Huntington Harbour Boat Parade and Cruise of Lights are back to brighten H.B. holidays

Two holiday favorites in Huntington Beach are on the way, starting this weekend with the 57th annual Huntington Harbour Boat Parade and continuing next week with the Cruise of Lights waterway tours of decorated homes, docks, decks and boats.

The boat parade starts at 5:15 p.m. Saturday and Sunday with brightly festooned boats sailing through Huntington Harbour to the 2019 theme “Rock and Roll Fantasy.”

The all-volunteer parade is the nonprofit Huntington Harbour Philharmonic Committee’s prelude to the Cruise of Lights fundraiser Dec. 17 through 23, which raises money through ticket sales for the Philharmonic Society of Orange County’s youth music education programs. The committee each year encourages Huntington Harbour residents to dress up their homes by participating in a decorating contest.

The boat parade, led by Grand Marshal Larry Gottlieb, will offer 16 trophies for participants, ranging from Most Religious to Best Commercial entry. Onlookers can text to (714) 386-1219 from 4 p.m. to midnight Saturday to vote for the People’s Choice Award.

Public viewing areas will be available only at beaches in Huntington Harbour, and parking is limited. For more information, visit hhboatparade.org.

The Cruise of Lights’ 45-minute narrated boat tours depart at 5:30, 6:30, 7:30 and 8:30 p.m. daily for seven nights starting Tuesday. Shuttles to the cruises will leave from the Huntington Harbour Place parking lot at 16889 Algonquin St.

Cruise ticket prices are:

• Traditional 45-minute cruise: $21 for adults, $14 for children ages 2 to 12

• Extended 70-minute cruise down additional waterways in Huntington Harbour (Wednesday and Dec. 20 and 23): $32 for adults, $25 for children 2 to 12
• Dinner cruise (Dec. 19 and 22): $75 for adults, $68 for children 2 to 12
• Value Night (Tuesday): $19 for adults, $12 for children 2 to 12

Admission is free for kids younger than 2.

Tickets can be purchased at (714) 840-7542, CruiseofLights.org or in person from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. weekdays at 16889 Algonquin.

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