The Ultimate 2025 Guide To Seattle's Christmas Boat Parade: 7 Best Viewing Spots & Full Schedule
As of December 24, 2025, the Pacific Northwest is already buzzing with anticipation for the next spectacular holiday season, and no event captures the spirit of Seattle quite like the annual Christmas Boat Parade, officially known as the Argosy Cruises Christmas Ship™ Festival. This century-old 'ship-to-shore' celebration transforms Puget Sound and the surrounding lakes into a dazzling, moving spectacle of lights, music, and holiday cheer.
This comprehensive guide provides the most current and detailed information for the 2025 Argosy Christmas Ship Festival and the associated Seattle Christmas Boat Parade. You’ll find the full schedule, a clear breakdown of the two main events, and the definitive list of the best places to witness this iconic Washington tradition, whether you're planning to sail aboard or watch from the shoreline.
The 2025 Argosy Christmas Ship™ Festival: Schedule and Key Dates
The Seattle Christmas Ship Festival is not a single event but a month-long series of cruises and community celebrations. The main vessel, the Spirit of Seattle, sails to over 40 different waterfront communities across Puget Sound, Lake Union, and Lake Washington, bringing a live choir performance to the shorelines. The entire 2025 festival is set to run from Friday, November 28, 2025, through Tuesday, December 23, 2025.
While the Argosy Christmas Ship sails almost every night, two dates stand out as the most popular and spectacular for the general public: Opening Night and the Grand Finale Parade of Boats.
The Main Events for 2025
- Opening Night Sailing: The festival officially kicks off on Friday, November 28, 2025. The ship will depart from the Museum of History & Industry (MOHAI) dock, featuring the Dickens Carolers as the onboard choir. This is the first chance to see the Spirit of Seattle fully illuminated.
- The Seattle Christmas Boat Parade (The Grand Finale): The unofficial "Seattle Christmas Boat Parade" or "Parade of Boats" is the culmination of the season. This massive flotilla of privately owned, brightly decorated boats joins the Spirit of Seattle as it cruises around Lake Union. This event is scheduled for Friday, December 12, 2025, from 8:00 – 9:30 pm, and also on Saturday, December 13, 2025. The parade route typically involves a full loop of Lake Union, starting and ending near the Fremont Bridge.
- West Seattle Stops: The Argosy Christmas Ship makes two important stops in West Seattle on a single night, serenading the community off Salty's and later at Alki Beach. The Choir of the Sound is often the featured musical group for this leg of the journey.
- Mercer Island Stop: A popular stop includes Luther Burbank Park on Mercer Island, which draws a large crowd for the onshore bonfire and music. The ship is typically expected to arrive around 7:40 pm on its designated night.
7 Essential Tips for Viewing the Dazzling Flotilla for Free
You don't need a ticket to enjoy the magic. The "ship-to-shore" nature of the festival means that every night, the main Christmas Ship anchors off a different waterfront community park, where an onboard choir broadcasts a 20-minute performance to the crowd gathered on the shore. These are the top public and free viewing spots, especially for the main Parade of Boats.
- Gas Works Park (Lake Union): This is the undisputed best spot for the main Parade of Boats on December 12th/13th. The park’s iconic hill provides a high, panoramic view of the entire Lake Union, making it the perfect vantage point to see the flotilla of illuminated boats. Arrive early to secure a prime viewing location.
- Olympic Sculpture Park (Downtown): For a stunning, downtown-centric view of the Christmas Ship as it sails on Puget Sound, the Olympic Sculpture Park offers a dramatic backdrop of the city lights and the Olympic Mountains. This spot is better for specific Argosy Ship sailings rather than the main Lake Union parade.
- MOHAI (Museum of History & Industry): Located right on Lake Union, the MOHAI dock is the official departure point for several cruises, including the Opening Night sailing. The surrounding park area is a great place to see the ship up close before it departs.
- Luther Burbank Park (Mercer Island): This is one of the most popular community stops on Lake Washington. The community often hosts a large bonfire, creating a festive, warm atmosphere for families waiting for the ship's arrival and the choir performance.
- Alki Beach Park (West Seattle): For those on the west side, Alki Beach offers a classic Seattle experience. On the night the ship visits West Seattle, you can see the lights reflecting off the water of Puget Sound while enjoying the beach atmosphere.
- Fremont Cut Bridge Area: The parade route for the Seattle Christmas Boat Parade runs through the Fremont Cut, the canal connecting Lake Union and Lake Washington. The public areas near the Fremont Bridge offer a unique, close-up view as the illuminated boats pass through the narrow channel.
- Any Neighborhood Beach Park: Because the Argosy Christmas Ship visits dozens of stops, check the full schedule for a park closest to you on Lake Washington or Puget Sound. Many local beach parks become spontaneous, intimate viewing parties on the night the ship visits.
A Northwest Tradition: History, Charity, and Community Spirit
The Seattle Christmas Boat Parade is more than just a holiday light show; it is a deep-rooted community tradition with a charitable heart. The festival has been a Northwest staple for over 75 years, making its debut in 1949.
From Civic Ship to Spirit of Seattle
The event was originally organized by Paul Brown from the Office of the Superintendent of Parks and was known as the "Seattle Civic Christmas Ship Festival." The goal was to bring holiday cheer and music to the isolated waterfront communities that could not easily access downtown festivities. Today, the tradition continues with the Spirit of Seattle, the main vessel that carries the official choir, a tradition that includes a reading of "’Twas the Night Before Christmas" by Santa Claus himself.
Supporting the Community
The spirit of giving is central to the festival. Since 1997, Argosy Cruises has partnered with The Seattle Times to support the Seattle Times Fund for the Needy. This collaboration ensures that the joy and generosity of the Christmas Ship Festival extend beyond the waterfront, providing critical assistance to those in need throughout the Puget Sound region.
Furthermore, the independent Seattle Christmas Boat Parade on Lake Union has often used its platform to support local causes, including Seattle Children's Hospital, showcasing the commitment of local boaters to civic engagement and philanthropy.
How to Experience the Parade Up Close
For those who want to be part of the flotilla, there are a few options beyond simply watching from the shore.
- Ride the Main Christmas Ship: Purchasing a ticket for the Spirit of Seattle allows you to be right in the center of the celebration, with a live choir performance, a full-service bar, and a view of the illuminated parade from the water. Tickets are highly sought after and must be booked well in advance.
- Ride a Follow Boat: Argosy Cruises also operates "Follow Boats" that cruise alongside the main Christmas Ship. These are a more affordable way to be on the water and enjoy the spectacle of the illuminated fleet.
- Join the Parade: Local boat owners are encouraged to decorate their own vessels and join the independent Seattle Christmas Boat Parade on Lake Union. This is a fantastic way for private boaters to participate directly in the holiday cheer and support the local charities.
Whether you choose to brave the December chill at Gas Works Park or bundle up for a festive cruise on the water, the Seattle Christmas Boat Parade and Argosy Christmas Ship Festival remain an unmissable, multi-generational holiday experience that truly lights up the Pacific Northwest winter.
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