The Christmas Ships Return to Kalama — Your 2025 Hallmark-Movie Moment on the Columbia River

One of Southwest Washington’s most beloved holiday events returns with sparkling lights, riverfront magic, and a night of community connection.

Close your eyes and imagine this: twinkling reflections shimmering across the Columbia River, a cozy blanket around your shoulders, and a glowing parade of Christmas Ships drifting by as if someone lifted a scene straight out of a Hallmark movie and placed it right here in Kalama, WA. Every year, this beloved tradition brings neighbors, friends, and families together — and 2025 promises to be one of the most magical years yet.

And if you're not part of the Kalama Living Local community yet, consider this your invitation to join the fun, the connection, and the holiday glow.

📅 Save the Date — The Christmas Ships Return to Kalama

The annual Longview Yacht Club Christmas Ships Parade will once again illuminate the Columbia River on Saturday, December 27th, 2025, from 6:00–7:30 PM.

Best viewing spots along Kalama’s waterfront include:

• McMenamins Kalama Harbor Lodge

• Ahles Point Cabin

• Kalama Marina

• Waterfront Trail

Wrap up in your warmest layers, grab your favorite holiday drink, and prepare for one of Kalama’s most enchanting nights of the year.

✨ A Look Back at Last Year’s Magic

Last year’s parade was unforgettable — the waterfront buzzing with excitement, kids running along the trail, neighbors greeting each other, and thousands of sparkling lights reflecting across the river. Locals and out-of-towners gathered side-by-side, creating a night full of warmth, nostalgia, and holiday spirit.

If you missed it, 2025 is your chance to experience the magic firsthand.

☕🎶 The 2025 Holiday Scene

Picture this December: you’re standing along the river with a steaming cup of cocoa warming your hands. Holiday music fills the air. The Columbia River mirrors every twinkle as the decorated fleet drifts past, glowing against the winter sky.

Each boat shines with its own personality — lights, characters, colors, music — creating one unforgettable moment after another. It’s the kind of night that slows time and reminds you what the season is truly about: wonder, joy, and community.

🏞️ Kalama: Your Hallmark-Movie Backdrop

Kalama already has a charm of its own — the riverfront beauty, the small-town warmth, the walkable waterfront, and the cozy downtown. But during the holidays, it becomes something straight out of a Hallmark film.

If you're visiting for the parade or imagining what it might be like to call Kalama home year-round, this season offers the perfect glimpse into its magic.

And if you’re ready to embrace this lifestyle, I’d love to help you make that dream a reality. 🏡✨
— Realtor Gena Graham, HOME Real Estate

⭐️ The Longview Yacht Club Christmas Ships Holiday Fleet

Every December, the Columbia River becomes the glowing stage for one of Southwest Washington’s most treasured holiday traditions. Even before the first boat appears, you can feel the excitement: blankets unfolding, thermoses opening, music playing, kids scanning the water for the first sparkle.

Then suddenly, the river comes alive.

A shimmering parade of brilliantly decorated boats rounds the bend, each one crafted with care by dedicated volunteer skippers and deck crews. The lights dance across the surface of the water, turning the Columbia into a ribbon of holiday sparkle.

Now entering its 6th year in Kalama, the Christmas Ships Parade has grown from a small passion project to a beloved regional event — all thanks to community support, creativity, volunteers, sponsors, and the Longview Yacht Club.

If you want more updates, route information, or details from the organizers themselves, you can visit the Longview Yacht Club’s official facebook page here:👉Longview Yacht Club Social Page

🚢 2025 Christmas Ships Schedule

📍 KALAMA — Saturday, December 27th, 2025 | 6:00–7:30 PM

With its sweeping riverfront and cozy small-town charm, Kalama offers some of the most picturesque viewing spots along the Columbia. Locals love to gather at Kalama Marina, where the reflections dance across the water, while the McMenamins Pier delivers that perfect elevated vantage point with a warm, festive buzz. For a more intimate, tucked-away experience, Ahles Point Cabin gives you that magical “winter postcard” feel, and the Waterfront Trail offers endless spots to stop, snuggle up, and take in the glow as the Christmas Ships drift by. No matter where you choose, every angle feels like its own Hallmark-movie moment.

📍 RAINIER, OREGON — Sunday, December 28th, 2025 | ~6:00 PM

A lively riverfront with spectacular viewing.

📍 WILLOW GROVE — Monday, December 29th, 2025 | ~6:00 PM

A peaceful, nostalgic finale to the holiday weekend.

❄️ Tips for the Best Experience

For the full enchantment effect, plan to arrive a little early — the best spots tend to disappear faster than hot cocoa on a cold night. Dress warmly, because the Columbia River loves to send a playful little breeze that nips at your nose, and bring all the cozy extras: blankets, gloves, hand warmers, and anything else that makes you feel wrapped in winter magic. Pack a thermos of cocoa or cider (bonus points if it’s topped with whipped cream), and definitely bring the kids — these are the moments they’ll tuck away forever. Whether you crave the buzz and sparkle of the marina, the twinkling views from the pier, or the peaceful glow along the trail, there’s a perfect spot for every holiday mood.

❤️ A Heartfelt Thank You

A big thank you to the Longview Yacht Club, volunteer skippers, deck crews, sheriffs, ports, sponsors, and everyone who pours their heart into this event each year. Your dedication lights up Longview, Kalama, Rainier, and Willow Grove with holiday joy.

 Event Timing Disclaimer

Please note: Actual viewing times may vary slightly. The fleet may arrive and or depart a little earlier or later than the scheduled time depending on river conditions, visibility, and coordination along the route. For the most accurate and up-to-date information, please contact the Longview Yacht Club directly or follow their official updates. These parades are all weather permitting. If weather conditions make boating on the river unsafe, we will cancel the event. LCCS will post cancellation information on the LCCS Facebook site as soon as possible prior to cancellation.

Gena Graham | HOME REAL ESTATE
Your Neighborhood Real Estate Expert
Community • Lifestyle • Philanthropy

💡  If selling is part of your 2026 vision, let’s craft a plan that elevates every detail.

If you’ve been secretly wondering what your home might be worth — or whether a quiet, off-market sale might be your smartest move — let’s chat. Your home deserves more than a basic listing; it deserves a strategy. A story. A plan that actually works.

If you’re thinking about buying or selling in Kalama, Longview, Ridgefield, or anywhere in Southwest Washington, I’m your girl. I’m Gena Graham — your Realtor, your neighbor, and your Old West Side expert — and I believe the same heart we pour into our community should show up in every single real estate experience.

Because when you love where you live?
The results tell the story for you. 💛

📲 Call or text me anytime at 360.431.5773, or book an appointment below.
Let’s find your next home — or sell your current one — while continuing to build something incredible together.

Click here to book a discovery call 🏡

I’m officially a fan—show me the goods (aka your website)! 🏡💻

Gena Graham is a leading real estate expert in Southwest Washington, specializing in luxury homes and waterfront properties throughout Kalama, Camas, and Ridgefield. With over 10 years of experience and countless happy clients, she's your guide to finding the perfect home in SW Washington's dynamic market.

Legal Disclaimer;Every home is unique. The marketing plan, pricing strategy, and listing timeline referenced above are examples of one personalized launch designed for a specific property. Marketing results and buyer response will vary depending on property condition, market conditions, location, and pricing. No two listings are marketed the same. All marketing plans are custom-built based on your home’s features, goals, and ideal buyer. For a tailored strategy built specifically for your property, contact me directly to schedule a consultation.

#RealEstate2025 #PNWRealEstate #KalamaHomes #RidgefieldRealEstate #LongviewLiving #CamasLuxuryHomes #SellWithGenaGraham #HomeRealEstate #SouthwestWashingtonRealEstate #DreamBigSellSmart 🏠🌟#SWWashington #RealEstate #PNWLiving #LuxuryHomes #WaterfrontLiving