The 2022 Christmas Ships Parade is Full Steam Ahead

Christmas Ship

Portland, OR. It’s the most wonderful time of year and Christmas Ships Parade boat captains are getting ready to set sail for the 68th annual event. Organizers say, “We’re busy testing the lights, updating the displays, and polishing our boats, all to get ready to shine for you!” There are new boat displays and participants are bringing back old favorites. All fleet members are enthusiastic volunteers, paying all their own expenses, to put on the colorful show. The Christmas Ship Parades take place on both the Willamette and Columbia Rivers. We’ve got the schedule below.

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 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 40 years.

The traditional Christmas Ship Parade features brilliantly decorated boats on the Willamette and Columbia rivers.

There are some new displays, and participants are bringing back old favorites as well. All fleet members are enthusiastic volunteers, paying all their own expenses, and ready to put on a show.

Below are links to downloadable Parade Schedules. Additionally, there’s a complete list of the schedule with live links for more information.

Columbia River Parade Schedule Download

Willamette River Parade Schedule Download

Willamette Fleet Schedule – December 2022:

Dec. 2nd, 7:00 PM

COMBINED

Camas / Washougal – Combined Fleet

Dec. 3rd, 6:00 PM

COMBINED

Johns Landing / Fremont Bridge

Dec. 5th, 7:00 PM

WILLAMETTE

Milwaukie

Dec. 6th, 7:00 PM

WILLAMETTE

Johns Landing / Fremont Bridge

Dec 7th, 7:00 PM

WILLAMETTE

Milwaukie / Oregon Yacht Club

Dec. 9th, 7:00 PM

WILLAMETTE

St Helens / Columbia City / Woodland – Combined Fleet

Dec. 10th, 6:00 PM

COMBINED

Scappoose / Multnomah Channel – Combined Fleet

Dec. 11th, 4:30 PM

COMBINED

Milwaukie

Dec 14th, 7:00 PM

WILLAMETTE

Johns Landing / Fremont Bridge

Dec. 15th, 7:00 PM

WILLAMETTE

Milwaukie

Dec. 16th, 7:00 PM

WILLAMETTE

Lake Oswego – Combined Fleet

Dec. 17th, 4:30 PM

COMBINED

Meet & Greet

Dec. 17th, 8:00 PM

COMBINED

Venue: Public Dock near RiverPlace Marina

Meet & Greet

Dec. 18th, 2:00 PM

COMBINED

Venue: Public Dock near RiverPlace Marina

St. Johns Bridge / Cathedral Park – Combined Fleet

Dec. 18th, 5:00 PM

COMBINED

Milwaukie

20, Dec 20th, 7:00 PM

WILLAMETTE

Johns Landing / Fremont Bridge

21, Dec. 21st

7:00 PM

WILLAMETTE

Columbia Fleet Schedule – December 2022:

Dec. 2nd, 7:00 PM

COMBINED

Camas / Washougal – Combined Fleet

Dec. 3rd, 6:00 PM

COMBINED

Vancouver Waterfront / Hayden Bay

Dec. 5th, 7:00 PM

COLUMBIA

M. James Gleason Boat Ramp / Washington Shores / Wintler Park

Dec. 6th, 7:00 PM

COLUMBIA

Vancouver Waterfront / Hayden Bay

Dec 7th, 7:00 PM

COLUMBIA

I-205 / Steamboat Landing

Dec. 9th, 7:00 PM

COLUMBIA

St Helens / Columbia City / Woodland – Combined Fleet

Dec. 10th, 6:00 PM

COMBINED

Scappoose / Multnomah Channel – Combined Fleet

Dec. 11th, 4:30 PM

COMBINED

M. James Gleason Boat Ramp / Washington Shores / Wintler Park

Dec 14th, 7:00 PM

COLUMBIA

Vancouver Waterfront / Hayden Bay

Dec. 15th, 7:00 PM

COLUMBIA

North Portland Harbor

Dec. 16th, 7:00 PM

COLUMBIA

Lake Oswego – Combined Fleet

Dec. 17th, 4:30 PM

COMBINED

Meet & Greet

Dec. 17th, 8:00 PM

COMBINED

Venue: Public Dock near RiverPlace Marina

Meet & Greet

Dec. 18th, 2:00 PM

COMBINED

Venue: Public Dock near RiverPlace Marina

St. Johns Bridge / Cathedral Park – Combined Fleet

Dec. 18th, 5:00 PM

COMBINED

Vancouver Waterfront / Hayden Bay

20, Dec 20th, 7:00 PM

COLUMBIA

North Portland Harbor

21, Dec. 21st

7:00 PM

COLUMBIA

From Christmas Ships Parade:

Are you a boater interested in joining the parade? The requirements are few and the fun is great. And there is still time to get involved! Just click on the “Join Us > Benefits” menu to find out why you should become a Christmas Ship Skipper, then sign up! Fulfill that dream and check off that bucket-list item. Join us for the 2022 Christmas Ships Parade!

We offer a sincere thank you to sponsors and supporters. Check them out on the supporters page. We also want to thank you, our fabulous community members. Without you, we wouldn’t be able to do what we do, so THANK YOU!

Elisa Klein

I’ve been a professional journalist and writer since 1987, (and long-time reporter for KOIN-TV.) As a nationally published reporter, with a Master’s Degree in Journalism, I love to report positive news and information. Journalism has also connected me with another non-profit where I served as a leader; the Northwest’s biggest writer’s organization: The Willamette Writers.