Paola Santiago

Paola Santiago

Paola Santiago is the Content Manager for Travel Portland and originates from San Juan, Puerto Rico. Read More

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Two boats adorned with Christmas lights Two boats adorned with Christmas lights
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The Christmas Ships Parade has been a Portland tradition since 1954.
Credit: Sam Churchill, via Flickr

Christmas Ships Parade

Watch the river light up with dozens of ships decked out for the holidays.

Editor's Pick
3 min read
Paola Santiago

Paola Santiago

Paola Santiago is the Content Manager for Travel Portland and originates from San Juan, Puerto Rico. Read More

Editor's Pick
When
Dec. 5–22, 2024
Days Vary
Free
Where
Willamette & Columbia Rivers

Every year, Portland and Vancouver residents line the Columbia and Willamette Rivers to watch a fleet of 55 to 60 festively decorated sailboats and yachts parade down the waterfront. These privately owned boats range from 14 to 65 feet (4 to 20 m) long and gather at different locations along the river featuring light displays and inflatable décor. 

Quick Guide to the Christmas Ships Parade

Where can I watch Christmas Ships in Portland, Oregon?

The Christmas Ships sail through different loops along the Columbia and Willamette rivers nearly nightly through December. You can watch Christmas Ships at various locations along the Columbia and Willamette riverbanks. Check out our ideas below for where to watch or visit the Christmas Ships Fleet schedule for the Willamette River and Columbia River.

Do I need tickets to see the Christmas Ships in Portland?

You do not need tickets to see Christmas Ships, and the parade is viewable to the public for free. However, if you’re hoping to head indoors to watch the ships, making reservations at those river-view restaurants and hotels in advance might be a great idea.

What is the Christmas Ships schedule for this year?

Check out the Christmas Ships website to find a full fleet schedule and other information about the event. Keep in mind depending on the weather; the parade might be canceled to keep the skippers safe.

Portland Christmas Ships Parade History

What started as a lone ribbon-clad sailboat from the Portland Yacht Club in the 1950s became a decades-long nautical Christmas tradition. Each boat owner individually funds and designs their own display for the parade, and the event is run entirely on volunteer effort. Some boats and their skippers have been appearing at the parade for over 30 years, with most of them completing a voyage in the last 20 years. 

Donations made to the event help to cover the cost of maintaining, managing and promoting the Christmas Ships nonprofit organization. If skippers (or boat operators) decide to retire, they pass their decorations on so the next generation can take up the helm.

Winter in Portland

Skip the hibernation and visit the City of Roses this winter instead for gorgeous hikes, aromatic fireside hot chocolate, an abundance of holiday lights, and perhaps even a rare snowy park sledding moment.

Explore Winter

Where to Watch the Christmas Ships

The privately owned vessels come from the Portland, Vancouver, McMinnville, Salem and Hood River areas and can be seen at various locations along the Columbia and Willamette riverbanks. 

All or most of the fleet will gather every night of the parade with a different planned route. Visitors can enjoy a meet and greet with the entire fleet of boats and their skippers up close on Dec. 21 and 22 at the public dock near Riverplace Marina.

Places to View the Christmas Ships Parade

  • Salty’s on the Columbia

    Featuring views of the Columbia River and Mount Hood, this riverside eatery specializes in seafood, including oysters and clams from Northwest beaches.

  • Vancouver Waterfront Park

    The 7.3-acre Vancouver Waterfront Park is part of the Vancouver Waterfront, a 35-acre, high density, mixed-use urban development. This community park incorporates public open spaces with the Columbia River edge.

  • Cathedral Park

    Once a fishing and seasonal living site for Native American tribes (and a landing site of Lewis and Clark), this multi-level park offers beautiful views of the St. Johns Bridge, fishing, a boat ramp, an off-leash dog area and picnic tables.

  • Steel Bridge

    The double-decker Steel Bridge was built in 1912, connecting Old Town Chinatown and North Portland. Pedestrians and cyclists on the bridge’s lower deck can travel between the Rose Quarter (home to the Trail Blazers) and the downtown waterfront.

  • Kimpton RiverPlace Hotel

    A Kimpton property, the RiverPlace Hotel is conveniently located just south of downtown with waterfront views. Accommodations range from standard rooms to deluxe suites and cottages.

  • Poet’s Beach

    In the winter months, depending on the rainfall, the beach may not be accessible, however a paved path leads to the water’s edge with large boulders placed to sit and enjoy the river views.

  • King Tide Fish & Shell

    A bright, welcoming space with views of the Willamette River is the backdrop for an elevated, playful approach to American seafood classics. Guests will also enjoy their two seasonal patios and extensive bar program.

  • Tilikum Crossing

    Opened in 2012, this is the country’s first bridge dedicated to transit, bikes and pedestrians. The cable-stayed structure is known as “Bridge of the People”. “Tilikum” translates to “people” in Chinook, a local Native American language.

  • The Old Spaghetti Factory

    Now a national chain, the Old Spaghetti Factory began at this location along the riverfront in Portland, serving up economical “complete meals,” including salad, bread, pasta and spumoni.

  • Sellwood Riverfront Park

    Sellwood Riverfront Park is a seven-acre park in Southeast Portland. It has paths, a boat dock and canoe launch, a dog off-leash area, natural-surface and paved paths, picnic tables and restrooms.

Grab a couple of hot chocolate thermoses and bundle up to view the parade from South Waterfront Park or Milwaukie Bay Park. For roomier views, perfect for a picnic blanket, Cottonwood Bay Park or Elk Rock Island are great locations farther down the riverfront. The weather in the month of December can be temperate and rainy to freezing temperatures with gusty winds, so dress accordingly.

Visitors can also head to the pedestrian portions of Tilikum Crossing and the Steel Bridge for a view right over the water. For a full list of locations to see the parade, check out the Willamette River and Columbia River fleet schedules.

Special Events During the Christmas Ship Parade

Like many favorite Portland traditions, this event is free and open to the public. To avoid the unpredictable weather, plan to snag a spot with river views in South Waterfront with a reservation, like Il Terrazzo or The Dough Zone and enjoy the parade as you sip seasonal brews or a hot beverage. You can also sign up to cruise on the modern Portland Spirit vessel for a front-row seat view of the parade. Patrons can enjoy a Christmas Ship Dinner, freshly baked bread, dessert, and live piano entertainment. 

The Portland Spirit is a 150-foot modern yacht featuring three viewing decks, two of which are enclosed and set to the perfect cozy temperature with climate-controlled features.

Crave the Christmas Ships spirit but don’t want to brave the cold? The Christmas Ships Trolley Excursion takes patrons on a special viewing of the parade from the warmth and comfort of a replica vintage trolley along a historic rail line dating back to the 1800s. Be sure to grab tickets well before December as spots sell out in record time each year.

Portland Holiday Events

Like an Advent calendar loaded with sugary treats, the days leading up to Christmas in Portland hold an abundance of sweet memories.

Get Festive