Decorated boats sail through King Harbor as part of a full afternoon-into-evening holiday festival — marketplace, paddle parade, concert, and Redondo’s signature illuminated procession.

The King Harbor Holiday Boat Parade is Redondo Beach’s signature holiday-on-the-water tradition. Held the second Saturday in December, the parade is the centerpiece of an all-day waterfront celebration: recent seasons have featured an artisan holiday market, a kid-friendly pier party with live music, an Ugly Sweater Paddle Parade earlier in the day, and the illuminated boat parade through King Harbor in the early evening hours.
Boats are decked in elaborate themed lighting and decorations; past years’ themes have ranged from tropical Christmas to Hollywood movies.
The waterfront route runs from the Redondo Pier south through the marina, giving families a clear view from multiple free vantage points. Confirm this season’s confirmed schedule at kingharborboatparade.org.
Yes — the parade and the daytime festival are free to attend. Only parking and on-the-water vendor purchases cost extra.
The parade is held on the second Saturday in December each year. The boat parade itself runs in the early evening, preceded by an afternoon of festival activities at the pier.
A full day of waterfront fun: an artisan holiday market, the Ugly Sweater Paddle Parade (kayaks and paddle boards), live music on the pier, and family activities — all leading up to the illuminated boat parade in the evening.
The Redondo Beach Pier, Harbor Drive promenade, and the Seaside Lagoon all offer free views of the parade route. The pier is the central hub for the daytime festival.
Pier structures offer paid parking but fill up fast on parade afternoon. Plan to arrive early for the festival or use rideshare. Some street parking is available in surrounding Redondo Beach neighborhoods.

King Harbor is the protected marina and waterfront district at the foot of Redondo Beach, sheltered by a breakwater completed in 1958 and formally dedicated in 1966. The harbor was named for U.S. Representative Cecil R. King and was built on the site of earlier wharves that once made Redondo a major lumber-import port for Los Angeles. Today the harbor takes in the Redondo Beach Pier, the boat slips of the marina, and the waterfront promenade.
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Southern California’s holiday lights and festive outings are pure magic — but nothing compares to Santa Claus himself stepping through your own front door. House of Kringle brings a real-bearded, professionally trained Santa to homes and gatherings across SoCal for an intimate live visit your family will treasure for years.
Check Availability
Have a date in mind? Tell us when and where, and we’ll let you know whether Santa is open. House of Kringle brings a real-bearded Santa Claus to Live Visits and Group Experiences across Southern California, and December fills quickly, so the sooner you check, the better your odds of locking in your first choice.
This is a quick availability check, not a booking. Nothing is reserved and nothing is owed until we’ve confirmed your date and you’ve placed your retainer.