Paola Santiago

Paola Santiago

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

a boat festively decorated with holiday lights cruises along a river beneath the Portland White Stag sign
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The Christmas Ships Parade has been a Portland tradition since 1954.

Christmas Ships Parade

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

3 min read
Paola Santiago

Paola Santiago

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

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 decor.

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 throughout December. You can watch Christmas Ships at various locations along the Columbia and Willamette riverbanks. Check out our ideas for where to watch below, or visit the Christmas Ships website for the Willamette River and Columbia River routes — you’ll find maps for each route and a schedule of which route is being followed on a given night.

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. But if you’re hoping to watch from indoors, making reservations at river-view restaurants and hotels in advance might be a great idea.

What is the Christmas Ships schedule for this year?

In 2024, the ships are scheduled to parade Dec. 5–22, with nights off planned for Dec. 8, 12 and 16. Check out the Christmas Ships website to find a full fleet schedule and other information about the event. Keep in mind that in the case of inclement weather, the parade might be canceled to keep the skippers safe.

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. There’s no shortage of outdoor and indoor options for viewing the parade, from parks and bridges to restaurants and bars.

a boat decorated with colorful holiday lights and an inflatable snow man cruises along a river at night
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The Christmas Ships Parade has been a Portland tradition since 1954.
two boats decorated with festive holiday lights cruise along a river at night with a lighted bridge above
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The Christmas Ships Parade has been a Portland tradition since 1954.
a powerboat decked out in cool blue holiday lights cruises along a river at night
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The Christmas Ships Parade has been a Portland tradition since 1954.
two boats on a river adorned with Christmas lights, one decorated to look like a pair of blue whales
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The Christmas Ships Parade has been a Portland tradition since 1954.
Credit: Sam Churchill, via Flickr

All or most of the fleet will gather every night of the parade with a different planned route — the Christmas Ships website provides maps of the specific routes the Columbia Fleet and Willamette Fleet will follow on a given night. On Dec. 21 and 22, visitors can even enjoy a meet and greet with the entire fleet of boats and their skippers on the public dock near Riverplace Marina.

Looking for some specific spots to get in on the fun? 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 ranges from temperate to rainy to freezing with gusty winds, so dress accordingly.

Places to View the Christmas Ships Parade

Options include restaurants, parks, bridges and more — find one that fits your plans.

  • 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

    This waterside recreation area between Oaks Amusement Park and the Sellwood Bridge includes a boat dock and beach, along with picnic tables, an off-leash dog park and more.

Visitors can also head to the pedestrian portions of Tilikum Crossing and the Steel Bridge for a view right over the water. Popular indoor options include Salty’s on the Columbia, The Old Spaghetti Factory, Il Terrazzo and Dough Zone, among others (reservations are a good idea, to be sure you don’t miss out on the fun). 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

For a front-row view of the parade, sign up for a cruise on the Portland Spirit, a 150-foot (46 m) modern yacht featuring three viewing decks, two of which are enclosed and set to the perfect cozy temperature with climate-controlled features. While you watch the parade, you’ll enjoy a Christmas Ship Dinner, freshly baked bread, dessert and live piano entertainment.

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 Christmas Ships 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 lights and other decorations on so the next generation can take up the helm.

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