San Diego Bay Parade of Lights 2019

The 48th Annual Parade of Lights will dazzle and entertain thousands along the San Diego Bay on the evenings of December 8 and 15, 2019. Participants in the highly anticipated holiday boat parade will decorate their craft to fit this year’s theme, “Comic-Con on the Bay.”

Presented by the Port of San Diego, the San Diego Bay Parade of Lights brings more than 100,000 San Diego residents and visitors to the shores of San Diego Bay each year. The procession of approximately 80 lavishly decorated boats has become one of the most iconic events in the region.

This year, the San Diego Bay Parade of Lights has partnered with Comic-Con to kick off the holiday season. Celebrating its 50th anniversary, Comic-Con has become the focal point for the world of comics conventions. With attendance topping 130,000 annually, the event has grown to include satellite locations, including local hotels and outdoor parks.

Beginning at 5pm each night, the parade starts at Shelter Island and proceeds to Harbor Island, the Embarcadero, Seaport Village, the Pier at Cesar Chavez Park, and ends at the Ferry Landing in Coronado. The parade takes about an hour to pass any given point and there are many comfortable waterfront viewpoints along the route. A map of the route is available on the San Diego Bay Parade of Light’s website. Due to increased traffic and parking demand, observers are encouraged to plan ahead or take the trolley.

To celebrate the festivities and its 30th anniversary, the San Diego Convention Center will host a free, parade viewing party, “Season’s Showcase: A Parade of Lights Watch Party,” on Sunday, December 8 from 4-8 p.m.  

For additional insight into the participating boats, viewers can also watch the parade from near the announcers’ areas. Announcers will be located at the Maritime Museum on the Embarcadero and at Coronado Landing. As each boat passes these viewing points, the announcers will offer a brief history and description of the participating vessels.

This year there will be judges at two points along the parade route, the Maritime Museum and the docks at Peoehe’s Restaurant in Coronado. Participating boats must pass both sets of judges to be eligible for prizes.


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