Canada Day in Richmond is celebrated with the Steveston Salmon Festival which includes a pancake breakfast, parade and activities in Steveston Village.

Organizers of the 2020 Canada Day festivities in Steveston Village decided to cancel the event because of COVID-19. The festival returned in 2021, although in a modified format. 2022 will again be different than most past years.

Steveston Salmon Festival

The historic fishing town of Steveston Village is an interesting place to visit any time of year, but especially on July 1st during Richmond’s main Canada Day celebrations.

As many as 70,000 people turn out for the Salmon Festival each year to enjoy its many activities including a Japanese cultural fair and exhibits, car show, craft fair, music concerts and world-famous salmon BBQ.

The 2021 event was primarily online. There was a virtual parade at 10:00 am followed by a virtual stage with a series of pre-recorded videos. Both of these activities were accessible online. In 2021 there were also online salmon barbeque cooking demonstrations.

In 2022 the Steveston Salmon Festival features in-person activities from June 25th to July 1st. The pre-Canada Day events include the Pacific Rim Kite Festival on June 25th and 26th. There is not a big parade this year either, rather the July 1st events are being split up into different festival “zones” around Steveston. Each of them contains its own events and entertainment to enjoy.

THE CIRCUS IS COMING!

In 2022 the Royal Canadian International Circus will be in Richmond over the July long weekend. It’ll be at Lansdowne Mall from June 30th until July 3rd. A week earlier, from June 23rd to 26th, it’ll also be in Surrey.

This is a wonderful family-friendly circus! It’s also very affordable, even when you pay full price. If you use the promo code VANSBESTPLACES, however, it’s even more affordable. That’s because with the promo code you can get 2-for-1 general admission!

Steveston Salmon Festival

In 2022 highlights of the Steveston Salmon Festival include the following (full details for each of the main events are TBC as of mid-May):

Salmon BBQ From Home – while there is no massive communal barbecue, you can order a salmon BBQ meal kit beginning on May 16th and pick it up at the Steveston Community Centre ahead of July 1st.
Art Show – plenty of paintings and other pieces on display.
Car Show – check out vintage and colorfully painted vehicles.
Horticulture Show – arrangements of beautiful flowers and more.
Japanese Cultural Show – there is to be traditional Japanese tea ceremonies and more.
Sammy’s Fun Zone – an area for the little ones including a mini waterpark.

In years past there have been fireworks launched from the waterfront at around 10:00 pm. It’s unclear whether that or something similar will take place in 2022.

Girls in Steveston Parade — Canada Day Parade in Steveston Village

Entertainment Lineup

Below was the lineup for the 2019 Salmonfest. We expect performers in future years to be comparable, although details for 2022 are TBC.

Check out the Steveston Salmonfest website for more information on the event itself.

Salmon Festival Main Stage

The program for the Canada Day festivities in Steveston Village included the following performances on the festival’s Main Stage in 2019. 2022 details may be comparable.

12:00 pm – Salmon Festival Opening Ceremony
12:30 pm – The New Shackletons
1:30 pm – Krystle Dos Santos
2:40 pm – Line 49
3:50 pm – Urban Myth
5:00 pm – Bend Sinister
6:30 pm – 54-40

Performers on the Family Stage in 2019 included the following:

12:00 pm – Stories on Wheels: Middle Eastern Stories
1:00 pm – Terrance Wang Yoyo
2:00 pm – Uke Party
3:00 pm – Matt Henry: Comedy Juggling Stunt Show
4:00 pm – Winsome Kind

Tips and Advice

Below are some tips and suggestions to help you make the most out of your Steveston Salmon Festival experience on Canada Day.

TIP #1: There are lots of interesting things to do and see in and around Steveston Village, so combine your time at the Canada Day celebrations with a visit to some of the historic sites in the neighbourhood. For more information on the village in general and what there is to see, click Steveston Village.

TIP #2: If you plan to attend the parade, get there well before 10 am if you hope to find parking anywhere near the town centre. Otherwise, and likely even if you do arrive early, have patience and prepare to walk a fair ways.

TIP #3: There is usually no charge for admission at Parks Canada locations on Canada Day. That means that on July 1st you can visit the Gulf of Gulf of Georgia Cannery for free!