• Saturday, December 7th

The historic Beaufort waterfront comes alive during this holiday celebration that combines this community’s love of the water with a literal boatload of holiday lights. The annual Friends of the Maritime Museum Holiday Flotilla is a fun and festive event that will wow spectators throughout the Crystal Coast, and which will put visitors of all ages in a holiday state of mind.

The event is free and open to the public, and the Friends of the Maritime Museum Holiday Flotilla features a wide range of vessels, from kayaks to commercial boats, which will all be fully decorated for the season. The Friends of the Maritime Museum host a Flotilla Viewing Party from 5:30 p.m. until 7:30 p.m. at the Harborside Park deck, but there are multiple locations along the waterfront to enjoy the show. Head to the heart of downtown Beaufort for a front-row seat, or take a trip to neighboring Morehead City for stellar views from the waterfront downtown. Flotilla participants are always welcome to join in the fun, and the bright display that lights up the water for miles ensures that any crystal Coast visitor can enjoy the beautiful combination of boats on the water and plenty of holiday flair.