{"id":61930,"date":"2025-11-26T20:05:10","date_gmt":"2025-11-26T20:05:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/61930\/"},"modified":"2025-11-26T20:05:10","modified_gmt":"2025-11-26T20:05:10","slug":"light-boat-parade-fireworks-returns-nov-29-see-route-start-time","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/61930\/","title":{"rendered":"Light Boat Parade, fireworks returns Nov. 29. See route, start time"},"content":{"rendered":"

Ready to see Santa floating down the St. Johns River<\/a>?<\/p>\n

For more than three decades, the Jacksonville Light Boat Parade<\/a> has been a hallmark of the city\u2019s holiday season, transforming the St. Johns River into a glowing showcase of festive spirit. Each year, boaters decorate vessels of all sizes with holiday lights and displays<\/a> before cruising along the waters off the Northbank and Southbank Riverwalks.<\/p>\n

Thousands of spectators line the riverfront to take in the sights, as the illuminated boats reflect off the water and fill downtown with seasonal cheer. The celebration concludes with a grand fireworks display, highlighted by the signature \u201cwaterfall\u201d fireworks cascading from the Main Street and Acosta bridges \u2014 a tradition that continues to light up Jacksonville\u2019s skyline<\/a> and mark the official start of the city\u2019s holiday festivities<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Here’s what to know so you can plan ahead.<\/p>\n

Also happening this weekend: Jacksonville Christmas tree lighting moves to new Riverfront Plaza<\/a><\/p>\n

Looking for Christmas lights? Best holiday light displays in Jacksonville, mapped<\/a><\/p>\n

When is the 2025 Jacksonville Boat Parade? What time does it start?<\/p>\n

Traditionally, the annual Light Boat Parade is held the Saturday after Thanksgiving. For 2025, the Light Boat Parade will be on Nov. 29 and will begin at 6:30 p.m.<\/p>\n

What is the Jacksonville 2025 Light Boat Parade route?<\/p>\n

The parade will begin at the west end of the Shipyards, travel along the Northbank and turn south just before the Acosta Bridge, to continue east along the Southbank.<\/p>\n

\"The<\/p>\n

The route for the 2025 Light Boat Parade in downtown Jacksonville.<\/p>\n

See pictures of the Light Boat Parade in Jacksonville over the yearsWill there be fireworks at the Jacksonville Light Boat Parade this year?<\/p>\n

Yes, this year’s fireworks display is sponsored by Bank of America. The parade will be followed by “an awe-inspiring fireworks finale” that includes the beloved waterfall effect of both the Main and Acosta bridges.<\/p>\n

What time do the fireworks at the Jacksonville Light Boat Parade 2025 start?<\/p>\n

The fireworks will begin after the parade ends, usually around 8 p.m.<\/p>\n

\"Fireworks<\/p>\n

Fireworks are shot off from the Acosta Bridge Saturday, Nov,. 27, 2021 at the Riverfront Plaza on the St. Johns River in Jacksonville. After about a 30-minute delayed start, because of the San Marco Train, a few thousand witnessed the annual Jacksonville Light Boat Parade. Boats showed off their festive illuminated decor, as they passed the judges table. The night concluded with fireworks. <\/p>\n

Where are the fireworks launched from for the Light Boat Parade?<\/p>\n

Fireworks will be launched from the Acosta and Main Street bridges as well as a barge in front of the Hyatt Regency Jacksonville Riverfront hotel.<\/p>\n

How are boats judged for the Jacksonville Light Boat Parade?<\/p>\n

Participants will be judged on overall look and decoration composition.<\/p>\n

More holiday fun: Lights, parades, concerts and Nutcrackers pack Jacksonville’s 2025 holiday events calendar<\/a><\/p>\n

Free newsletter: Sign up for our free Daily Briefing, the day’s biggest news delivered to your inbox<\/a><\/p>\n

What are the judging categories for the Jacksonville Light Boat Parade?<\/p>\n

The Boat Parade includes several categories: Vessels under 30′; Vessels 30′ and over; sailboats, and corporate entries.<\/p>\n

What is the Jacksonville 2025 Light Boat Parade route?<\/p>\n

The parade will begin at the west end of the Shipyards, travel along the Northbank and turn south just before the Acosta Bridge, to continue east along the Southbank.<\/p>\n

Where is the best place to park for the Light Boat Parade?<\/p>\n

On-street parking in downtown at metered spaces is free on evenings and weekends. <\/p>\n

Free public parking is available at the Duval County Public Schools building (1701 Prudential Drive) and\u00a0Kings Avenue Parking Garage<\/a>\u00a0(1201 Kings Ave.). Note the JTA Skyway does not run on weekends.<\/p>\n

If you choose to watch from the Northbank these\u00a0garage and lot parking options<\/a>\u00a0are available for a fee:<\/p>\n

Bay & Ocean Lot, 112 E. Bay St.<\/p>\n

Water Street Garage, 541 W. Water St.<\/p>\n

Ed Ball Garage, 214 N. Hogan St.<\/p>\n

Yates Garage, 200 E. Adams St.<\/p>\n

Duval Street Garage, 33. W. Duval St.<\/p>\n

Contributing Gary Mills, Deputy Managing Editor, Florida Times-Union<\/p>\n

This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Jacksonville Light Boat Parade 2025: Date, route, and fireworks<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Ready to see Santa floating down the St. Johns River? For more than three decades, the Jacksonville Light…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":61931,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[8],"tags":[37380,37381,116,118,117,37382],"class_list":["post-61930","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-jacksonville","tag-boat-parade","tag-fireworks-display","tag-jacksonville","tag-jacksonville-headlines","tag-jacksonville-news","tag-light-boat"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/61930","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=61930"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/61930\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/61931"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=61930"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=61930"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=61930"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}