Plan Your Visit to the Fantasy of Lights Boat Parade
Category EVENTS & HAPPENINGS
Excited for the 2025 Fantasy of Lights Boat Parade?
We’re here to light the way with tips for an unforgettable night of fun and festivity! From street closures to parking, best viewing spots, festive eats + drinks, and more, we’ve got you covered.
The Fantasy of Lights Boat Parade + Fireworks event has grown in popularity each year, drawing thousands of attendees eager to experience the magic and cheer, both on and off the water. To ensure a seamless and joyful experience, we’ve put together some important information to help you plan your visit.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
EVENT DETAILS
Date: Saturday, December 13, 2025
Time: 4:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Location: Tempe Beach Park
EVENT SCHEDULE
- The park opens at 4:00 p.m. with holiday shopping, DIY gift wrapping, delicious eats and drinks from 14 local vendors, 3 festive beer & wine gardens, photos with Santa, and live entertainment to get you in the spirit.
- The Boat Parade begins at 7:00 p.m., as boats launch from the marina on the north side of Tempe Town Lake and float across the lake toward Tempe Beach Park.
- Fireworks begin at 8:15 p.m. from the Mill Ave Bridge, sponsored by Andretti Indoor Karting & Games- Chandler.
- The event ends at 9:00 p.m.
CLEAR BAG POLICY
A clear bag policy is in effect for this event. Approved bags include clear bags (no larger than 11" x 6" x 12"), small clutches, fanny packs, and 1-gallon clear storage bags. Please note: Medical Bags will be allowed but are subject to search.
Insider Tip: Arrive early to avoid the lines and give yourself enough time to grab food, beverages, and scope out your parade viewing spot. The park opens at 4 p.m. and there are three entrances. One under the Mill Ave bridge, one at the corner of Rio & Mill, and the other at the west side of the park near the parking lot.
BOAT PARADE ROUTE
The Parade starts & ends at the marina on the north side of the lake. Boats head east on Tempe Town Lake, creating a large loop around the lake.
BEST VIEWING OPTIONS
We recommend getting to the event early as space is limited and the viewing areas at the event fill up quickly. In addition to viewing along the water, there are also TWO 10-foot inflatable screens in the park that allow for viewing the parade. Just bring a chair and/or blanket and sit back and relax!
If you will not be at Tempe Beach Park, here are other viewing options:
North Side of Tempe Town Lake:
- North Shore Beach
- North Linear Park
- Please note that the marina is closed as it’s the staging area for the boats.
South Side of Tempe Town Lake:
- Neil Giuliano Park or anywhere along the shoreline toward Rural Road are good options.
- There is no view of the parade on the west side of the light rail bridge by TCA
STREET CLOSURES, PARKING, AND TRANSPORTATION OPTIONS
RIDE THE LIGHT RAIL:
The Light Rail provides free parking at 13 Park-and-Ride locations, so you can ride the train directly to 3rd & Mill, which is a very short walk to Tempe Beach Park. This is the most hassle free way to get here!
Park & Ride Locations with FREE parking:
- Metro Parkway- 250 spaces
- 19th Ave/Dunlap Avenue – 415 spaces
- 19th Avenue/Montebello Avenue – 794 spaces
- 19th Avenue/Camelback Road – 410 spaces
- 7th Avenue/Camelback Road – 123 spaces
- Central Avenue/Camelback Road – 135 spaces
- 38th Street/Washington Street – 189 spaces
- Dorsey Lane/Apache Boulevard – 190 spaces
- McClintock Road/Apache Boulevard – 300 spaces
- Price - 101 Freeway/Apache Boulevard – 693 spaces
- Sycamore Street/Main Street – 802 spaces
- Mesa Drive/Main St – 448 spaces
- Gilbert Rd/Main St- 250 spaces
PARKING LOCATIONS, RATES, ADA OPTIONS
Be aware of upcoming road closures around Tempe Beach Park, including Mill Avenue Bridge, and sections of Rio Salado Parkway. Plan ahead for extra travel time due to heavy traffic. The map below outlines closures and all parking options.
Special event parking rates (closest options to the event):
- 201 S Ash Parking Garage - $10
- Beam Parking Garage- $10
- Marina Heights Parking Garage- $10
- Mission Palms Parking Lot- $10
- Hayden Square Lot- $10
- Hayden Square Garage - $10
- Hayden Ferry Parking Garage - $20
ADA Parking
Designated ADA spaces are available in all garages, lots, and on-street parking areas. Vehicles displaying a valid ADA placard or license plate may park for free at on-street spaces that use paystations or ParkMobile signage (note: time limits still apply). This does not include ADA-accessible spaces inside garages or surface lots, where standard rates still apply.
Insider Tip: Use the Tempe TRiP mobile application for an interactive map with a REAL TIME view of what traffic may look. You can also consider alternative parking options downtown, which can be view on Tempe TRiP and standard rates apply.
OTHER OPTIONS:
- Tempe Streetcar- Hop on the Tempe Street Car, which has several stops throughout Downtown Tempe, including several near Tempe Beach Park.
- Ride Your Bike - There is bike parking available near the main entrance of Tempe Beach Park at the Northwest side of the intersection of Rio Salado Pkwy and Mill Ave.
STREET CLOSURE & PARKING MAP
For the best Downtown Tempe experience this holiday season, arrive early to soak up the festive spirit and ambience downtown, and show your local love to the 165+ restaurants and businesses.
- Check out our Holiday Gift Guide for downtown retailers!
- Grab dinner early and then walk to the event. Here's a list of restaurants to check out!
