Lighted boat parades on local waterways start this weekend and continue through the month.
East River
The 2025 East River Lighted Christmas Boat Parade, sponsored by the Mathews Volunteer Fire Department, will take place on Saturday from 6-8 p.m. The rain date is Sunday, Dec. 7.
Parade organizers have asked participating boats to gather near Poplar Grove on East River by 5:30 p.m. The parade will begin at 6, proceeding north on the river past Williams Wharf Landing toward Long Point. After turning, the procession will head back toward Williams Wharf and pause for up-close viewing.
The public is invited to view the parade from the wharf; donations to MVFD will be accepted there. Parking will be available at the wharf’s parking area, with overflow parking on the lot at Williams Wharf Road.
John Raymond Bassett, MVFD Incident Response Team Captain, will lead the parade in the department’s fire boat.
Chief Ronnie Lewis will present a Best in Show award.
Boat owners are asked to contact Donnie Wayne Owens at 757-813-0026.
York River
The annual Yorktown Lighted Boat Parade, now in its third decade, takes place Saturday night at 7 p.m. Boats will pass by Yorktown, in full view of Gloucester Point, following an evening of festivities.
Yorktown Foundation planners have also announced music starting at 5 p.m., caroling starting at 6 p.m., followed by a musical performance by the Fifes and Drums of York Town, and complimentary hot cider from Boy Scouts.
Weather updates will be available at 757-890-3520.
Horn Harbor
The Hudgins Horn Harbor Marina at Port Haywood will hold its third annual lighted boat parade on Saturday, Dec. 13, starting at 6 p.m. at the marina.
An announcement on Facebook said “We will gather at 5:30 at the marina and head as far out of the harbor as weather permits, and then up the harbor as far as the tide will allow us.”
The marina announced cash prizes for the first-, second- and third-place best-decorated boats.
Put-In Creek
Caroling by kayaks on Put-In Creek will take place on Saturday, Dec. 20, starting at the Put-In Creek Kayak Launch at Mathews Court House, and led as in past years by Jan Towne.
Launch time is set for 6 p.m., and kayakers will paddle up and down the creek, stopping at docks along the way to sing Christmas carols.
Participants are advised to bring their own boats, life jackets and lights, decorate their boats, and dress for the weather. Towne will provide song sheets. She asks boaters to contact her by calling 804-815-5584 or emailing jtowne888@gmail.com.