It’s a new year, which means that the 2023 boating season is just around the corner!
Our 2023 boating calendar is filled with dates that all boaters will want to write down. They’re some of the best days of the year to get out on the water.
2023 Boat Season Calendar Dates to Know
1. January - March: Boat Show Season
Boat show season is upon us! There are numerous Discover Boating boat shows (in partnership with Progressive® Insurance) happening in January, February, and March. Be sure to visit a show to browse a large selection of boats, experience exciting attractions, and learn from boating experts!
Check out our boat shows calendar to learn more and find a show near you.
2. March 20: First Day of Spring
The First Day of Spring is exciting because it's the date in which the day and night are approximately the same length of time.
That means the weekend of March 20 will be an excellent time to start your boat’s spring commissioning. With about three months to go before the start of summer, it's the perfect time to clean and prepare your boat for the upcoming season.
How to Get Your Boat Ready for the Season
3. May 20-26: National Safe Boating Week
National Safe Boating Week is a National Safe Boating Council program that encourages everyone on the water to wear a life jacket.
May 20-26 is a great time to check your boat’s stash of life jackets and ensure there are enough jackets in the correct sizes for everyone who will join you on board throughout the year. It's also a great time to take a boating safety course, so you can rest assured that you're prepared to boat safely.
4. May 29: Memorial Day
Memorial Day weekend is the unofficial start of summer when boaters in most parts of the country benefit from weather that welcomes them back to the water.
This day, of course, is also one of remembrance for all Americans who have died while serving in the nation’s armed forces. Some boaters hold small ceremonies on board to remember friends, loved ones, and relatives who gave their lives in service.
5. June 3-11: National Fishing and Boating Week
National Fishing and Boating Week is a great time to up your fishing game! TakeMeFishing.org offers a host of services that can help you improve your fishing skills, including:
- An interactive map of fishing hot spots
- YouTube videos with demonstrations of techniques
- An Anglers Academy that kids can attend from home to participate in fishing games, arts and crafts projects, and more.
How to Fish: Fishing Tips for Beginners
6. June 21: First Day of Summer
The summer solstice is the longest day of the year when the sun is at its highest and northernmost point in the sky. Thus, it's the day with the longest period of daylight!
In addition, Father’s Day is a few days before the First Day of Summer, on June 18. Is there any better time to be out on the water with dad?
7. July 4: Fourth of July
The annual party in honor of America’s independence takes place on waterways all across the country, with fireworks displays galore.
Those colorful celebrations in the sky happen after the sun goes down, but the long holiday weekend typically sees boaters packed across the waterways by day.
10 Best Cities to Watch Fourth of July Fireworks by Boat
8. Sept. 4: Labor Day
This long holiday weekend is the last big hurrah of the summer boating season before the kids return to school and the adults refocus their attention on work. Labor Day is one of the premier days for raft-ups, onboard barbecues, and simply getting out on the water with family and friends.
In the northern parts of the United States, Labor Day is often when people pull their boats out of the water for winterization to prepare for the following boat season. After your Labor Day celebrations, consider scheduling routine maintenance to close out the 2023 boating season.
9. The Discover Boating Norwalk Boat Show
There's no better way to finish out the 2023 boating season than to visit the Discover Boating Norwalk Boat Show (in partnership with Progressive® Insurance) on Sept. 21-24! Visit the show, held at the Norwalk Cove Marina, to check out a wide selection of boats and exciting attractions.
10. The Month of December: Holiday Boat Parade Season
In warmer parts of the United States, the holiday season is also known as the season of boat parades. Boat owners decorate their hulls with displays of lights and music that help to celebrate the season in style.
Dozens of these holiday boat parades happen in Florida alone each December. Check your local listings for ones near you.
Editor’s Note: This article was updated in January 2023.
