Each December, glistening lights dance on the waterways, floating parades of boats big and small decked out for the holidays.

The granddaddy of them all, Newport Beach’s famed boat parade, which has been going on for 117 years, has become a must-do for residents and tourists alike. Dana Point’s Boat Parade of Lights is marks a major milestone this year when it launches Dec. 12.

Some of the other upcoming boat parades are more intimate affairs aimed at bringing the community together, including in two land-locked towns, and while they may not have the glitz and glam of more well-known parades, they are certainly worth checking out for their festive cheer.

Dana Point

The 50th annual Boat Parade of Lights sets sail through the Dana Point Harbor from Dec. 12 through 14, starting at 6:30 p

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