- December 15, 2025
For the first time, the Halifax River Yacht Club's annual Christmas boat parade will begin at Cassen Park in Ormond Beach.
The Christmas on the Halifax parade will begin at sunset on Saturday, Dec. 20. After launching from the floating dock at Cassen Park near the Granada Bridge, the parade will proceed south on the river down to the HRYC in Daytona Beach. The parade is organized by Chris Brown, a past commodore of the HRYC.
Brown said they decided to start the parade in Ormond Beach this year in hopes of drawing more boaters to participate.
"We've been exploring that for a few years," he said. "You're chancing the weather and that's a little bit bigger open body of water for the boats to go down, but Ormond had installed that wonderful floating dock there and there's plenty of room up there."
This year's parade will pass Caribbean Jack's, enter the basins of the HRYC and the Daytona Beach Fire Department, and continue through the basin of the Freedom Boat Club and Mama Foo Foo's. A portion of the proceeds will benefit the Veterans Support Fund, a nonprofit based in Daytona Beach that provides activities, concerts, birthday and holiday gifts, and necessities to veterans in the community.
Typically, the HRYC raises between $2,000 and $3,000 for the nonprofit.
"We have a lot of vets in our club, but there's a huge amount of people that have supported this country and kept us safe, and it's a great feeling to give back to them for all they've done for us," Brown said.
About 20 boats participate in the parade every year. Some years have seen almost 40 boats, said Brown, who steers the lead boat in the parade.
"It's quite the sight to see — the boats all decorated up," he said.
During registration, they ask boaters to name a theme for their vessels, and boats are judged in the Halifax harbor at the end of the parade. The judges evaluate each boat's lights, sounds and themed display.
"It's like a little production," Brown said. "We've had people up there with bands on the front of the boats ... Normally, you can hear it from wherever down the river when the boats are coming. It's a big hoot."
For information on how to register for the boat parade or donate, visit https://hryc.com/christmas-boat-parade.
