The Seminole Hard Rock Winterfest Boat Parade Publishes Dates for the Next Six Years – 2023 to 2028

Now everyone can plan their vacations early around Winterfest. The 52nd Annual Holiday Parade continues to encourage boaters and spectators to join their celebrations year after year. The website has added details for their 2023 events as well as a separate post listing the Parade dates from 2023 to 2028.

Mark your calendars for DECEMBER 16, 2023 with the Parade starting in the Downtown Area at 6:30 PM with a pre-show of non-motorized vessels at 6:00 p.m. The Seminole Hard Rock Winterfest Boat Parade will stage on the New River in downtown Fort Lauderdale, along the docks west of Stranahan House to the Broward Center for the Performing Arts.

The Parade starts in true procession at Stranahan House, traveling East along the New River in Fort Lauderdale to the Intracoastal Waterway and continues North to Lake Santa Barbara in Pompano Beach. It’s 12 Miles of the “Best Show on H20.” The Parade takes approximately 2 and 1/2 hours to view from one location (starting locations stagger as you travel north).

Private boats, giant showboats, and corporate megayachts will be adorned with hundreds of thousands of lights, music, entertainment, decorations, celebrities, musical groups, beauty queens, and many other exciting entries expected to be viewed by over one million spectators. A variety of hotel packages with Parade viewing are also listed on the site.

THE PARADES FOR 2023, 2024, 2025, 2026, 2027 and 2028

  • DECEMBER 16, 2023
  • DECEMBER 14, 2024
  • DECEMBER 13, 2025
  • DECEMBER 12, 2026
  • DECEMBER 11, 2027
  • DECEMBER 9, 2028

Parade dates may change without notice – please check this page

Santa Showboat delivered by Amazon to Wow Parade Spectators for the Second Year in a Row

Winterfest, Inc., producers of the Seminole Hard Rock Winterfest Boat Parade, recently secured Fabulous Inflatables and Brandano Displays to design the Santa Showboat for the second year in a row. This Parade entry will host Santa Claus during his quick visit to South Florida and the City of Fort Lauderdale on December 16, 2023. The Santa Showboat, delivered by Amazon, will also host nominees from the Winterfest Foundation Jr. Captain Contest. These children, ages 7-16, represent the services of nonprofit organizations in Broward County. Download our app for a complete list of all 100 entries in Winterfest.

For information on how your Broward County non-profit organization can nominate a child, visit winterfestfoundation.org and scroll down the Jr. Captain section to nominate.

Santa Showboat Delivered By Amazon on board Jungle Queen, boat number 100 in the 2022 Winterfest Boat Parade

Look for more Parade highlights in this Captain’s Log, including our floating concert entry. winterfestparade.com

2022 EyeOnSouthFlorida Digital Links

Links to the 2022 Seminole Hard Rock Winterfest Digital interviews and event highlights captured by EyeOnSouthFlorida. To see current and past videos: https://eyeonchannel.com/?s=winterfest

2022 INTERVIEWS during Winterfest Events:

2022 Winterfest Launch Party
2022 Winterfest Black Tie Ball
2022 Winterfest Grand Marshal Reception
2022 Seminole Hard Rock Winterfest Parade Viewing at Riverside Hotel
2022 Raw Footage of the Parade Staging Area – Seminole Hard Rock Winterfest Boat Parade

2022 WSVN Television Links

Links to the 2022 Seminole Hard Rock Winterfest Television Special along with Commercials and News Stories.

2022 Seminole Hard Rock Winterfest Television Special

2022 Seminole Hard Rock Winterfest Television Special produced by WSVN Channel 7

2022 Seminole Hard Rock Winterfest Vignettes

2022 Winterfest Launch Party at the Fort Lauderdale Harbor Beach Marriott
2022 Seminole Hard Rock Winterfest Black Tie Ball – produced and hosted by the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino with Republic National Distributing Company, Hotwire Communications, and DEX Imaging
2022 Seminole Hard Rock Winterfest Grand Marshal Reception – produced and hosted by the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino with Sylvester Cancer Center
Family Fun Day with Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital and Publix Super Markets AND Parade Viewing Area presented by Baptist Health

2022 Seminole Hard Rock Winterfest Television Commercials

2022 Parade Viewing Area Commercial
2022 Television Show Promotion Commercial
Enter Your Boat in the 2022 Seminole Hard Rock Winterfest Boat Parade

A sample of 2022 WSVN News Links:

https://wsvn.com/news/local/broward/final-preparations-made-for-seminole-hard-rock-casino-winterfest-boat-parade/

7News previews Seminole Hard Rock Winterfest Boat Parade – WSVN 7News | Miami News, Weather, Sports | Fort Lauderdale

https://wsvn.com/entertainment/floating-tiki-bright-holiday-decorations-delight-spectators-as-51st-winterfest-boat-parade-lights-up-new-river/

Winterfest grand marshals announced – WSVN 7News | Miami News, Weather, Sports | Fort Lauderdale

2022 Radio Spots with iHeart Media

ENTER YOUR BOAT

One of Four ENTER YOUR BOAT 2022 Radio Spots: 30 Seconds
Two of Four ENTER YOUR BOAT 2022 Radio Spots: 15 Seconds
Three of Four ENTER YOUR BOAT 2022 Radio Spots: 15 Seconds
Three of Four ENTER YOUR BOAT / CAPTAINS MEETING 2022 Radio Spots: 15 Seconds

BLACK TIE BALL

BLACK TIE BALL Radio Spot: 15 Seconds

GRAND MARSHALS

GRAND MARSHALS / PARADE Radio Spot: 30 Seconds

TELEVISION SHOW

WSVN Parade Special Radio Spot: 30 Seconds

2022 WINTERFEST WIN A WEEKEND (out of area markets)

Win A Weekend Radio Spot: 30 Seconds

2022 ENTER TO WIN BORA BORA EXPERIENCE (local market)

2022 Enter to Win Bora Bora Experience Radio Spot: 15 Seconds

2021 Winterfest Parade Winners

PARADE DATE: DECEMBER 11, 2021

Look for updates on Special Awards and Remember to VOTE EVERY DAY for the People’s Choice Award

SPECIAL AWARDS INCLUDE: ROOKIE AWARD, PASSIONATE FOR PARADES AWARD (in more than one Parade – based on boaters entering the Pompano Parade), BOB LEIDER AWARD – Best in Television, KAYE PEARSON AWARD – Spirit of Innovation, BEACON LIGHTS AWARDS – Use of Moving Lights, ADMIRAL AWARD – Spirit and Enthusiasm, JOE MILLSAPS AWARD – Military Spirit, and PEOPLE’S CHOICE AWARD.

#BOAT ENTRYCATEGORYAWARDSPECIAL AWARD
DROMANTIC VENICEPRESHOWOVERALL 
GMOORE PADDLEBOARDERSPRESHOWLIGHTS 
HSOUTH FLORIDA KAYAK MEET-UP    PRESHOWENTERTAINMENTPASSIONATE FOR PARADES
1U.S. COAST GUARD 45GOVERNMENT PASSIONATE FOR PARADES
1U.S. COAST GUARD CUTTER HUDSONGOVERNMENTOVERALL 
2WINTERFEST FIREWORKS PRESENTED BY FORDBARGEOVERALL 
3FORT LAUDERDALE FIRE BOAT 49GOVERNMENT LIGHTS 
4SEMINOLE HARD ROCK WINTERFEST GRAND MARSHAL SHOWBOAT PRESENTED BY FIFTH THIRD BANKSHOWBOATTHEME 
5MARINE INDUSTRIES ASSOCIATION ON BOARD SUMMERWINDCHARTER 60+  
6REPUBLIC NATIONAL DISTRIBUTING COMPANY ON BOARD CATALINASHOWBOATENTERTAINMENT 
7AARP CELEBRATES 50 YEARS OF WINTERFEST ON BOARD BALLYHOOBARGELIGHTS 
8ADVANCED ROOFING ON BOARD MILLIECOMMERCIAL 35-59OVERALLPASSIONATE FOR PARADES
9MOBILE MIKE ON BOARD REFLECTIONCOMMERCIAL 60+  
10THE BEATLES ON BOARD WATER TAXICHARTER 20-59THEME 
11WE WILL ROCK YOU ON BOARD WET DREAMPRIVATE 35-59THEME 
12THE ICE CREAM FLOATCOMMERCIAL 20-34LIGHTS 
13BISCAYNE BAY FOUNDATIONNON-PROFIT 20-34LIGHTS 
14NSU STUDENT VETERANS ON BOARD STARMARKERCOMMERCIAL 35-59  JOE MILLSAPS AWARD
15THE PARIS PRINCESSPRIVATE UNDER 20OVERALL 
16FELICITYPRIVATE 20-34LIGHTS 
17KARMA BROWARD ON MIDNIGHT EXPRESSCOMMERCIAL 35-59LIGHTS 
18JR. CAPTAIN SHOWBOAT POWERED BY FPL & TWO MEN AND A TRUCKSHOWBOATOVERALL 
19WELLINGTON CONSERVATION CENTER ON BOARD MUSETTECHARTER 60+  
20BALLYHOOBARGETHEME 
21MR BOBBPRIVATE 60 – 79OVERALL PEOPLE’S CHOICE AWARD
22WSVN ON BOARD THE VENETIAN LADYSHOWBOATLIGHTS 
23CELSIUS ON BOARD CAPRICECHARTER 60+LIGHTS 
24THE ROCKPRIVATE 20-34  
25KEY LARGONON-PROFIT 20-34OVERALL 
2826′ SAILFISHPRIVATE 20-34THEME
29POSEIDON MARINECOMMERCIAL 20-34LIGHTS 
30AMERICAN LUNG ASSOCIATION’S TURQUOISE TAKEOVERNON-PROFIT 35-59  
31SEA SCOUTS ON BOARD SHAKE A LEG MIAMISAILBOATLIGHTS 
32DUNN DEALPRIVATE 20-34  ROOKIE
33TOY SOLDIERS ON BOARD OTTERSAILBOATENTERTAINMENT 
34WAR EAGLENON-PROFIT 35-59ENTERTAINMENT 
35NAVIGATORSAILBOAT 20-34OVERALL 
36SAVOIR-FAIREPRIVATE 80+OVERALL 
37THE FINE EXPERIENCENON-PROFIT 60+ LIGHTSPASSIONATE FOR PARADES
38TWIN PEAKS ON BOARD SUNDREAMCHARTER 60+  
39KNOT ON CALLPRIVATE 20-34  
42NAUTI PILOTPRIVATE 35-59LIGHTSPASSIONATE FOR PARADES
43REEL BUSYPRIVATE 20-34  
44SAILS CALLPRIVATE 35-59  
45KAMA SUTURE PRIVATE 20-34 ROOKIE
47SLIP N’ FALL STEVEPRIVATE 20-34  
48 FPI SECURITY SERVICES ON BOARD THE SOUTH FLORIDA PRINCESSCHARTER 60+  
49CRUISIN’ TIKISCHARTER 20-59OVERALL 
5050TH ANNIVERSARY OF WINTERFESTCHARTER 60+ENTERTAINMENT 
51SEA TOW & THE 12 DINGHIES OF CHRISTMASCOMMERCIAL 20-34OVERALLPASSIONATE FOR PARADES
52SEXY FISHPRIVATE 60-79THEME 
53MAGIC MOMENTCOMMERCIAL 60+OVERALLPASSIONATE FOR PARADES
54FLOCKFEST ON BOARD RUBBERDUCKNON-PROFIT 60+OVERALL 
55RISQUE CALCULEPRIVATE 35-59  
57UNDER THE SEA ON BOARD WATER TAXICHARTER 60+OVERALL
58WINTERFEST PATRIOTIC RED, WHITE & BLUE ON BOARD WATER TAXISHOWBOATSOUND 
60MISS DIRECTIONPRIVATE 80+SOUND 
61BROWARD COLLEGE ON BOARD WATER TAXICOMMERCIAL 35-59  
62BLUEFOOT PIRATES WITH THE FLORIDA RENAISSANCE FESTIVALCHARTER 20-59SOUND 
63DA PLUG PROMOTIONPRIVATE 20-34  
64MISS NICOLEPRIVATE 35-59OVERALL 
65NEGRONI LAW GROUP ONBOARD NO PHOTOS PLEASECOMMERCIAL 35-59  
66ISLAND TIMECHARTER 20-59LIGHTS 
67ESPE FOUNDATION ON BOARD EPICNON-PROFIT 35-59LIGHTS 
68DINING DIVAS ON BOARD COLLEEN MARIECOMMERCIAL 35-59  
69LA SIRENEPRIVATE 35-59LIGHTS 
70EL LADRILLO IIIPRIVATE 80+LIGHTSBOB LEIDER – Best in Television
71DON’T STOP BELIEVIN’PRIVATE 60-79SOUND 
72M/Y DISCOPRIVATE 35-59  
73CHABAD LUBAVITCH OF FT LAUDERDALE ON BOARD FLAMINGONON-PROFIT 60+ENTERTAINMENT 
74MSP RECOVERY ON BOARD NAMASTEPRIVATE 80+ KAYE PEARSON AWARD – Spirit of Innovation
75TURNAROUNDPRIVATE 35-59SOUNDPASSIONATE FOR PARADES (Boca)
76REEL ESTATEPRIVATE 35-59 
77AQUARIUSPRIVATE 20-34  
78REY OF SUNSHINECOMMERCIAL 35-59  
79REEL SURVIVORPRIVATE 35-59 
80LOVE SHACKCHARTER 20-59ENTERTAINMENT
82PADDLE PUBCOMMERCIAL 35-59  
83RENAND FOUNDATION ONBOARD SOARNON-PROFIT 35-59ENTERTAINMENT 
84MISS ADVENTUREPRIVATE 20-34 
85OMEGA PSI PHI ON BOARD THE GRAND PRINCESSCHARTER 60+  
86CLOSING TIMEPRIVATE 20-34LIGHTS 
87M/Y SQUAD HOUSECOMMERCIAL 35-59 
88SEAVORCEPRIVATE 20-34  
89MARINE TOYS FOR TOTS ON BOARD STAY AFLOAT PARTY BOATNON-PROFIT 35-59LIGHTS 
90BELLA CANDELAPRIVATE 20-34 ROOKIE
91BRANDON’S BOATPRIVATE 20-34THEME 
92BOTTOM FEEDERPRIVATE 20-34  
93PERFECT LIFEPRIVATE 35-59 ROOKIE
96FLORIDA CHILDREN’S THEATER ON BOARD BLACK PEARLNON-PROFIT 35-59OVERALL
97CATHOLIC HEALTH SERVICES LIVE NATIVITY ON BOARD WATER TAXINON-PROFIT 60+LIGHTS 
98NONPROFITS & RED CROSS ON BOARD UNEXPECTED PLEASURESAILBOAT 60+OVERALL 
99MISS PONTOONCHARTER 20-59 ADMIRAL AWARD – SPIRIT & ENTHUSIASM
100WEST MARINE BRINGS SANTA ON BOARD JUNGLE QUEENCHARTER 60+THEME 

Storytime with Santa

Storytime with Santa presented by Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital with a special thank you to Visit Lauderdale for inviting the Jolly ol’ Elf to beautiful Greater Fort Lauderdale and Broward County to enjoy a little vacation before his busy night!

Where does Santa Vacation?

Visit Lauderdale Knows were to find Santa –

Do you want to vacation like Santa? Check out all the hotel packages on the winterfestparade.com website and Vaca like the Jolly Ol’ Elf

Outdoor Parade Viewing Area

Prime Parade Viewing Area at Las Olas Intracoastal Park

Get Your Tickets Today for Winterfest’s VIEWING LOCATION where Las Olas Boulevard meets the Intracoastal Waterway. Your ticket lets you experience a wonderful afternoon and evening of festival activities, interactive games, continuous stage entertainment, vendors, photo opportunities with Santa Claus, Stanley from the Florida Panthers, and other mascots before the main event – the Seminole Hard Rock Winterfest Boat Parade. This new viewing location brings the Parade earlier to our guests (around 7 pm) and allows organizers to continue the fun with a concert following our Santa show float.

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE AREA:

  • Conveniently located adjacent to public parking, rideshare drop-offs, and shuttle services from local hotels. CLICK HERE for a list of Winterfest Weekend specials from our hotel partners
  • Continuous entertainment on the City of Fort Lauderdale’s stage. After the Parade passes, the area transforms into a concert with the Shane Duncan Band
  • Hungry? Thirsty? Don’t worry, we have you covered! Stella Artois Culinary Corner will have a variety of festival foods, featuring beverages from Stephen’s Distributing as well as Coca-Cola and LaCroix products.
  • Photo opportunities with the jolly man himself – Santa before he rides in the Parade
  • Parade Commentary provided by iHeart personality
  • Download the Winterfest App for updates and opportunities to vote for your favorite boat.

Additional Tips and Parking CLICK HERE.

Winterfest 50th Anniversary Shout Out on Boat Boss

Thank you, Kim Sweers, for welcoming me to the helm of Boat Boss. Great platform to promote the 50th-anniversary celebration of Winterfest. Be a part of all the events leading up to the Seminole Hard Rock Winterfest Boat Parade on 12.11.21.

Kim Sweers and Lisa Scott-Founds on Boat Boss