For more than seven decades, the Argosy Cruises Christmas Ship Festival has been a cherished Pacific Northwest tradition. Since its debut in 1949, the Spirit of Seattle—Argosy’s official Christmas Ship—has brightened winter nights with its display of lights as it travels to nearly 40 waterfront communities throughout Puget Sound. Each outing features live holiday music performed by a community choir, creating a magical experience for everyone: guests aboard the ship, passengers following alongside in companion vessels, and viewers gathered along the shore. And this year the festival is growing: the Christmas Ship will go to Edmonds and Tacoma this season!
If you’d like to participate in this Seattle holiday tradition this December, you still have time to make your plans to ride along with the Christmas ships or join an on-shore bonfire event.
Read on for all the details!
Ways to Experience the Christmas Ship Festival
1. Sail Aboard the Christmas Ship
Step aboard the Spirit of Seattle from a variety of departure locations—including Seattle, Kirkland, Renton, Ballard, Edmonds, and Tacoma—and enjoy a classic Christmas Ship experience.
What’s included:
- A 1.5-hour cruise
- A live onboard performance by a local choir
- A reading of ’Twas the Night Before Christmas by Santa
- A full bar offering holiday cocktails, wine and beer, and non-alcoholic beverages
2. Adults-Only Follow Boat (21+)
For a lively holiday outing, join the 21+ Follow Boat and cruise alongside the Christmas Ship as it makes its way to a shoreline celebration.
What’s included:
- A 1.5-hour cruise
- Trivia games with prizes
- A selfie station and fun photo-op spots
- Full bar service featuring festive cocktails, wine & beer, and non-alcoholic options
3. Community Shoreline Gatherings
Prefer to stay on land? Many communities organize gatherings at waterfront parks and venues to welcome the Christmas Ship. Guests onshore can enjoy the choir’s 20-minute musical performance broadcast from the ship as it arrives. Check the full schedule here to see when the Christmas Ship will visit a community near you.
2025 Christmas Ship Festival Special Events
In addition to the multiple sailings every week this December, the Christmas Ship Festival also has a few signature events.
Parade of Boats: Friday, December 12
The annual Parade of Boats is a Seattle holiday highlight. From 8:00 to 9:30 p.m., a flotilla of illuminated ships will assemble on Lake Union before cruising west through the Fremont Cut.
Although Christmas Ship tickets for this particular night have already sold out, you can still participate by:
- Joining the parade in your own decorated boat, or
- Attending the official onshore viewing party at Evanston Plaza, which will have views of the illuminated procession.
Grand Finale: Tuesday, December 23
The festival culminates in a spectacular day-long celebration the day before Christmas Eve. Decorated boats from across the region join the Christmas Ship for its final performances, with festivities beginning at 2:00 p.m. and the Grand Finale show starting at 8:00 p.m.
You can participate in the Grand Finale by:
- Sailing aboard the Christmas Ship
- Joining the 21+ Follow Boat
- Boarding the All-Ages Follow Boat
- Or enjoying the music from designated onshore listening spots
The evening cruise will take the fleet to Portage Bay and Lake Union, concluding with a performance directed toward Gas Works Park—where Seattle Parks and Recreation will host a cozy bonfire for shoreside viewers.
For more information about this year’s Christmas Ship Festival, visit the Argosy Cruises website.