People standing on the Island Way bridge wave to yachts during the 50th Annual Boat Parade of Lights at Dana Point Harbor in Dana Point on Friday, December 12, 2025. The theme this year is “Carol of the Boats,” and will run Dec. 12-14. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
As the sun has been setting, the Dana Point Harbor has only gotten brighter as boats decked out in thousands of twinkling lights have cruised the waterway, their crews and the people watching from the shore sharing a festive holiday tradition that marks 50 years this weekend.
The annual Boat Parade of Lights launched in the harbor Friday night, with the last cruise happening at 6:30 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 14. This year’s theme is the “Golden Jubilee – Carol of the Boats.”
People in a boat filled with children wave to people standing in the Inland Way bridge during the 50th Annual Boat Parade of Lights at Dana Point Harbor in Dana Point on Friday, December 12, 2025. The theme this year is “Carol of the Boats,” and will run Dec. 12-14. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Yachts and boats participate int the the 50th Annual Boat Parade of Lights at Dana Point Harbor in Dana Point on Friday, December 12, 2025. The theme this year is “Carol of the Boats,” and will run Dec. 12-14. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
People on a boat react to cheers from people on the Island Way Bridge during the 50th Annual Boat Parade of Lights at Dana Point Harbor in Dana Point on Friday, December 12, 2025. The theme this year is “Carol of the Boats,” and will run Dec. 12-14. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Two women dressed as angels ride on the bow of a boat in the 50th Annual Boat Parade of Lights at Dana Point Harbor in Dana Point on Friday, December 12, 2025. The theme this year is “Carol of the Boats,” and will run Dec. 12-14. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Hundreds of people gather on the Island Way bridge to watch the 50th Annual Boat Parade of Lights at Dana Point Harbor in Dana Point on Friday, December 12, 2025. The theme this year is “Carol of the Boats,” and will run Dec. 12-14. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
People standing on the Island Way bridge wave to yachts during the 50th Annual Boat Parade of Lights at Dana Point Harbor in Dana Point on Friday, December 12, 2025. The theme this year is “Carol of the Boats,” and will run Dec. 12-14. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Yachts and boats participate int the the 50th Annual Boat Parade of Lights at Dana Point Harbor in Dana Point on Friday, December 12, 2025. The theme this year is “Carol of the Boats,” and will run Dec. 12-14. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Hundreds of people gather on the Island Way bridge to watch the 50th Annual Boat Parade of Lights at Dana Point Harbor in Dana Point on Friday, December 12, 2025. The theme this year is “Carol of the Boats,” and will run Dec. 12-14. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Yachts and boats participate int the the 50th Annual Boat Parade of Lights at Dana Point Harbor in Dana Point on Friday, December 12, 2025. The theme this year is “Carol of the Boats,” and will run Dec. 12-14. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Hundreds of people gather on the Island Way bridge to watch the 50th Annual Boat Parade of Lights at Dana Point Harbor in Dana Point on Friday, December 12, 2025. The theme this year is “Carol of the Boats,” and will run Dec. 12-14. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
A double team rowing boat participates in the 50th Annual Boat Parade of Lights at Dana Point Harbor in Dana Point on Friday, December 12, 2025. The theme this year is “Carol of the Boats,” and will run Dec. 12-14. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
People standing on the Island Way bridge wave to yachts during the 50th Annual Boat Parade of Lights at Dana Point Harbor in Dana Point on Friday, December 12, 2025. The theme this year is “Carol of the Boats,” and will run Dec. 12-14. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
at the 50th Annual Boat Parade of Lights at Dana Point Harbor
in Dana Point on Friday, December 12, 2025. The theme this year is “Carol of the Boats,” and will run Dec. 12-14. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
People standing on the Island Way bridge wave to yachts during the 50th Annual Boat Parade of Lights at Dana Point Harbor in Dana Point on Friday, December 12, 2025. The theme this year is “Carol of the Boats,” and will run Dec. 12-14. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
A small boat makes its way through Dana Point Harbor to the starting point at the 50th Annual Boat Parade of Lights at Dana Point Harbor in Dana Point on Friday, December 12, 2025. The theme this year is “Carol of the Boats,” and will run Dec. 12-14. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
People standing on the Island Way bridge wave to yachts during the 50th Annual Boat Parade of Lights at Dana Point Harbor in Dana Point on Friday, December 12, 2025. The theme this year is “Carol of the Boats,” and will run Dec. 12-14. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
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People in a boat filled with children wave to people standing in the Inland Way bridge during the 50th Annual Boat Parade of Lights at Dana Point Harbor in Dana Point on Friday, December 12, 2025. The theme this year is “Carol of the Boats,” and will run Dec. 12-14. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Spectators have been bundling up to watch the parade from the public spaces around the harbor, and its restaurants have been hosting viewers each night.
The boat owners who participate in the parade line their vessels with lights and decorations, all in hopes of winning bragging rights and some of the $10,000 in cash prizes that will be handed out. Award categories include Best Use of Theme, People’s Choice, Supervisor’s Cup and Mayor’s Cup.
Though Sunday is the last night of the parade, the holiday spirit in the harbor will hardly dim. The harbor’s popular “Merry Kiss Me” arch, giant whale and other holiday displays created out of more than 700,000 lights are up through the end of the year.
