24th Annual Parade of Lights

Join us for a magical night of merriment on the Potomac River on Saturday, December 5, from 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. Now in its 24th year, the annual Parade of Lights kicks off at the docks of Old Town Alexandria and concludes at the District's Southwest Waterfront. This event is free and open to the public. Registration for In-Parade and In-Slip Vessels: www.dcboatparade.eventbrite.com All registration ends Friday, November 20 Parade participation is limited to 60 boats VA and DC prizes will be distributed at After Party Separate registration for DC’s In-Slip participants Parade Schedule: Alexandria Land Activities Begin: 5pm Alexandria Parade Staging: 5pm Parade Begins in Alexandria: 5:30pm Parade Sails Across Potomac to DC: 6pm DC Land Activities Begin: 6pm Parade Begins In Washington Channel: 7pm Parade Boat Docking in DC begins: 7:30pm Private Captain and Crew After Party: 8pm Alexandria Parade Prizes: Limited to pre-registered boaters Best in Show: $500 cash Best Powerboat: $250 cash Best Sailboat: $250 cash More than $1,500 in other prizes to be announced DC Parade Prizes: Limited to pre-registered boaters Best in Parade: $500 cash and Trophy 1st Place: $400 cash 2nd Place: $300 cash 3rd Place: $200 cash Honorable Achievement: $100 cash DC Treasure Chest: Each pre-registered parade boat that enters the Washington Channel for judging from the SW Waterfront will receive a Commemorative Parade of Lighted Boats Captain’s Bag (distributed at After Party) with: A Captain’s $100 thank you gift for all boaters who crossed the Potomac from Alexandria to Washington, DC Commemorative 2015 Long-Sleeve Parade of Lights T-Shirts for pre-registered Captain and crew (Captain and up to 8 additional crew) Captain’s Coordination Meeting: Old Dominion Boat Club will host the mandatory Captain’s meeting on Thursday, December 3 at 7pm for all pre-registered vessels. Meeting will include hors d‘oeuvres and hosted bar. Captain’s After Party in DC: Private Captain’s After Party begins at 8pm at The Wharf offices at 650 Water Street SW. After Party limited to Captain and up to 7 additional pre-registered crew per vessel (8 total). Private After Party will feature live music, hot hors d‘oeuvres, cash bar, Parade awards and prize distribution. The Captain’s After Party is a ticketed event. Tickets will be distributed by Eventbrite through the registration system. No exceptions will be made to non-registered boats. Alexandria Landside FREE Public Events from 5-6pm: Festivities to ring in the holiday season and Special showcase entertainment Photos with Santa for children and canines Live holiday music and much more DC Landside FREE Public Events from 6-8pm: Guaranteed first snow fall of the holidays and Family photos with Santa Gingerbread cookie decorating Lighting of the Christmas Tree Live holiday music Roaring s’mores bonfire Hot chocolate to toast the season Holiday lighting of the boats docked at SW DC Prizes for Lighted Boats docked at the SW Waterfront: Best in Slip: $250 cash 1st Place: $150 cash 2nd Place: $100 cash 3rd Place: $50 cash Prizes are limited to pre-registered slip holders. Pre-registration and boat decorating includes 2 tickets to After Party. In-slip, DC, lighted boat prizes will be distributed at Captain’s After Party. Party is a ticketed event, distributed by EventBrite through the registration system–no exceptions will be made to boats that are not registered. The Parade of Lighted Boats is co-produced by Washington Waterfront Association and Old Dominion Boat Club presented by Hoffman-Madison Waterfront, developers of the new, world-class, mixed-use waterfront, The Wharf and Alexandria Convention & Visitors Association through the generosity of: Alexandria Fire Department, Cantina Marina, Capital Yacht Club, Destination DC, District of Columbia Fire Department, Entertainment Cruises, EventBrite, Gangplank Marina, Gangplank Slipholders Association, MPD Harbor Patrol, PhotoGenics, Port of Washington Yacht Club, RedPeg and Visit Alexandria, VA