Category: Boating Events

A GLOWING SUCCESS: Bristol Harbour Illuminated Boat Parade 2025

Leo Seccia

The Bristol Harbour Illuminated Boat Parade 2025 has once again proven what an extraordinary community effort can achieve. The event was a huge success, bringing festive cheer to the harbour and to everyone who gathered to watch the spectacle.

This year’s parade was only possible because of the dedication, generosity, and teamwork of so many wonderful volunteers. From the Harbour Master’s team operating the swing bridges to the vessels and crews who decked their decks with light, every contribution mattered. Even Santa and his helpers managed to take a break from their incredibly busy schedule to join us on the water!

The Heroes of the Harbour

Safety remains at the heart of everything we do. A massive, heartfelt thank you goes to the highly skilled volunteer crews of the six safety boats. We are extremely grateful to:

  • The Harbour Master Crews
  • Bristol Maritime Academy
  • All Aboard
  • Avon Scouts
  • Avon Fire and Rescue

Their professionalism provided outstanding safety cover, ensuring the parade could be enjoyed safely by all. This collaboration between clubs and organisations is exactly what makes events like this both safe and spectacular.

A Warm Welcome at the Finish Line

As the procession concluded in the Bathurst Basin, we were proud to celebrate at the Cabot Cruising Club, now in its 90th year. As a volunteer-led organisation and custodian of the historic Light Vessel John Sebastian (LV55), it was our joy to provide a warm finish to the parade.

A huge thank you to everyone who came aboard to enjoy the mince pies, mulled wine, and entertainment, all kindly sponsored by Bristol Marina.

Join Our Community

The parade may be over, but the welcome mat is always out. Members from Clubs and Harbour Communities are very welcome onboard the John Sebastian every Thursday from 7:30 pm.

The Bristol Harbour Illuminated Boat Parade truly belongs to everyone involved. Thank you for your support, your enthusiasm, and for helping create such a memorable evening.

Merry Christmas and best wishes to everyone in our harbour community!

Get Your Lights Ready! Join the 2025 Illuminated Boat Parade

Leo Seccia

Date: Saturday, 13th December 

Start Time: 18:00 

Location: Bristol Harbour (Cumberland Basin to Bathurst Basin)

Calling all Skippers, Paddlers, and River Users!

The nights are drawing in, which means it is time to deck the hulls and light up the harbour. We are calling on the local boating community, from powered cruisers to paddleboard squadrons, to join us for the Cabot Cruising Club Illuminated Boat Parade.

This is a volunteer-led event designed to bring us all together for a magical evening on the water, whether you have a 40ft cruiser or a canoe, we want you involved!

The Plan: A River of Light

This year, we are organising a “single pass” parade, creating a continuous stream of light from the west end of the harbour into the city.

The Itinerary:

  • 17:30 – Bridge Swing & Assembly: Prince Street Bridge swings to allow vessels into the “arena area.”
    • Powered Vessels: Congregate in Cumberland Basin.
    • Manual Craft: Congregate at Underfall Yard/Cottage.
  • 18:00 – Parade Start: Powered vessels will lead the procession through Prince Street Bridge and into Bathurst Basin.
  • Follow On: Manual craft will follow the powered vessels when safe to do so.
  • Finish: All vessels congregate in Bathurst Basin for the finale.

Shore Support & Warm Drinks

Invite your friends and family to watch! Our neighbours at Underfall Cafe are opening specially from 17:30 – 18:30 to support the event. They will be serving seasonal treats (including Baileys and Gingerbread hot chocolates), making the yard the perfect spot for shore crew to watch the fleet muster and launch.

The Afterparty Social: Mulled Wine on the Light Ship

It wouldn’t be a Cabot Cruising Club event without a proper social! Once we are moored up, all crews are invited aboard the John Sebastian Light Ship (LV55). In collaboration with Bristol Marina, we’ll be hosting an evening of:

  • 🍷 Mulled Wine
  • 🥧 Mince Pies
  • 🎵 Musical Entertainment

Overnight Mooring: Don’t want to rush home in the dark? Both powered and manual vessels are welcome to stay overnight in Bathurst Basin. (Last bridge swing out is TBC, but likely at around 19:30).

We Need You! (Participation & Safety)

To make this event safe and successful, we rely on the cooperation of the boating community.

  • RSVP is Essential We need to gauge numbers for logistics and catering. Please RSVP to Ben Ewing (Commodore).

If you are a proposed GROUP LEAD for a section of boats, please provide your email and mobile number so we can add you to the event WhatsApp group for real-time comms.

  • Safety First Safety is paramount in low-light conditions. We operate on collective responsibility:
    • Group Leads: Each group of vessels must have a designated lead with a VHF Radio.
    • Visibility: All participants must wear appropriate life jackets/buoyancy aids and have navigation lights/whistles.
    • Electrical Safety: Please be mindful of how you rig your Christmas lights!

How to Join

Let’s create a magical event and have a collaboratively safe, beautifully illuminated celebration.

To register your vessel or group, please contact: Ben Ewing, Commodore

Full safety briefing and detailed itinerary to follow for all registered skippers.

Created by Volunteers—Together, be the light!