"Each December, the Christmas Ships once again toot-toot-toot across our waters, sometimes going in little circles as they banish the Willamette’s vile horrors and give Portlanders a super-cute lightshow. Their lights winking and glittering with wondrous whimsy, the Christmas Ships spread holiday cheer..." wrote Erik Henriksen in this glorious paean to this vastly underrated holiday spectacle that graces the Columbia and Willamette rivers each year. The meet-and-greets are canceled for 2020, but you can still watch the parade from the shore—just make sure to spread out and wear a mask!

See the Columbia River schedule here and the Willamette River schedule here. No shows Dec 14 or 15.