that herald the holidays along Southern California’s coast

P arades celebrating the Christmas season are traditions throughout the United States, but, for Southern California, these Christmas classics often take place on the Pacific Ocean instead of on land.

This month, boats of all sizes and shapes are dressed with ornate lights and reflective decorations that illuminate the night sky. Looking like floating Christmas trees, the boats will be part of several on-the-water parades that are scheduled for the Southern California coast.

Among them are:

1986 Channel Islands Harbor Parade of Lights, 7 p.m., Dec. 13, (805) 984-3366. The parade follows the 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Holiday Harborfest at Channel Island Harbor Park, Oxnard. The festival will have Santa Claus, a petting zoo, arts-and-crafts sellers and more. About 40 boats will be decorated for the parade theme, “Joys of Christmas Toys.” The parade lasts about two hours and is visible throughout the harbor.

Ventura Harbor Christmas Parade of Lights, 6 p.m., Dec. 20, (805) 642-8538. About 25 boats will make two passes within the harbor. This year’s theme is “Christmas Around the World.” John Ratzenberger of the TV show “Cheers” will be grand marshal. The parade can be seen from any point around the harbor.

San Pedro Harbor’s 23rd Annual Christmas Afloat, 7 p.m., Dec. 13, (213) 519-3507. About 50 lighted boats will parade through the Port of Los Angeles at San Pedro Harbor. Fireboats, tugboats and 20-foot yachts are expected to join the procession. The best viewing is from Ports of Call Village. Parking available at Berths 81 and 84 at the end of 6th Street.

Marina del Rey’s 24th Annual Christmas Boat Parade, 5:30 p.m., Dec. 13, (213) 821-7614. Between 70 and 80 boats are expected to display ornate decorations this year, because the theme is “Light Fantastic.” Grand marshal Ed McMahon will head the procession of boats during the two hours it will take to circle the channel. Ample free parking.

Newport Harbor Christmas Boat Parade of Lights, 6:30 p.m. nightly Dec. 17-Dec. 23, (714) 644-6701 for ticket information. More than 200 boats will be in the 68th annual parade. It lasts about 2 1/2 hours and circumnavigates the harbor. The Newport Harbor Jaycees provide a grandstand for best viewing at the Boy Scout/Sea Scout Base on Pacific Coast Highway. General grandstand tickets are $5, $4 for seniors 65 and older and $3 for children 11 and under. A free shuttle from the Ford Aerospace parking lot in Newport Beach is available. Parking lot is on Jamboree Road between Ford Road and Bison Avenue.

Huntington Harbour Christmas Boat Parade, 5:15 p.m., Dec. 13 and 14 and Christmas Cruise of Lights, Dec. 15 through Dec. 23, leaving hourly 5:30-8:30 p.m. Phone (714) 840-7542 for required tickets for the Huntington Beach parades and boat cruises, sponsored by the Huntington Harbour Philharmonic Committee. The two-hour parades circle the harbor islands. Best viewing is from Peter’s Landing and the marina. Limited parking at Peter’s Landing. The 45-minute cruises leave from Peter’s Landing and tour the harbor. Houses surrounding the harbor are decorated for the event. Tax-deductable donation, including shuttle service from Huntington Harbor Mall, is $6 for adults, $4 for children ages 2-11, under 2 free.

Dana Point Boat Parade of Light, 6:30 p.m., and Santa Boat Rides, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Dec. 13 and 14, (714) 498-2591. About 65 to 75 boats are expected this year to be in the parades, which loop inside Dana Point Harbor. The theme is a “Star-Spangled Christmas.” Parades can be viewed from anywhere around the harbor. Boat, home and business decoration awards will follow parade Dec. 13 at about 8:30 p.m. The Santa Boat Rides give children free cruises of the harbor with Santa Claus and are sponsored by the El Camino Junior Women’s Club and the Dana Point Harbor Assn. In case of rain, boat rides will be canceled.

Shoreline Village’s Third Annual Parade of 1,000 Lights, 8 p.m., Saturday, (213) 435-4093. Viewing for parade will be at Parker’s Lighthouse restaurant, at the west end of the Shoreline Village shopping center in Long Beach. Parking available in the shopping center. Christmas carolers, a brass band, a mime, puppet show and Santa Claus will be featured. Proceeds from parade entries benefit the Make-a-Wish Foundation.

Mission Bay Boat Parade of Lights, 7 p.m., Dec. 20, (619) 488-0501. The two-hour parade begins at Islandia Hotel and circles the bay clockwise from the east end to the west end. Parade ends at Sea World on Mission Bay, where the 320-foot PSA Sky Tower will have been decorated as a Christmas tree and will be lighted at 9 p.m. Parade can be seen from any of the various points around the bay, but the best places are Crown Point, the west side of Fiesta Island and East Vacation Isle.

15th Annual San Diego Harbor Parade of Lights, 6 p.m., Dec. 21, (619) 224-8211. Nearly 125 parade boats are expected to be decorated for this year’s theme, “The Spirit of Christmas.” Parade starts at Campbell’s Marine on the harbor, passes the Embarcadero to Harbor Island and ends at the southwest end of Shelter Island. Viewing is available along the entire route; boat judging is at Shelter Island. Radio station KYXY will remote-broadcast from the judge boat.