Where to View the Venice Christmas Boat Parade 2021
Posted by Tracy Jones on Thursday, December 2nd, 2021 at 10:00am.
Get into the Christmas spirit early with one of the most anticipated Venice events of the year!
The Venice Christmas Boat Parade will take place on Saturday, December 4th at 6:00pm with a spectacular display of boats lit up in twinkling lights and cruising down Venice’s intracoastal waterways. On the off chance it rains on Saturday, the parade will take place on Sunday.
Bring the whole family and join friends and neighbors along the waterways to enjoy the spectacular show. Boat owners go all out with their Christmas displays, so expect to see incredible light shows and decorations.
History of the Venice Christmas Boat Parade
The first Venice Christmas Boat Parade kicked off in 1989. Jim Hussman founded the event as a non-profit to raise money for various programs in the community. The first parade saw a turnout of 41 boats.
Over the years, the event has raised money for organizations such as the Venice Boy Scouts, Venice HS, All Faiths Food Bank, and Venice Youth Boating. It has also raised over $40,000 in scholarships for Venice High School students.
Parade President Joe Zgrzepski is aiming to make this year’s Venice Christmas Boat Parade the best yet, so be sure to head down to the water and catch one of Southwest Florida’s most visually stunning holiday shows!
For a glimpse into the magic of this annual event, check out this video from the 2015 Venice Christmas Boat Parade:
Where to Watch the Venice Christmas Boat Parade
One of the best things about the Venice Christmas Boat Parade is that it’s easy to grab a front-row spot right on the waterways where you’ll be in close proximity to the boats.
The parade route starts just above Albee Farm Bridge. The boats will make their way south down the Intracoastal Waterway before turning around at Circus Bridge. For the best viewpoints where you can see the displays in their full glory, this is where to go:
Waterfront Restaurants in Venice
Pops Sunset Grill has been a parade sponsor for many years now. They also happen to be the best spot in the city to view the Venice Christmas Boat Parade because the restaurant is ideally located right on the waterfront with unobstructed views.
One of the perks of this particular location is that you can indulge in delicious food and drinks as you watch the parade. Popular dishes include the mango rubbed shrimp, fish tacos, and the brick oven flatbread pizzas. Table reservations get snapped up quickly, so be sure to book in advance.
If you aren’t able to book a private table, Pop’s has an inviting communal seating area where you can catch the parade and order food and drinks. You may even make some new friends while you’re catching the displays.
Venice has a number of restaurants right on the Intracoastal Waterway that are great spots to watch the parade. Some of the best restaurants with views of the parade include Pelican Alley, Crow’s Nest, Jetty Jack’s, and Dockside Waterfront Grill.
Whichever restaurant you choose, be sure to book in advance to ensure you can snag a spot!
The Legacy Trail
Venice residents may know the Legacy Trail as a prime jogging and biking path, but it’s also a great place to view the Venice Christmas Boat Parade.
For the best views of the boats gliding by, grab a spot between the Historic Venice Train Depot and Circus Bridge. You can bring your own chair, lay a picnic blanket on the grass, or stretch your legs and stand.
Keep in mind that the Legacy Trail is a public park, so anyone who knows about this prime parade-viewing spot can show up. Be sure to get there early if you want to secure one of the best spots. You may also want to bring some snacks and drinks for the evening.
Venetian Waterway Park
If you prefer to view the Venice Christmas Boat Parade from the other side of the Intracoastal Waterway, the Venetian Waterway Park is a good bet. The park has a wide trail, picnic areas, and observation areas with vistas of the water.
Enter Your Boat in the Parade
If you have your own boat, you’re welcome to register in the parade and be part of the show. The entrance fee is just $20 and you’ll get two tickets to the awards dinner the following weekend. All you need to enter is a boat with a VHF radio, navigation lights, and of course decorations.
Watch From the Water
If you have your own boat, but prefer to watch the parade rather than be in it, you can set sail on the Intracoastal Waterway to take in the show. Just be careful not to get in the way of the parade.
If you don’t own a boat but want to be on the water, there are numerous places to rent boats around Venice. Kokomo Charters and Venice Island Boat Rentals can rent you a boat but most boat rentals are required to be returned by 5:00. Be sure to call well in advance to see if that is an option. Crow's Nest Marina has a handful of dock spaces which are available for rent for a reasonable cost. You can rent one, arrive. in your boat and watch the parade from the comfort of your own boat. Once you arrive, you are there until the parade ends and then a while for the traffic to clear.
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!