Portland, OR. The Christmas Ships will be parading for fifteen nights this holiday season, December 4th through December 22nd (with just a couple of nights off). Organizers say, “We’re excited to continue the parade this year and offer some form of normalcy in such an abnormal time. Our lighted boat parade is an event that people can enjoy and view safely this holiday season. Even if you just catch a glimpse of us on the water while driving, we hope we brighten your evening.”

The boats, 14 to 65 feet long, are brightly decorated for the holiday season. Up to 60-holiday boats are expected to make up the two fleets.

The Christmas Ship Fleet averages about 55 to 60 boats between the two Columbia and Willamette River fleets.

The privately-owned vessels come from Portland, Vancouver, McMinnville, Salem and Hood River areas. Some of the ship’s owners have been part of the Christmas tradition for more than 30 years.

The Christmas ship parade is on its way.

Christmas Shipowners are getting ready to set sail for their 66th year as residents make plans to watch the colorful flotillas during the parade’s 2020 holiday season.

Organizers remind spectators to stay six feet apart, wear masks, and follow all other protocols to stay safe from the spread of COVID-19. “We are scheduled to parade 15 nights and there are many places along the parade routes to watch without crowding. Check our schedule and plan ahead. We want you to enjoy our parade in the best of health and well-being!”

The nonprofit is also looking for donations. The primary funding source is the waterfront business community. Many of these businesses have been hit hard by the pandemic and are not able to donate this year. Donations help to defray the cost of administering, maintaining and promoting the non-profit. Christmas Ships, Inc. is an all-volunteer organization. Here’s a link to the donate page:  https://www.christmasships.org/make-a-donation

Below is the schedule for the Willamette Fleet:

(There are four nights where the ships don’t sail, so check the Columbia and Willamette River schedules. Due to COVID-19 restrictions on gatherings, there will be no “Meet & Greet” gatherings with the fleet.)

COMBINED
04 Dec
2020
07:00 PM

North Portland Harbor – Combined Fleet

Route Details 7:00PM – The combined fleet (Columbia River and Willamette River Fleets) assemble heading upriver in front of Salty’s Restaurant, 38th/NE Marine Drive and turns at NE 42nd St […]
————————————————————————
05 Dec
2020
06:00 PM
COMBINED

Camas / Washougal – Combined Fleet

Route Details 6:00 PM – The combined fleet (Columbia River and Willamette River Fleets) assembles in front of Port of Camas/Washougal and parades in the area for about an hour. The fleet […]
————————————————————————
08 Dec
2020
07:00 PM
WILLAMETTE

Johns Landing to Fremont Bridge Area

Route Details 7:00PM – The Willamette Fleet assembles in front of Riverplace Marina, (1750 SW Harbor Way, Portland). The fleet will make their way upriver, past the Old Spaghetti Factory, […]
————————————————————————
09 Dec
2020
07:00 PM
WILLAMETTE

Milwaukie

Route Details 7:00PM – The Willamette Fleet assembles in front of RiverPlace Marina, (1750 SW Harbor Way, Portland) and travels upriver to the area of the Milwaukie Boat Ramp. At the boat […]
————————————————————————
10 Dec
2020
07:00 PM
WILLAMETTE

Johns Landing to Fremont Bridge Area

Route Details 7:00PM – The Willamette Fleet assembles in front of Riverplace Marina, (1750 SW Harbor Way, Portland). The fleet will make their way upriver, past the Old Spaghetti Factory, […]
————————————————————————
11 Dec
2020
07:00 PM
WILLAMETTE

Milwaukie / Oregon Yacht Club

Route Details 7:00PM – The Willamette Fleet assembles in front of RiverPlace Marina, (1750 SW Harbor Way, Portland) and travels upriver to the area of the Milwaukie Boat Ramp. At the boat […]
————————————————————————
12 Dec
2020
06:00 PM
COMBINED

St Helens – Combined Fleet

Route Details 6:00PM – The combined fleet (Columbia River and Willamette River Fleets) assembles at the St. Helens City Docks and heads downriver to Columbia City, and weather/river […]
————————————————————————
13  Dec
2020
04:30 PM
COMBINED

Scappoose / Multnomah Channel – Combined Fleet

Route Details 4:30PM – The combined fleet (Columbia River and Willamette River Fleets) meets in the afternoon at Coon Island and leave for Scappoose arriving approximately 5:00PM then […]
————————————————————————
16 Dec
2020
07:00 PM
WILLAMETTE

Milwaukie

Route Details 7:00PM – The Willamette Fleet assembles in front of RiverPlace Marina, (1750 SW Harbor Way, Portland) and travels upriver to the area of the Milwaukie Boat Ramp. At the boat […]
————————————————————————
17 Dec
2020
07:00 PM
WILLAMETTE

Johns Landing to Fremont Bridge Area

Route Details 7:00PM – The Willamette Fleet assembles in front of Riverplace Marina, (1750 SW Harbor Way, Portland). The fleet will make their way upriver, past the Old Spaghetti Factory, […]
————————————————————————
18 Dec
2020
07:00 PM
WILLAMETTE

Milwaukie / Oregon Yacht Club

Route Details 7:00PM – The Willamette Fleet assembles in front of RiverPlace Marina, (1750 SW Harbor Way, Portland) and travels upriver to the area of the Milwaukie Boat Ramp. At the boat […]
————————————————————————
19 Dec
2020
04:30 PM
COMBINED

Lake Oswego – Combined Fleet

Route Details 4:30PM – The combined fleet (Columbia River and Willamette River Fleets) will leave RiverPlace Marina headed to Lake Oswego, arriving about 6:00PM, subject to weather and […]
————————————————————————
20 Dec
2020
05:00 PM
COMBINED

St. Johns Bridge – Combined Fleet

Route Details 5:00PM – The combined fleet (Columbia River and Willamette River Fleets) assemble in front of RiverPlace Marina, (1750 SW Harbor Way, […]
————————————————————————
21 Dec
2020
07:00 PM
WILLAMETTE

Milwaukie

Route Details 7:00PM – The Willamette Fleet assembles in front of RiverPlace Marina, (1750 SW Harbor Way, Portland) and travels upriver to the area of the Milwaukie Boat Ramp. At the boat […]
————————————————————————
22 Dec
2020
07:00 PM
WILLAMETTE

Johns Landing to Fremont Bridge Area

Route Details 7:00PM – The Willamette Fleet assembles in front of Riverplace Marina, (1750 SW Harbor Way, Portland). The fleet will make their way upriver, past the Old Spaghetti Factory, […]
————————————————————————

Below is the schedule for the Columbia Fleet:

COMBINED
04 Dec
2020
07:00 PM

North Portland Harbor – Combined Fleet

Route Details 7:00PM – The combined fleet (Columbia River and Willamette River Fleets) assemble heading upriver in front of Salty’s Restaurant, 38th/NE Marine Drive and turns at NE 42nd St […]
————————————————————————
05 Dec
2020
06:00 PM
COMBINED

Camas / Washougal – Combined Fleet

Route Details 6:00 PM – The combined fleet (Columbia River and Willamette River Fleets) assembles in front of Port of Camas/Washougal and parades in the area for about an hour. The fleet […]
————————————————————————
08 Dec
2020
07:00 PM
COLUMBIA

I-5 Bridge area / Hayden Bay

Unfortunately we will not be going in to Hayden Bay this season. The rest of our route on this night is not affected (Hayden Bay is just a small portion of our route). Between water levels and the added […]
————————————————————————
09 Dec
2020
07:00 PM
COLUMBIA

James M Gleason Boat Ramp, Washington Shoreline

Route Details 7:00PM – Columbia Fleet assembles in front of James M. Gleason Boat Ramp, 43rd/NE Marine Drive. Tonight the fleet will remain the first hour in the area of the boat ramp, and […]
————————————————————————
10 Dec
2020
07:00 PM
COLUMBIA

I-5 Bridge area / Hayden Bay

Unfortunately we will not be going in to Hayden Bay this season. The rest of our route on this night is not affected (Hayden Bay is just a small portion of our route). Between water levels and the added […]
————————————————————————
11 Dec
2020
07:00 PM
COLUMBIA

North Portland Harbor

Route Details 7:00PM – Columbia River Fleet assembles headed upriver in front of Salty’s Restaurant, 38th/NE Marine Drive and turns at NE 42nd St to head downriver to North Portland Harbor. […]
————————————————————————
12 Dec
2020
06:00 PM
COMBINED

St Helens – Combined Fleet

Route Details 6:00PM – The combined fleet (Columbia River and Willamette River Fleets) assembles at the St. Helens City Docks and heads downriver to Columbia City, and weather/river […]
————————————————————————
13 Dec
2020
04:30 PM
COMBINED

Scappoose / Multnomah Channel – Combined Fleet

Route Details 4:30PM – The combined fleet (Columbia River and Willamette River Fleets) meets in the afternoon at Coon Island and leave for Scappoose arriving approximately 5:00PM then […]
————————————————————————
16 Dec
2020
07:00 PM
COLUMBIA

James M Gleason Boat Ramp, Washington Shoreline

Route Details 7:00PM – Columbia Fleet assembles in front of James M. Gleason Boat Ramp, 43rd/NE Marine Drive. Tonight the fleet will remain the first hour in the area of the boat ramp, and […]
————————————————————————
17 Dec
2020
07:00 PM
COLUMBIA

I-5 Bridge area / Hayden Bay

Unfortunately we will not be going in to Hayden Bay this season. The rest of our route on this night is not affected (Hayden Bay is just a small portion of our route). Between water levels and the added […]
————————————————————————
18 Dec
2020
07:00 PM
COLUMBIA

I-205 Bridge area, Steamboat Landing

Route Details 7:00PM – Columbia Fleet assembles in front of James M Gleason Boat Ramp, 43rd/NE Marine Drive and continues upriver to the I-205 Bridge area and Steamboat Landing. The fleet […]
————————————————————————
19 Dec
2020
04:30 PM
COMBINED

Lake Oswego – Combined Fleet

Route Details 4:30PM – The combined fleet (Columbia River and Willamette River Fleets) will leave RiverPlace Marina headed to Lake Oswego, arriving about 6:00PM, subject to weather and […]
————————————————————————
20 Dec
2020
05:00 PM
COMBINED

St. Johns Bridge – Combined Fleet

Route Details 5:00PM – The combined fleet (Columbia River and Willamette River Fleets) assemble in front of RiverPlace Marina, (1750 SW Harbor Way, […]
————————————————————————
21 Dec
2020
07:00 PM
COLUMBIA

I-5 Bridge area / Hayden Bay

Unfortunately we will not be going in to Hayden Bay this season. The rest of our route on this night is not affected (Hayden Bay is just a small portion of our route). Between water levels and the added […]
————————————————————————
22 Dec
2020
07:00 PM
COLUMBIA

North Portland Harbor

Route Details 7:00PM – Columbia River Fleet assembles headed upriver in front of Salty’s Restaurant, 38th/NE Marine Drive and turns at NE 42nd St to head downriver to North Portland Harbor. […]
————————————————————————
From the Christmas Ship Parades:

You can support the Christmas Ship Parade at https://www.christmasships.org/make-a-donation

If you’ve never seen our parade before, you have many opportunities to see us. Figure out which river and night work best for you from our schedules: Columbia River Schedule -or- Willamette River Schedule.  The schedule details for each night list some of the best viewing locations to see us.  Sometimes that may be from a shoreline park or it may be from the warmth of a restaurant overlooking the river.  On the Willamette, you always have the opportunity to see us from a dinner cruise.  Make your reservations now, they book up fast!

How will you participate this year?  As a spectator or as a Christmas Ships skipper?  As long as you have a boat that can do at least 6 knots and have a desire to decorate it, we welcome anyone to join us.  It’s a fulfilling experience that you won’t forget.  Be warned, it is addictive!  The commitment can be whatever you want it to be.  Join us for one night or join us for all.  To see some of the benefits, please visit: Benefits. To sign up, please visit: Sign Up.

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