Canyon Lake Parade of Lights boat parade promises to dazzle, entertain lakeside crowds

The Canyon Lake time-honored Parade of Lights holiday boat parade promises to dazzle and entertain crowds. This iconic parade draws thousands of residents and guests to lakefront homes and parks to see the festive lights and colorful displays.

Sponsored by the Canyon Lake Yacht Club, the 41st Annual Parade of Lights will be held on Saturday, December 9.

From 6:30 to 10 p.m., the Yacht Club will be hosting festivities at Holiday Harbor Park and will be offering the community free hotdogs, chili, coffee, and hot chocolate. There will be a special appearance by Santa, who will be available for visits and photos from 6:30 to 8 p.m. During the parade intermission at approximately 7:30 p.m. visitors at the park will have an opportunity to view some of the boats up close at the docks.

The boats will line up at the East Port launch ramp at 5 p.m. With the Yacht Club’s iconic fire-breathing dragon leading the way, the boats will depart from East Port at 5:30 p.m. and zig-zag through the East Bay to the boat tunnel.

The boats that can fit through the tunnel will be traveling to the Holiday Harbor Park docks for a 30-minute intermission while they wait for the boats that can’t fit through the tunnel to exit the lake and relaunch at Holiday Harbor.

Once the boats regroup at the Holiday Harbor docks, the parade will resume (at approximately 7:30 to 8 p.m.). The parade will travel around the main lake to Big Bass Cove, Catfish Cove, and around Happy Camp before returning to the festivities at Holiday Harbor Park.

Awards will be presented to the best-decorated boats. Judges will be stationed at a waterfront home on Red Lure.

The Yacht Club will be streaming the parade live on its new Parade of Lights Facebook page, where viewers will have the opportunity to vote for their favorite boat for the People’s Choice Award. To follow the Facebook page, click here.

All boaters are encouraged to enter the parade. There is no entry fee; however, registration is required to be eligible for awards. To download the registration, click here. 

The Yacht Club is seeking volunteers to help decorate boats and to serve food at Holiday Harbor. For volunteer information or questions about participating in the parade, call or text Vice Commodore Rob Mora at 951-970-8089.

Sponsorships are available for this event. For sponsorship information, click here.

The Parade of Lights schedule is as follows:

• • 5 p.m.: Boats line up at the East Port launch ramp.
  • 5:30 p.m.: Parade travels through the East Bay
  • 6:30 to 10 p.m.: Festivities at Holiday Harbor Park
  • 7 – 7:30 p.m. Intermission, Santa, and festivities at Holiday Harbor Park.
  • 7:30 p.m: Parade travels around the main lake.
  • 9 p.m.: Boats return to Holiday Harbor for continued festivities and the announcement of the People’s Choice Award.
  • 10 p.m. Event ends