To get a better understanding of the Portland Christmas Ships schedule, check out the links below. You can find a schedule for the Columbia River fleet and a Willamette River fleet. The schedules vary slightly depending on the day and season, but they should give you a good idea of the route you can expect to see each vessel on. The Willamette River fleet is expected to have nearly 60 boats, with some ships being smaller than others. The ships are entirely volunteer, and each skipper is responsible for paying their own expenses for the floating display. Donations to the Portland Christmas Ships organization help to keep the vessels operating, but there is no way to be sure of how many will be in operation at any given time.
In Portland, you can also catch a show of Cinnamon Bear, which is set to debut in December. This outdoor event is stroller-friendly, with a free hot chocolate bar and a Santa’s workshop. There is also the Holiday Express Santa train, which runs from Oaks Park to the woods. The trains have hourly departures, and tickets can be purchased in advance. The Holiday Express will run in 2021 as well, and is expected to include more than a million lights and 10 Christmas trees. You can even donate non-perishable food to the Oregon Food Bank. However, if you have children, you should avoid December 8-26, since this event is likely to be canceled in 2021.
The Portland Victorian Belle hosts special holiday events, including wreath-making and kids’ crafts. There are holiday events and decorations at the Victorian Belle, and the show is open November 22 and runs through January 4. You can also take tours of the historic Pittock Mansion. This Portland mansion will also host a special Krampus appearance on December 14 and 15 during the season. The holidays will bring a magical mood to the city, so make sure to check out the Pittock Mansion’s holiday events.