There are lots of ways to celebrate Christmas in Oregon, but the Portland Christmas Ships Parade might just be the most Oregon holiday event ever. This unique family event began in 1954 with one lone sailboat from Portland Yacht Club. Today, over 60 boats take to the Columbia and Willamette Rivers each December; a festive fleet that delights onlookers with dazzling displays and twinkling lights. In fact, the annual Christmas Ships Parade is actually the longest continually running Christmas Ship parade in America! Just one more reason why we think this waterfront event in Oregon is definitely one of the best ways to experience Christmas in Portland!

Portland, Oregon, is always lovely. The city’s riverfront is iconic and charmingly captivating.

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And come December, the Portland riverfront shines brighter and more beautifully than ever.

Christmas Ships Parade/Facebook

This is the magic of the Christmas Ships Parade, a holiday event that’s been dazzling Portlanders since 1954.

Portland Spirit Cruises and Events/Facebook

When this holiday event began, there was just one single, bow-adorned ship from the Portland Yacht Club. The next year, more ships joined in the fun.

Portland Spirit Cruises and Events/Facebook

Today, some 60 ships take part in this time-honored tradition, arriving at the Willamette and Columbia Rivers dressed to impress.

Christmas Ships Parade/Facebook

For 15 nights in December, both of these iconic PNW rivers dazzle with the procession of dozens of decked-out, brightly-lit vessels.

Christmas Ships Parade/Facebook

From the banks of the two rivers, visitors can enjoy this only-in-Oregon event up close. The parade is free to enjoy, and absolutely worth seeking out. A schedule for each river can be found on the official Christmas Ships website.

Portland Spirit Cruises and Events/Facebook

Thousands come to enjoy the Christmas Ships on the Columbia River each year. This Oregon tradition packs restaurants and hotels along the two rivers, so be sure to check out the schedule and plan ahead!

Portland Spirit Cruises and Events/Facebook

Of course, our favorite way to enjoy the ships is on the water. Guests aboard the Portland Spirit Cruises get front-row seats to the action.

Portland Spirit Cruises and Events/Facebook Visit the Portland Spirit Christmas Ships cruises website to learn more.

The Portland Christmas Ships Parade is an event that folks from all over the PNW seek out. Once you experience the magic of dozens of dazzling vessels parading down the Willamette and Columbia Rivers, you’ll see why it’s become a beloved Beaver State tradition.

Christmas Ships Parade/Facebook

Have you ever been to the Portland Christmas Ships Parade before? What festive fun! These Christmas boats in Portland have been lighting up the water for nearly 70 years, and it just keeps getting better. If you have any memories from this sweet annual event, we’d love to hear about them!

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Christmas Ships Parade/Facebook

Portland Spirit Cruises and Events/Facebook

Visit the Portland Spirit Christmas Ships cruises website to learn more.

For more info and to plan your visit, view a full schedule on the event website.

Looking for more holiday fun? Portland is also home to Oregon’s largest drive-thru Christmas lights display! Or, take a Christmas lights road trip around the state to enjoy a taste of everything our state has to offer.

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Address: Portland, OR, USA

The OIYS Visitor Center

Portland Christmas Ships Parade & Related Info December 10, 2022 Jennifer What are the best Christmas light displays in Oregon? Oregon is full of festive holiday spirit, and some truly unique Christmas celebrations! Some of the biggest and best Christmas light displays in Oregon include:

Starfest Holiday Light Show at Eagle Crest, Eagle Crest Portland Christmas Ships Parade, Portland Pastega Christmas Lights, Corvallis Winter Wonderland, Portland Lighted Boat Parade, Newport Christmas Festival of Lights in The Grotto, Portland Christmas in the Garden, Silverton Sea of Lights, Newport Oregon Garden Resort, Silverton Zoo Lights, Portland Shore Acres State Park Holiday Lights, Coos Bay Aspen Meadows Celebration of Lights, Colton Winter Wonderland of Lights, Coastal Brookings Umpqua Valley Festival of Lights, Roseburg

  What are the best towns in Oregon to visit at Christmas? With so much phenomenal PNW beauty everywhere you turn, you’d be hard-pressed to find a small town in Oregon that doesn’t twinkle with festive spirit during Christmas. Here are a few of the prettiest Christmas towns in Oregon:

Hood River, OR Newport, OR Corvallis, OR Roseburg, OR Ashland, OR Jacksonville, OR McMinnville, OR Portland, OR Baker City, OR Sumpter, OR Oregon City, OR Astoria, OR Bend, OR

  What are the coolest things to do in Oregon during winter? Many of Oregon’s best winter activities take place in the great outdoors. Here are a few ways to beat cabin fever this winter in Oregon:

Take a scenic drive. Soak in a hot spring. Escape to a cabin in the trees. Brave the chill with a winter hike. Find a frozen waterfall. Visit a national park. Hit the slopes.

The OIYS Visitor Center

Portland Christmas Ships Parade & Related Info

December 10, 2022

Jennifer

What are the best Christmas light displays in Oregon? Oregon is full of festive holiday spirit, and some truly unique Christmas celebrations! Some of the biggest and best Christmas light displays in Oregon include:

Starfest Holiday Light Show at Eagle Crest, Eagle Crest Portland Christmas Ships Parade, Portland Pastega Christmas Lights, Corvallis Winter Wonderland, Portland Lighted Boat Parade, Newport Christmas Festival of Lights in The Grotto, Portland Christmas in the Garden, Silverton Sea of Lights, Newport Oregon Garden Resort, Silverton Zoo Lights, Portland Shore Acres State Park Holiday Lights, Coos Bay Aspen Meadows Celebration of Lights, Colton Winter Wonderland of Lights, Coastal Brookings Umpqua Valley Festival of Lights, Roseburg

  What are the best towns in Oregon to visit at Christmas? With so much phenomenal PNW beauty everywhere you turn, you’d be hard-pressed to find a small town in Oregon that doesn’t twinkle with festive spirit during Christmas. Here are a few of the prettiest Christmas towns in Oregon:

Hood River, OR Newport, OR Corvallis, OR Roseburg, OR Ashland, OR Jacksonville, OR McMinnville, OR Portland, OR Baker City, OR Sumpter, OR Oregon City, OR Astoria, OR Bend, OR

  What are the coolest things to do in Oregon during winter? Many of Oregon’s best winter activities take place in the great outdoors. Here are a few ways to beat cabin fever this winter in Oregon:

Take a scenic drive. Soak in a hot spring. Escape to a cabin in the trees. Brave the chill with a winter hike. Find a frozen waterfall. Visit a national park. Hit the slopes.

The OIYS Visitor Center

The OIYS Visitor Center

Oregon is full of festive holiday spirit, and some truly unique Christmas celebrations! Some of the biggest and best Christmas light displays in Oregon include:

  • Starfest Holiday Light Show at Eagle Crest, Eagle Crest
  • Portland Christmas Ships Parade, Portland
  • Pastega Christmas Lights, Corvallis
  • Winter Wonderland, Portland
  • Lighted Boat Parade, Newport
  • Christmas Festival of Lights in The Grotto, Portland
  • Christmas in the Garden, Silverton
  • Sea of Lights, Newport
  • Oregon Garden Resort, Silverton
  • Zoo Lights, Portland
  • Shore Acres State Park Holiday Lights, Coos Bay
  • Aspen Meadows Celebration of Lights, Colton
  • Winter Wonderland of Lights, Coastal Brookings
  • Umpqua Valley Festival of Lights, Roseburg

 

What are the best towns in Oregon to visit at Christmas?

With so much phenomenal PNW beauty everywhere you turn, you’d be hard-pressed to find a small town in Oregon that doesn’t twinkle with festive spirit during Christmas. Here are a few of the prettiest Christmas towns in Oregon:

  • Hood River, OR
  • Newport, OR
  • Corvallis, OR
  • Roseburg, OR
  • Ashland, OR
  • Jacksonville, OR
  • McMinnville, OR
  • Portland, OR
  • Baker City, OR
  • Sumpter, OR
  • Oregon City, OR
  • Astoria, OR
  • Bend, OR

What are the coolest things to do in Oregon during winter?

Many of Oregon’s best winter activities take place in the great outdoors. Here are a few ways to beat cabin fever this winter in Oregon:

  • Take a scenic drive.
  • Soak in a hot spring.
  • Escape to a cabin in the trees.
  • Brave the chill with a winter hike.
  • Find a frozen waterfall.
  • Visit a national park.
  • Hit the slopes.