Right Around the River Blog

Parade of Lights at Rocketts Landing This Weekend

Post Date: 12-05-2012

It's that time of the year again, when our city pulls out her holiday best and dresses up, down and sideways to celebrate all the season has to offer, the RVA way. And each year at Rocketts Landing, we get to enjoy having the annual Parade of Lights launch their decorated-boat festivities right at our riverfront doorstep!

Organized by the James River Advisory Council, the 20th annual boat parade will light up the James River on Saturday, Dec. 8, and offer spectators a unique display of vessels covered in lights, wreaths, blow-up Santas -- and they even play Christmas Carols to boot! The boats launch from the Intermediate Terminal Dock and parade their way down the river from Rocketts Landing through Henrico and Chesterfield Counties before ending at Henricus Historical Park.

The parade’s grand illumination begins at 6:00 p.m., and not only will the boats put on quite a show, they finish the parade with an after-party at the Richmond Yacht Club in Southside Richmond. Boaters will be judged in several categories and recognized with an awards celebration, while guests enjoy raffle prizes, food, drinks and more!

While you can choose from several viewing locations throughout the parade’s tour, we couldn’t imagine any better way to take in the sights and sounds than at Rocketts Landing. Just imagine sitting along the James River, cozied up at Conch Republic or The Boathouse, enjoying delicious food and drinks with the holiday-illuminated city skyline in the background as the Parade of Lights go by … reservations anyone?