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Several boats decorated with colorful holiday lights float on water at night, with festive reflections on the surface. The U.S. Capitol building is visible, illuminated in the distant background.
Saturday, December 6, 2025

25th Annual Alexandria Holiday Boat Parade of Lights
Sponsored by Amazon  

Part of Alexandria’s Biggest Holiday Weekend

December 6, 2025
Parade starts at 5:30 p.m.
Dockside festivities 2 to 8 p.m.
Old Town Alexandria Waterfront

Old Town Alexandria’s historic waterfront will shine for the 25th Annual Alexandria Holiday Boat Parade of Lights sponsored by Amazon as dozens of brightly lit boats cruise along one mile of the Potomac River shoreline. Enjoy dockside festivities in Waterfront Park including a pop-up beer garden from Port City Brewing Company, food, activities and more.

See a map of parade viewing areas and additional parade information here.

The parade is produced by Visit Alexandria in collaboration with the City of Alexandria, City Cruises – Alexandria and the Old Dominion Boat Club. Amazon is proud to sponsor the Alexandria Holiday Boat Parade of Lights and partner on such a beloved community event.

 

2025 Winning Boats

BEST IN SHOW
“2026 Olympics”

BEST POWERBOAT
“Christmas Express!”

BEST SAILBOAT
“A Christmas with Peter Pan and Captain Hook”

THINKING OUTSIDE THE CHRISTMAS BOX
“Splish Splash, Taking a Bath”

MOST HOLIDAY CHEER
“A Scouting Christmas”

BEST MOVIE/TV THEME
“Here Comes Santa Jaws”

MOST SPIRITED CREW
“Pink Pony Club”

BEST THEME
“Milk and Cookies with Santa”

HARDIEST SOUL
“Happy the Hanukkah Octopus”

JOLLIEST EFFORT
“Happy Feet and Holiday Treats”

Parade Day Status & Updates

Both parades will take place rain or shine. Stay tuned for day-of announcements here. To sign up for text alerts, text “ALXEVENTS” to 888777.

Dress warmly for a cold parade day. If needed, members of the public can warm up on a heated DASH bus stationed next to City Hall on N. Royal between King and Cameron Streets between 9 a.m. until approximately 1:30 p.m. and at Waterfront Park, 2 King Street, from about 1:30 to 8 p.m.

Your Guide to Holiday Parade Day in Alexandria 2025

Three scenes: a parade with bagpipers in tartan kilts, a family taking a selfie in front of a lit Christmas tree, and a boat decorated with festive lights on the water at night.

With two iconic parades on Saturday, December 6, there’s no better day to experience all of Alexandria’s holiday magic. Here’s our guide on how to get into town, where to eat and what to see while you’re here.

Read More

Programming Overview

This year’s Boat Parade includes annual dockside festivities at Waterfront Park as well as the Holiday Festival at Torpedo Factory Art Center.

Make a day of it—or a weekend! The Boat Parade is part of Alexandria’s Biggest Holiday Weekend and is the same day as the 54th Annual Alexandria Scottish Christmas Walk Parade which starts at 11 a.m. Arrive early to enjoy both parades and enjoy local restaurants and shopping.

  • 2 to 8 p.m.: Hands-on activities and food and beverage options at Waterfront Park (1 King Street) (Activities end at 5:30 p.m.)
  • 2 to 6 p.m.: Holiday Festival at Torpedo Factory Art Center (105 N Union St)
  • 3:30 p.m.: Santa arrives by fireboat as part of the Holiday Festival at Torpedo Factory Art Center (Alexandria Marina)
  • 5:30 p.m.: Parade begins at the Alexandria City Marina and cruises southward (0 Cameron St.)
    • Parade start time varies by location: ~5:30 p.m. at City Marina, but earlier to north and later to south
    • Duration: 45-60 minutes
    • Note: Viewing locations north of Founders Park may see boats in staging process rather than single-file parade line.

Dockside Festivities at Waterfront Park (2 to 8 p.m.)

Head to Waterfront Park at the foot of King Street for festivities from 2 to 8 p.m. including a pop-up beer garden, food and beverage vendors and family-friendly activities.

People gather at a waterfront area with boats docked, white tents set up on the grass, and autumn trees nearby. The scene is lively, with a mix of visitors, outdoor seating, and buildings along the water.

Dockside Food Vendors

Explore food and drink options from local vendors across Waterfront Park.

Port City Brewing Company

People stand at a bar counter near a large orange sign for Port City Brewing Company’s Monumental IPA. Behind the bar, a chalkboard lists beer options and several taps are visible on the wall.

Frank Pepe Pizzeria Napoletana

A large margherita pizza with melted cheese, tomato sauce, and fresh basil sits on a tray next to a plate of mixed green salad with cherry tomatoes and purple cabbage.

Tequila & Taco

A modern bar with wooden floors and furniture, people sitting on stools at the counter, warmly lit pendant lights overhead, and several flat-screen TVs on the walls.

Together We Bake

Two women smiling and holding cookies up to their mouths in a kitchen. Both wear gray shirts, with one in a brown apron and bandana and the other in a white apron. They appear to be enjoying their time baking together.

A.M. Kettle

A smiling person wearing a navy “A.M. Kettle Poppin Snacks” shirt holds two bags of colorful popcorn outdoors with trees and blurred greenery in the background.

Dolci Gelati

A shop sign for Dolci Gelati Cafe features the brand name in large letters and a green and brown swirl graphic resembling gelato. The sign hangs outside a brick building.

Activities & Vendors

Penny Post

A bright, modern stationery store with white tables displaying greeting cards, notebooks, and art prints. Shelves along the back wall are filled with colorful cards. Wood floors and white walls create an inviting, organized space.

Pippin Toy Co.

A brown squirrel standing upright, wearing a green jacket, yellow vest, and holding a yellow flower with one hand. The squirrel is illustrated in a whimsical, storybook style.

AR Workshop Alexandria

Four beaded necklaces with colorful tassels and beads are displayed draped over birch logs on a white surface. The necklaces feature various bead colors, including natural, pink, and orange tones.

Lee-Fendall House Museum & Garden

A Hobby Gone Wild

Getting Here & Around

Based on anticipated attendance, the use of public transportation and alternative modes of transportation are highly encouraged. See the list below to consider your options and plan your trip.

Metro: The parade is accessible via Metrorail (blue and yellow lines) from the King Street station.

King Street Trolley: The free King Street Trolleywill run a modified route from the King St./Old Town Metro Station to the Lyceum (201 S. Washington St.) and back, every 15 minutes from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. From 3 p.m. to 11 p.m. the Trolley will run it’s typical route between the Metro and City Hall at 301 King Street.

Parking: If driving, please note parking garages closest to the waterfront fill up in advance of the event, and street closures near the waterfront are often in effect based on the high volume of traffic. Find a map of garages on the City of Alexandria’s parking page.

Road Closures: View a map of traffic patterns during the Boat Parade. In order to safely produce the parades, road closures, reserved parking and no parking zones will be in effect on Saturday, December 6. See a full list of closures here.

Capital Bikeshare: There are several dock stations within Old Town and in Old Town North near the Mount Vernon Trail and Oronoco Bay Park. For more information, please visit capitalbikeshare.com.

Dockless Mobility:  There are various dockless mobility devices throughout Old Town including e-scooters and e-bikes. Please note there is no riding on sidewalks per City code or along the expanded King Street pedestrian zone from the 200 block of King Street to the waterfront. When possible, please park in a scooter corral or bike rack so as not to block the sidewalk.

Water Taxi: Enjoy the Alexandria Holiday Boat Parade of Lights from the Potomac River with CityCruises by Hornblower. Find more information here.

DASH Bus: The DASH bus is free. DASH buses run as early as 6 a.m. and as late as midnight on both Friday and Saturday.

Taxi: The following companies currently operate within the City of Alexandria:

2024 Winning Boats

Congratulations to the winners of the 24th Annual Alexandria Holiday Boat Parade of Lights sponsored by Amazon! Thank you to all the participating boats for a magical parade.

See a full list of participating boats and themes here.

A boat decorated as a red pickup truck with glowing lights, Christmas trees, and presents floats on water at night, creating a festive holiday display.

Best in Show

American Girl, “Country Christmas”
A boat decorated with bright neon lights and Grease Lightning signs features people dressed in costumes, dancing and waving on deck at night. A red car prop is on the roof, and the boat glows on the water.

Best Powerboat

Hold My Pier, “Greased Lightning”

A sailboat decorated with colorful neon lights in shapes of stars, a moon, and a dolphin glides on dark water at night. The distant shoreline and city lights are visible in the background.

Best Sailboat

Moovin, “Wishing Upon a Star”

A boat decorated with colorful holiday lights, featuring large inflatable figures of Santa Claus and an alien, floats at night on the water with a cityscape glowing in the background.

Thinking Outside the Christmas Box

Aquaholic, “Santa’s Floating UFO”

A boat decorated with colorful Christmas lights, balloons, and illuminated reindeer figures, including one dressed as Santa, floats on dark water at night. A sign on the boat reads R DEER RAVE.

Most Holiday Cheer

Consuelo, “Reindeer Rave!”

A boat decorated with colorful Christmas lights, a large green tree, Santa Claus, a red bow, and festive figures cruises on the water at night. Another illuminated boat is visible in the background.

Best Movie / TV Theme

Boondoggle, “The Feelings of Christmas”

A boat decorated with colorful lights, festive figures, and greenery floats on a dark waterway at night, casting vibrant reflections. The boat has number 18 displayed on the side.

Most Spirited Crew

All In, “Panda Palooza”

A boat decorated with colorful Christmas lights, a tree, and festive displays floats on water at night. People on board celebrate, and the boat’s lights reflect on the water. A sign reads “Unwrap the Italian Christmas Delight.”.

Best Theme

Magical Knots, “Dominick the Italian Christmas Donkey”

A small boat decorated with colorful lights and displaying a large 60 sign floats on dark water at night, with reflections of lights on the surface and other illuminated boats visible in the background.

Hardiest Soul

Aquazam, “Capsized”

A boat decorated with colorful, glowing lights and sea-themed ornaments floats on water at night, reflecting vivid blue, purple, and green hues. Other illuminated boats are visible in the distance.

Best Try

Knot Before Noon, “Under the Sea”

The Alexandria Holiday Boat Parade of Lights sponsored by Amazon is produced by

 

With special thanks to First Watch Strategies

and our media partner WASH-FM

 

AMAZON and the AMAZON logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates.

Explore More

Alexandria’s Biggest Holiday Weekend

A man dressed as Santa Claus plays bagpipes while sitting in a red convertible decorated with tinsel during a parade. Onlookers stand on the sidewalk in front of houses adorned with flags.

Holidays in Alexandria, VA

A festive street scene shows O’Connell’s Restaurant decorated with garlands, wreaths, bows, and lights. Outdoor tables with red umbrellas line the sidewalk, and holiday decorations adorn the neighboring buildings.

Shopping

Two women with shopping bags walk past a storefront decorated with festive holiday wreaths, red bows, and greenery on a brick sidewalk in a charming downtown area.

Alexandria Hotels

A brick building entrance decorated with holiday garlands and wreaths with red bows. There’s a white door, curved double staircase, a small fountain in front, and a sign that reads “Autograph Collection.”.

#visitALX

Photos submitted by Alexandria visitors like you.

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