art and more.
When: 6 to 11 p.m. Jan. 16
Where: Island Hotel, 690 Newport Center Drive, Newport Beach
Cost: $125 per person
Information: christmasboatparade.com/awards-dinner-and-auction or (949) 729-4400
