The Argosy Christmas Ship™ festival is a holiday celebration that has been a Northwest tradition since 1949. Its main purpose is to bring communities together to celebrate the holiday season. From our flotilla of ships to the crowds of people who gather onshore, this celebration is one of the gems of the holiday season.
From November 24th through December 23rd, 2012 the Argosy Christmas Ship™ sails to different Puget Sound waterfront communities, over 45 in total. Choirs onboard sing 20-minute performances to these communities, all broadcast via state-of-the-art speaker system.
On shore, thousands of people gather around roaring bonfires anticipating the arrival of the Christmas Ship™. You can either join us on board the Christmas Ship™ or one of the Parade ships that follow, or join with friends and neighbors to gather together for your own caroling tradition. If you own your own boat, feel welcome to add lights to you vessel and join in the festival and help form the largest holiday floating parade in the world!
In addition to good cheer, family, and friends, a portion of all ticket sales benefits The Seattle Times Fund For The Needy, an annual program that raises money for several charitable organizations in the Puget Sound area.
2012 Christmas Ship Schedule
This schedule is subject to change
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 24 (SPECIAL PREVIEW and VALUE NIGHT)
CHOIR: TBD
Depart: Lake Union Park 7:00 – 9:40pm
7:40-8:00 MOHAI (SLU)
8:30-8:50 Seattle Yacht Club (Private)
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 25 (SPECIAL PREVIEW and VALUE NIGHT)
CHOIR: TBD
DEPARTS: Lake Union Park, 5:00pm-7:45pm
6:00-6:20 Seattle Tennis Club (private)*
6:30-6:50 Park Shore Retirement Home (private)
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 30
CHOIR: TBD
DEPARTS: Leschi Marina, 7:00pm-8:45pm
8:00-8:20 Gene Coulon* (Ivar’s Clam Lights)
8:50-9:10 Newport Yacht Club*
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 1
CHOIR: TBD
DEPARTS: Kirkland City Dock, 7:00pm-9:30pm
7:10-7:30 Kirkland Marina Park*
8:25-8:40 Gas Works Park*
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 2
CHOIR: TBD
DEPARTS: Leschi Marina, 5:00pm-7:20pm
5:40-6:00 Ferdinand Street Park*
6:15-6:35 Stan Sayres Memorial Park*
6:45-7:05 Mt Baker Beach Park*
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 4 (VALUE NIGHT)
CHOIR: TBD
DEPARTS: Edmonds, 7:00pm-9:10pm
7:10-7:30 Edmonds Fishing Pier
8:20-8:40 Richmond Beach*
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 5 (VALUE NIGHT)
CHOIR: TBD
DEPARTS: Des Moines, 7:00pm-9:40pm
8:00-8:20 Brown’s Point
8:55-9:15 Redondo Beach *
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 6
CHOIR: TBD
DEPARTS: Tacoma, 7:00pm-9:50pm
7:00-7:20 Glass Museum
8:30-8:50 Gig Harbor
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 7
CHOIR: TBD
DEPART: Pier 55, 7:00pm-9:45pm
8:05-8:25 Manchester City Park
9:15-9:35 Don Armeni
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 8, FIRST SAILING
CHOIR: TBD
DEPARTS: Pier 55, 3:45pm-6:05pm
4:35-4:44 Lowman Beach Park
5:25-5:45 Alki Beach Park*
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 8, SECOND SAILING
CHOIR: TBD
DEPARTS: Pier 55, 8:00pm-10:45pm
9:00-9:20 Winslow Waterfront Beach*
10:15-10:35 Seattle Aquarium
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 9
CHOIR: TBD
DEPARTS: Shilshole, 5:00pm-7:50pm
6:00-6:20 Carkeek Park*
6:30-6:50 Blue Ridge
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 11 (VALUE NIGHT)
CHOIR: TBD
DEPARTS: Leschi Marina, 7:00pm-9:30pm
7:50-8:10 Pritchard Beach Park*
8:25-8:45 Seward Park*
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 12(VALUE NIGHT)
CHOIR: TBD
DEPARTS: Leschi Marina, 6:30pm-9:20pm
7:30-7:50 Mercer Island Beach Club (Private)
8:20-8:40 Newcastle Beach Park*
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 13
CHOIR: TBD
DEPARTS: Kirkland City Dock, 6:30pm-8:45pm
7:00-7:20 O.O. Denny Park*
8:00-8:20 Laurelhurst Beach Club (private)*
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 14
CHOIR: TBD
DEPARTS: Kirkland City Dock, 6:30pm-9:00pm
6:45-7:05 Carillon Point
7:50-8:10 Meydenbauer Bay*
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 15, FIRST SAILING
CHOIR: TBD
DEPARTS: Kirkland City Dock, 3:30pm-5:40pm
4:10-4:30 Medina
5:10-5:30 Houghton Beach*
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 15, SECOND SAILING
CHOIR: TBD
DEPARTS: Kirkland City Dock, 8:00pm-10:30pm
8:55-9:15 Sheridan Beach Club*
9:45-10:05 Matthew Beach Park*
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 16
CHOIR: TBD
DEPARTS: Kirkland City Dock, 5:00pm-7:40pm
6:00-6:20 Log Boom Park
7:00-7:20 Juanita Beach Park*
MONDAY, DECEMBER 17
CHOIR: TBD
DEPARTS: Poulsbo Marina, 7:00pm-9:00pm
7:00-7:20 Poulsbo
7:45-8:05 Keyport*
8:20-8:35 Lemolo
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 18
CHOIR: TBD
DEPARTS: Shilshole, 7:00pm-9:45pm
8:10-8:30 Hiram M. Chittenden Locks
9:05-9:25 Golden Gardens Park*
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 19
CHOIR: TBD
DEPARTS: Des Moines Marina, 7:00pm-9:20pm
7:10-7:30 Des Moines Marina
8:10-8:30 Dash Point
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 20
CHOIR: TBD
DEPARTS: Kirkland City Dock, 7:00pm-9:45pm
7:55-8:15 Covenant Shores (private)
8:30-8:50 Luther Burbank*
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 21
CHOIR: TBD
DEPARTS: Kirkland City Dock, 6:30pm-9:00pm
7:25-7:45 Lake Forest Civic Club (private)
8:20-8:40 Magnuson Beach Park*
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 22, FIRST SAILING
CHOIR: TBD
DEPARTS: Kirkland City Dock, 3:45pm-4:15pm
3:55-4:25 Kirkland Marina Park
4:55-5:15 Madison Park
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 22, SECOND SAILING
CHOIR: TBD
DEPARTS: Kirkland City Dock, 8:00pm-10:40pm
8:50-9:10 Beaux Arts (private)
9:35-9:55 Madrona Beach Park*
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 23, FIRST SAILING
CHOIR: TBD
DEPARTS: Kirkland City Dock, 3:45pm-5:40pm
4:05-4:25 Yarrow Point Park*
4:45-5:05 Waverly Beach Park*
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 23, PARADE FINALE
CHOIR: Seattle Girls’ Choir – Prime Voci
DEPARTS: Kirkland City Dock, 8:00pm-11:05pm
8:45-9:05 Portage Bay (W. Montlake Park)
9:45-10:05 Gas Works Park Grand Finale*
CHRISTMAS SHIP FESTIVAL FAQS
My friends and I made separate reservations, are we all going to be on the same boat?
Check your confirmation letters for which vessel you are booked on (Spirit of Seattle, Goodtime II, etc). If you are all on the same one, great! If you are still wondering, give guest services a call at 206-623-1445. (Please have all the names on the reservations available.)
Can I bring my latte onboard?
There is no outside food or beverages allowed onboard. There are snacks and beverages available for purchase, or you can pre-order box meals.
What if I’m running late?
Unfortunately, we can’t keep the scheduled performances and hundreds of people waiting for you. 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.
How should I dress?
Festively! The Christmas Ship is a casual but festive party. Please dress according to the weather for the boarding process and enjoying the outdoor deck views. The indoor decks are heated.
Where do I pick up my tickets?
Your tickets will be available at the departure dock on the day of the cruise. Will call opens approximately 1 ½ hours ahead of departure time. Look for a tent or ticket booth.
Does the cruise ever get canceled?
If the mayor or governor declare a state of emergency due to weather or other causes.
Is there ever more than one Santa on the dock or boat?
There will be only one Santa onboard your boat. We do like to warn parents that there may occasionally there may be more than one Santa on the dock during the boarding. We have often told our own children that they are Santa's helpers who dress up and carry him messages, as he cannot be everywhere at once.
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