Every year, Santa and his Christmas Ships come to visit the communities of Port Moody, Ioco, Belcarra, Dollarton, Deep Cove, Bedwell Bay, Woodlands and Brighton Beach. Starting on Saturday, November 29th, with the ships coming by at the Port Moody’s Cheer at the Pier.
Santa’s Christmas Ships 2025 – Official Schedule
Bring the whole family and experience the magic of the lighted Christmas Ships on the water!
A Christmas tradition is the annual Santa’s Christmas Ships which takes place over a number of December evenings in different parts of Metro Vancouver.
Santa’s Christmas Ships sail through the waters of Port Moody, Belcarra, Deep Cove, and part of North Vancouver. The boats are decorated with Christmas lights and make evening appearances in different waterfront neighbourhoods.
Special Kick-Off Event – Open to Everyone!
As of November 2025, it is hoped that boats will be visible on the following evenings. Unless stated otherwise, cruises typically take place between 7:00 pm and 9:00 pm. All dates are subject to change due to weather conditions.
- Saturday, November 29th, 2025: This event is open to the public at Rocky Point Park in Port Moody for Holiday Cheer at the Pier. Santa appears in the park for photos starting around 5:00 pm. The Ships are expected at approximately 6:00 pm.
- Friday, December 5th, 2025: Christmas Ships cruise by Cates Park, Dollarton and Belcarra Bay.
- Saturday, December 6, 2025: This event is open to the public for the Christmas Ships Party, featuring a bonfire and live music at Panorama Park in Deep Cove.
- Friday, December 12th, 2025: Ships cruise by Woodlands and Brighton Beach (water-access communities only).
- Saturday, December 13th, 2025: The Christmas fleet cruises by the water access communities of Belcarra and Dollarton.
- Friday, December 19th, 2025: The route is yet to be announced. Visit Santa’s Christmas Ships Facebook page for the latest updates.
- Saturday, December 20th, 2025: The final cruise passes by Bedwell Bay and Farrer Cove, which has water access only.
For Waterfront Residents & Viewers, The skippers LOVE when you light up your docks and seawalls – it helps them navigate safely and come in closer for a better show! Flash your house lights, make some noise, wave, cheer – they can see and hear you! And answer back with big horn blasts and holiday cheer from the fleet!
Also they are looking forward to welcoming new Skippers to the Santa’s Christmas Ships 2025.
If you or someone you know wants to enter a boat in the Greatest Christmas Celebration on Water, private message them on FB, and they will get you set up for this season. https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1Ds6csUzDU/
There are also a few boat parties happening this winter. Vancouver Boat Parties, for example, hosts two New Year’s Eve parties on December 31st. One is the New Year’s Eve Boat Cruise on the Burrard Queen and the other is Hip Hop X Latin NYE Boat Party on the Magic Spirit Yacht. Vancouver Boat Parties also has its annual Christmas on the Waves boat cruise on December 13th.