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 your vessel and join in the festival and help form the largest holiday floating parade in the world! (We also have an option aboard our dinner boat the Royal Argosy, for those looking for a full meal and a private dining table.)
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.
2013 Christmas Ship Schedule
This schedule is preliminary, and subject to change.
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 29
(PREVIEW NIGHT)
CHOIR: TBD
Depart: Lake Union Park 7:00 – 9:15pm
7:15-7:35 MOHAI (SLU)*
8:15-8:35 Seattle Yacht Club
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 30
OPENING NIGHT CEREMONY
CHOIR: TBD
DEPARTS: Kirkland City Dock, 7:00pm-9:40pm
7:10-7:30 Kirkland Marina Park*
8:25-8:45 Gas Works Park
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 1
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 3
CHOIR: TBD
DEPARTS: Lake Union Park, 7:00pm-9:45pm
8:00-8:20 Seattle Tennis Club (Private)
8:30-8:50 Park Shore Retirement Home (Private)
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 4
CHOIR: TBD
DEPARTS: Leschi Marina, 7:00pm-9:30pm
7: 50-8:10 Pritchard Beach Park
8:25-8:45 Seward Park
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 5
CHOIR: TBD
DEPARTS: Leschi, 7:00pm-9:50pm
8:00-8:20 Mercer Island Beach Club (Private)
8:50-9:10 Newcastle Beach Park*
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 6
CHOIR: TBD
DEPARTS: Leschi, 7:00pm-9:45pm
8:00-8:20 Gene Coulon*
8:50-9:10 Newport Yacht Club (Private) *
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 7
FIRST SAILING
CHOIR: TBD
DEPARTS: Pier 55, 3:30pm-5:50pm
4:20-4:40 Lowman Beach Park
5:10-5:30 Alki Beach Park
SATURDAY , DECEMBER 7
SECOND SAILING
CHOIR: TBD
DEPART: Pier 55, 8:00pm-10:45pm
8:15-8:35 Seattle Aquarium/Seattle Great Wheel/Waterfront Park
9:35-9:55 Winslow Waterfront Beach
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 8
CHOIR: TBD
DEPARTS: Tacoma, 5:00pm-7:40pm
5:00-5:20 Glass Museum
6:20-5:40 Gig Harbor
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 10
CHOIR: TBD
DEPARTS: Edmonds, 7:00pm-9:10pm
7:10-7:30 Edmonds Fishing Pier
8:20-8:40 Richmond Beach*
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 11
CHOIR: TBD
DEPARTS: Poulsbo, 7:00pm-9:05pm
7:00-7:20 Poulsbo
7:45-8:05 Keyport
8:20-8:40 Lemolo
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 12
CHOIR: TBD
DEPARTS: Des Moines Marina, 7:00pm-9:45pm
8:00-8:20 Brown’s Point
9:00-9:20 Redondo Beach
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 13
CHOIR: TBD
DEPARTS: Shilshole Marina, 7:00pm-9:15pm
7:15-7:35 Shilshole Bay
8:00-8:20 Blue Ridge
8:35-8:55 Carkeek Park
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 14
FIRST SAILING
CHOIR: TBD
DEPARTS: Kirkland City Dock, 3:30pm-6:00pm
4:20-4:40 Medina*
5:30-5:50 Houghton Beach*
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 14
SECOND SAILING
CHOIR: TBD
DEPARTS: Kirkland City Dock, 8:00pm-10:30pm
8:55-9:15 Sheridan Beach Club
9:45-10:05 Matthews Beach Park*
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 15
CHOIR: TBD
DEPARTS: Kirkland City Dock, 5:00pm-7:40pm
5:15-5:35 Carillon Point
6:25-6:45 Meydenbauer Bay*
MONDAY, DECEMBER 16
CHOIR: TBD
DEPARTS: Pier 55, 7:00pm-9:45pm
8:05-8:25 Manchester City Park*
9:15-9:35 Don Armeni*
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 17
CHOIR: TBD
DEPARTS: Shilshole Marina, 7:00pm-9:45pm
8:10-8:30 Hiram M Chittenden Locks
9:05-9:25 Golden Gardens Park*
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 18
CHOIR: TBD
DEPARTS: Des Moines Marina, 7:00pm-9:30pm
7:20-7:40 Des Moines Marina Park
8:20-8:40 Dash Point
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 19
CHOIR: TBD
DEPARTS: Kirkland City Dock, 7:00pm-10:00pm
8:00-8:20 Beaux Arts
8:35-8:55 Luther Burbank Park
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 20
CHOIR: TBD
DEPARTS: Kirkland City Dock, 7:00pm-9:30pm
7:55-8:15 Lake Forest Civic Club (Private)
8:50-9:10 Magnuson Beach Park
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 21
FIRST SAILING
CHOIR: TBD
DEPARTS: Kirkland City Dock, 3:30pm-5:40pm
3:40-4:00 Kirkland Marina Park*
4:40-5:00 Madison Park*
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 21
SECOND SAILING
CHOIR: TBD
DEPARTS: Kirkland City Dock, 8:00pm-10:55pm
9:00-9:20 Covenant Shores (private)
9:45-10:05 Madrona Beach Park*
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 22
FIRST SAILING
CHOIR: TBD
DEPARTS: Kirkland City Dock, 3:30pm-5:45pm
4:00-4:20 O.O.Denny Park
5:00-5:20 Laurelhurst Beach Club (Private)
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 22
SECOND SAILING
CHOIR: TBD
DEPARTS: Kirkland City Dock, 8:00pm-10:40pm
9:00-9:20 Log Boom Park, Kenmore
10:00-10:20 Juanita Beach Park
MONDAY, DECEMBER 23
FIRST SAILING
CHOIR: TBD
DEPARTS: Kirkland City Dock, 3:30pm-5:25pm
3:50-4:10 Yarrow Point Park
4:30-5:00 Waverly Beach Park
MONDAY, DECEMBER 23
PARADE FINALE
CHOIR: TBD
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*
*Bonfire Sites/special lighting (subject to change)
Copyright - Argosy Cruises
CHRISTMAS SHIP FESTIVAL FAQS
What's the difference between a Parade Boat and the Christmas Ship itself?
The Christmas Ship leads the Christmas Ship Festival parade of boats each evening. When the Christmas Ship arrives at the designated parks, the choir onboard sings a 20 minute concert broadcast to the surrounding boats and people onshore. Santa rides along to entertain and a cruise director will guide you through the evening and contests to win great prizes. The Christmas ship has a kid’s craft area available and snacks, chowder and beverages for purchase or you can also pre-order boxed meals.
A Parade Boat is another Argosy boat that follows the Christmas Ship with the rest of the parade. It stops with the Christmas Ship to hear the choir concerts at each park. Santa will be onboard along with a cruise director guiding you through the evening and contests to win great prizes. The Parade Boat offers kid’s craft bags and has snacks, chowder and beverages onboard for purchase or you can pre-order boxed meals.
Royal Argosy Dinner Cruise follows the Christmas Ship Parade while you relax at your private table with a drink or order an appetizer – maybe you’ll want to take a self-guided tour of the ship, or just sit and listen to our house band. Savor a three course dinner, including a Northwest-infused buffet (freshly prepared on board). The band will take breaks so you can go outdoors to listen to the choir concert broadcast from the Christmas Ship. The Royal Argosy is perfect if you prefer a private table and festive dinner party over the casual party atmosphere of the Christmas Ship itself.
Parade Family Buffet Join us on select nights from select locations for the parade family buffet. This Dinner Cruise is our dining experience that is more family oriented. The Parade Family Buffet departs with the Christmas Ship parade on early departure times, so you don’t have to keep the kids out late. Santa rides along and the menu is kid-friendly.
SANTA BRUNCH CRUISE WITH HOLIDAY SHOW Join us on Saturdays and Sundays from 11am-1pm beginning November 24th for one of the delights of the season with your family! Our Santa Brunches are a daytime family holiday event separate from the Christmas Ship Parade. Join us on for one of the delights of the season with your family! These cruises feature a buffet brunch, Santa on board who reads "Twas the Night Before Christmas", arts and craft area designated for little ones and holiday entertainment. The entertainment this year will be an interactive performance. Santa has lost his bag of gifts! Help us save Christmas and solve the mysterious dissappearance of Santa's bag so we'll all have presents under our tree on Christmas morning.
My friends and I made separate reservations, will we all 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 peppermint mocha onboard?
There is no outside food or beverages allowed onboard. There are snacks and beverages available for purchase, or you can pre-order boxed meals or chowder.
Wait! 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. If you are on the Royal Argosy, our Dinner Boat, you may wish to dress up, but still bring along a warm coat.
What kind of shoes should I wear on the Christmas Ship or Parade Boat?
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. The Royal Argosy Dinner Cruise is a large enough vessel that heels can worn, but again, please be aware of rainy docks and the motion of the waves.
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 be more than one Santa on the dock during the boarding times. 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.
What is your refund policy?
The tickets are non-refundable and are not transferable to other dates. If you are unable to attend, and have found someone else to go in your place, we are able to change the name holding the reservation.
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