51st Annual Dana Point Harbor Boat Parade of Lights & Harbor Light Display
Through Dec 13Dec 11 – Dec 13 · 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM · Boat Parade: Friday, Dec 11 – Sunday, Dec 13, 2026; 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM nightly. Harbor Light Displays: Illuminated nightly from mid-November 2026 through mid-January 2027 from 5:00 PM – 10:00 PM. Free trolley shuttles connect remote lots during parade nights.
Dana Point Harbor34555 Golden Lantern, Dana Point, CA 92629 · 51.4 mi approx. from Los AngelesDirections
All ages (pedestrian harbor walkways, picnic grass parks, and calm waterside docks)
FreeFree public shore viewing throughout the harbor; free parking with courtesy shuttles.
About this adventure
Dana Point Harbor celebrates the 51st Annual Boat Parade of Lights with the 2026 theme 'Harboritaville', paying whimsical tropical holiday homage. Across three nights in mid-December, dozens of decorated powerboats, sailboats, and harbor vessels glide around the harbor basin in vibrant neon lights and animated island themes. What makes Dana Point especially family-friendly is that its harbor-wide lighting display—featuring over 700,000 LED lights—illuminates the entire harbor every night from mid-November through mid-January. Families can walk the waterfront boardwalk, take photos beneath the giant lighted 'MERRY KISS ME' arch and illuminated 100-foot whale sculpture, and enjoy treats at harbor eateries.
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