San Diego Bay
Parade of Lights

When:
Sunday, December 11, 2011
Sunday, December 18, 2011
(Two consecutive Sundays)
5:30 PM until 9:00 PM
Where: San Diego Bay
Embarcadero (map)
More info: Event website

Parade Route

The parade takes approximately one hour to one and a half hours to pass any given point along the parade route. The approximate arrival time of the parade at various locations are:
* Shelter Island (start of parade) - 5:30pm
* Harbor Island - 6pm
* The Embarcadero - 6:30pm
* Seaport Village - 7pm
* Ferry Landing Market on Coronado - 7:30pm

Parade Highlights

The San Diego Bay Parade of Lights kicks off with fireworks at 5:30pm, followed by the parade.

With more than 80,000 spectators expected, the San Diego Bay Parade of Lights features boats decorated for the holiday season.

This year's event celebrates "The Sounds of Christmas" with boats of all kinds judged for creative lighting, decorations and crowd-engaging fun. More than 100 vessels will take to the water for the parade.

Parade of Lights Route
Led by the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter, the San Diego Bay Parade of Lights begins at the east end of Shelter Island and runs eastward, past Harbor Island to North Embarcadero.

From there, the lit boat concession turns south along the Embarcadero near to the 10th Street Terminal. Then the parade turns toward Coronado, crossing the bay to the Marriott Coronado Hotel and west to Ferry's Landing, finishing at bouy22a.

Best Viewing Areas
For boaters wishing to view the boat light parade, a good viewing area is where the parade route turns for Coronado, near the 10th Street Terminal.

For landlubbers, good viewing areas are Harbor Island, the Embarcadero, Seaport Village, and Embarcadero Marina Park North or South near Seaport Village. Best to arrive early for good parking and a good spot.

The boat concession takes about one hour to one and a half hours to pass any given point along the parade route. The approximate arrival time of the parade at various locations are:

* Shelter Island (start of parade) - 5:30pm
* Harbor Island - 6pm
* The Embarcadero - 6:30pm
* Seaport Village - 7pm
* Ferry Landing Market on Coronado - 7:30pm

San Diego Trolley
The San Diego Trolley has a station near the Convention Center, located at 2nd Avenue &
J Street see map. For more info about the Trolley or bus service, click here.