The most wonderful time of year: holiday boat parades

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA—It’s time to deck the hulls with boughs of holly. Holiday boat parades have become a holiday tradition here in Southern California and boat owners and harbors across the coast are gearing up for the annual event. The holiday tradition of decking out vessels with decorations and lights now spans more than a century. Newport Beach is credited with having one of the oldest Christmas boat parades, now said to be in its 111th year. The parades provide an opportunity for family, friends and neighbors to celebrate the holiday season water-side and all the parades are free for spectators on shore. There are plenty of opportunities to catch a parade this year as harbors from Santa Barbara to San Diego are hosting events. We rounded up the information to know for the 2019 parades.   SAN DIEGO COUNTY San Diego Bay Parade of Lights 2018. 48th annual San Diego Bay Parade of Lights Date: Dec. 8 and 15 Time: 5 p.m. Details: More than 80 vessels are expected to participate in this time-honored holiday tradition. This year’s theme is “Comic-Con on the Bay.” Everyone who participates in both nights of the parade and passes both sets of judges and the southern mark by Chavez...