Christmas Ship Festival

Mark your calendars for November 24 through December 23! Once again, Seattle celebrates the season in maritime fashion. The Argosy Cruises Christmas Ship festival has been a Pacific Northwest holiday tradition since 1949. Each night, a nautical parade visits different communities along the Puget Sound (45-plus in total), from Tacoma to Kirkland. Choirs onboard sing 20-minute performances to these communities, all broadcast via state-of-the-art speaker system. You can also watch with hundreds of other happy revelers from strategic bonfire-warmed spots along the beach or, on certain dates, from cozy spots like Ivar's Salmon House (on Sunday, November 26, and Friday, December 15; reservations strongly encouraged). If wanting to climb aboard, select from a number of cruise options (ride the Argosy Christmas Ship itself with or without dinner and music, or follow along in one of dozens of additional brightly decorated boats). The Grand Finale enlivens Seattle's waterways December 23.