Portland, December 6th, 2013. This year marks the 59th year for the Christmas Ship Parade on the Columbia and Willamette Rivers in Portland, Oregon. We’ve got the schedule for both routes with viewing locations and times for restaurants, hotels and outdoor viewing.
It is an volunteer organization, not all the boats make it out every night, but organizers always seem to have enough enthused Captains to put on a lively parade.
The traditional Christmas Ship Parade features decorated boats on the Willamette and Columbia rivers.
The Christmas Ship Fleet averages about 55 to 60 boats between the two Columbia and Willamette River fleets.
Both fleets will be out most every night for two weeks beginning December 6, 2013 and running nightly through December 21, 2013 (with the exception of Monday, December 9th, when the Christmas Ships will not run). The fleet will do a special performance in Camas, WA on Nov. 30th.
Without donations from the restaurants and the hotels that are situated along the waterfront, this parade would not be possible. Organizers encourage you to book Christmas parties at sponsoring restaurants and hotels. Christmas Ships, Inc is a non-profit organization,and depends on donations.
Weather and/or water conditions are the only elements that cancel the ships performance. That determination is made by the leaders for the evening one hour before the ships are scheduled to begin performing and will be posted here immediately.
2013 Willamette River Parade Schedule
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Saturday, Nov. 30th – Camas/Washougal
At 7:00PM, the fleet will assemble in front of the Port of Camas/Washougal and parade in the area of the docks for about an hour. The fleet will then return to Portland on the Washington side. Additional information, restaurants and outdoor viewing locations |
7:00PM |
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Friday, Dec 6th – North Portland Harbor – Combined with Columbia Fleet
At 7:00PM, the parade will assemble in the area of the James. M Gleason boat ramp, (NE 43rd/Marine Dr), and then head downriver to North Portland Harbor. North Portland Harbor is located on the Oregon side of Hayden Island. Additional information, restaurants and outdoor viewing locations |
7:00PM |
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Saturday, Dec. 7th – St Helens, Columbia City, RV Park (WA side)
At 6:000PM, both fleets will assemble at the St. Helens City Docks and head downriver to Columbia City, and weather/river conditions permitting crosses to the WA side and the RV Park, then returns to St. Helens City Docks. The fleet is out about two hours. Ships remain overnight at St. Helens City Docks and leave Sunday for the trip up Multnomah Channel. Outdoor viewing locations |
6:00PM |
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Sunday, Dec. 8th – Scappoose, Multnomah Channel to Willamette River
At 4:30PM, both the Columbia and the Willamette Fleet wil meet in the afternoon at Coon Island and leave for Scappoose arriving approximately 5:00PM then continue up the Multnomah Channel to the Willamette River. This is a long night and arrival at the Willamette River is usually between 8:00P and 8:30P. It is not possible to give a closer time frame due to weather conditions, debris in the river, and other conditions beyond our control. Additional information, restaurant and outdoor viewing locations |
5:00PM |
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Monday, Dec. 9th – No Parade Tonight
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Tuesday, Dec. 10th – OMSI to Fremont Bridge
At 7:00PM, the Willamette Fleet assembles in front of Riverplace Marina, (1750 SW Harbor Way, Portland). The parade will begin in the OMSI/Riverplace area before heading upstream to the Spaghetti Factory before heading downriver to the area of the Fremont Bridge The fleet will go under the bridge and then turns to return to Riverplace Marina. The fleet will be out for about two hours. Restaurant and hotel links, outdoor viewing location and further details |
7:00PM |
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Wednesday, Dec. 11th – Milwaukie
The Willamette Fleet assembles in front of RiverPlace Marina, (1750 SW Harbor Way, Portland) at 7:00PM and travels upriver to the area of the Milwaukie Boat Ramp. The fleet will arrive about 7:45PM and about 8:15P the fleet turns and returns to RiverPlace Marina. On the nights that Oregon Yacht Club is listed, the fleet will go in below Oaks Park and in front of the floating homes on the way back to RiverPlace. Restaurants and hotel links, outdoor viewing locations and further details |
7:00PM |
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Thursday, Dec. 12th – OMSI to Fremont Bridge
At 7:00PM, the Willamette Fleet assembles in front of Riverplace Marina, (1750 SW Harbor Way, Portland). The parade will begin in the OMSI/Riverplace area and head upstream to the Spaghetti Factory before heading downriver to the area of the Fremont Bridge The fleet will go under the bridge and then turns to return to Riverplace Marina. The fleet will be out for about two hours. Restaurant and hotel links, outdoor viewing location and further details |
7:00PM |
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Friday, Dec. 13th – Milwaukie, Oregon Yacht Club
The Willamette Fleet assembles in front of RiverPlace Marina, (1750 SW Harbor Way, Portland) at 7:00PM and travels upriver to the area of the Milwaukie Boat Ramp. The fleet will arrive about 7:45PM and about 8:15P the fleet turns and returns to RiverPlace Marina. On the nights that Oregon Yacht Club is listed, the fleet will go in below Oaks Park and in front of the floating homes on the way back to RiverPlace. Restaurants and hotel links, outdoor viewing locations and further details |
7:00PM |
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Saturday, Dec. 14th – Lake Oswego
At 5:00PM, both fleets will leave RiverPlace Marina(downtown Portland) headed to Lake Oswego, arriving about 6:15P – 6:30, subject to weather and river conditions. The ships will go as far as George Rogers Park and turn back to Portland. Restaurant, hotel and outdoor viewing locations, maps and further details |
5:00PM |
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Sunday, Dec. 15th – Downtown Portland/St John’s area
At 5:00PM, the Willamette and Columbia Fleets assemble in front of RiverPlace Marina, (1750 SW Harbor Way, Portland). The parade will begin in the OMSI/Riverplace area and proceed upstream to the Spaghetti Factory before heading downriver to St. John’s arriving at approximately 6:30 PM and remain in the area for about 30 minutes. The parade will then continue on to the Columbia River and each boat owners home port. Additional information, restaurants and hotels, plus outdoor viewing locations |
5:00PM |
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Monday, Dec. 16th – Milwaukie
The Willamette Fleet assembles in front of RiverPlace Marina, (1750 SW Harbor Way, Portland) at 7:00PM and travels upriver to the area of the Milwaukie Boat Ramp. The fleet will arrive about 7:45PM and about 8:15P the fleet turns and returns to RiverPlace Marina. On the nights that Oregon Yacht Club is listed, the fleet will go in below Oaks Park and in front of the floating homes on the way back to RiverPlace. Restaurants and hotel links, outdoor viewing locations and further details |
7:00PM |
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Tuesday, Dec. 17th – OMSI to Fremont Bridge
At 7:00PM, the Willamette Fleet assembles in front of Riverplace Marina, (1750 SW Harbor Way, Portland). The parade will begin in front of OMSI/Riverplace and proceed upriver to the Spaghetti Factory area before heading downriver to area of the Fremont Bridge The fleet will go under the bridge and then turns to return to Riverplace Marina. The fleet will be out for about two hours. Restaurant and hotel links, outdoor viewing location and further details |
7:00PM |
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Wednesday, Dec. 18th – Milwaukie
The Willamette Fleet assembles in front of RiverPlace Marina, (1750 SW Harbor Way, Portland) at 7:00PM and travels upriver to the area of the Milwaukie Boat Ramp. The fleet will arrive about 7:45PM and about 8:15P the fleet turns and returns to RiverPlace Marina. On the nights that Oregon Yacht Club is listed, the fleet will go in below Oaks Park and in front of the floating homes on the way back to RiverPlace. Restaurants and hotel links, outdoor viewing locations and further details |
7:00PM |
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Thursday, Dec. 19th – OMSI to Fremont Bridge
At 7:00PM, the Willamette Fleet assembles in front of Riverplace Marina, (1750 SW Harbor Way, Portland). The parade will begin in front of OMSI/Riverplace, proceed upriver to the Spaghetti Factory and then travel downriver to area of the Fremont Bridge The fleet will go under the bridge and then turns to return to Riverplace Marina. The fleet will be out for about two hours. Restaurant and hotel links, outdoor viewing location and further details |
7:00PM |
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Friday, Dec. 20th – Milwaukie, Oregon Yacht Club
The Willamette Fleet assembles in front of RiverPlace Marina, (1750 SW Harbor Way, Portland) at 7:00PM and travels upriver to the area of the Milwaukie Boat Ramp. The fleet will arrive about 7:45PM and about 8:15P the fleet turns and returns to RiverPlace Marina. On the nights that Oregon Yacht Club is listed, the fleet will go in below Oaks Park and in front of the floating homes on the way back to RiverPlace. Restaurants and hotel links, outdoor viewing locations and further details |
7:00PM |
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Saturday, Dec. 21st – Downtown Portland, St. Johns Boat Ramp
At 5:00PM the Willamette and Columbia Fleets will form up in front of Riverplace Marina, (1750 SW Harbor Way, Portland). The parade will head upriver to Rivers Edge and Spa then, return to work in the OMSI/Riverplace area for a time before heading downstream to the St. Johns Boat Ramp Area, arriving approximately 6:45PM. When finished, all boats will return to their home ports, the parade will not return to Riverplace Marina this night. |
2013 Columbia River Parade Schedule
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Saturday, Nov. 30th – Camas/Washougal
At 7:00PM, the fleet will assemble in front of the Port of Camas/Washougal and parade in the area of the docks for about an hour. The fleet will then return to Portland on the Washington side. Additional information, restaurants and outdoor viewing locations |
7:00PM |
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Friday, Dec 6th – North Portland Harbor
At 7:00PM, the parade will assemble in the area of the James. M Gleason boat ramp, (NE 43rd/Marine Dr), and then head downriver to North Portland Harbor. North Portland Harbor is located on the Oregon side of Hayden Island. Additional information, restaurants and outdoor viewing locations |
7:00PM |
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Saturday, Dec 7th – St. Helens, Columbia City, RV Park on WA side
At 6:000PM, both fleets will assemble at the St. Helens City Docks and head downriver to Columbia City, and weather/river conditions permitting crosses to the WA side and the RV Park, then returns to St. Helens City Docks. The fleet is out about two hours. Ships remain overnight at St. Helens City Docks and leave Sunday for the trip up Multnomah Channel. Additional information and outdoor viewing locations |
6:00PM |
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Sunday, Dec 8th – Scappoose, Multnomah Channel to the Willamette River
At 4:30PM, both the Columbia and the Willamette Fleet will meet in the afternoon at Coon Island and leave for Scappoose arriving approximately 5:00PM then continue up the Multnomah Channel to the Willamette River. This is a long night and arrival at the Willamette River is usually between 8:00P and 8:30P. It is not possible to give a closer time frame due to weather conditions, debris in the river, and other conditions beyond our control. |
5:00PM |
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Monday, Dec 9th – No Parade this night
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Tuesday, Dec 10th – I-5 Bridge area, Hayden Bay
At 7:00PM, the Columbia Fleet assembles in front of James M. Gleason Boat Ramp, 43rd/NE Marine Drive and turns at the east end of the parking lot to head downriver to the I-5 Bridge Area including Grandma’s Cove, arriving at approximately 7:30 PM at Beaches, and Hayden Bay approximately 8:45 PM. Additional information, restaurants and outdoor viewing locations |
7:00PM |
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Wednesday, Dec 11th – I-205 Bridge Area, 164th St. Steamboat Landing – Washington Side of River
At 7:00PM the Columbia Fleet assembles in front of James M. Gleason Boat Ramp, 43rd/NE Marine Drive and departs upriver to the I-205 Bridge area by Steamboat Landing and up to about the 164th St. location before turning downriver Additional information, restaurants and outdoor viewing locations |
7:00PM |
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Thursday, Dec 12th – James Gleason Boat Ramp/Washington Shores/I-5 Bridge Area.
At 7:00PM, the Columbia Fleet assembles in front of James M. Gleason Boat Ramp, 43rd/NE Marine Drive and remains for about the first half hour, then heads across the river to the Washington Shoreline until about 8pm. Then heads downriver to the I-5 Bridge Area, arriving at approximately 8:15 PM. Additional information, restaurants and outdoor viewing locations |
7:00PM |
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Friday, Dec 13th – 42nd St. Boat Ramp Washington Shores/Wintler Park/Hayden Bay
At 7:00 PM the fleet will assemble in front of James M. Gleason Boat Ramp, 43rd/NE Marine Drive. Tonight the fleet will remain for the first hour in the area of the boat ramp, then cross the river to the Washington Shoreline at about 7:45PM. We will complete the night in Hayden Bay. Additional information, restaurants and outdoor viewing locations |
7:00PM |
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Saturday, Dec 14th – Lake Oswego
At 5:00PM, both fleets will leave RiverPlace Marina(downtown Portland) headed to Lake Oswego, arriving about 6:15P – 6:30, subject to weather and river conditions. The ships will go as far as George Rogers Park and turn back to Portland. Additional information and viewing locations |
5:00PM |
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Sunday, Dec 15th – Downtown Portland, St Johns area
At 5:00PM, the Willamette and Columbia Fleets assemble in front of RiverPlace Marina, (1750 SW Harbor Way, Portland). The parade will start in the Riverplace/OMSI area and travel downriver to St. John’s arriving at approximately 6:30 PM and remain in the area for about 30 minutes. The parade will then continue on to the Columbia River and each boat owners home port. Additional information and viewing locations |
5:00PM |
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Monday, Dec 16th – I-5 Bridge area, Hayden Bay
At 7:00PM, the Columbia Fleet assembles in front of James M. Gleason Boat Ramp, 43rd/NE Marine Drive and turns at the east end of the parking lot to head downriver to the I-5 Bridge Area including Grandma’s Cove, arriving at approximately 7:30 PM at Beaches, and Hayden Bay approximately 8:45 PM. Additional information, restaurants and outdoor viewing locations |
7:00PM |
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Tuesday, Dec 17th – I-5 Bridge area/Hayden Bay
The Columbia fleet will assemble in front of James M. Gleason Boat Ramp, 43rd/NE Marine Drive and turns at the east end of the parking lot to head downriver to the I-5 Bridge Area, arriving at approximately 7:30 PM. Additional information, restaurants and outdoor viewing locations |
7:00PM |
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Wednesday, Dec 18th – James M Gleason Boat Ramp, WA Shores, Wintler Park, I-5 Bridge area
At 7:00 PM the fleet will assemble 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 across the river to the Washington Shoreline and about 8:00PM, head to the restaurants in the area of the I-5 Bridge. The parade will not be on the Oregon side below the I-5 Bridge tonight. |
7:00PM |
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Thursday, Dec 19th – I-5 Bridge area/Hayden Bay
At 7:00 PM the fleet will assemble in front of James M. Gleason Boat Ramp, 43rd/NE Marine Drive and turns at the east end of the parking lot to head downriver to the I-5 Bridge Area, arriving at approximately 7:30 PM. Additional information, restaurants and outdoor viewing locations |
7:00PM |
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Friday, Dec 20th – North Portland Harbor
At 7:00PM, the parade will assemble in the area of the James. M Gleason boat ramp, (NE 43rd/Marine Dr), and then head downriver to North Portland Harbor. North Portland Harbor is located on the Oregon side of Hayden Island. Additional information, restaurants and outdoor viewing locations |
7:00PM |
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Saturday, Dec 21st – Downtown Portland – St. Johns Area
At 5:00PM the Willamette and Columbia Fleets will form up in front of Riverplace Marina, (1750 SW Harbor Way, Portland). The parade will head upriver to Rivers Edge and Spa then return to work in the OMSI/Riverplace area for a time before heading downstream to the St. Johns Boat Ramp Area, arriving approximately 6:45PM. When finished, all boats will return to their home ports, the parade will not return to Riverplace Marina this night. Additional information, restaurants and outdoor viewing locations |
