Events

Festival of Whales
Join Dana Point Harbor for Festival of Whales! The annual family-friendly event celebrates the spring migration of gray whales with a parade, concerts, children’s activities, car shows, art shows, educational opportunities, food and fun in the harbor.

www.festivalofwhales.com

Fourth of July Fireworks Extravaganza
Gather friends and family for the annual Fourth of July Fireworks Extravaganza and enjoy a spectacular firework display that lights up the harbor.

Tall Ships Festival
Celebrate California’s rich maritime history during the Ocean Institute’s annual Tall Ships Festival. Each September, a fleet of historic tall ships sail into Dana Point Harbor and history comes alive with historical re-enactors, cannon battles, pirate adventures, mermaid encounters, ship tours, and much more.
www.tallshipsfestival.com

Turkey Trot
Each Thanksgiving Day, the Turkey Trot returns to beautiful Dana Point Harbor where participants wobble before they gobble! The panoramic and scenic race features a 10k, 5k and Kids Gobble Wobble and gives participants an excuse to each that extra slice of pie!
www.turkeytrot.com

Holiday Boat Parade

Friday, Dec 7 and Saturday Dec 8 – 7:30pm
Friday, Dec 14 and Saturday Dec 15 – 7:30pm
4:30pm-7:30pm – Family Fun Festivities at Mariner’s Village/Alley and Dana Wharf

Boaters from all around Orange County decorate their boats and vie for the awards of Judges Choice, Best Theme, Best Use of Lights, Best Animation, Most Colorful, Most Original, Best Sailboat, Best Powerboat and the Perpetual Trophy for the Yacht Club with the Most Entries. They light up the evening with their amazing boats as they parade throughout the Harbor.

In celebration of our 44 years of lighting the holiday season up, this year’s theme will power up with “A WESTERN WONDERLAND”. Join us as boats parade into the Harbor showing off their country western themed decorations, animation, color and lights. We can’t wait to see what these creative boaters will come up with. We invite you to come down and be a part of our Western Wonderland!

You can view the parade FREE from anywhere in the Harbor, or make reservations at one of our restaurants to view it from a cozy and warm spot. Come on down and enjoy the sights and sounds of the season.

Dana Point Harbor is at 34555 Golden Lantern, Dana Point, CA. Additional parking is available for a fee at Doheny State Beach and you can jump on the FREE Trolley for a ride to the festivities (3:30pm-10:30pm). For more information visit http://danapointharbor.com/boat-parade/.