Dana Point Harbor is pleased to welcome a “Tiki Holiday” to the harbor as the 45th Annual Boat Parade of Lights returns on December 6, 7, 13 and 14. Families are invited to enjoy festive tiki-themed activities and live entertainment, restaurant offerings, visits with Santa, and the famous parade of local boats adorned with dazzling holiday lights. Each event date will kick off with entertainment along the harbor beginning at 4:30 p.m. followed by the Boat Parade of Lights at 7:30 p.m.
“The boat parade truly captures the essence of Dana Point,” said Bryon Ward of Dana Point Harbor Partners and President of Burnham Ward Properties. “Dana Point Harbor Partners is excited to continue this highly anticipated holiday tradition celebrating community, culture and the legacy of the harbor.”
Each evening of the event, Dana Point Harbor will present a lineup of tiki-themed entertainment including hula dancers, face painters, seasonal carolers, a Volkswagen photo booth bus, and a photo opportunity with Mr. Claus himself.
Dana Point Harbor Partners are working together on all aspects of the boat parade and landside activities to bring the community another successful holiday celebration at the harbor. This festive fun-filled event would not be possible without the dedication of the boating participants. To sign up to be a part of the Dana Point Harbor boat parade tradition fill out an application online or visit The Marina at Dana Point Office. This year’s tiki-tastic line up of award categories includes best overall, theme, most original, lights/music, Mayor’s cup, Supervisor’s cup and more. New this year, a $1,000 donation will be awarded to the charity or youth sailing program of the yacht club with the most entries in the 45th Annual Boat Parade of Lights between Dana West Yacht Club and Dana Point Yacht Club. All award winners will receive cash prizes, with a total distribution of over $10,000 courtesy of Dana Point Harbor Partners.
To view the parade on the water, book your space aboard a Dana Wharf or Captain Dave’s Dolphin and Whale Watching Safari vessel. The Marina at Dana Point will also have guest slips available for visiting boaters. For information on their guest slips contact The Marina at Dana Point Office.
The harbor will light up with mesmerizing lights again this year from Friday November 22, to Thursday, January 2. The crowd favorite “Merry Kiss Me” arch will be back with an Instagram competition through @DanaPoint_Harbor. Additional festivities throughout the holidays include Dana Wharf Sportfishing’s Boat Rides with Santa on Saturday, December 7 and Sunday, December 8 from 10 a.m. – 2. p.m. Take photos with Santa and his holiday helpers on this adventure at sea and a $5 donation will benefit the El Camino Real Junior Woman’s Club.
The Pet Project Foundation will host the 8th Annual Santa Paws event on Saturday, December 7 from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. Pet photos with Santa will be offered for a small donation. All proceeds support the Pet Project Foundation.
A free trolley will run on each night of the Boat Parade from 4:30 – 10:30 p.m. with drop off and pick up locations along Dana Point Harbor Drive.
Sail through “Tiki Holiday” paradise during the 45th Annual Boat Parade of Lights at Dana Point Harbor. For more information visit DanaPointHarbor.com.
About Dana Point Harbor: Dana Point Harbor invites you to enjoy fun, sun, ocean activities, delicious dining, shopping and more. From migratory gray whales that frequent the coastline to stunning sunsets and harbor views, there’s seaside beauty and unforgettable adventure at Dana Point Harbor.
Our legendary marina provides a secure, full-service boating facility to Dana Point’s active boaters, racers, sailors and sport fishers. In addition to having over 2,400 boating slips, the marina offers all of the amenities you want, from restrooms, showers and laundry facilities to pump-out stations, oil recycling, fuel docks, bait station, guest docks and more.
For more information visit DanaPointHarbor.com or connect with us via Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter.
About Dana Point Harbor Partners: Dana Point Harbor Partners, LLC (DPHP), a collaboration created to operate and redevelop Dana Point Harbor in a P-3 partnership with the County of Orange, is made up of three “best in class” real estate development firms, each specializing in a unique product type. Burnham Ward Properties is responsible for stewarding the harbor’s Commercial Core activities featuring the retail, restaurants, offices and other land-side buildings, as well as all parkscape areas. Bellwether Financial Group guides the marina operations including the boat slips, boater facilities, dry boat storage, day-boat parking and launch ramp areas. R.D. Olson Development leads the hotel redevelopment and hospitality components of the harbor.
The partnership is developing a master plan that connects the harbor’s land-side and waterside to become a singular cohesive waterfront experience. United by a love of the water and dedicated to preserving Dana Point Harbor’s historical significance, the partnership is applying all areas of respective expertise to ensure every element of the harbor will be thoughtfully designed, redeveloped and managed to be re-imagined into a world-class destination with historic roots and local charm.
Photo Credit: Dana Point Harbor
Christine Graves
PR & Event Marketing Specialist
