Holiday on the Harbor & Boat Parade of Lights

The Carrabelle Chamber of Commerce would like to invite residents and visitors to the 2024 Holiday on the Harbor Street Festival and Boat Parade of Lights on Saturday, December 14, from 12-7 pm in beautiful downtown Carrabelle, FL. This street festival will feature terrific children’s activities, arts and crafts, delicious food and drink, live entertainment, a lighted boat parade and a fireworks finale. This free, family-friendly festival has become a favorite Christmas tradition for the entire Forgotten Coast community and beyond!

The children’s activities will include traditions like visits with Santa and Mrs. Claus, mini-train rides, a bouncy house (courtesy of the Franklin County Sheriff’s Department) and a book giveaway by Bring Me a Book Franklin. In keeping with the Carrabelle tradition, Santa will make his grand entrance on the City of Carrabelle Fire Truck. Children and families are welcome to come by Santa’s booth, visit with Santa, and get their photos with Santa for free.

This event will also include yummy holiday treats, a variety of delicious food and wonderful art, crafts and goods for holiday gifts. There will be live music by Kevin Whoo as well as festival favorite DJ Beanie Baby spinning those holiday and festival tunes. Guests can also enjoy wonderful dance performances from the Forgotten Coast Dancing Witches, Tallahassee State College Dance Company and, new this year, the Mountain Dew Cloggers. The majority of the festivities will take place along the Carrabelle harbor along Marine Street.

While in Carrabelle, visitors are invited to complete their holiday shopping with unique and one of a kind items at Carrabelle’s wonderful stores, gift shops and art galleries conveniently located within walking distance of the festival. Then guests can enjoy delicious fresh seafood and tasty home-style cooking at one of several cafes, restaurants or festival food vendors.

After enjoying hours of food, festivities, and fun, festival-goers are invited to watch the magical Christmas parade of boats decked out in lights, décor, music and even some holiday outfits! Find a spot along the water and enjoy this parade with double the lights as the Carrabelle harbor beautifully reflects back the glow of the lighted boat decorations. See this special nautical tradition from an unbeatable viewing point by entering your own decorated boat for free!

The parade starts around 6:15 pm and proceeds around the Carrabelle harbor between the Marine Street Fishing Pavilion and the Tillie Miller Bridge on US 98 so it can be enjoyed from many viewing spots. (Please stay in public access areas only. Do not enter private property.)

Then the Holiday on the Harbor & Boat Parade of Lights will conclude with a fireworks grand finale! The boat parade trophies including the Marina Challenge Trophy will be awarded at a ceremony shortly after.