Bellingham Yacht Club’s Lighted Boat Parade Sparkles December 6, 2025

The Bellingham Yacht Club celebrates the Holiday Season with its traditional Lighted Boat Parade, taking place December 6, 2025 starting at 5:30 pm, weather permitting. The theme this year is “Christmas Vacation.” The public is invited to view the boats showing off twinkling light displays with some broadcasting holiday music. The best viewing spots are Boulevard Park and the Fairhaven Cruise Terminal.

BYC Fleet Captain Pete Dworkin says "The Lighted Boat Parade is a Bellingham holiday tradition that families enjoy every year as our boats light up the Bay. Members of the boating community take great pride in being part of this event.” “Safety on the water is extremely important as maneuvering in the dark is challenging and requires attentive crews” “We are very fortunate to have Station Bellingham of the United States Coast Guard nearby as well as a dedicated BYC safety boat during the parade."

All boaters are invited to participate in the parade.  You need not be a Bellingham Yacht Club Member, but must register with the Bellingham Yacht Club at: https://byc.org/event/HhRE6PtHl6.   All event information is posted on this webpage, as well as registration information.  There is no cost to register.

Following the Parade the Bellingham Yacht Club will host a holiday party with music, food and beverages. Members, guests and all registered parade participants are invited, and several awards will be handed out for decorating excellence.

Club Members are looking forward to the parade as well as many upcoming events. BYC Commodore Dave Marod says, "Many people view the Lighted Boat Parade as the end of the year, but we look at it as the first on-the-water event with our newly elected Bridge and Board of Trustees.  It is the first of many events we look forward to in 2026, including cruises, races, regattas and youth sailing."

All information about the parade and registration is available at https://byc.org/event/HhRE6PtHl6

Some parade participants plan elaborate displays far in advance and spend many hours decorating their boats, using thousands of lights. Other participants take a more modest approach.  All are welcome and all have a wonderful time seeing each other’s creativity and ingenuity.

Want to come to the party but don’t have a boat to participate in the Lighted Boat Parade? It’s not too late to join the BYC. New members are welcomed to join the Bellingham Yacht Club at any time and neither boat ownership nor sponsorship is required. 

Founded in 1925, the Bellingham Yacht Club offers year-round social activities and extensive racing and cruising programs. BYC is the only yacht club in Whatcom County that is located on the marina docks and offers a full-service bar and member-exclusive access to an out-station on Lummi Island. For more information about joining, go to https://byc.org/membership.