Decked Out for the Holidays

It’s a big weekend for holiday parades and marching bands, red-suited grand marshals and lots of lights and good cheer.

One of the unique things about coastal city parades is that most of them are on the water. Decorated with lights and festive figures, many with music and holiday revelers on board, the vessels make their way along the channels, passing waterfront restaurants and shops, boardwalks and breakwaters.

Following are some of the holiday boat parades scheduled this weekend:

* Fireworks will signal the start of the 32nd annual Christmas Boat Parade in Marina Del Rey’s Main Channel at 5:30 p.m. Saturday. “Music of the Seven Seas” is the theme, and music will be heard from the vessels decorated with holiday displays, animated figures and laser light shows. Best viewing from Burton Chace Park on Mindanao Way or Fisherman’s Village on Fiji Way. Free. (310) 821-7614.

* Activities in conjunction with Oxnard’s 29th annual Channel Islands Harbor Parade of Lights begin with a Toys for Tots Dinghy Race at 9 a.m. Saturday; a snow field for kids to play in, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.; sleigh rides and carolers, 11 a.m.-4 p.m.; arts festival, 11 a.m.-10 p.m. The parade begins at 7 p.m. in the harbor. Free. (805) 985-4852.

* The Huntington Harbor Christmas Boat Parade gets under way at 5:15 p.m. Saturday with more than 50 boats from the main channel, across from the pier. (714) 840-7542.

* L.A. Harbor Christmas Afloat Parade takes place Saturday and Sunday at 6 p.m., departing the east basin in the Port of Los Angeles. Good viewing points are Banning’s Landing in Wilmington, Ports o’ Call Village and Cabrillo Marina. Free trolley rides in Ports o’ Call Village, Saturday through Dec. 17. (800) 831-7678.