Stand on the shore at Deep Cove or Rocky Point on a December night and you’ll hear them before you see them: carols drifting across the water, then a line of boats rounding the point, every mast and rail covered in lights. Santa’s Christmas Ships is a boat parade of local skippers who decorate their vessels and sail Burrard Inlet and Indian Arm past Port Moody, Deep Cove, Belcarra and Dollarton, while families wave from the beach.
It’s free to watch, and it’s one of the most local Christmas traditions around. The 2026 schedule hasn’t been announced. Here’s how the 2025 season worked, the best places to watch, and where the new schedule will appear.
Santa’s Christmas Ships: Quick Facts
| What it is | A free holiday boat parade of decorated, illuminated vessels |
| Where | Burrard Inlet and Indian Arm: Port Moody, Deep Cove, Belcarra, Dollarton and other waterfront areas |
| 2026 schedule | Not announced yet |
| 2025 season | Opening night listed as November 29, 2025 |
| Cost | Free to watch (2025 listing) |
| Weather | Sailings are weather-dependent, and cancellations may occur for safety reasons |
| Updates | Santa’s Christmas Ships on Facebook |
When Is Santa’s Christmas Ships in 2026?
Not announced yet. In 2025, opening night was November 29 and the ships sailed through December. The organizers post the schedule, route map and any weather cancellations on their Facebook page, so that’s the place to watch.
Opening Night at Rocky Point Park
In 2025 the season opened at Rocky Point Park in Port Moody with a Cheer at the Pier celebration, from 5:00 to 7:00 PM. There was live entertainment and festive treats, the ships came right into the boat launch area for a close look, and Santa arrived around 6:00 PM. The 2025 listing said this was the only stop where Santa himself came ashore.
Port Moody has confirmed Holiday Cheer at the Pier for Saturday, November 28, 2026, from 5:00 PM at Rocky Point Park. Whether the ships will be part of it again hasn’t been announced, so check before you go.
What to Expect
- A fleet of lit-up boats, each with its own decorations and characters.
- Carols and holiday music from the decks.
- Christmas lights reflected on the water, which is as good for photos as it sounds.
Where to Watch
Spots named in 2025:
- Rocky Point Park, Port Moody
- Deep Cove, North Vancouver
- Belcarra Regional Park
- Dollarton and Cates Park, North Vancouver
Where the ships stop, and when, changes each year, so wait for the 2026 route before choosing a spot.
Tips for Watching
- Arrive early. The waterfront fills up quickly on parade nights.
- Bring a blanket and a warm drink. It’s colder by the water than you’d expect.
- Wave and cheer. The crews honk back.
- Live on the water? Light up your dock and flash your house lights for the skippers.
- Check Facebook on the day. Sailings depend on the weather and can be cancelled for safety.
More Ways Santa Comes to Town
The Christmas Ships are part of a small family of moving Christmas traditions here. The CPKC Holiday Train stops for free concerts on December 19 and 20, and Cloverdale’s Surrey Santa Parade of Lights brings lit trucks and even boats through town on November 29. See every parade in our guide to Santa Claus parades in Metro Vancouver.
Nearby in the Tri-Cities, Lights at Lafarge opens November 27, and on the North Shore, the Shipyards Christmas Market is a short drive from Deep Cove.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is Santa’s Christmas Ships in 2026?
The schedule hasn’t been announced. In 2025, opening night was November 29.
Is it free?
Yes, watching from shore has been free.
Where can I watch?
Rocky Point Park in Port Moody, Deep Cove, Belcarra Regional Park, and Dollarton and Cates Park in North Vancouver have all been viewing spots.
Does Santa appear?
In 2025, Santa came ashore only at the opening celebration at Rocky Point Park.
What if the weather is bad?
Sailings are weather-dependent and can be cancelled for safety. Check the organizers’ Facebook page.
Where do I find the official schedule?
On Santa’s Christmas Ships’ Facebook page.
Part of: Vancouver Christmas Guide 2026 › Santa Claus Parades in Metro Vancouver 2026
