Manatee River Holiday Boat Parade
Sat Dec 11, 6:00 PM - Sat Dec 11, 8:30 PM

The Manatee River Holiday Boat Parade will be Saturday, December 14th. The parade route has slightly changed but the best public viewing sites are still from the Green Bridge Pier, Riverhouse Reef and Grill Restaurant in Palmetto, along the Bradenton Riverfront and at Pier 22 Restaurant in downtown Bradenton. The Bradenton Yacht Club is undergoing construction of a new pram fleet facility and will not be available for public viewing. At dusk, the lighted vessels will assemble near Snead Island and proceed past the Yacht Club, to Pier 22 and Twin Dolphin Marina, then onward to the Riverhouse Reef and Grill.

VIP Viewing Parties will be held at the Riverhouse, Caddy’s, Pier 22 and the Bradenton Yacht Club (members only event). Public viewing areas include the Green Bridge and the Bradenton Riverwalk.

Estimated Viewing Timeline:
6:00pm Staging begins at Shaw Point
6:30 -7:30pm Bradenton Yacht Club
7:15 - 8:15pm Riverhouse/Safe Harbor
7:30 - 8:30pm Caddy’s
7:45 - 8:45pm Pier 22/Twin Dolphin

Due to the nature of this event, these are estimated time frames based on previous years and cannot be guaranteed.

Cash prizes for first, second, and third place winners in both the under 40’ and over 40’ categories. Boats are critiqued on their overall theme creativity, lights, music, crowd reaction and enthusiasm.

1st place: $600
2nd place: $300
3rd place: $200

After party:
Hosted by the Bradenton Yacht Club following the parade, we will announce the parade winners, raffle off prizes, and enjoy complimentary food, a cash bar, live music & much more. All participating captain’s get five free tickets with additional tickets available for purchase at the door. Cash only.