The 37^th Annual Venice Christmas Boat Parade sets sail Saturday, Dec. 6 in the Intracoastal Waterway. Boats get underway at 6 p.m.  

The parade starts just north of the Albee Road Bridge, then continues south down the Intracoastal, around Snake Island, in front of the Venice Yacht Club docks, and proceeds south passing under the North/KMI Bridge, continuing under the W. Venice Ave. Bridge, and ending just before Circus Bridge at MarineMax.   

Viewing is available from behind Venice High School ($10 parking is available at VHS; see attached flyer), Marina Park, Legacy Park, along the Venetian Waterway Park trail, and along the Legacy Trail. Parade turn-around is before the Circus Bridge. 
***See route map below

The Boat Parade travels between 3 to 5 knots. It can take between 45 to 60 minutes for boats to get from the starting point to the North/KMI Bridge, another 10 to 15 minutes to get from the North/KMI Bridge to the W. Venice Ave. Bridge, and another 15 to 30 minutes to get to the parade’s endpoint.  

Boats do not make a second trip along the parade route. Once the parade ends at its terminus, boats will travel back to their launch or slip locations. This is not considered part of the parade; when the vessels travel back northbound; their lights will be turned off.

As a reminder, unlike the Holiday Parade downtown, early chair setup is prohibited prior to the day of the Boat Parade. Chairs, blankets, and other items may be placed in viewing areas beginning at noon Saturday, Dec. 6. Please adhere to posted signage and restrictions. Sarasota County and the City of Venice are not responsible for items left unattended before, during or after the Boat Parade. No chairs, blankets, and other items can be placed in the area of the Marina Park Boat Ramp until 5 p.m. the night of the parade, ANY ITEMS PLACED IN THIS AREA PRIOR TO 5 P.M. DEC. 6 WILL BE DISPOSED OF.

The Circus Bridge remains locked down for vehicle traffic only traveling on and off Venice island. The North/KMI Bridge and the W. Venice Avenue Bridge will be locked in the up/open position as the parade approaches and for any returning vessels going back north. Bridges will remain open to allow returning boat traffic to pass through. Leave early, plan ahead, and anticipate additional traffic and detours. Your patience is appreciated.    

The annual Christmas Boat Parade is a private event hosted by volunteer residents who donate their time, vessels, and fuel to put on this free community event. The City of Venice issues a Special Event permit to help coordinate bridge closures with the U.S. Coast Guard, Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT), Sarasota County Government and West Coast Inland Navigation District (WCIND).  

For more information, please visit venicechristmasboatparade.net or contact event organizer Joe Zgrzepski at joezgrzepski@gmail.com or 941-718-8644.