Holiday on the Harbor Festival & Boat Parade of Lights

Join the Carrabelle Chamber of Commerce for Holiday on the Harbor & the Boat Parade of Lights on Saturday, December 9 from 12 – 7 pm in beautiful downtown Carrabelle, FL. This street festival will feature terrific children’s activities, arts and crafts, delicious food and drink, live entertainment, a lighted boat parade and a holiday laser light show finale. This free, family-friendly festival has become a favorite Christmas tradition for the entire Forgotten Coast community and beyond!

The children’s activities will include Holiday on the Harbor traditions like visits with Santa and Mrs. Claus, mini-train rides, a bouncy house (courtesy of the Franklin County Sheriff’s Department), and a book giveaway by Bring Me a Book Franklin. In keeping with the Carrabelle tradition, Santa will make his grand entrance on the City of Carrabelle Fire Truck. Children and families are welcome to come by Santa’s booth, visit with Santa, and get their photos with Santa for free.

This event will also include yummy holiday treats, a variety of delicious food and wonderful art, crafts and goods for holiday gifts. There will be live music by Billie Rigsby Band and by the Rockulla Performers as well as festival favorite DJ Beanie Baby spinning those holiday and festival tunes. The majority of the festivities will take place along the Carrabelle harbor along Marine Street.

While in Carrabelle, visitors are invited to complete their holiday shopping with unique and one of kind items at Carrabelle’s wonderful stores, gift shops and art galleries conveniently located within walking distance of the festival. Then guests can enjoy delicious fresh seafood and tasty home-style cooking at one of several cafes, restaurants or festival food vendors.

After enjoying hours of food, festivities, and fun, festival-goers are invited to watch the magical Christmas parade of boats decked out in lights, décor, music and even some holiday outfits! Find a spot along the water and enjoy this parade with double the lights as the Carrabelle harbor beautifully reflects back the glow of the lighted boat decorations. See this special nautical tradition from an unbeatable viewing point by entering your own decorated boat for free!

The parade starts at around 6:15 pm and proceeds around the Carrabelle harbor between the Marine Street Fishing Pavilion and the Tillie Miller Bridge on US 98 so it can be enjoyed from many viewing spots along the route. (Please stay on public access areas only. Do not enter private property.)

This year’s Holiday on the Harbor & Boat Parade of Lights will conclude with a brand new grand finale! Dynamic FX Holiday Laser Light Show will feature holiday music choreographed to a laser light show and will go on for more than half an hour! This is sure to be a fan favorite. The show will be held at the Carrabelle Chamber of Commerce near the corner of Hwy 98 and Marine Street following the Boat Parade. Find out how you can get your name in “laser lights” during the show by contacting chamber@nettally.com or 850-697-2585. The boat parade trophies including the Marina Challenge Trophy will be awarded at a ceremony shortly after.

A big thank you to the wonderful volunteers and sponsors who help make Holiday on the Harbor possible. Sponsored by Air Con of Wakulla, C-Quarters Marina, Centennial Bank, Coastal Plumbing, Duke Energy, Emerald Coast Federal Credit Union, Fisherman’s Choice, G&H Concrete, Seymour Realty, Sheriff AJ Tony Smith, Stauffer Realty and truMED. 

Register your entry online for the Boat Parade of Lights. If you would prefer to download and print the registration form, you can find it here: 2023 Boat Parade Registration

Want to be a vendor? Register here for the 2023 Holiday on the Harbor festival! HOH 2023 VENDOR REGISTRATION

For information about being a vendor, information for vessels, or about general activities: Call the Chamber @ (850) 697-2585 or email chamber@nettally.com.

This event is hosted by the Carrabelle Chamber of Commerce. Funded in part by the Franklin County Tourist Development Council.

Carrabelle Riverfront
Marine Street
Carrabelle, FL 32322 + Google Map