Celebrate the season aboard a sparkling holiday cruise or gather along the shoreline as the Christmas Ship™ brings live caroling to waterfront communities around the Puget Sound region.
Since 1949, the Argosy Cruises Christmas Ship™ Festival has been a beloved Pacific Northwest tradition. Each season, the official Christmas Ship™ sails to waterfront stops throughout the region with local choirs, Santa and plenty of holiday cheer. Whether you want to be at the heart of the festivities, plan an adults-only night out or enjoy the music from shore, there’s a way for everyone to join the celebration.
Choose Your Christmas Ship™ Experience
1. Sail Aboard the Official Christmas Ship™
Best for: Families, first-time guests and anyone who wants the complete Christmas Ship™ tradition.
Step aboard the official decorated Christmas Ship™, the Spirit of Seattle, for a festive cruise filled with lights, music and holiday traditions. Each sailing visits a waterfront community, where the choir performs a live 20-minute concert that is shared with guests aboard surrounding boats and those gathered onshore.
Your experience includes:
A festive cruise aboard the official Christmas Ship™
A live performance by a local community choir
Santa onboard and a reading of ’Twas the Night Before Christmas
Indoor heated seating and outdoor viewing areas
A full-service bar with festive cocktails, local beer and wine, hot drinks and non-alcoholic options available for purchase
Seasonal food, snacks and sweets available for purchase, with select items available to preorder
With departures from waterfront communities in Seattle, Kirkland, Renton, Edmonds, Everett and Des Moines, you can choose a date, location and choir that work best for your holiday plans.
Choose a Sailing Time With a Little Extra Cheer
Cookies With Santa | Every 2 p.m. Sailing
Make an afternoon of it with cookies and a special visit from Santa aboard every 2 p.m. Christmas Ship™ sailing—a sweet option for families and little ones.
Jolly Hour | Every 8 p.m. Sailing*
Keep the holiday spirit flowing with a special drink menu offered exclusively during Jolly Hour aboard 8 p.m. Christmas Ship™ sailings.
Please note: Jolly Hour is not offered on 8 p.m. sailings that fall on special event nights.
Make It a Special Event Sailing
For an extra-special take on the classic Christmas Ship™ experience, join us for one of three milestone celebrations:
Opening Night | November 27, 2026
Help us launch the season at Pier 55 with a festive dockside countdown led by Santa, the lighting of the Christmas Ship™ and a holiday raffle aboard the 5 p.m. and 8 p.m. sailings.
Parade of Boats | December 11, 2026
Sail at the heart of Seattle’s holiday boat parade as decorated vessels gather on Lake Union and travel through the Fremont Cut in a shimmering procession of lights. Available on the 8 p.m. sailing.
Grand Finale | December 23, 2026
Join the final sailings of the season as decorated boats from around the region gather for the Christmas Ship™ Festival’s closing performances. Choose from 2 p.m., 5 p.m. and 8 p.m. departures.
2. Celebrate Aboard the 21+ Follow Boat
Best for: Date nights, friend groups and adults looking for a livelier holiday celebration.
Want the lights and tradition with a more grown-up atmosphere? The fully decorated 21+ Follow Boat travels along the same route as the official Christmas Ship™ . Enjoy themed festivities, light trivia, seasonal drinks and a cheerful adults-only atmosphere as you cruise with the holiday flotilla.
When the boats stop for the choir performance, head outside to listen to the concert broadcast from the Christmas Ship™ or continue the celebration inside.
The Follow Boat experience includes:
A 21+ holiday cruise aboard a decorated Argosy vessel
Festive themes and onboard activities
Views of the official Christmas Ship™ and surrounding lights
An opportunity to hear the live choir performance broadcasted from the Christmas Ship™
Seasonal cocktails, beer, wine and other beverages available for purchase
Follow Boat sailings are offered on select dates and have limited availability.
Special Events Aboard the 21+ Follow Boat
Two of the festival’s biggest nights are also available as a 21+ Follow Boat experience:
Parade of Boats | December 11, 2026
Raise a glass while cruising alongside the Christmas Ship™ and a glowing fleet of decorated boats during Seattle’s biggest holiday boat parade.
Grand Finale | December 23, 2026
Celebrate the final night of the season with an adults-only cruise, festive drinks and views of the decorated boats gathering for the Christmas Ship™ Festival’s closing performances.
3. Watch and Listen From Shore
Best for: A free community outing, a flexible holiday plan or anyone who wants to experience the tradition close to home.
You don’t have to board a boat to be part of the Christmas Ship™ Festival. On many sailings, the official Christmas Ship™ stops near a public waterfront park or beach for a live 20-minute choir performance. Gather with friends and family, bundle up and watch the decorated ship glow on the water while the music carries to shore.
To plan your evening:
Check the Christmas Ship™ schedule for performances marked at public onshore locations.
Choose a park or waterfront stop near you.
Arrive early, dress warmly and bring a flashlight or other essentials for an outdoor winter gathering.
Enjoy the performance from shore at no cost.
Some communities may host additional activities, bonfires or local celebrations. These vary by location and are organized independently, so check with the local park, city or community host before you go.
Free Onshore Viewing Parties
Make one of the festival’s biggest nights part of your holiday plans—no cruise ticket required.
Parade of Boats Onshore Viewing Party | December 11, 2026
Watch a fleet of brightly decorated boats travel through the Fremont Cut during Seattle’s holiday boat parade. Gather at Evanston Plaza in Fremont for panoramic views of the Christmas Ship™ and the illuminated flotilla.
Time: 8:20–9 p.m.
Location: Evanston Plaza, Fremont
Cost: Free
Grand Finale Onshore Viewing Party | December 23, 2026
Gather at Gas Works Park for the final Christmas Ship™ performance of the season. Watch the decorated boats glow across Lake Union while enjoying a public lighting and bonfire along the shoreline.
Time: 9:10–9:30 p.m.
Location: Gas Works Park
Cost: Free
Which Experience Is Right for You?
| If you’re looking for… | Choose… |
|---|---|
| The classic, family-friendly experience with Santa and a choir onboard | Official Christmas Ship™ |
| An adults-only holiday night with drinks and themed fun | 21+ Follow Boat |
| A free and flexible way to hear the choir near your community | Onshore performance |
Christmas Ship™ Special Event Nights
Three special nights mark the beginning, height and finale of the Christmas Ship™ Festival. Choose one of these sailings for an experience that goes beyond the traditional cruise.
Opening Night | November 27, 2026
Begin the Christmas Season With Us
Be among the first to experience the magic of the Christmas Ship™ Festival as we light up the Seattle Waterfront for the start of the season.
Before the 5 p.m. sailing, Santa will lead a festive countdown from the dock at approximately 4:15 p.m. Then, watch the official Christmas Ship™ come to life with sparkling lights, signaling the beginning of this beloved holiday tradition. Guests aboard the evening’s sailings can also take part in a holiday raffle for the chance to win special prizes.
Schedule: Friday, November 27, 2026, aboard the 5 p.m. and 8 p.m. sailings from Pier 55.
Parade of Boats | December 11, 2026
See the Holiday Boat Parade of the Season
On Parade of Boats night, brightly decorated vessels gather on Lake Union before making their way through the Fremont Cut in a shimmering procession of holiday lights.
Experience the spectacle aboard the Christmas Ship™, join the parade in your own decorated boat or gather at the official onshore viewing party at Evanston Plaza for panoramic views of the illuminated flotilla. It’s one of the biggest and brightest nights of the festival.
Schedule: Friday, December 11, 2026, on the 8 p.m. sailing only.
Grand Finale | December 23, 2026
Be Part of the Ultimate Holiday Spectacle
Celebrate the final day of the Christmas Ship™ Festival with one last dazzling night on the water. In true Argosy tradition, decorated boats from around the region gather with the Christmas Ship™ for the season’s final performances.
Sail during the day or join us after dark, when the lights shine brightest, and help us close out another season of this beloved Pacific Northwest tradition.
Schedule: Wednesday, December 23, 2026, aboard the 2 p.m., 5 p.m. and 8 p.m. sailings.
Make the Most of Your Christmas Ship™ Cruise
Dress for the season
The boats include warm indoor spaces, but many guests also head outside to take in the lights and waterfront views. Wear warm layers and flat, slip-resistant shoes so you can comfortably enjoy both areas. Festive outfits are always encouraged.
Arrive early
Allow extra time for holiday traffic, parking and boarding. Boarding gate closes 5 minutes prior to departure to ensure that the boat departs on schedule to reach the evening’s choir performance. See full Parking & Directions information here.
Make it a group celebration
The Christmas Ship™ is a memorable option for families, friends and small holiday gatherings. Online bookings are limited to a maximum of 15 tickets. For larger public-cruise groups, contact Argosy Guest Services. If you want a private celebration exclusively for your guests, explore an Argosy holiday party charter instead.
FAQ
The official Christmas Ship™, the Spirit of Seattle, is a family-friendly holiday experience on the water. When the Christmas Ship™ arrives at the designated parks, the choir on board sings a 20-minute concert which is broadcast to the surrounding boats and people onshore. Santa rides along to entertain, and a cruise director will guide you through the evening. Snacks, pre-wrapped food, and beverages are available for purchase.
The 21+ Follow Boat is another fully decorated Argosy Cruises boat that follows the Christmas Ship™ along the night's cruise route. This boat is adults-only and has select availability. As it follows along the same route, it is a different experience providing a fun holiday celebration for those 21+ to enjoy dressing to a theme, light trivia, etc. There will be a moment when the boat stops with the Christmas Ship™, this is when guests onboard can feel free to head to the bow on the 1st deck to listen to the broadcasted choir performance OR enjoy the continued celebration upstairs. View the schedule to find a 21+ event.
We have a range of wonderful professional and community choir/singing groups who work with us. If you'd like to see which choir is singing on your specific night, please head to the Schedule page. The performance is live on the second deck and will be streaming onto a monitor for those on the 1st deck to watch and listen in.
Guests who cancel 10 days or more in advance of their departure date and time will be offered a 50% refund on the total amount paid for their booking (excluding our non-refundable Ticketing Fee). Cancellations less than 10 days in advance will not be refunded. Future open credits will not be offered for any cancellations.
Trip Protection is not available for Special Events.
Tickets to our Christmas Ship™ Festival are only sold through the Argosy Cruises website, Viator and Groupon. Please do not purchase tickets from any anonymous accounts or resellers or any site not listed above. Tickets are not transferable and are under the specific guest's name.
When booking online, a MAX of 15 tickets is allowed to be purchased. If you have group ticket interest, please send your inquiry to cruises@argosycruises.com. Please include group size, reason for making a group reservation, company if applicable, and any other details. Booking group tickets onboard the Christmas Ship means this is not a complete private party to your group. Other guests will be onboard who have also booked this public sailing - onboard large group guidelines will be communicated.
If you are looking for a venue to host your next company holiday party or event, please reach out to our private charter department HERE.
If you are part of a group that has booked under separate reservations, check your confirmation letters to ensure you are booked on the same date and time. You can also call to confirm that all parties are on the same boat.
We are so excited to share some of our favorite holiday drinks and snacks this year aboard the Christmas Ship™. To check out what other goodies we have onboard, view the full menu.
Planning to enjoy food onboard? Pre-order your favorite sandwich, salad, wrap or snack tray during the check-out process to guarantee availability. Then add on to your pre-ordered item with plenty of snacks, sweets, or a cup of Ivar's Clam Chowder that we have onboard!
The last day to pre-order for your sailing will be the 10 days before your scheduled departure.
The Follow Boat will also be serving beverages! To view what drinks are available, check out the Follow Boat menu.
Please, no outside food or beverages allowed onboard. The bar will have festive, specialty cocktails, local beer & wine, plus non-alcoholic beverages. Snacks, bites, and chowder will also be available to purchase on board.
Unfortunately, we can’t keep the scheduled performances and hundreds of people waiting. Please arrive with plenty of time to find parking and complete the boarding process. We pull the boarding ramp up promptly at the scheduled departure time.
We recommend wearing warm, comfortable clothing and footwear (we recommend flat shoes that are not smooth-soled, stilettos are very strongly discouraged). Most guests enjoy both the indoor heated decks as well as the outdoor spaces. Please dress accordingly for both as we sail rain or shine. Festive holiday attire is always encouraged!
We recommend flat shoes that are not smooth-soled. While the boats are warm and comfortable, they do rock with the waves they are floating on. If it is raining, the dock and the boat deck can be slippery. Please watch your step and be aware of rainy docks and the motion of the waves.
We only cancel sailings if the mayor or governor declare a state of emergency due to weather or other causes. If a cruise or sailing is cancelled, we will contact you directly via phone call, email, or notification.
It is not common, but we do like to warn parents that there may occasionally be more than one Santa on the dock during boarding times when we have multiple Argosy vessels sailing. We have often told our own children that they are Santa’s helpers who dress up and carry his messages, as he cannot be everywhere at once. Please know that there will be only one Santa on board your boat. It is not guaranteed that Santa will be on the Follow Boat.
A full list of our departure locations and parking options can be found on our Christmas Ship™ Departure Locations Page.
