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Ventura Harbor celebrates the season with Parade of Lights 2025!

The theme this year is Let It Glow! We are looking forward to a very colorful & glow inspired boat parade! Soak up some holiday cheer with shimmering lights, whirling carnival rides, boutique gift shopping, delicious dining, and more. We’ll SEA you there!

parade of lights. boats in the harbor
parade of lights. boats in the harbor

Friday, December 12 & Saturday, December 13

4:00pm & beyond – Kids rides, carnival games, and snacks on the Ventura Harbor Village lawn (warm drinks, fresh funnel cakes, kettle corn and cotton candy treats).

4:30pm (Saturday only) – Bubble Show with SB Bubble Guy beginning at 4:30pm with GLOW bubbles from 5:30-6:30pm.

5:30pm - Holiday tunes, faux snowfall, the mean green 805 Grouch, and sparkling LED performers twinkle and shine along the Ventura Harbor Village Promenade.

6:30pm – Boat parade begins (two laps throughout Ventura Harbor)

8:00pm – Fireworks display is weather pending (look Northwest for best viewing)

Have a boat?

Join our parade! Entering as a boater is FREE and comes with a handful of perks including cash prizes, Village gift certificates, and a special award reception following the parade!

Boaters Apply Online!

carnival rides

Village Parking:

Parade of Lights is our biggest event of the year, parking fills up QUICK. So please plan ahead, carpool with friends, and consider ride share. The new paid parking rates in Ventura Harbor Village and surrounding beach lots are only $1/hour (up to four hours) or $10 for day pass (stays 4 hours or more). Keep your license plate number handy to register your vehicle at a kiosk or by QR code if parking in a paid lot.

PAID lot locations:
Ventura Harbor Village
Surfer’s Knoll Beach
Harbor Cove Beach

FREE parking locations:
(no license plate entry required)
Dirt Lot at the end of Spinnaker Dr.
Designated parking spots along Spinnaker Dr.
Overflow dirt Lot at the end of Spinnaker Dr.
Dolphin Lot at Safe Harbor Ventura Isle
Shuttle Lot at the corner of Harbor Blvd & Schooner Dr.

Free Shuttle Service:

Shuttle Service is available from 4pm - 10pm on Friday and Saturday. Free parking is available at: STOP 1: the lot at Harbor Blvd. & Schooner Dr. or STOP 2: the launch ramp overflow lot, with drop off service to STOP 3: Portside Ventura and STOP 4: Ventura Harbor Village Dolphin lot. Stop 4 will get you closest to the main event hosted in Ventura Harbor Village, its just a short stroll away. Parking shuttle is ADA compliant. Please return to the shuttle pick up areas no later than 9:45pm on both Friday and Saturday. Expect a wait time of up to 20 minutes.

Catch a Ride with Uber or Lyft:

Drop off address: 1583 Spinnaker Dr. Ventura, CA 93001

Ventura Harbor Parade Route

parade route

Helpful Parade Tips

  • Parade Tips BulletVisit Ventura Harbor Village for pre & post festivities, including dining, shopping, and rides on the lawn.
  • Parade Tips BulletDon’t wait! Make your reservations now for a your favorite restaurant or Parade of Lights harbor cruise.
  • Parade Tips BulletParking lots will fill up quick - don't forget there are additional lots around the harbor.
  • Parade Tips BulletFollowing the fireworks, stick around for 30 minutes to enjoy food, dessert, or cocktails and allow for less car traffic while exiting Ventura Harbor.

View by Land or Water!

parade of lights. boats in the harbor
pedal boats
parade of lights. boats in the harbor

View by Land!

Find a good viewing spot on land along the parade route to enjoy the lights! Ventura Harbor has a large walking promenade in which the parade can be viewed. Entertainment, dining, treats, carnival rides and parade announcers will be located specifically in Ventura Harbor Village. Fireworks display is to the Northwest of the Village each night.

Ventura Boat Rentals

Private Parade of Lights Boat Tour
1.5 hour private tour for up to 24 passengers
Friday Departures: Dec. 12th at 5:30pm-7pm (SOLD OUT)
Saturday Departures: Dec. 13th at 5:30pm-7pm
Cost: $1495 credit/debit or $1350 Cash
Book: visit venturaboatrentals.com or call (805) 642-7753 to reserve

Public Lit Pedal Boat Rentals
Variety of beautiful lit up swans, flamingos, ducks, & dragons can comfortably accommodate up to 4 passengers. Fun for families and friends with great front row seats of the boats in the parade as they round Ventura Harbor Village.
Friday Departures: Dec. 12th from 6:30pm to 8:30pm
Saturday Departures: Dec. 13th from 6:30pm to 8:30pm
Cost: $140 debit/credit or $120 Cash
Book: visit venturaboatrentals.com or call (805) 642-7753 to reserve

Island Packers 

Island Packers catamarans stage to watch the parade, cruise to view holiday lights in the marina, and ends with fireworks (weather permitting). Cruises are approximately 2.5 hours.
Friday Departures: Dec. 12th at 6:00pm & 6:15pm.
Saturday Departures: Dec. 13th  (SOLD OUT).
Cost: $46 for adults, $42 for seniors, and $33 for children under 12. Group rates are available.
Book: visit islandpackers.com or call (805) 642-1393

Ventura Dive & Sport 

Come aboard The Raptor and cruise the harbor stage to watch the parade and fireworks (weather permitting). Check in is at 5:30PM on Saturday night. (SOLD OUT)
Cost: $20 per person, limited seating.
Book: Call Ventura Dive & Sport to book at 805-650-6500

Parade of Lights Dining

Holiday dinner background with four figures holding wine glasses together

Open Dining Seating:

Andria’s Seafood Restaurant & Market 805.654.0546 *
Baja Bay Surf & Taco 805.535.4160 *
Boatyard Pub 805.850.0202
The Loose Cannon 805.350.2728
Deep Sea Wine Tasting Room 805.321.9463
Brophy Bros Restaurant & Clam Bar 805.639.0865
Harbor Cove Café 805.658.1639 (near National Park Visitor Center) *
Harbor Market & Liquor 805 644-2970 *
The Harbor Mart 805 676-0054 *
Le Petit Café & Bakery 805.642.1191
Margarita Villa Mexican Restaurant 805.654.7906
On The Alley 805.413.4367 *
The Greek Mediterranean Steak & Seafood 805.650.5350
The Parlor 805.658.2837 *
* = Walk Up & Take Out

Accepting Seating Reservations:

The Greek Mediterranean Steak & Seafood 805.650.5350
Water’s Edge Restaurant 805.642.1200

Sweet Treats:

Boba by the Sea 805.856.3645
Coastal Cone Ice Cream 805.658.2837
Le Petit Bakery 805.642.1191

ventura parade
parade of lights fireworks
Ventura Harbor Parade of Lights 2022
Ventura Harbor Parade of Lights 2022

Admiral Sponsors

Logo of Four Points by Sheraton with black text and a colorful four-pointed symbol.
Holiday Inn Logo

Sweepstakes Sponsor

portside

Ship’s Captain Sponsor

andreas

Starboard Sponsors

ventura isle
Black and white logo of Ventura West Marina featuring a stylized boat with a circle in the background.

Award Sponsors

the greek
Logo of Brophy Bros. Restaurant & Clam Bar with two fishermen, established in 1986, on a red and green oval background.
Channel Watch Marine Services Inc   TowBoatUS
island packers
Logo of the Ventura Yacht Club featuring a blue and red flag on a pole with the clubs name below.
Logo for Deep Sea Wine Tasting Room featuring bold text and a small shield with a crown.

Stern Sponsors

Community Partners

Media Partners

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