By Bailey Lucero-Carter
One of the most popular holiday traditions is decorating the Christmas tree with bright and brilliant lights, but boat owners at the 15th annual Alexandria Holiday Boat Parade of Lights take it to the next level. Grab a riverside view on the Alexandria Marina this Saturday to watch approximately 50 powerboats and sailboats light up the water with holiday cheer.
Visitors will watch as dozens of boats sail by with innovative holiday themes, like “Christmas in the Bahamas” and “A Reindeer Goes for a Boat Ride”. Families and friends can cheer on their favorite boats as they sail before a panel of judges, who assess the boats based on a number of categories. Last year’s Best in Show winner was the 25-foot sailboat Firefly for its portrayal of the movie “A Christmas Story.”
The parade begins on the north side of Old Town, cruises south on the Potomac River, sails by the Alexandria Marina and ends by looping back around towards D.C.
Fresh FM personality Tommy McFly makes a special appearance as the M.C. this event, stationed on Old Town’s Cherry Blossom Paddlewheel Boat to announce each boat as it sails past. The Water-Skiing Santa, makes his Alexandria debut this weekend as a prologue for his Christmas Eve show, which will be hosted in Alexandria for the first time this year.
The Alexandria Holiday Boat Parade of Lights is part of The Campagna Center‘s Scottish Christmas Walk Weekend, a holiday tradition that features the 44th annual Scottish Christmas Walk Parade on Saturday morning. This holiday staple honors the Scottish heritage of Old Town with pipes, drums, Scottish clans, dancers and dogs and Santa Claus. The celebration also features A Soldier’s Christmas at Carlyle House and a Holiday Open House at Torpedo Factory Art Center, where visitors can enjoy live music by the Alexandria Choral Society, visit open art studios and take pictures with Santa.
Celebrate the first Saturday of December with bright colors and boats cruising with holiday cheer. The parade begins at 5:30 p.m. and runs for less than an hour, so be sure to arrive early for a good view.
15th Annual Alexandria Holiday Boat Parade of Lights
Alexandria Marina
0 Cameron Street, Alexandria
Dec. 6, 5:30 p.m.
Free
