Holiday lights, Christmas decorations, and cheeky displays are always a part of the festive fun at the annual Venice Canals Holiday Boat Parade, and we got to enjoy it all! Despite living in Los Angeles for years, it’s a tradition I knew nothing about, but Andy has always been a fan.
There are prizes for the best float/boat, and the neighborhood gives out awards for the best house decorations at the same time. It’s a fun, free family event, and I’m glad I made it down there to breathe in a little something joyful.
This year was the 43rd year of the event (there have been one or two interruptions along the way). Boats/floats meander through the canals as the sun sets. Some play music on the floats. Some jam to the music played at the house parties of those who live and celebrate on the canals. All the boats are greeted by cheers from people on the banks – many of whom were also in costume (even I had a Santa hat).
There were Hanukkah boats, gondoliers, a boat full of Christmas elves, a paddle boarding Santa, and theme floats (like the Elsa/Frozen boat and the Diner). Some were elaborate (disco balls rule!). Some were glittery. Some were simple yet joyful. I loved them all.
The parade felt smaller this year. Fewer houses were decorated. It’s not the cost. I think there is a collective feeling of exhaustion after the election. That, coupled with having Thanksgiving only a week before the event rather than two, probably had some people stepping back from the holiday lights and other Christmas decorations. But it was still so much fun.
We talked to so many people. This is not my normal introvert mode. We even ended up at a house party—also not my usual mode. But I think the people down there all needed to find connection after such a difficult election cycle. We wanted to enjoy the generosity of others and extend it – even if that just meant offering to take photos of people on the colorfully decorated bridges.
If you are having trouble getting into the holiday spirit, try to find something local – even if it is just walking in your neighborhood to see the Christmas lights, Hanukkah decorations, or holiday sparkle. Going to this and seeing the Marina Boat Parade the following weekend (pics of that later) started to wake me up. I’m not sure my heart grew ala the Grinch, but we began to feel a bit more festive. And that’s enough for now.