Alabama is blessed with abundant water resources. And at Christmastime, many Alabama waterways become festive venues for holiday boat parades.

Here are some of the places where you can enjoy a scenic alternative to the typical holiday parade and admire decorated boats illuminating both the night sky and the reflective waters of Alabama’s beautiful lakes, rivers and bays:

Dec. 7 – Demopolis – Christmas on The River – 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.

This nautical parade and fireworks display debuted in 1972 and has become a regional attraction. People travel from near and far to view the beautifully lit and decorated floats on the waters of the Tombigbee River. Christmas on the River is actually a four-day event, beginning Dec. 4. It features a special reading of the Christmas Story at the lighting of the Public Square, candlelight tours of antebellum homes, the Alabama State Championship Bar-B-Q Competition, a 5-K Jingle Bell Run, Christmas Day Parade, Fair in the Square, and finally the Nautical Parade and Fireworks Show. Approximately 40,000 visitors enjoyed the festival last year. For more information, please visit the Demopolis Chamber of Commerce website.

Dec. 14 – Shelby County – Lay Lake Christmas Boat Parade – 4:30 p.m.

The 16th Annual Lay Lake Christmas Boat Parade, features splendidly lit boats, festive Christmas music and Santa Claus. The public can view the parade at Beeswax Creek Park public boat launch, east of Columbiana. The parade continues on to circle Paradise Point Marina, Cedar Creek Marina, Okomo Marina and Bozo’s Marina. The parade is sponsored by the Lake Lake Homeowners and Boat Owners Association. For more information, check out the Lay Lake Christmas Boat Parade site on Facebook.

Dec. 14 – Smith Lake – Santa on Smith Lake and Boat Parade – 1- 5 pm

The afternoon of events takes place at Smith Lake RV Resort in Crane Hill. There will be Christmas music and an appearance by Santa around 2:30 p.m. with goodies for children. The boat parade begins at 4:30 p.m. at nearby Ryan’s Creek Marina (also known as Big Bridge) in Cullman County and will be led by the U.S. Coast Guard and the Alabama Marine Police. It can be viewed from the pavillion and boardwalk at the the RV resort.  For more information, visit the the RV resort website or the Cullman Area Chamber of Commerce website.

Dec. 14 – Decatur – Christmas Parade of Lights – 6 p.m.

Decatur’s boat parade on the Tennessee River features beautifully decorated boats of all sizes and types. The parade begins at the Riverwalk Marina, traveling west to the railroad bridge, then east, past Rhodes Ferry Park, and then back to to Riverwalk Marina. Prime viewing locations are Rhodes Ferry Park, the Hard Dock Cafe, or the marina launch and parking area. The public is invited to stroll around the docks and get an up-close look at the boats from 4 to 6 p.m., before the parade begins. For more information, visit the Decatur Convention and Visitors Bureau website.

Dec. 14 – Gulf Shores – 28th Annual Christmas Lighted Boat Parade – 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.

This year’s parade begins at Lulu’s at Homeport Marina in Gulf Shores and travels east into Orange Beach, ending at Zeke’s Landing Marina. For more information, please visit the Coastal Christmas website.

Dec. 14 – Guntersville – Stars in the Harbor – 5 to 8 p.m.

Guntersville’s annual Christmas Boat Parade takes place at 8 p.m. on Dec. 14 at the municipal harbor on Lake Guntersville. The boat parade actually follows a downtown street parade, which begins at 5 p.m. The street parade begins at Scott Street and continues down Gunter Avenue to Highway 69. As for the boat parade, the public can vote on their favorite entries with winners receiving trophies and other prizes. For more information, visit the city of Guntersville website.

Alabama Coastal Christmas