Best time to go to Fort Lauderdale, FL

The Seminole Hard Rock Winterfest Boat Parade 2024

View a caravan of all-kind vessels decorated with intricate light displays

Dates: December 16, 2023

The Seminole Hard Rock Winterfest Boat Parade
The Seminole Hard Rock Winterfest Boat Parade
The Seminole Hard Rock Winterfest Boat Parade
The Seminole Hard Rock Winterfest Boat Parade
The Seminole Hard Rock Winterfest Boat Parade
Winterfest Boat Parade in 2010
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The Seminole Hard Rock Winterfest Boat Parade in Fort Lauderdale is the most anticipated December extravaganza that kicks off South Florida's holiday season. The parade features all kinds of boats from small private ones to giant showboats and even corporate yachts, all lavishly adorned with hundreds of thousands of festive lights. In addition to the dazzling displays, the parading boats often showcase beauty queens, musical bands, and celebrities.

The route and time of the parade

The boats start their journey at 6:30 pm in downtown Fort Lauderdale, next to Stranahan House. The vessels travel east along the New River to the intercoastal waterway, north to Pompano Beach, and finish at 8:30 pm at Lake Santa Barbara.

Over a million spectators settle along the 12-mi (19-km) route to enjoy free viewing. That's why the Seminole Hard Rock Winterfest Boat Parade is among the word's most-watched boat parades. Those who can't make it to Fort Lauderdale are welcome to watch the show on TV or live over the Internet. The event is well-known as the "Greatest Show on H2O".

Best places to view the parade

Some excellent vantage points are offered by restaurants and hotels along the New River and Intercoastal. The top spot is Grandstand Area, located just north of Sunrise Boulevard. The Winterfest organizes the only public viewing area at Las Olas Intracoastal Promenade Park in east Fort Lauderdale.—the grandstand tickets are $20 per kid and $25 per adult when purchased in advance. If you choose this viewing location, the boats float by at around 7 pm.

Lastly, there's an option to enter a boat—the fees start at $35. Or you can become a boater by filling in the parade application. For more details, call the Winterfest office (view External Resources below).

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Last updated: by Olha Savych