Thousands of onlookers flocked to downtown Morro Bay on Saturday evening for the annual Morro Bay Lighted Boat Parade.
The parade, a collaboration between the Rotary Club, the Morro Bay Harbor Department and the City of Morro Bay, featured more than two dozen boats decked out in holiday lighting and decorations gliding through the pitch-black waters of the harbor.
On the docks and along the Embarcadero, visitors stopped at pop-up booths selling festive snacks, including hot chocolate, coffee and cookies.
Boats line up for the Morro Bay Lighted Boat Parade on Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025. The parade drew thousands of onlookers and dozens of boats equipped with festive lighting. Joan Lynch jlynch@thetribunenews.com
Starting at 6 p.m., the parade was accompanied by the Morro Bay White Caps Community Band, which performed Christmas songs on the Morro Bay T-Pier.
On land, carolers dressed in traditional Victorian-era winter wear sang Christmas songs for passersby.
A Morro Bay Whale Watching vessel with a shark masthead arrives for the Morro Bay Lighted Boat Parade on Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025. The parade drew thousands of onlookers and dozens of boats equipped with festive lighting. Joan Lynch jlynch@thetribunenews.com
A boat made to look like a whale with a waterspout passes the pier in Morro Bay on Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025. The parade drew thousands of onlookers and dozens of boats equipped with festive lighting. Joan Lynch jlynch@thetribunenews.com
A tall sailboat decked out in festive lights arrives for the Morro Bay Lighted Boat Parade on Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025. The parade drew thousands of onlookers and dozens of boats equipped with festive lighting. Joan Lynch jlynch@thetribunenews.com
A small craft featuring multiple inflatable Disney characters passes the pier during the Morro Bay Lighted Boat Parade on Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025. The parade drew thousands of onlookers and dozens of boats equipped with festive lighting. Joan Lynch jlynch@thetribunenews.com
The Morro Bay White Caps Community Band plays on the pier during the Morro Bay Lighted Boat Parade on Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025. The parade drew thousands of onlookers and dozens of boats equipped with festive lighting. Joan Lynch jlynch@thetribunenews.com
Boats equipped with festive lighting make their way into Morro Bay Harbor on Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025. The parade drew thousands of onlookers and dozens of boats equipped with festive lighting. Joan Lynch jlynch@thetribunenews.com
A pair of small boats equipped with inflatable Christmas decorations arrive in the Morro Bay Lighted Boat Parade on Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025. The parade drew thousands of onlookers and dozens of boats equipped with festive lighting. Joan Lynch jlynch@thetribunenews.com
Joan Lynch is a housing reporter at the San Luis Obispo Tribune. Originally from Kenosha, Wisconsin, Joan studied journalism and telecommunications at Ball State University, graduating in 2022.
