2022 Portland Christmas Ships Parade Schedule

Photo courtesy of Christmas Ships Parade

One of my favorite views of Portland is at the night when the city lights the reflect off of the glassy surface of the Willamette River. This sight becomes even more enchanting every holiday season during the annual Christmas Ships Parade.

The annual tradition of Christmas Ships gathering in fleets to parade up and down the Willamette and Columbia Rivers is celebrating its 68th year in 2022. Are you a first timer to this event? Here’s a brief rundown on what you can expect from one of Portland’s must-see holiday light displays.

Up to 60 boats, 14 to 65 feet long, make up two fleets each brightly decorated in lights and displays for the holiday season. The privately owned vessels come from Portland, Vancouver, McMinnville, Salem and Hood River areas. Some of the ships owners have been part of Christmas tradition for more than 30 years.

These Christmas Ships aren’t just viewable from Portland. On select nights, the parade can be seen from Milwaukie, Lake Oswego, Scappoose, Vancouver, Camas, Washougal, and St. Helens.

The Christmas Ships Parade is free to attend from multiple outdoor viewing spots.

If you want to make the night extra special, consider making a reservation at a restaurant along the Willamette or Columbia Rivers. I’ve included a list of restaurants and hotels for each event. Ask for a table by the window, or if they have outdoor covered and heated dining options.

The 2022 event will bring back the popular Meet & Greet nights. Meet the Christmas Ships skippers and see some of the boats up close. If you’re interested in joining the parade, the skippers can answer your questions. These events happen on select nights before and after the fleet heads out on the water for the light show. 

The Christmas Ships will have 15 nights of viewing from December 2-21, 2022 on select nights. The fleets run their route for two to three hours. 

Now that we’ve found each other, stay up-to-date on everything that’s happening this holiday season by signing up for my free daily newsletter. 

“Christmas Ship Parade” by Visitor7 is licensed under CC BY 3.0.

2022 Portland Christmas Ships Schedule

View the full schedule and choose what night you’ll take in the sights and sounds of one of Portland’s best holiday light displays. The list is organized by locations and the multiple Christmas Ship nights at those locations. Also, I have included the route maps below. 

Keep in mind that on some nights, events may be cancelled due to weather conditions. I will update the schedule below if there are cancellations.

North Portland Harbor

December 2, December 16 and December 20 at 7 p.m.

Route

The fleet assembles heading upriver in front of Salty’s Restaurant, 38th/NE Marine Drive and turns at NE 42nd St to head downriver to North Portland Harbor. North Portland Harbor is located on the Oregon side of Hayden Island. There is no viewing from your car along the harbor. The fleet is out for about two hours.

Photo courtesy of Christmas Ships Parade

Outdoor viewing

M. James Gleason Boat Ramp, Large Parking Lot (Multnomah County Sheriff River Patrol’s Office)
NE 42nd/Marine Drive, Portland    
Parking is $5.

Restaurants and hotels

Salty’s on the Columbia
3839 NE Marine Dr., Portland

The Sextant Bar & Galley
4035 NE Marine Dr., Portland

Courtyard Marriott North Portland Harbour
1231 N Anchor Way, Portland

Camas/Washougal

December 3 at 6 p.m.

Route

The fleet assembles in front of Port of Camas/Washougal and parades in the area for about an hour. The fleet will return to the Camas/Washougal docks and then parade back to Portland along the Washington side arriving in Portland shortly after 9 p.m. In the area of the M. James Gleason boat ramp, the boats will head for their moorages along the Columbia River.

Photo courtesy of Christmas Ships Parade

Outdoor viewing

Port of Camas-Washougal
24 South A Street, Washougal

Restaurants and hotels

Best Western Plus Parksville Inn & Suites
121 Port St., Washougal

Puffin Cafe
24 S. A St., Washougal

John’s Landing to Fremont Bridge

December 5, December 7, December 15 and December 21 at 7 p.m.

The 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 John’s Landing area. The fleet will then turn and travel 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.

Photo courtesy of Christmas Ships Parade

Outdoor viewing

Tom McCall Waterfront Park
98 SW Naito Pkwy., Portland

Riverplace Esplanade
0300 Block SW Montgomery, Portland

South Waterfront Greenway
838 S Curry St., Portland

Restaurants and hotels

The Old Spaghetti Factory
0715 S.W. Bancroft St., Portland

M. James Gleason/I-5 Bridge/Washington Shoreline

December 6 and December 14 at 7 p.m.

December 5, December 7, December 15 and December 20 at 7 p.m. includes Hayden Bay

Route

The fleet assembles in front of M. James 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. About 8 p.m., the fleet will head downriver to the I-5 bridge and restaurants and can be seen from both sides of the river. Tonight, the parade will not be on the Oregon side below the bridge.

Photo courtesy of Christmas Ships Parade

Outdoor viewing

M. James Gleason Boat Ramp, Large Parking Lot (Multnomah County Sheriff River Patrol’s Office)
NE 42nd/Marine Drive, Portland    
Parking is $5.

Viewing spots available along NE Marine Drive from NE 29th to 42nd St.

Marine Park
SE Marine Park & Columbia Way, Vancouver

Vancouver Landing at Terminal One
100 Columbia St., Vancouver

Restaurants and hotels

Beaches Restaurant and Bar
1919 SE Columbia River Dr., Vancouver

Warehouse 23
100 Columbia St 102,Vancouver

Jantzen Beach Bar and Grill
909 N Hayden Island Dr., Portland

Salty’s on the Columbia
3839 NE Marine Dr., Portland

The Sextant Bar & Galley
4035 NE Marine Dr., Portland

McMenamins on the Columbia
1801 S.E. Columbia River Dr., Vancouver

Wildfin
777 Waterfront Way Ste 101, Vancouver

Who Song and Larry’s
111 Southeast Columbia Way, Vancouver

Red Lion on the River
909 N Hayden Island Dr., Portland

Milwaukie

December 6, December 14, December 16 and December 20 at 7 p.m.

December 9 at 7 p.m. route includes Milwaukie Yacht Club

The fleet assembles in front of RiverPlace Marina, 1750 SW Harbor Way, Portland, and travels upriver to the area of the Milwaukie Boat Ramp. At the boat ramp, the fleet turns and returns to RiverPlace Marina. The fleet should arrive at Milwaukie Bay Riverfront Park around 8 p.m. and then will work its way back to RiverPlace Marina. The fleet will be out for approximately two hours.

Photo courtesy of Christmas Ships Parade

Outdoor viewing areas

Milwaukie Bay Park
11211 SE McLoughlin Blvd., Milwaukie

South Waterfront Park
2001 S River Dr., Portland

South Waterfront Greenway
838 S Curry St., Portland

Riverplace Espanade
0300 Block SW Montgomery, Portland

Willamette Park
6500 S Macadam Ave., Portland

Sellwood Riverfront Park
1221 SE Oaks Park Way, Portland

Powers Marine Park
SW Macadam Avenue south of the Sellwood Bridge, Portland

Restaurants and hotels

The Old Spaghetti Factory
0715 S.W. Bancroft St., Portland

I-205 Bridge/Steamboat Landing

December 9 at 7 p.m.

The fleet assembles in front of M. James Gleason Boat Ramp, 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 Washington side and is out for about two hours.

Photo courtesy of Christmas Ships Parade

Outdoor viewing areas

M. James Gleason Boat Ramp, Large Parking Lot (Multnomah County Sheriff River Patrol’s Office)
NE 42nd/Marine Drive, Portland    
Parking is $5.

NE Marine Drive from NE 43rd to I-205 Bridge

Restaurants and hotels

Salty’s on the Columbia
3839 NE Marine Dr, Portland 

The Sextant Bar & Galley
4035 NE Marine Dr., Portland

St. Helens/Columbia City/Woodland

December 10 at 6 p.m.

Route

The fleet assembles at the St. Helens City Docks and heads 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.

Photo courtesy of Christmas Ships Parade

Outdoor viewing areas

Columbia View Park
3 Strand St., St. Helens
South of courthouse parking lot.

Columbia Courthouse
230 Strand St.
Above the St. Helens City Docks

Caples House Museum
1925 First St., Columbia City
6-8 p.m. Cookies and hot chocolate with donation

Pixie Park
1816 The Strand, Columbia City

Restaurants and hotels

The Roof
31 Cowlitz St., St. Helens, OR

Roy Thai
295 Strand St., St. Helens, OR

Dockside Steak & Pasta
343 S 1st St., St. Helens, OR

Kozy Korner Restaurant
371 Columbia Blvd., St. Helens, OR

Dari Delish
1680 Columbia Blvd., St. Helens, OR

The Village Inn
535 S. Columbia River Hwy., St. Helens, OR

Sunshine Pizza
2124 Columbia Blvd., St. Helens, OR

Scappoose/Multnomah Channel

December 11 at 4:30 p.m.

Route

The fleet meets in the afternoon at Coon Island and leave for Scappoose arriving approximately 5 p.m. then continue up the Multnomah Channel to the Willamette River. This is a long night and arrival at the Willamette River is usually between 8-9 p.m. 

The parade will be visible in the Linnton area at the end. The Willamette Fleet will be seen returning to RiverPlace Marina.

Photo courtesy of Christmas Ships Parade

Outdoor viewing areas

McCuddy’s Landing
34326 Johnson’s Landing Rd, Scappoose

Hadley’s Landing
NW Sauvie Island Rd., Sauvie Island

Highway 30 Viewpoints

Sauvie Island Viewpoints
Ferry Street Boat Launch Area

Restaurants and hotels

Rocky Pointe
23586 NW St. Helens Hwy., Portland

Lake Oswego

December 17 at 4:30 p.m.

Meet & Greet

The Meet & Greet will take place from 8-10 p.m. at RiverPlace Marina, 1510 SW Harbor Way in Portland.

Route

The fleet will leave RiverPlace Marina headed to Lake Oswego, arriving about 6 p.m., subject to weather and river conditions. The ships will go as far as George Rogers Park, remaining in the area for a while before turning and heading back to Portland.  

The parade will be seen from the Milwaukie Bay Riverfront Park on our way to Lake Oswego and again on the return to RiverPlace Marina. If time permits, we may spend a bit of time in Milwaukie Bay on our way back to RiverPlace.

The viewing areas listed below will be after the fleet leaves Lake Oswego on the way back to RiverPlace Marina (parade ends for the night). The fleet will be out for approximately 3 and 1/2 hours tonight.

Photo courtesy of Christmas Ships Parade

Outdoor viewing areas

Foothills Park
199 Foothills Dr., Lake Oswego

South Waterfront Park
2001 S River Dr., Portland

Milwaukie Bay Park
11001 SE McLoughlin Blvd., Milwaukie

Riverplace Espanade
0300 Block SW Montgomery, Portland

Willamette Park
6500 S Macadam Ave., Portland

Sellwood Riverfront Park
1221 SE Oaks Park Way, Portland

Powers Marine Park
SW Macadam Avenue south of the Sellwood Bridge, Portland

Restaurants and hotels

The Old Spaghetti Factory
0715 S.W. Bancroft St., Portland

St. Johns Bridge

December 18 at 5 p.m.

Meet & Greet

The Meet & Greet will take place from 2-5 p.m. at RiverPlace Marina, 1510 SW Harbor Way in Portland.

Route

The 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 John’s Landing area. The fleet will then turn and travel downriver to the St. Johns Bridge / Cathedral Park Area, arriving approximately 6:45 p.m. The ships will remain in the St. John’s area for about 30 minutes (weather and river conditions permitting).

Photo courtesy of Christmas Ships Parade

Outdoor viewing areas

Cathedral Park
N Edison Street and Pittsburg Ave., Portland

Tom McCall Waterfront Park
98 SW Naito Pkwy., Portland

Riverplace Esplanade
0300 Block SW Montgomery, Portland

Liberty Ship Memorial Park
1270 SW Naito Parkway, Portland

South Waterfront Greenway
838 S Curry St., Portland

Restaurants and hotels

The Old Spaghetti Factory
0715 S.W. Bancroft St., Portland

For more information about the Christmas Ships, visit the Christmas Ships Parade website. 

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