Holiday on the Harbor and Boat Parade of Lights

Make plans to come to Carrabelle for the 2022 Holiday on the Harbor Street Festival and Boat Parade of Lights on Saturday, December 10, 2022 at 1 PM – 8 PM in beautiful downtown Carrabelle, Florida. This street festival, hosted by the Carrabelle Chamber of Commerce, will feature terrific children’s activities, arts and crafts, delicious food and drink, live entertainment, a lighted boat parade and a fireworks 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 several exciting new ones and of course some family favorites. New this year there will be a Children’s Petting Zoo featuring sheep, goats, bunnies, a mini cow, a mini horse, a mini donkey and a pig! Also this year in addition to the wonderful Sheriff’s Department bouncy house, there will also be a huge inflatable slide. Returning are some of the Holiday on the Harbor traditions like visits with Santa and Mrs. Claus, face painting and a book giveaway by Bring Me a Book Franklin.

This event will also include yummy holiday treats, a variety of delicious food and wonderful art, crafts and goods for holiday gifts as well as a craft beer garden. There will be live music by Cody Barber and by the band, Cheap Sunglasses, and a street dance with a DJ. 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.) The parade grand finale is a fantastic fireworks display courtesy of the City of Carrabelle. The boat parade trophies including the Marina Challenge Trophy will be awarded at a ceremony at C-Quarters Marina shortly after.

A big thank you to the wonderful volunteers and sponsors who help make Holiday on the Harbor possible – Platinum Sponsor: Centennial Bank, Harry’s Bar & Package and Marine Street Grill. Gold Sponsors: Air Con of Wakulla and Coastal Realty Group.  Funded in part by the City of Carrabelle and the Franklin County Tourist Development Council.

VOLUNTEERS: We are in need of volunteers to help make the Holiday on the Harbor and Boat Parade of Lights possible. We need volunteers to help with set-up Friday afternoon and Saturday morning. Volunteers are also needed on Saturday during the day to man the Chamber tent, help with trash pick up, monitor the bouncy house and other duties.  Volunteers will work in 2 hour increments. Volunteers are what make this happen every year. You are needed and you are always appreciated! Please contact the Chamber office to sign up as a volunteer today! Chamber@nettally.com or 850-697-2585.

VENDORS: Those interested in becoming a vendor,  please check out the 2022 Updated Holiday on the Harbor Vendor Registration and Info. Vendor deadline is Thursday, December 1st.

BOAT PARADE ENTRY: Those interested in entering a boat in the Boat Parade of Lights,  there is no fee and registration is needed by Friday, December 9th. For more information and to sign up, for the PDF version please check out 2022 Holiday on the Harbor Boat Registration PDF Form and Info   or for the Online Form, go to 2022 Holiday on the Harbor Boat Registration Online Form and Info.

SPONSORS: We are also still looking for event sponsors.  Sponsorship packages range from $100 for the bronze level to $1000 dollars for the platinum level. Sponsors get advertising and other perks for their investment. If you would like to be a sponsor, contact the Carrabelle Chamber of Commerce at (850) 697-2585.

ROAD CLOSURES: Saturday, Dec 10th @ 8 am Marine Street, SE Avenue C & SE Avenue B will be closed to through traffic for festival set up. Marine Street will be closed from US HWY 98 to the Boat Ramp (will remain closed until fireworks are done); SE Avenue B will be closed from Marine Street for approximately one block (re-opens by 6 pm); and SE Avenue C will be closed from Marine Street to the overflow parking entrance (re-opens by 6 pm). Marine Street will be re-opened by Sunday morning after festival breakdown & cleanup or sooner if possible.

Please note the City of Carrabelle has also closed the Marine Street Boat ramp for the day on Saturday, December 10th (because of fireworks set up).

PARKING: Public parking will be available in the City overflow lot on SE Avenue C, any of the boat ramp parking lot spaces that are outside the safety line for the fireworks, at George Sands Park and at First Baptist Church (corner of Hwy 98 & NE 1st St). Parking for those with Disabled Tags will be available off Hwy 98 near Marine Street and at the City Pavilion. We appreciate your patience with our venue challenges.

FIRST AID: Will be located across from the corner of Avenue C & Marine Street.

For more information, please contact Chamber@nettally.com or 850-697-2585.

Carrabelle Riverfront
Marine Street
Carrabelle, FL 32322 + Google Map