Christmas Ships Parade Schedule
2025 Schedule
Browse daily schedules for the Columbia and Willamette River parades below. Or simply download and print the schedules for the Columbia River and Willamette River. Note that schedules are subject to change in accordance with boating safety, weather conditions or other factors beyond our control.
Event Details
Simply click the links below each event to view more information or to save the event via Google Calendar or ICS.
Columbia Fleet: M. James Gleason Boat Ramp to Vancouver Waterfront/Hayden Bay
7:00PM - The fleet assembles in front of M. James Gleason Boat Ramp at 43rd/NE Marine Drive, crosses to the Washington side near Tidewater Cove, then heads downriver to the I-5 Bridge Area, arriving at Surprise Beach at approximately 7:40 PM. We parade in that area for about 20 minutes and then continue under the I-5 Bridge to the Vancouver Waterfront. We arrive at Grant Street Pier at approximately 8:10 PM and parade in front the surrounding waterfront for about 20 minutes before continuing toward Grandma’s Cove on the Oregon Side. We then head upriver, parading by the Holiday Inn and arriving at Hayden Bay at approximately 8:45 PM. The fleet can be seen from both sides of the river and is out for about two hours.
The following locations provide excellent opportunities to see the parade.
550 Waterfront Way
Vancouver, WA
(360) 816-0058
5731 SE Columbia Way
Vancouver, WA
(360) 360-5000
Holiday Inn Portland - Columbia Riverfront
909 N Hayden Island Dr
Portland, OR
(503) 283-4466
3839 NE Marine Dr
Portland, OR
(503) 288-4444
4035 NE Marine Dr
Portland, OR 97211
(503) 281-5944
801 Waterfront Way, Suite 103
Vancouver, WA 98660
Maryhill Winery Tasting Room and Bistro
801 Waterfront Way, Suite 105
Vancouver, WA 98660
(360) 450-6211
Willamette Valley Vineyards - Vancouver Tasting Room
801 Waterfront Way, Ste #205,
Vancouver, WA 98660
(360) 718-7312
1801 S.E. Columbia River Dr.
Vancouver, WA 98661
(360) 699-1521
Outdoor Viewing Locations:
M. James Gleason Boat Ramp, 4325 NE Marine Dr, Portland
The large parking lot provides excellent viewing. The gate will be kept open later to allow spectators to view the ships as they assemble approximately 6:45 to 7:05pm. $5 parking applies.Rotary Way (West of I-5)
Willamette Fleet: Riverplace Marina to Johns Landing/Fremont Bridge
7:00PM - The fleet assembles in front of Riverplace Marina (0315 SW Montgomery St, Portland). The fleet will make their way upriver, past the Old Spaghetti Factory, to the Johns Landing area. Our targeted turnaround point is near The Boathouse apartments / S. Boundary St and the nearby private marina; however, this could change based on river conditions. The fleet turns and travels downriver to the Fremont Bridge area. The fleet will go under the bridge past the waterfront condos before returning to Riverplace Marina. The fleet will be out for about two hours.
The following locations provide excellent opportunities to see the parade.
River Cruises:
The Portland Spirit Cruises and Events
Excursions:
Restaurants:
The Old Spaghetti Factory
0715 S.W. Bancroft St.
Portland, OR 97239
503-222-5375
Outdoor Viewing locations:
Riverplace Espanade (west end of Marquam Bridge) -- 0300 Block SW Montgomery, Portland
Tom McCall Waterfront Park, SW Front -- Clay to Glisan
Columbia Fleet: M. James Gleason Boat Ramp to I-205/Steamboat Landing/164th Ave
7:00PM - Columbia Fleet assembles in front of M. James Gleason Boat Ramp at 43rd/NE Marine Drive and continues upriver to the I-205 Bridge area and Steamboat Landing. The fleet will continue upriver to the area of SE 164th (Vancouver). The fleet stays on the WA side and is out for about two hours.
Viewing locations at the start of the parade:
Restaurants:
Salty's Restaurant
3839 NE Marine Drive
Portland, Oregon
(503) 288-4444
The Sextant Bar and Galley
4035 NE Marine Drive
Portland, OR
(503) 281-5944
The Cove
5731 SE Columbia Way
Vancouver, WA
(360) 360-5000
Outdoor viewing:
M. James Gleason Boat Ramp, 4325 NE Marine Dr, Portland
The large parking lot provides excellent viewing. The gate will be kept open later to allow spectators to view the ships as they assemble approximately 6:45 to 7:05pm. $5 parking applies.NE Marine Drive from NE 43rd to west end of Lemon Island
Government Island - Schwitter and Barlett Landing docks (by boat only)
Willamette Fleet: Riverplace Marina to Johns Landing/Fremont Bridge
7:00PM - The fleet assembles in front of Riverplace Marina (0315 SW Montgomery St, Portland). The fleet will make their way upriver, past the Old Spaghetti Factory, to the Johns Landing area. Our targeted turnaround point is near The Boathouse apartments / S. Boundary St and the nearby private marina; however, this could change based on river conditions. The fleet turns and travels downriver to the Fremont Bridge area. The fleet will go under the bridge past the waterfront condos before returning to Riverplace Marina. The fleet will be out for about two hours.
The following locations provide excellent opportunities to see the parade.
River Cruises:
The Portland Spirit Cruises and Events
Excursions:
Restaurants:
The Old Spaghetti Factory
0715 S.W. Bancroft St.
Portland, OR 97239
503-222-5375
Outdoor viewing locations:
Riverplace Esplanade (west end of Marquam Bridge) -- 0300 Block SW Montgomery, Portland
Tom McCall Waterfront Park, SW Front -- Clay to Glisan
Willamette Fleet: Riverplace Marina to Johns Landing/Fremont Bridge
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 to the Johns Landing area. Our targeted turnaround point is near The Boathouse apartments/S. Boundary St. and the nearby private marina; however, this could change based on river conditions. The fleet turns and travels downriver to area of the Fremont Bridge. The fleet will go under the bridge past the waterfront condos and then turn to return to Riverplace Marina. The fleet will be out for about two hours.
Columbia Fleet: M. James Gleason Boat Ramp to Washington Shores/Wintler Park
7:00PM - Columbia Fleet assembles in front of M. James Gleason Boat Ramp at 43rd/NE Marine Drive. The fleet will remain in the area of the boat ramp for 15 minutes then cross the river to Tidewater Cove, proceeding upriver to Wintler Park. About 7:30PM, the fleet will head downriver to the I-5 Bridge and restaurants and can be seen from both sides of the river. The parade will return to the Oregon side below the I-5 bridge.
The following locations provide excellent opportunities to see the parade.
Hotel Indigo Vancouver
550 Waterfront Way
Vancouver, WA
(360) 816-0058
5731 SE Columbia Way
Vancouver, WA
(360) 360-5000
Holiday Inn Portland - Columbia Riverfront
909 N Hayden Island Dr
Portland, OR
(503) 283-4466
3839 NE Marine Dr
Portland, OR
(503) 288-4444
4035 NE Marine Dr
Portland, OR 97211
(503) 281-5944
1801 S.E. Columbia River Dr.
Vancouver, WA 98661
(360) 699-1521
801 Waterfront Way, Suite 103
Vancouver, WA 98660
Maryhill Winery Tasting Room and Bistro
801 Waterfront Way, Suite 105
Vancouver, WA 98660
(360) 450-6211
Willamette Valley Vineyards - Vancouver Tasting Room
801 Waterfront Way, Ste #205,
Vancouver, WA 98660
(360) 718-7312
Outdoor Viewing Locations:
M. James Gleason Boat Ramp, 4325 NE Marine Dr, Portland. The large parking lot provides excellent viewing. The gate will be kept open later to allow spectators to view the ships as they assemble approximately 6:45 to 7:05pm. $5 parking applies.
Viewing is also good in areas along NE Marine Drive from NE 29th to 42nd St
Rotary Way (West of I-5)
Willamette Fleet: Riverplace Marina to Johns Landing/Fremont Bridge
7:00PM - The fleet assembles in front of Riverplace Marina, (0315 SW Montgomery St, Portland). The fleet will make their way upriver, past the Old Spaghetti Factory, to the Johns Landing area. Our targeted turnaround point is near The Boathouse apartments / S. Boundary St and the nearby private marina; however, this could change based on river conditions. The fleet turns and travels downriver to the Fremont Bridge area. The fleet will go under the bridge past the waterfront condos before returning to Riverplace Marina. The fleet will be out for about two hours.
The following locations provide excellent opportunities to see the parade.
River Cruises:
The Portland Spirit Cruises and Events
Excursions:
Restaurants:
The Old Spaghetti Factory
0715 S.W. Bancroft St.
Portland, OR 97239
503-222-5375
Outdoor Viewing locations:
Riverplace Espanade (west end of Marquam Bridge) -- 0300 Block SW Montgomery, Portland
Tom McCall Waterfront Park, SW Front -- Clay to Glisan
We are deeply grateful to those who contribute with donations and services for our parade season. Without the contributions and services provided by our sponsors, the parade would not be possible. Please support our Presenting, Supporting and Premier sponsors.
