Greater Pompano Beach Chamber Holiday Boat Parade

The Greater Pompano Beach Chamber of Commerce's Holiday Boat Parade is one of the longest-running boat parades in the nation, a South Florida tradition that lights up the Intracoastal Waterway with vessels decked out in creative themes and colorful lights. Recent parades have started at Lake Santa Barbara in Pompano Beach and cruised north to Hillsboro Boulevard, with spectator bleachers at Alsdorf Park on the 14th Street Causeway and the judges' stand at a restaurant on Atlantic Boulevard.

Our take: Pick a waterfront park along the Intracoastal early and allow extra driving time, since nearby drawbridges are held open while the boats pass.