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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.

Registration Now Open

The 25th Annual Alexandria Holiday Boat Parade of Lights sponsored by Amazon will occur on December 6, 2025.

Boater registration is now open.

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.

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.

 

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”

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 Trolley will run a modified route from the King Street Metro to the Lyceum (201 S. Washington St) and back, every 15 minutes from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.

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 7. 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:

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.

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