A Lowcountry Holiday Tradition
Every December, Charleston’s waterfront sparkles a little brighter with the Holiday Parade of Boats. In 2025, the event will take place on Saturday, December 13, with the parade beginning at 6 p.m. Boats of all sizes, decorated with twinkling lights and festive designs, will cruise from the Cooper River through Charleston Harbor and into the Ashley River.
The event is free to attend and has become one of the Lowcountry’s most anticipated holiday traditions. Families bring blankets, friends gather at the waterfront, and kids get a kick out of seeing sailboats and powerboats transformed into floating holiday displays. It’s Charleston’s version of a Christmas parade, just with the water as the main stage.
What to Expect at the Parade
The parade typically draws a mix of locals and visitors, so expect a lively atmosphere around the city’s key waterfront spots. The procession of boats moves slowly enough for everyone to enjoy the details of each display, and every vessel reflects the creativity of its crew. Some boats feature classic white lights, while others go big with music, inflatables, and coordinated themes.
Crowds along the shoreline often clap, cheer, and wave as the boats pass by. With the harbor lights twinkling in the background and holiday music filling the air, it’s an event that captures Charleston’s unique balance of coastal charm and holiday spirit.
Where to Watch
The parade winds through some of Charleston’s most scenic waters, which means there are plenty of good vantage points. A few of the most popular include:
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Joe Riley Waterfront Park
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The Battery and downtown peninsula
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Mount Pleasant Waterfront Park Pier
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From the water
Each spot offers a different angle, so no two viewing experiences are the same. Onlookers often make an evening of it with hot chocolate in hand and holiday music playing in the background.
Why the Water Makes It Even Better
There’s nothing wrong with watching from shore, but being out on the water puts you right in the middle of the action. You can follow the procession as it moves through the harbor, avoid the crowds, and see the boats lit up against the skyline with reflections dancing across the water. It feels like you’re part of the celebration instead of just a spectator.
Add a Charter to Your Holiday Weekend
If you’re planning to see the Holiday Parade of Boats, you might want to build in some extra time on the water. SeaEO offers private charters out of Charleston with room for up to 13 guests, giving you a flexible and comfortable way to enjoy the season.
You could book a charter before the parade for a relaxed afternoon cruise through the harbor, catch the parade itself from the water for a front-row view, or plan a separate outing during the weekend to round out your holiday trip. However you choose to do it, a private charter gives you space to enjoy Charleston at your own pace while our captains handle the details.
Plan Your Holiday on the Water
The Holiday Parade of Boats is one of Charleston’s most unique traditions, and it’s worth putting on your calendar. Whether you’re bundled up on the pier, watching from a private boat, or spending another day of your trip exploring the harbor, it’s a reminder of how much the water shapes life here.
If you’d like to add a private charter to your Charleston weekend, learn more or check availability at sea-eo.com.