Argosy Cruises Christmas Ship Festival
Guests cruise the waters of Puget Sound aboard the Spirit of Seattle, decorated with hundreds of sparkling white lights, alongside Santa and a live community choir. Onboard visitors enjoy musical performances, a reading of 'Twas the Night Before Christmas, and festive drinks from a full-service bar. Shoreline spectators can also gather at waterfront parks to listen to the choir's broadcasted concerts.
What to Expect
Holiday boat cruises featuring live choir concerts and sparkling light displays.
Event Details
Duration
The Christmas Ship and 21+ Follow Boat cruises are each 1.5 hours. Onshore choir performances are 20 minutes.
Ages
All ages (Christmas Ship™), 21+ (Follow Boat)
Neighborhood
Puget Sound Waterfront
Timed Entry
Yes
Organizer
Argosy Cruises
Food & Drink
The onboard full-service bar serves festive cocktails, local wine and beer, and non-alcoholic drinks; chowder, snacks, and selected pre-order food items are also available.
Local Insight & Ratings
Family Friendly
Best For
Families and fans of holiday music and boat lights
Vibe
Festive and nautical
Energy Level
Moderate
Photo Friendly
High
Weather Sensitivity
Moderate
Location
Know Before You Go
- Hours: Opening Night: 5pm and 8pm sailings; Parade of Boats: 8pm sailing only; Grand Finale: 2pm, 5pm, and 8pm sailings.
- Parking: A full list of our departure locations and parking options can be found on our Christmas Ship™ Departure Locations Page.
- Accessibility: Extra help with boarding is available.
Tips & Advice
- If your schedule is flexible, pick an early-afternoon or later-evening sailing, since adult tickets cost less on those departures.
- If you're watching from shore, choose a stop marked with an asterisk for a public bonfire or event, and skip spots marked as private events.
- On the 21+ Follow Boat, dress to that night's theme, since the cruise includes a costume contest and selfie station.
- On Opening Night, arrive at Pier 55 before the first sailing to see Santa lead the countdown and light up the Christmas Ship.
- Only the evening sailing joins the Parade of Boats on December 11. If you'd rather watch from land, go to the Evanston Plaza viewing party in Fremont.
Special Events & Promotions
- Opening Night on November 27: Santa leads a countdown on the Pier 55 dock and lights up the ship. The Dickens Carolers perform, and there's a holiday raffle onboard.
- 11th Annual Parade of Boats on December 11: the evening sailing joins the decorated flotilla through the Fremont Cut, with an onshore viewing party at Evanston Plaza.
- Grand Finale on December 23: the last sailings of the season leave from Lake Union Park, with both 21+ and all-ages Follow Boats on the evening sailings.
- 21+ Follow Boat theme nights: Ugly Sweaters (Dec 11), Santravaganza (Dec 18), Christmas Characters (Dec 19), Ho-Ho-Ho Down (Dec 20) and Onesie Party (Dec 23).
- Cookies with Santa for kids on early-afternoon sailings, and a Jolly Hour discounted drink menu on select non-special-event sailings.
Quick Actions
Frequently Asked Questions
What's included on a Christmas Ship cruise?
A 1.5-hour cruise with Santa to a waterfront community, and a live community choir onboard. Santa reads 'Twas the Night Before Christmas, and a full-service bar serves festive cocktails, local wine and beer, and non-alcoholic drinks.
What is the 21+ Follow Boat?
It's an adults-only boat that follows the Spirit of Seattle on its route. It has light trivia, giveaways, a selfie station, a costume contest and a full-service bar. Dress to the night's theme.
Can I enjoy it from shore without a ticket?
Yes. Gather at a shoreline stop to hear the 20-minute choir performance broadcast from the ship. Stops marked with an asterisk have a public bonfire, lighting or onshore event. Stops marked private aren't open to the public.
Is there anything special for kids?
On the early-afternoon sailings, all kids get Cookies with Santa and a coloring surprise.
Where do the cruises depart from?
Sailings leave from Carillon Point Marina, Kirkland City Dock, Hyatt Regency Lake Washington and Lake Union Park. Other departure points are Shilshole Bay Marina, Pier 55, the Port of Edmonds, the Port of Everett and Des Moines Marina. The location changes by date.
More Christmas Events Near Seattle
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Always check the official website for the most current information.
We've done our best to keep details up-to-date, but event schedules, prices, and policies can change. For the latest updates, please visit the official website or contact the organizers directly. Christmas Events Near Me is an independent guide and isn't affiliated with the events we list.