2024 Holiday on the Harbor Festival & Boat Parade of Lights

Name: 2024 Holiday on the Harbor Festival & Boat Parade of Lights
Start: 2024-12-14T12:00:00-05:00
End: 2024-12-14T19:00:00-05:00
Location: Carrabelle Riverfront

December 14 @ 12:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Boat decorated with green Christmas lights floats in the water

Join the Carrabelle Chamber of Commerce for 2024 Holiday on the Harbor & the Boat Parade of Lights on Saturday, December 14 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 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 includes 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 Kevin Whoo as well as festival favorite DJ Beanie Baby spinning those holiday and festival tunes. Guests can also enjoy wonderful dance performances from the Forgotten Coast Dancing Witches, Tallahassee State College Dance Company and, new this year, the Mountain Dew Cloggers. 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 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. (Please stay in public access areas only. Do not enter private property.)

Following the boat parade our fun continues with the fireworks grand finale!

The boat parade Awards Ceremony, including the Marina Challenge, will be held at C-Quarters Marina shortly following the boat parade and fireworks. We are delighted to have former Mayor Brenda LaPaz and Navy Veteran and husband Greg Kristofferson to be our MC for the ceremony while providing holiday music and fun!

A big thank you to the wonderful volunteers and sponsors, including Centennial Bank, who help make Holiday on the Harbor possible. Still have questions? 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, and generous local sponsors.

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.

SPONSORS: We are also still looking for event sponsors. This is especially important this year as we are trying to raise extra funds to bring the Fireworks Finale back at the request of our community. 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.

VENDORS: Want to be a vendor? Click here for the PDF version of the 2024 VENDOR REGISTRATION! Vendor deadline is Monday, December 9, 2024 or until the category fills but food vendor spaces fill early. Don’t delay.

BOAT PARADE ENTRIES: Those interested in entering a boat in the Boat Parade of Lights, there is no fee and registration is needed by Friday, December 13th. For more information and to sign up, Register your entry online for the Boat Parade of Lights. Or if you would prefer to download and print the registration form, you can find it here: 2024 BOAT PARADE REGISTRATION.