The Christmas season has arrived in Long Beach and the residents of Naples Island have strung up their Christmas lights. These aren’t your ordinary decorations though: seeing the Naples Christmas lights is a time-honored tradition that many people partake in every December. Here you’ll see homes that go all out decorating for the holidays with lights, displays, and other decorations to spread holiday cheer. You’ll also see plenty of decorated boats and docks!
The Naples Island canals are open to the public and the Christmas lights can be seen each evening.
Walk or Boat
Residents and visitors of Long Beach can enjoy strolling through the canals on foot with hot chocolate and admiring the homes and their holiday spirit. For a different view, you can also rent a boat and see the lights from the water. If you want to enjoy dinner with the lights, this is the perfect option for you!
Of course, the most romantic option is to call Gondola Getaway and have one of their gondoliers take you around the island. Not only will you get to admire Naples’ lights, but you can check out the Christmas trees on the water – another one of Long Beach’s great traditions. Gondola Getaway offers packages with food and drinks and are booking Holiday Lights cruises now!
Perfect for families or small groups of friends, a Duffy Boat is another great way to enjoy the lights on the canals. Anchors Away Boat Rentals located in the Marina Pacific shopping center, and London Boat Rentals, located between Boathouse on the Bay and Ballast Point Brewing, both rent covered Duffy Boats that seat 10-12. These are “self-captained,” so be sure someone in your party is comfortable driving a boat. This is a great way to see all the Christmas displays along the canals.
Where to Start?
Located between Belmont Shore and the Long Beach Marina are the lovely islands that make Naples. To catch the best view of the lights, walk (or boat) along the island canals. There are three entrances to the canals. Two of them stem from the street called E The Toledo, and the third is on N Ravenna Drive. Map out your route by viewing the map below!
Click here for a map of Naples Island!
The Naples Island Christmas Boat Parade
This year will be the 78th time that holiday-decorated boats and watercraft will wind their way through the romantic canals of Naples Island in Long Beach. Everyone loves the boat parade because it offers excitement and festive decorations in the water below, but holiday cheer also emanates in the brightly and creatively decorated homes all along the canals. The theme for this year’s boat parade and holiday decor contest is: “A Yacht Rock Christmas”. The parade this year will be held on Saturday, December 21st, at 6 pm.
More Information: CLICK HERE
Dine on Naples
Start your festive evening early and visit one of the delicious restaurants located on 2nd Street for dinner, cocktails, or both! Here’s a fun fact: Naples was originally built to replicate a village in Italy. So, while you’re there, you might as well enjoy some Italian food! Michaels on Naples Ristorante has a beautiful rooftop terrace and serves authentic Italian cuisine with top notch ingredients. Another great dining option is Nico’s, a boutique Italian restaurant with a California flair. Check out the menu here!
There are so many spots to admire Christmas lights throughout Long Beach, but our top choice is right down the street from us on Naples Island. Whether you’re looking for a fun family outing, or simply want to get started embracing the holidays, the Naples Christmas lights are a must-see!
All Around Long Beach
We’ve also put together a Holiday Events Calendar for 2024, with information about all sorts of holiday events and parades all over Long Beach during the month of December.
Want to learn more about the Naples Neighborhood? Read our blog here or watch the video below!
