Where to Go This Holiday Season to See a Boat Parade of Lights in Oregon
It’s that time of year again! We may not all celebrate the same holidays or even celebrate in exactly the same way, but we can probably all agree that this is one of the happiest times of the year. One of our favorite ways to get into the festive spirit is to see a local boat parade of lights. This is where you spend the evening watching decorated boats coast down a river or other body of water, all decked out in their Sunday best. Or holiday best, in this case.
Here at Active Water Sports, with locations in Beaverton and Oregon City, we’ve provided some of our favorite boat parades across Oregon so you can plan out your holiday season.
Christmas Ships in Portland: November 30th to December 20th
It’s one of the state’s most notable and famous boat parade of lights. It’s also one of the state’s oldest boat parades, dating back all the way to 1954 when one solitary sailboat floated down the river with some green ribbon tied in festive bows. Today’s parade spans fifteen nights with multiple fleets to span Portland’s many intertwining waterways. Check out the Columbia fleet schedule and the Willamette fleet schedule to find out where you’ll want to be and when to see them.
There are lots of great ways to view the fleets. Some people are fortunate enough to see them from their homes, many of whom will flash their own lights in appreciation. There are also lots of people who make restaurant or hotel reservations to have a slightly warmer view of the boats. Or you can simply sit along the river with family and friends. Make sure to bring some hot cocoa, though!
The skippers who pilot these ships are proud to join the fleet every year and some of the more famous decorating schemes even get passed down from one ship to the next as the captains retire. If you’re more interested in joining the fleet rather than watching it, check out the Christmas Ships website for information on becoming a new skipper.
Sea of Lights and Lighted Boat Parade in Newport: December 2nd
If you’re headed to the coast this holiday season, then stop by Newport to see how they celebrate in style. The annual Lighted Boat Parade takes place at dusk on December 2nd. You’ll be able to watch a small fleet of boats, decorated in twinkling lights, coast around the Yaquina Bay. If you’re more excited about being in the thick of it, you can ask about purchasing tickets for passenger licensed boats and marine tours that’ll let you see the boats up close and in person. Even the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Pacific Fleet will sometimes decorate a few of their research vessels if they come in from their expeditions in time.
What’s special about Newport is that the fun doesn’t end when the parade does. Stop by the Oregon Coast Aquarium to see the Sea of Lights, which will remain up for all of December. It’s one of the most extravagant light displays you’ll find on the coast and you and your family can see it every Friday and Saturday throughout the holiday season. This way, even if you aren’t able to make the Lighted Boat Parade, you can still enjoy your very own coastal holiday spectacular.
As we mentioned, many boat parade fleets are happy to accept new members. But to join, you need a boat first! Stop by one of our Oregon dealerships and let us help you find the perfect craft to not only help you enjoy a different kind of holiday celebration, but also help you enjoy the water all year round. Active Water Sports proudly serves the Portland metro area, as well as the cities of Salem and Eugene, Oregon.