A Christmas Ship Festival is sailing through Seattle next month
Sailors and boat lovers rejoice as the annual Argosy Cruises Christmas Ship Festival is returning to Seattle.
A city tradition since 1949, the Christmas Ship Festival features brightly decorated ships parading through waterfront neighborhoods around Lake Washington and the Puget Sound.
All boaters are invited to decorate their boats and join in the parades.
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Start a new Christmas tradition this year by boarding one of the main ships: the Christmas Ship or 21+ Follow Boat.
The official Christmas Ship, the Spirit of Seattle, features an onboard choir, a kid’s crafting corner, a reading of ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas,’ and the chance to win two round-trip tickets to Alaska during a raffle.
For those looking to party, the 21+ Follow Boat is the vessel for you. It includes ugly sweater contests, Christmas games, carolers, as well as an Alaska Airlines raffle. This boat is for those aged 21+ and is aimed for those looking to drink and mingle.
Both ships follow the same cruise route and sail to various Puget Sound waterfront communities.
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If Titanic has steered you off of seafaring, stay on land and boat-watch from the shore. Each week of the festival, the ships stop in new spots for performances.
We recommend viewing the ships from Evanston Plaza in the Fremont Lake Union Center, Redondo Beach, Alki Beach Park, Ballard Locks, and Gas Works Park.
These spots all offer great views of the ships and are close enough so that you don’t miss the sounds of carolers. This year, carolers will be stopping at Myrtle Edwards Park, Waterfront Park, West Point Lighthouse, Salty’s on Alki Beach and more. The entire caroling performance schedule can be found online.
Plan your December and find the entire 2019 Christmas Ship Festival Schedule online.
The Christmas Ship
When: Dates vary weekly, schedules available online
Time: 6:30 pm
Where: Departures vary weekly, schedules available online
Admission: $29+, available online
21+ Follow Boat
When: Dates vary weekly, schedules available online
Time: 6:30 pm
Where: Departures vary weekly, schedules available online
Admission: $47+, available online