Plan the 2026 Winterfest Boat Parade in Fort Lauderdale: date and start time, the 12-mile route, free viewing spots, official viewing area tickets, parking and rideshare, and tips for watching with kids.
Quick answer:
- When: the 55th Seminole Hard Rock Winterfest Boat Parade sails Saturday, December 12, 2026. A pre-show of non-motorized boats starts at 5:30 p.m., and the parade itself starts at 6 p.m.
- Route: about 100 lit boats travel 12 miles from Stranahan House on the New River in downtown Fort Lauderdale to Lake Santa Barbara in Pompano Beach.
- Cost: watching from public spots along the route is free. The official Parade Viewing Area costs $40 for adults and $30 for kids 12 and under.
Sources: Winterfest, City of Fort Lauderdale.
See the listing on our Winterfest Boat Parade event page.
Quick picks:
- Best guaranteed seat: the official Parade Viewing Area at Las Olas Intracoastal Promenade Park. Gates open at 4 p.m., and chairs are provided.
- Best free spot near the start: the Riverwalk and Esplanade Park on the New River downtown.
- Best free spot with fewer people: the Intracoastal farther north, toward Oakland Park and Commercial boulevards.
- Best with young kids: watch the 5:30 p.m. pre-show and the start downtown, then walk to dinner on Las Olas Boulevard.
When is the Winterfest Boat Parade 2026?
Saturday, December 12, 2026:
- 4 p.m.: gates open at the official Parade Viewing Area.
- 5:30 p.m.: pre-show of non-motorized boats.
- 6 p.m.: the parade starts on the New River downtown.
- About 6:30 p.m.: the parade reaches the Parade Viewing Area.
The parade takes about two and a half hours to pass any one spot. Boats reach northern viewing spots later than downtown ones (Winterfest, Parade Viewing Area).
It goes on rain or shine.
What's special about the 2026 parade?
- It's the 55th parade. The theme is "Party in the U.S.A.," with patriotic touches and a salute to the military. It also serves as the grand finale of Fort Lauderdale's America 250 celebration (Winterfest press releases).
- Grand marshal: the platinum-selling country duo LOCASH, Preston Brust and Chris Lucas (Winterfest).
What is the Winterfest Boat Parade route?
- Boats line up on the New River downtown, along the docks between the Broward Center for the Performing Arts and Stranahan House.
- They head east on the New River to the Intracoastal Waterway.
- Then they turn north on the Intracoastal to Lake Santa Barbara in Pompano Beach.
The whole route is about 12 miles, and Winterfest says over a million people watch along the way (Winterfest).
Where can you watch the Winterfest Boat Parade for free?
Most of the route is free public waterfront. These spots run from the start of the route heading north:
- Riverwalk and Esplanade Park (downtown): you can see the boats up close before they leave, plus the 5:30 p.m. pre-show. Restaurants on Las Olas Boulevard are a short walk away.
- Bridges along the route: Winterfest lists bridges among its viewing areas. Stay on public sidewalks and follow police directions.
- The Intracoastal near Sunrise Boulevard: a middle-of-the-route option with limited parking nearby.
- Oakland Park and Commercial boulevards: smaller crowds, with boats arriving later in the evening.
- Pompano Beach, near the end of the route: public spots along the Intracoastal are first come, first served.
Visit Lauderdale suggests bringing a lawn chair if you're watching from a public spot (Visit Lauderdale). Arrive early, because the best spots near the water fill up by late afternoon.
How much are Winterfest Parade Viewing Area tickets?
The official Parade Viewing Area is at Las Olas Intracoastal Promenade Park, 80 Las Olas Circle, on the southeast corner of Las Olas Boulevard and the Intracoastal.
| Ticket | Price | |---|---| | Adults | $40 | | Children 12 and under | $30 | | Children 3 and under | Free |
Tickets are electronic (Winterfest Parade Viewing Area). The ticketing page also listed a Preferred Viewing Area at $65.04 including fees as of October 25. It includes a folding chair, with first-come, first-served seating (ticketing page).
Prices for children vary between sources. Visit Lauderdale lists $35 for kids 10 and under, while Winterfest lists $30 for kids 12 and under. Go by the price on the official ticket page at checkout.
What's included in the Parade Viewing Area?
- An afternoon and evening of festival activities and interactive games
- Live stage entertainment and parade commentary from iHeartRadio personalities
- Vendors and the Culinary Courtyard
- Photos with Santa and mascots before the parade
- A chair for every guest
What can't you bring?
The viewing area doesn't allow bottles, coolers, chairs or pets (Winterfest). Chairs are provided inside, so leave yours in the car.
Is there a VIP option?
The VIP Viewing Party at Laura Ward Plaza and Stranahan House is invitation-only for Winterfest sponsors and board members, so it isn't sold to the public (Winterfest VIP Viewing Party).
Where do you park for the Winterfest Boat Parade?
- Official viewing area: Winterfest recommends rideshare. The Las Olas Parking Garage at 200 Las Olas Circle is next to the viewing area, but parking there is very limited on parade night (Winterfest).
- Downtown: park once in a city garage near the Riverwalk and walk. Arriving by mid-afternoon makes things much easier.
- Northern stretch: parking is easier, but spots near the water are limited, so arrive early or use rideshare.
Tips for watching the parade
- Pick one spot and stay. The full parade takes about two and a half hours to pass, and traffic on Las Olas and A1A is heavy.
- Bring a layer. December evenings on the water can be breezy.
- Eat first or book ahead. Waterfront restaurants on the route sell out their parade-night tables early.
- Plan restroom stops. The official pages don't list public restrooms at free viewing spots. The ticketed area has facilities.
- With kids: the downtown start and the 5:30 p.m. pre-show give you the best show in the shortest time.
What else is happening around the parade?
- Christmas on Las Olas on Tuesday, December 1, is Fort Lauderdale's free holiday street festival.
- Holiday Fantasy of Lights at Tradewinds Park is a drive-through light show in north Broward.
- Christmas Wonderland runs at Tropical Park in Miami through January 3.
Plan the rest of the season with our South Florida holiday lights guide.
Frequently asked questions
When is the Fort Lauderdale boat parade in 2026?
Saturday, December 12, 2026. The pre-show starts at 5:30 p.m. and the parade starts at 6 p.m.
Is the Winterfest Boat Parade free?
Yes, it's free to watch from public waterfront spots along the 12-mile route. The official Parade Viewing Area costs $40 for adults and $30 for children 12 and under. Kids 3 and under get in free.
Where does the Winterfest Boat Parade start and end?
It starts at Stranahan House on the New River in downtown Fort Lauderdale and ends at Lake Santa Barbara in Pompano Beach.
How long does the boat parade last?
About two and a half hours from any one viewing spot. The official schedule runs from 6 to 8:30 p.m.
Who is the 2026 Winterfest grand marshal?
LOCASH, the country duo of Preston Brust and Chris Lucas.
What happens if it rains?
The parade goes on rain or shine.
Can you bring chairs to the Winterfest Boat Parade?
Not into the official Parade Viewing Area, where chairs are provided. At free public spots along the route, bringing a lawn chair is fine.
More holiday plans: our Christmas Wonderland guide, the Miami New Year's Eve guide and things to do in Miami this weekend.
Updated November 5, 2026. Details come from Winterfest's official pages as of early November 2026. Confirm prices and times on the official site before you go.
