Decorated boats will light up the Intracoastal Waterway on Dec. 5 when the Palm Valley Boat Parade returns for another year.

The procession begins at 6 p.m., starting one mile south of the Palm Valley Bridge and heading north toward Marsh Landing, according to the parade's official viewing page.

Admission is free.

The parade dates to 1993 on Palm Valley's stretch of the Intracoastal, and Director Beacham Still has said informal neighborhood gatherings along the waterway go back to the 1980s. The route covers more than seven miles, the Ponte Vedra Recorder has reported, as cited by the Market Makers Group blog.

For most of the parade's history, the best views belonged to homeowners with waterfront docks. That changed in 2024, when the volunteer organizers partnered with St. Johns County Parks & Recreation to set up a public viewing site under the Palm Valley Bridge.

The St. Johns County Board of County Commissioners approved $5,000 that year to cover a free shuttle, safety lighting, portable restrooms and trash service, according to a county post. Parks and Recreation Director Ryan Kane said the county's goal was "to assist in making this already-great event accessible for the larger community beyond those with direct Intracoastal access."

In 2024, an estimated 300 people gathered under the bridge. Kids picked up glow sticks. Food trucks sold hot chocolate. Council on Aging buses carried guests to and from Landrum Middle School, the Market Makers blog reported, citing Ponte Vedra Recorder coverage.

The 2026 viewing page confirms the date and 6 p.m. start but notes that parking, shuttle service, seating and on-site amenities have not yet been finalized. In past years, on-site parking was limited to guests with disabilities, and bleacher seating filled on a first-come basis. Organizers encourage checking palmvalleyboatparade.com/viewing for updates before heading out.

The Palm Valley Community Association co-hosts the event. Still told Florida NewsLine in 2024 that the parade's mission includes funding scholarships for Ponte Vedra High School and Nease High School students and supporting Palm Valley Charities through the association's board.

Boat and dock registration for 2026 is open. Entry classes include power boats over 30 feet, power boats under 30 feet, sailboats and a dock-decorating competition. Registered docks post a number, and organizers and boaters judge them as they pass.

Ponte Vedra Beach has no city government and no municipal Christmas parade. The Market Makers blog noted that the boat parade is the only holiday event in the area held in a public space set up for the occasion.

Two other events fall on Dec. 5. The St. Augustine Christmas Parade runs from 9 to 10:30 a.m. that morning, and Matteo Bocelli performs at Ponte Vedra Concert Hall at 8 p.m.