Christmas Ships 2015 Parade Of Boats On Lake Union

Seattle Lake Union Christmas Ships Are Back In 2015 –

Map of Parade route on Argosy Cruise site.

Christmas Ships On Lake Union: The 2015 Argosy Cruises Christmas Ships are part of their Christmas Ship Festival has its Parade of Boats Night on December 18th. The Parade of Boats is a long standing Seattle Tradition and a huge party of holiday living on Lake Union. Simply put, the holidays would not be the holidays in Seattle without the Christmas Ships. The holiday boats parade route begins at Fisherman’s Terminal in Magnolia, goes through the Fremont Cut into Lake Union.  Northlake and Westlake floating homes are the first to see the beautiful parade of boats come into Lake Union as they make their way South along the west side of the lake before curving back up in South Lake Union and going along their way adjacent to Eastlake. Seattle houseboats in both Westlake and Eastlake have the very best vantage points, but there are a lot of parks along the way and throughout the Lake Union Loop making it an amazing site for all.

More thank just Christmas Ships Passing in 2015 – There are Performances, too!

The parade of Christmas Ships officially begins at 7:45 PM and ends just past Wards Cove at around 8:30.  There will be performances along the way including one at Fisherman’s Terminal from 7:30 to 7:45, so get there early if that is your vantage point. Another performance will be at the Fremont Cut from 8:05 to 8:25 so a great place to watch the parade from is the Fremont Canal Park or also along the Burke-Gilman Trail.

Lake Union Holiday Tradition –

The Christmas Ships are a Lake Union tradition and a hug part of Seattle houseboat living and the Seattle holidays overall.  It is such a  lovely event that Argosy Cruises puts on. There is nothing quite like seeing the beautiful lit up boats parade through Lake Union and surrounding Seattle waterways.  The reflections and pure holiday spirit are invigorating and worth every effort in finding parking. The other thing I forgot to mention is that you can register to have your boat in the parade if you like.  There will judging as you enter Lake Union and there will be prizes for best decorated vessels in the following categories according to the Argosy site:

1. Peoples’ Choice Award (method of tallying votes TBA)

2. Best In Show

3. Best Seahawks 12’s Boat Theme

4. Best Santa, Reindeer Christmas Theme

5. Most Overall Christmas Lights with Holiday Spirit

6. Best Holiday Decorated Powerboat

7. Best Holiday Decorated Sailboat

8. Best Holiday Decorated Commercial Vessel