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Set sail on Lake Chelan’s festive Santa Express cruise, where joyful mug decorating, warm hot chocolate, and scenic winter lake views combine for a memorable holiday outing. Perfect for families and friends celebrating the season together.
Set sail on Lake Chelan’s festive Santa Express cruise, where joyful mug decorating, warm hot chocolate, and scenic winter lake views combine for a memorable holiday outing. Perfect for families and friends celebrating the season together.
Book with Discover Lake Chelan
Verified experiences and guided adventures in the surrounding area.
393 ratings
Operated by Discover Lake Chelan · Chelan, Washington
Experience the magic of the holiday season aboard the Santa Express, a unique 1-hour cruise on Lake Chelan, Washington. This family-friendly outing blends the crisp winter air and stunning lake scenery with a cozy, creative activity that's perfect for friends and families seeking festive fun before Christmas. Departing from the charming town of Chelan, this cruise invites guests aboard a comfortable vessel where they can engage their creativity by decorating their own mugs, all while savoring warm hot chocolate and delicious cookies. Lake Chelan itself stretches 50 miles, acclaimed for its glacially carved depths and clear waters framed by snow-dusted peaks, offering a scenic backdrop that's bright and inviting during winter weekends. Beyond the activity, the cruise lets you absorb serene views of the surrounding Cascade Mountains and quiet lakeshore homes, a peaceful contrast to the usual rush of holiday preparations. What makes the Santa Express truly special in this region is its thoughtful combination of hands-on festive fun and intimate, small-group relaxation on the water—a rare offering on Lake Chelan during the holiday period. The mug decorating kit includes everything needed to personalize your cup, making it a memorable keepsake or heartfelt gift. Complementing these creative moments, the provided fresh-baked cookies and rich hot chocolate bring an extra layer of warmth against the winter chill. Chelan’s local community is well known for celebrating the season with creativity and charm, and the Santa Express cruise captures this spirit effortlessly. Whether you’re a local or visiting, this cruise offers an accessible, low-key way to enjoy time outdoors and create cherished holiday memories on the lake. The experience is suitable for all ages, and with group sizes kept cozy, the personal touch elevates this above typical winter tours. For those spending the holidays in Washington State’s scenic North Cascades, the Santa Express also introduces visitors to the understated beauty of Lake Chelan in winter—a time when the stillness of the lake contrasts vividly with the joyful buzz of holiday cheer aboard the boat. Travelers can easily book this cruise through FareHarbor, with pricing at $30 for adults and $25 for children, making it an affordable seasonal outing. Whether you're looking to engage little hands in creativity or simply want to take in crisp mountain air while indulging in festive treats, Santa Express offers an inviting winter adventure that’s uniquely tied to the Lake Chelan community and landscape.
Yes, the Santa Express is designed for all ages, with kid-friendly activities like mug decorating and cookies.
No, mugs and decorating materials are provided as part of the experience.
The cruise departs from the main dock in Chelan, Washington on Lake Chelan.
It’s best to book in advance as spots are limited and the cruise is popular during the holidays.
Yes, cookies and hot chocolate are provided to all guests onboard.
The boat offers sheltered seating but dressing warmly is recommended as it is an open-air cruise.
Discover Lake Chelan is a Stehekin, Washington-based tour and shuttle operator that provides scheduled transportation and guided scenic tours throughout the Stehekin Valley. The company runs multiple shuttle services to key trailheads and landmarks, including named departures such as 8AM Shuttle to High Bridge, 11:30 Shuttle to High Bridge, 2PM Shuttle to High Bridge, 5:30PM Shuttle to High Bridge, and evening returns like the 6:15PM Shuttle from High Bridge to Stehekin Landing. Discover Lake Chelan also offers off-season shuttle options — for example, the 9AM Shuttle to High Bridge (Off Season) and the 2PM Shuttle to High Bridge (Off Season) — that operate by reservation or prior request, giving visitors flexible access when demand is lower. In addition to transfers, the operator leads guided experiences such as the Heart of Cascades Tour and the Rainbow Falls Tour (11:00AM), showcasing local highlights like Rainbow Falls, the Historic Stehekin School, Buckner Homestead Orchard, Stehekin Pastry Company, Harlequin Bridge, and High Bridge. The company’s clearly named trips and published schedules are geared toward hikers, day visitors, and overnight guests who need reliable connections to trailheads, viewpoints, and village stops such as Stehekin Landing. Reservation-only runs and scheduled departures help visitors plan arrivals, transfers, and sightseeing with predictable logistics. Discover Lake Chelan focuses on practical access and scenic touring within the Stehekin Valley while operating from its Stehekin, Washington base.
Book with Discover Lake Chelan