The marquee lighted boat parade of the North Carolina coast, staged over Thanksgiving weekend at Wrightsville Beach with a Friday kickoff party, a Saturday arts-and-crafts day in the town park and the parade at dusk. A fireworks show follows the boats, and decorated vessels compete in length-based and spirit categories.
- Starts: 18:00 (boat parade; fireworks follow)
- Route: Judged parade on the Intracoastal Waterway and the Motts and Banks channels around Harbor Island (route per Our State 2025 listing).
- Where to watch: Wrightsville Beach Park (1 Bob Sawyer Dr) area during Day in the Park; sponsor viewing tent (ticketed); waterfront along Banks Channel.
- Running since: 1983
Entering a boat? The organiser takes applications at their entry page.