Where to View the Venice Christmas Boat Parade 2019

One of the most highly-anticipated Venice holiday events is just around the corner!

The Venice Christmas Boat Parade takes place on Saturday, December 7th at 6:00pm when people from around the community will gather around the intracoastal waterway to enjoy the decorated boats.

Boaters go all out with their decorations, so expect to see amazing light shows and displays.

History of the Venice Christmas Boat Parade

The Venice Christmas Boat Parade was founded by Jim Hussmann in 1989. At that time, a grand total of 41 boats participated.

Hussmann began this parade as a non-profit event that raises money for programs around the community.

In the past, this organization has raised money for Venice HS, Venice Boy Scouts, Venice Youth Boating, and All Faiths Food Bank, to name a few.

Now, the new president, Joe Zgrzepski, and all the community volunteers hope to make this festive parade the most viewed and talked about holiday show in Southwest Florida.

This year’s show is meant to be the best yet, so plan on joining the thousands of spectators this December!

Where to View the Venice Christmas Boat Parade

The best part about having a boat parade on the intracoastal waterway is that it’s easily visible from practically anywhere on the shore.

The route for the parade begins just above Albee Farm Bridge and heads south before turning around at Circus Bridge. To make sure you get a terrific view of the parade, here’s where you should go:

Pops Sunset Grill

Pops Sunset Grill has sponsored this event for several years now. They also happen to be the best spot in the city to view the Venice Christmas Boat Parade. It’s perfectly located on the waterfront, so you can watch the parade with a clear view.

One of the perks of watching from this restaurant is that you get to enjoy a delicious meal and drink alongside the entertainment.

Table reservations sell out quickly, so make sure to make a booking before it’s too late.

If there are no more private tables available, there’s a communal seating area where you can watch the parade from the docks and meet new people while you’re at it.

Waterfront Restaurants

Venice has tons of restaurants that are located on the intracoastal waterway. And because of their location, they offer perfect spots for watching the parade.

Some of these phenomenal restaurants include, Crow’s Nest, Pelican Alley, and Dockside Waterfront Grill.

They have outstanding dishes that are sure to make your night that much better.

Make sure to make reservations to ensure you get a table at one of these spots.

Legacy Trail

The Legacy Trail is a great spot to go running and biking, but it also happens to be the optimal place to watch the Venice Christmas Boat Parade.

Basically anywhere you go on the Legacy Trail between the Historic Venice Train Depot and Circus Bridge will give you unparalleled views of the parade, although many people prefer sitting nearer the Train Depot.

Because the Legacy Trail is a public park, it's a first come first serve type of deal, so be sure to get there early to snatch the best spots!

Many people like to set up foldable outdoor chairs or picnic blankets to make the most out of the experience. We suggest even bringing some snacks and drinks as well!

If you prefer being on the other side of the waterway, set up camp at Venetian Waterway Park where the view is just as good.

On the Water

If you have the luxury of using a boat, then launch it and watch the parade from the water! You can’t get a better view than this.

Just make sure you’re not in the way of the parade!

If you don’t own a boat, there are plenty of boat rentals around Venice, like Kokomo Charters, where you can rent one for the evening.

Make sure to book one soon! Reservations sell out quickly at this time of year.

Want to learn more about the Venice community? Visit our community pages where you can find information on the local lifestyle and amenities. To know more about Venice real estate, contact Gulf Shores Realty today!