Mark your calendar: The Friends of the Tampa Riverwalk Holiday Lighted Boat Parade is set for Saturday, December 20, 2025, at 6:15 PM. It’s Tampa’s big, glittery send-off to the season, as hundreds of boats dressed in lights wind along the Hillsborough River. If you’ve never been, this is the year to plan it right.
See full details here.
The Parade Route
The route tracks familiar landmarks, which makes planning simple. Boats gather near the Davis Islands channel and the Convention Center basin, then head upriver past Curtis Hixon Park toward Water Works and Armature Works. Smaller boats turn at Armature Works, the fleet merges again near the Convention Center, and the evening wraps up around Sparkman Wharf, where judging happens. Public viewing areas line the Riverwalk the whole way, with especially popular pockets at the basin, Curtis Hixon, Armature Works, and Sparkman Wharf. Times along the route are approximate, but the flow follows that general pattern year after year.
See It from The Water
From shore, you get energy and skyline backdrops. From the water, you get clearer sightlines, cleaner photos, and the ability to reposition without weaving through a crowd. The river turns into a moving stage and the reflections do half the work for your camera. You avoid the hunt for parking, you skip the fence-line shuffle, and you watch at your own pace. If a section gets busy near a bridge or basin, you simply slide to open water and keep the view.
SeaEO Charters for Parade Night
We will be offering private charters for this event. You can book a pre-parade cruise that returns you to shore before the first horn, ride through parade time for a front-row water view, or choose a holiday lights cruise on a different night and watch the parade from land. Our captains know the pinch points and the calmer pockets, which makes the evening smoother for families, friend groups, or team outings. Each vessel seats up to 13 guests, with space to move, relax, and take photos without jostling.
Planning tips that actually help
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Arrive early or board early. The start is typically around 6:15 p.m., and both banks of the Riverwalk fill quickly. On the water, give yourself buffer time for bridges and basin traffic.
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Choose landmarks, not guesses. If you’re shoreside, the Convention Center basin, Curtis Hixon Park, Armature Works, and Sparkman Wharf are reliable viewing areas. On a charter, you can work the same stretch, then pivot when clusters form.
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Expect slowdowns. Parade marshals keep things moving, but it’s normal to pause near the basins and Sparkman Wharf. A good captain will time those pockets for better angles.
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Pack light and smart. Bring a light jacket, a phone lanyard, and shareable snacks. If you add battery lights to your outfit, secure them well so nothing goes overboard.
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Think photos. Night mode on most phones works well, but steady hands help. Use a rail or a friend’s shoulder for a cleaner shot of the reflections.
Start Planning your Tampa Holiday Weekend
Check availability at SeaEO and choose your style of cruise: pre-parade golden hour, during the parade, or a separate weekend ride. This is going to be a weekend you won’t want to miss!