District Holiday Boat Parade

✓ Verified 2025-2026

Where: Potomac River, from Alexandria, VA to The Wharf, Washington, District of Columbia

When: December 6

Hours: typically dusk – 10 PM

Cost: free

dozens of lighted boatsfireworks finaleSanta visitsornament decoratingvessel prizesattraction

Dozens of boats decked in lights cruise the Potomac from Alexandria to The Wharf, competing for prizes as the most beautiful vessels, with fireworks closing out the night. Pre-parade festivities include winter drink sampling, Santa visits, and ornament decorating.

Best time to arrive. Sunset in Washington is around 4:47 PM in mid-December, fully dark by about 5:17 PM. A typical December night here bottoms out near 28°F, so dress for standing around outside.

Get directions →

Other displays nearby

There are 11 other displays within 5 miles of this one, and 30 within 15 miles. Most people make a loop of it rather than driving out for a single house.

CityCenterDC Holiday Tree — 0 mi · Washington
Frosted at Franklin Park — 0 mi · Washington
National Menorah Lighting — 0 mi · Washington
Season's Greenings at the U.S. Botanic Garden — 0 mi · Washington
U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree — 0 mi · Washington
ZooLights at the Smithsonian's National Zoo — 0 mi · Washington
National Christmas Tree — 0.1 mi · Washington
Winter Wonderfest at Nationals Park — 2.2 mi · Washington

Make a night of it. This is stop 3 on our 10-stop Washington lights loop — about 3.4 miles and 48 minutes of driving in total.

Corroborated by 1 independent source: washington.org. See how we verify listings.

Something changed? Let us know so we can keep this listing accurate.