Holiday Boat Parade at The Wharf: 2024 Boat Registration

This site is for registering your boat for the parade. You must own your own boat to take part. Members of the public who wish to view the Parade do not need to register; attendance is free and open to the public.

Join The Wharf for a magical night of boating and fireworks celebrating the 32nd Annual Holiday Boat Parade in Washington, DC.

This year's parade is on Saturday, December 7, 2024 from 6:00–8:00pm. The parade route stretches from Hains Point up the Washington Channel to the Market Docks at The Wharf.

Captains who are planning to participate in the parade must use this Eventbrite form to register their vessel.

All vessels taking part in the Parade must be decorated.

Parade participation is limited to the first 70 to register.

Registration ends Tuesday, November 26.

Download the Captain's Overview Flyer here.

The Captain's After Party will take place at The Anthem. This private event features light fare, a cash bar, live music from Starlight Anthem and prize distribution with emcee Tommy McFly.

Each registered boat will receive a maximum of 8 tickets to the party, additional tickets can be purchased for $35.00 per person via Ticketmaster.

Note that registration has a few more steps this year:

1. Register your boat.
2. Sign up for your free Captain's Party Tickets (max of 8 per boat).
3. If you would like a table for your group you can add one on.
4. If you need more tickets for the party, use the link in your registration confirmation.

The Wharf will host a mandatory Captain’s Meeting for all Captains and First Mates of pre-registered vessels on Thursday, December 5 at 7pm in The Wharf Galley at 760 Maine Avenue SW—2nd Floor. The meeting will include hors d’oeuvres, a hosted bar and giveaways. Parking is complimentary.

Boats that decorate and participate in the parade in the Washington Channel are eligible for judging and may receive one of the following prizes. For a list of prizes, click here.

Each pre-registered parade boat that enters the Washington Channel for judging will receive a special Captains Treasure Chest (distributed at the Captain's After Party), including a Captain’s $50 Thank You Gift Card, commemorative blanket and other memorabilia, plus eight Parade T-shirts per boat to share with the crew.

Host or Publisher The Wharf