4:53 PM: Beautiful night, mostly clear sky, as a crowd gathers to await the Christmas Ship on Alki, due to arrive just after 5 pm, after serenading Lowman Beach. The party organized by Seattle Parks will continue after the ship sails on, until about 6 pm. You’re also invited to stop by the Log House Museum, just a bit inland at 61st/Stevens, with “Cookies and Cider on the Porch” (and gift-shop deals) until 6:

Watch our Twitter and/or Instagram feeds for updates – and photos/video here later tonight – hope you’re here to enjoy it in person!

5:36 PM: The Christmas Ship and its fleet have moved on, but the celebration continues until 6 pm. We’ll have more photos/video later, but first a short phone-video clip, including the walking Nativity seen here most years:

P.S. If you missed tonight’s stops, the Christmas Ship’s final West Seattle visit this year is Monday at Salty’s on Alki (WSB sponsor), 9:15 pm. Here’s the full schedule.