Ah, the joys of Christmas in a Mediterranean climate, where boat owners can deck out their ships in holiday lights and set sail without the impediment of icy weather. For the 117th (!) year, the Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade lets them do just that as over 100 decorated yachts and ships parade around a 14-mile circuit in the Newport Harbor. You can see the parade for free during each of the five nights from any bay-facing point along the harbor (Marina Park, which also hosts a holiday market, is the go-to spot), but there are also reserved seats, dining packages and cruises available for purchase, if you want to get out on the water yourself. And to top it off, there’ll be fireworks on opening night and drone shows—visible from both ends of the harbor—nightly from December 17 to 21.
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