Setting sail from the North Palm Beach Marina on December 6 at 6 p.m., the Thirty-First Annual Palm Beach Holiday Boat Parade route runs north along the Intracoastal Waterway, with the evening’s grand finale taking place at the Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse at approximately 8 p.m. Unique to this parade is the Zambelli fireworks show, shot off from a floating barge that leads the parade. And then there’s the philanthropic angle: the parade’s organizing body—the Marine Industries Association of Palm Beach County (MIAPBC)—sponsors an annual toy drive associated with the parade. Last year, the organization collected more than 14,000 toys to benefit Toys for Tots and Little Smiles.
Alyssa Freeman, executive director of MIAPBC says this year’s participants can look forward to a new award this year to recognize the 2025 Rookie of the Year—a distinction selected from all new entries. With a prize of $250, Freeman expects the new category (in addition to other new incentives) to boost participation and bring many more boats to the parade this year. Read on for Freeman’s take on this year’s festive flotilla.
Know Before You Go
From public parks to waterfront watering holes, we’ve picked our favorite vantage points to watch the Palm Beach Holiday
Boat Parade.
Parade Kickoff: North Palm Beach Marina, North Palm Beach Country Club, Waterway Café, The River House
Mid-Route: Bert Winters Park, Juno Park, Harbourside Place, Jupiter Riverwalk
Finale: Charlie and Joe’s at Love Street, U-Tiki, Jetty’s, Lighthouse Park
Behind the Scenes
Q&A with Alyssa Freeman
How many boats do you expect in this year’s palm beach holiday boat parade?
Freeman: We’re hoping to have 60 boats.
What award categories are in the mix for entrants this year?
Freeman: We have seven categories including Best of Show, Best Corporate Boat, three Pleasure/Recreational categories by size, Fan Favorite, and the new Rookie of the Year award. We have some boats in the parade that are very competitive; they come up with elaborate new themes every year. I always look forward to seeing what they are going to do!
How can community members participate in the toy drive?
Freeman: We will be collecting toys on the water during the parade, and we also have toy boxes located throughout the community ready to take donations before and after the parade.
What’s the highlight of the parade for you?
Freeman: When all the boats carrying the toys come back to the marina, it’s the most heartwarming thing to be taking all of these toys, loading them on trucks, and knowing they will be going to people in our community who really need them.
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