St. Helens Christmas in the Plaza and Christmas Ships Parade

Saturday, December 13, 2025 - 4:00pm to 8:00pm


On Saturday, December 13, St. Helens will transform into a holiday wonderland for the highly anticipated St. Helens Christmas in the Plaza and Christmas Ships Parade. This festive celebration takes place at the Plaza Square in the St. Helens Riverfront District from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., offering a magical evening of holiday activities for the entire family.

A Night of Festive Highlights

The evening kicks off with a variety of holiday-themed activities, including live music provided by the St. Helens High School Choir and Bridgetown Get Down. To keep warm, attendees can enjoy complimentary hot chocolate and s’mores stations courtesy of Yankton Store and Restaurant. Photos with Santa will take place inside the City Hall Council Chambers from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Families can look forward to the Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony at 5 p.m., spreading holiday cheer as the season officially begins.

The Christmas Ships Parade will light up the Columbia River starting at 6 p.m. at the St. Helens City docks. The community is invited to gather in Columbia View Park and at designated viewing areas along the riverfront to watch the fleet of festively decorated boats head toward Sand Island before turning north. 

St. Helens Christmas in the Plaza and Christmas Ships Parade is a free event open to all. Christmas in the Plaza is made possible thanks to the support of Wauna Credit Union. Hot chocolate and s’mores are courtesy of Yankton Store and Restaurant. This year’s Christmas Tree was donated by Trenholm Tree Farm.