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Short answer: The 64th Cruise of Lights runs December 19-23, 2026: narrated boat tours of about 50 minutes at 5:30, 6:30, and 7:30 p.m., with free parking and a shuttle from the Huntington Harbour Mall rear lot at 16889 Algonquin Street. The weekend before, hhboatparade.org lists the Huntington Harbour Boat Parade for December 12 and 13, 2026, and it has not posted a 2026 start time. Stay in 92649 if the lights are the reason for the trip.
Cruise of Lights
The Philharmonic Society of Orange County lists the 64th annual Cruise of Lights for December 19-23, 2026, Saturday through Wednesday. Each trip is a 50-minute narrated tour past lights on boats, docks, decks, and homes. Sales support the Society's youth music programs, which it says reach more than 100,000 Orange County students a year at no charge.
Boats leave at 5:30, 6:30, and 7:30 p.m. Arrive at least 15 minutes early for the shuttle. Sunset is before 5 p.m. all month, so every departure is after dark.
Parking and the shuttle are free at the mall's rear lot, 16889 Algonquin Street, Huntington Beach, CA 92649, which is also the committee office. Drive to the dock only with a California Disabled Person placard on display. Placard holders may skip the shuttle and park at the Huntington Harbour Yacht Club, 3821 Warner Avenue. Everyone else is redirected to the mall. The cruise is wheelchair accessible. Power chairs are not allowed.
Tickets are at cruiseoflights.org. The page does not list a 2026 price, so use the price on that site when you book. Space is limited. Payment is not refunded unless that cruise is canceled, and a missed trip is treated as a donation. Gift certificates are available at 714-840-7542 or hhpccruiseoflights@gmail.com.
Huntington Harbour Boat Parade
The parade is the boats themselves, one weekend earlier. hhboatparade.org lists the 64th Huntington Harbour Boat Parade for December 12 and 13, 2026, rain or shine. The theme on the page is "America 250 Music To The Moon & Back," and the Grand Marshal is Norman Huniu. Volunteers run it as a thank-you to residents who decorate.
A 2026 start time is not posted. Under a 2025 People's Choice heading, the page still says to watch a livestream at 6:00 p.m. on Saturday, December 13. December 13, 2026 is a Sunday. Ignore that clock and check the site again during parade week. Viewing areas along the beaches fill up, parking is very limited, and no spectator shuttle is listed.
That Saturday and Sunday, Bella Terra lists Primrose Market on The Green, the lawn by the movie theater at 7777 Edinger Avenue, from noon to 8 p.m. It is a local maker market, and the center says the schedule can change. It is a daytime stop, not a tree lighting.
Main Street, Santa, and nearby parades
Surf City Nights fills the Tuesdays. Downtown Huntington Beach runs it every Tuesday, 4:30 to 8:30 p.m., on Main Street between Pacific Coast Highway and Orange Avenue, weather permitting: a certified farmers market, crafters, food, and live music. December 2026 Tuesdays are the 1st, 8th, 15th, 22nd, and 29th. Christmas is a Friday. No Christmas-week cancellation is posted, so confirm December 22 or 29 on the downtown site if those nights matter. Clear street parking before 2 p.m., or use 90 minutes free at the Main Promenade structure, 200 Main Street (enter on Olive or Walnut). More Pier ideas are in the things-to-do guide.
Pacific City, 21010 Pacific Coast Highway, lists Photos with Santa on selected dates from November 21 through December 24, 2026, in a vintage Airstream on the Ocean Deck. Visits are free. Reservations are recommended and walk-ups are welcome. Cherry Hill photo packages start at $44.99. Sundays in that window are Santa Paws. A 2026 tree lighting is not on the events calendar.
The 118th Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade runs December 16-20, 2026, Wednesday through Sunday, hosted by the Commodores Club of the Newport Beach Chamber of Commerce. Boats start about 6:30 p.m. off Lido Isle and finish around 9 p.m. Shore viewing is free, rain or shine, unless a Coast Guard small-craft advisory cancels that night. That decision is made at 6 p.m. December 16 has fireworks off Newport Pier at about 6:15 p.m. when it is safe. Marina Park, 1600 W Balboa Boulevard, is the largest free viewing area and has 177 parking spaces. These nights overlap Cruise of Lights. A 5:30 departure will not make a 6:30 Newport start, so use different evenings.
Dana Point Harbor's 51st Boat Parade of Lights is December 11-13, 2026, 6:30 to 8 p.m., themed "Dana Point's HARBORITAVILLE," viewed from the island parks and the boardwalk. That is Huntington Harbour's parade weekend. Choose one harbour.
How to plan the week
December 12-13: the market in the afternoon, the Harbour parade at night once a start time is posted. December 15: Surf City Nights. December 16: Newport, if you want fireworks. December 19-23: Cruise of Lights. If you have only one Saturday, give it to the cruise. Newport still runs on Sunday, December 20.
December on the beach
Visit Huntington Beach says all five beaches are open 365 days a year, including Christmas. December averages there are a high of 63°F and a low of 49°F, with most rain from December through February. Bring a jacket. The bonfire guide covers ring locations, the alcohol ban, and the 10 p.m. curfew. Bring your own wood. A Disneyland day is about 25 minutes from the house in light traffic; the kids guide has the plan, and the resort posts holiday hours.
Stay in 92649, next to the harbour
This house is in the same 92649 ZIP as the shuttle lot, close to Huntington Harbour. It has 4 bedrooms and 2.5 baths, sleeps 7, and is a 5.0 Guest Favorite. A Brunswick pool table covers the hour after you dock, and the BBQ works for dinner before a 7:30 boat. The beach is about 8 minutes away. Stays can run up to 30 nights, and weekly stays get 9% off. Book on Airbnb, then buy the cruise.
Holiday FAQ
When is the Huntington Harbour Cruise of Lights in 2026?
December 19-23. Tours of about 50 minutes leave at 5:30, 6:30, and 7:30 p.m. Arrive at least 15 minutes early for the free shuttle from 16889 Algonquin Street.
When is the Huntington Harbour Boat Parade in 2026?
December 12 and 13, rain or shine, theme "America 250 Music To The Moon & Back." A 2026 start time is not published. Check hhboatparade.org that week.
Does Cruise of Lights list 2026 ticket prices?
No. Book at cruiseoflights.org and pay the price shown there. Space is limited, and payment is not refunded unless that cruise is canceled.
Is the beach open on Christmas?
Yes. Visit Huntington Beach says all five beaches are open every day of the year. Expect afternoons near 63°F and nights near 49°F.
Where should we stay for the Cruise of Lights?
In Huntington Beach 92649, near Huntington Harbour and the mall shuttle lot. This 4-bedroom home sleeps 7, is about 8 minutes from the beach, and is a 5.0 Guest Favorite.