Destin Harbor Lighted Boat Parade & Fireworks

There's nothing quite like watching Christmas lights glowing on the dark waters of Destin Harbor. Every December, the annual Lighted Boat Parade transforms the harbor into a floating holiday spectacle, as dozens of festively decorated and illuminated vessels make their way through the water to the delight of thousands who line the waterfront to cheer them on.

The parade kicks off at 6 PM, with boats of all sizes competing to outshine one another with their holiday displays and creative themes. Waterfront restaurants along the harbor — including AJ's Seafood, Tailfins, and Harry T's — fill up with revelers who get front-row seats to the festivities. Fireworks burst over the harbor shortly after the parade, making this one of the most memorable nights of the Emerald Coast holiday calendar.

Whether you watch from the dock, a restaurant patio, Norriego Point, or from aboard a cruise vessel, this is a holiday experience that captures the unique magic of Christmas on the Florida Gulf Coast. Families, couples, and visitors of all ages will find it utterly enchanting.