Portland Christmas Ships Parade, photo by Christmas Ships
If you’re looking for a holiday outing that feels uniquely Portland, the Christmas Ships Parade is hard to beat. Watching a line of brightly lit boats gliding across the water on a dark December night is simply magical. It’s a great centerpiece for a fun evening out or free fun for the whole family. The folks on the boats? They’ve been doing this for decades—some for generations.
The History of the Christmas Ships
The Christmas Ships tradition started back in 1954, when one Portland boater decorated a single sailboat and took it for a festive spin on the river. That simple idea caught on quickly. Neighbors joined in, then friends of friends, and soon it became a full-blown annual parade.
Today, it’s the longest continuously operating illuminated boat parade in the United States. Around 80 boats light up the Columbia and Willamette Rivers with strings of lights, animated displays, and whole floating holiday scenes.
How the Christmas Ships Parade Works
Each December, for 15 nights, a flotilla of brightly lit boats glides along the Willamette and Columbia Rivers, bringing holiday cheer to thousands of people watching from parks, riverfront trails, restaurants, bridges, and backyards. It’s completely free to attend—no tickets, no gates, just show up at your favorite riverside spot and enjoy the show.
The fleet usually includes about 80 boats, ranging from 14 to 65 feet, and together they cover about 345 nautical miles each season—passing more than 80 miles of shoreline. No wonder so many Portlanders feel like it isn’t truly the holidays until they’ve caught sight of the first Christmas Ship.
Where to See the Christmas Ships
There’s no one “best” spot, and that’s part of the fun. You can catch them from parks, riverwalks, restaurants, and even sidewalks tucked between buildings. Here are some reliable places on each river:
Willamette River Viewing Spots
Tom McCall Waterfront Park – A classic spot with plenty of room.
Sellwood Riverfront Park – Good views as the fleet moves toward or away from the Sellwood Bridge.
Milwaukie Bay Park – Easy, family-friendly viewing.
Lake Oswego / George Rogers Park – A cozy spot where the parade feels close-up.
Cathedral Park – Beautiful under the St. Johns Bridge when the route brings them through.
Columbia River Viewing Spots
Marine Drive, Portland – Long stretches with great roadside pullouts.
Wintler Park, Vancouver – Great for families and good visibility
Vancouver Waterfront – a wide variety of restaurants and lounges offer window-front seating for the show.
Port of Camas/Washougal – waterfront parks offer prime Christmas ship viewing
James Gleason Boat Ramp, Portland – A lesser-known but excellent vantage point.
What Makes It Special
The Christmas Ships are undeniably special just because they make the holidays feel magical. But they are unique in some other ways, too.
The Christmas Ships are still a grassroots project. The parade is 100% volunteer-powered and operated by an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit, supported by community sponsors and donors. Every boat owner—known as a “Christmas Shipper”—covers all their own expenses and designs their own display. Many even fabricate their lighted scenes by hand, from glowing Santas to twinkling sail lines. Some have been doing it for more than 40 years.
The Parade is also a designated Oregon Heritage Tradition, one of only 28 in the state. Each year, the organizers partner with groups like Portland Fire & Rescue’s Toy & Joy Makers, Scappoose Fire & Rescue, and Columbia River Fire & Rescue to help collect toys for local kids, adding a little extra good to all that holiday sparkle.
Tips for Watching Like a Local
- Dress warm–many of the best viewing spots are outdoors, and it’s fun to join the crowd, regardless of the weather
- Arrive early–parking fills up at the popular viewpoints
- Bring a flashlight or headlamp for darker areas along the water
- Check the schedule on the day you want to visit–routes sometimes adjust due to river conditions
- If you’re photographing, be prepared for dark conditions and long exposures.
- Make a night of it—pair the parade with dinner, a walk, or a stop for a seasonal drink.
- You’ll probably need a reservation to snag a window table at a waterfront restaurant, so plan ahead for this special treat.
