The Wharf's Holiday Boat Parade: Planning an Evening on DC's Southwest Waterfront

The Wharf has changed what December looks like on DC's Southwest Waterfront. Along the Washington Channel, the piers fill with families, couples and groups of friends for the annual holiday boat parade, when boats decked out in lights cruise past the waterfront, usually followed by fireworks over the water. It's one of the most festive free evenings of the season in Washington, and it brings a big crowd to a neighborhood with limited parking and busy streets. Here's how to plan it.

What to Expect

The holiday boat parade is part of The Wharf's seasonal programming. Boats of all sizes, from small private vessels to larger working boats, are decorated with lights and parade along the Washington Channel past the piers. The evening has traditionally included fireworks over the channel and other holiday activities along the waterfront, and it has usually been held on a Saturday in early December.

The date, start time, viewing areas and any weather changes are announced by The Wharf each year. Check the official Wharf events calendar before you plan your evening, especially if you're booking a dinner reservation or traveling in from outside the city.

Where to Watch

The parade passes along the length of the waterfront, so there are many places to watch from. The piers, especially the larger ones that extend into the channel, offer the most open views and fill the fastest. The waterfront promenade along the channel is a good option if the piers are crowded. Many restaurants along the Wharf have outdoor seating or large windows facing the water, and a dinner reservation timed around the parade is a comfortable way to watch.

• Arrive early if you want a spot at the edge of a pier, especially with young children.
• Pick a meeting point before the parade starts, since crowds make it easy to get separated.
• Dress for the water. It is always colder and windier by the channel than a few blocks inland.
• Stay for the fireworks, which have traditionally followed the parade, but plan for the crowd to leave all at once when they finish.

Getting to the Wharf

The Wharf sits along Maine Avenue SW, between the Tidal Basin and Fort McNair. The Waterfront station on the Green Line and L'Enfant Plaza on several lines are the closest Metro stops, both a short walk away. The Wharf has underground parking, but on a big event night it fills, and traffic on Maine Avenue and the surrounding streets slows considerably in the hour before and after the parade.

A drop-off avoids both the garage and the walk from a distant space. Your chauffeur drops you on Maine Avenue or a nearby street as close to your destination as traffic allows, and picks you up at a time you set, or waits nearby with an hourly booking if your evening includes several stops. Our Wharf transportation page covers the neighborhood in more detail.

Coming From Virginia or Maryland

The Wharf is close to the 14th Street Bridge and I-395, which makes it convenient for visitors from Arlington and Alexandria, though bridge traffic can be heavy on weekend evenings. From the Maryland suburbs, the drive usually comes in on I-295 or through the city. Leave extra time on parade night for the final approach on Maine Avenue, where the traffic slows near the busiest piers.

Watch for Concert Nights

The Wharf is also home to a major concert venue, and on show nights the area gets busy as concertgoers arrive and leave. If a concert falls on the same evening as the parade, expect heavier traffic on Maine Avenue and longer waits for rideshares. Check the Wharf's event calendar for the whole evening, not just the parade, and plan your arrival and pickup times accordingly. Nearby Navy Yard, home of Nationals Park and Audi Field, can add to traffic on event days too.

Planning the Pickup

The hardest part of the evening is leaving. When the fireworks end, much of the crowd heads for the same exits, the same Metro stations and the same streets at once. A few tips help:

• Agree on a pickup point a short walk from the piers, on a street where traffic is moving, rather than right at the busiest entrance.
• Set a pickup time with a buffer, twenty to thirty minutes after the fireworks end, or call your chauffeur when you're ready.
• Make sure everyone in your group knows the plan, since phone service can be slow in a large crowd.
• If you have a dinner reservation after the parade, stay put and let the crowd clear before you head out.

Making an Evening of It

The parade is a natural centerpiece for a December evening in Southwest. Many visitors pair it with:

• Dinner on the waterfront. The Wharf has a wide range of restaurants, and tables facing the water are in high demand on parade night, so reserve well ahead.
• Seasonal activities on the piers. In past winters, The Wharf has offered outdoor holiday programming such as a skating rink and fire pits; check what's planned this year.
• A drive past the National Christmas Tree and other holiday displays. Our DC holiday lights guide covers the tree and other seasonal sights.
• Holiday shopping downtown. The Downtown DC Holiday Market in Penn Quarter is a short drive away.

Visiting With Children and Older Relatives

The parade is family-friendly, and children love the lights on the water. With young children, choose a spot where you can step back from the crowd easily, keep them close near the water's edge, and plan to leave a little before the fireworks end if they're tired. For older relatives, a drop-off close to the waterfront and a reservation at a restaurant with a view can make the evening much more comfortable than standing on a pier in the cold.

Groups and Vehicle Choice

For a couple, a Mercedes-Benz E-Class or BMW 7 Series is a comfortable choice. Families and small groups fit in a Chevrolet Suburban, which seats five, or a Lincoln Navigator, which seats six. For larger groups, such as an office outing or friends celebrating together, a Mercedes Sprinter carries up to thirteen passengers. See our fleet for details.

Visiting From Out of Town

The Wharf is close to Reagan National, and the drive is often short in light traffic. If you're flying in for the weekend, you can be met at the airport and brought to your hotel or straight to the waterfront. Airport pickups include complimentary waiting time of 45 minutes on domestic arrivals and 60 minutes on international arrivals, timed from touchdown.

Booking the Ride

Early December evenings are among the busiest of the year for us, with holiday parties, theater nights and airport runs all happening at once. Book ahead, especially for a larger vehicle. Sedans and SUVs can be cancelled free of charge up to 3 hours before pickup, and Sprinter vans and special-event bookings up to 12 hours before. Your quote is all-inclusive.

Call (877) 609-1919 at any hour or book online. Tell us your group size, your dinner reservation if you have one, and when you'd like to arrive, and we'll plan the drop-off and pickup around the crowds.