Dana Point Harbor 51st Annual Boat Parade of Lights

No tickets needed to watch from shore according to the page's 'public is welcome' wording; charter cruises require advance booking and sell out.

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About this adventure

Decorated boats circle Dana Point Harbor on three evenings for the 51st annual Boat Parade of Lights, themed "Dana Point's HARBORITAVILLE" in 2026. Boat owners dress their vessels to the theme and compete for cash prizes in categories such as Best Use of Theme, People's Choice, the Supervisor's Cup and the Mayor's Cup. The parade starts at 6:30 p.m. each night. Viewing spots include the Island park areas and the harbor boardwalk, where the harbor's 700,000-light holiday display is also lit, and Dana Wharf and Captain Dave's run special parade charter cruises; the harbor notes that these cruises sell out. The Ocean Institute also hosts a separate ticketed viewing party on one of the nights.