"The Topsail Christmas Flotilla attracts many spectators along the Intracoastal Waterway," Greater Topsail Area Chamber of Commerce & Tourism director Tammy Proctor told WWAY after last December's parade. "We look forward to growing this event each year, with the continued support from the business community and the public."
The Chamber is following through in two ways this year. The 2026 flotilla falls a week earlier than usual, and entering a boat costs nothing. Both changes matter most at the south end of the island. Every boat in the parade starts at Bush Marina, the town-run marina in downtown Topsail Beach. If you own a decorated boat and live within a few blocks of the launch, entering has never been easier.
Saturday, December 5, a week ahead of tradition
WWAY described the flotilla as "traditionally held on the second Saturday in December." That's how it ran last year. Port City Daily reported the 2025 parade on Saturday, December 13.
On the 2026 calendar, the second Saturday would be December 12. Instead, the Chamber's event listing puts the Annual Topsail Area Christmas Flotilla on Saturday, December 5, 2026, the first Saturday of the month. From the day this post goes up, that's a little over three weeks away. For a captain who still has to plan lights, wiring and a display, those weeks go fast.
The Chamber lists the evening's timing this way:
- 4:30 p.m. The event window opens.
- 5:00 p.m. The fleet departs Bush Marina in Topsail Beach.
- About 6:00 p.m. Boats arrive at Soundside Park in Surf City, weather permitting.
- 11:00 p.m. The listed event window closes.
Arrival depends on the weather, and the Chamber says it isn't liable for cancellations. Check the live event page on the afternoon of December 5 before you head out.
The first hour starts at 912 S. Anderson Blvd
Most holiday coverage focuses on the Surf City end, where the judges and the market are. The parade itself starts at Bush Marina, 912 S. Anderson Blvd. The Town of Topsail Beach describes it as "conveniently located in the downtown district," with a public boat ramp and slips you can rent by the night, week or month.
That slip setup helps entrants from outside town. A captain whose boat is normally kept farther up the waterway can rent a slip for the night and start from the same dock as everyone else. Contact the marina at 910-328-2746 for slip availability and the current fee schedule.
Parking at the marina is tight on a normal weekend, and the town's rules still apply on a parade night:
- Parking spaces are limited and clearly marked, and illegally parked vehicles or trailers may be towed at the owner's expense.
- Parking is limited to one vehicle per boat launched or per leased slip, as space permits.
- Extra truck-and-trailer parking is on the ocean side of the water tower, but vehicles can't be there between 1 a.m. and 5 a.m.
The third rule matters for anyone who launches at Bush Marina, rides the parade to Soundside Park and stays for the evening. The listed event window runs until 11 p.m. That leaves two hours before the overnight restriction starts at the water tower lot, so plan the trip back to the trailer around it.
The town's marina page says an attendant is currently on duty Friday through Sunday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. outside the summer season. December 5 is a Saturday, so someone should be at the marina earlier in the day if you need to settle a slip or launch question before the 5 p.m. departure.
Entering a boat costs nothing this year
The biggest change for 2026 is in the fine print of the registration page. The Chamber writes: "Due to high fuel costs, all registration fees have been waived." The 2026 registration form lists both Chamber member and nonmember boat registrations at $0.
Free entry doesn't mean unlimited entry. The Chamber's terms are:
- Participation is first come, first served.
- Every captain must attend the Captains Meeting unless other arrangements are made. The Chamber sends invitations by email before the flotilla.
- Boats should plan to arrive at Soundside Park at 6 p.m.
- Early bird registration is available, according to the listing.
Spots go first come, first served, and the date is a week earlier than usual. Captains who register early and leave time for the meeting will have the least trouble. Businesses that want to sponsor the parade can call the Chamber at 910-329-4446.
What won at Soundside Park last year
Judging happens at the Surf City end. In 2025, Port City Daily reported that judges picked winners from Soundside Park, with prizes of $1,000 for first place, $300 for second and $200 for third. WWAY reported the 2025 winners:
| 2025 finish | Entry | Captain or crew | Prize |
|---|---|---|---|
| First | Pink Pirate Ghostship | Rick Brown | $1,000 |
| Second | Reason for the Season | Bob Aycock, Good to Go Charters | $300 |
| Third | Grinch-themed display | Traci and Carl Huffman | $200 |
Sea Tow of Wrightsville Beach and Web Designs Your Way sponsored the 2025 flotilla. The 2026 listing doesn't yet give prize amounts or a theme, so watch the Chamber page if those details will shape your design.
The 2025 winners were a pirate ghost ship, a display called "Reason for the Season," and a Grinch, each built around a character or a story. If you're thinking about entering because the fee is gone, those were the entries that won.
Spend the afternoon at the Christmas Market
The flotilla is the second half of the day. The first half is the Greater Topsail Area Christmas Market at Soundside Park, 517 Roland Ave. in Surf City, also on December 5. It's held every December along with the flotilla and features handmade gifts, food trucks and entertainment. The Chamber lists the market as opening at 11 a.m. and running until 7 p.m. or later, with food vendors open until 7.
That timing works out well. The fleet arrives around 6 p.m., while the market is still open and the food trucks are still serving. Last year the market also had music and a visit from Mr. and Mrs. Claus, according to Port City Daily's 2025 preview. Both the flotilla and the market are free to attend.
Choosing your end of the route
You can watch from either end, and they offer different evenings. At Bush Marina you're at the start, with the boats gathering and pulling out at 5 p.m. in the middle of downtown Topsail Beach. At Soundside Park the boats arrive around 6 p.m., and you get the judges, the food trucks and the market.
For a Topsail Beach household with a boat, the 2026 schedule makes a full day possible. Launch from the town marina at 5 p.m. with no entry fee, follow the fleet up the Intracoastal to Soundside Park by 6, eat from the food trucks, then head back south while the water tower trailer lot is still open.
Matt Berglund works on Topsail Island year-round, including with owners who keep a boat at the south end and live elsewhere for part of the year. If you'd like a second look at your boat slip, dock or waterfront property before the holidays, or a local contact who can keep an eye on things while you're away, Matthew Berglund can help. Schedule a local market & project consultation and we'll walk the property with you.
