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

In 2025 the festivities happened on July 1st, which is a Tuesday.

Steveston Salmon Festival

The historic fishing town of Steveston Village is an interesting place to visit any time of year, but especially so 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, art show, music concerts and a famous salmon BBQ.

Steveston Salmon Festival

Highlights of the 2024 Steveston Salmon Festival included the following (and 2025 will be similar):

Art Show – plenty of paintings and other pieces from local artists on display.
Japanese Cultural Show – there are cultural displays, arts and crafts, and traditional Japanese tea ceremonies most years.
Kids’ Bike Parade – families with young children showed off their decorated bikes, scooters and wagons at 9:30 am.
Marketplace & Trade Show – a variety of vendors and exhibitors at The Net Shed.
Parade – classic vehicles and fun floats hit the streets at 10:00 am.
Sammy’s Fun Zone – an area for the little ones including a mini waterpark.

In previous years there have also been fireworks; however, that wasn’t the case in 2024.

Girls in Steveston Parade — Canada Day Parade in Steveston Village

2024 Entertainment Lineup

Last year’s program for the Canada Day festivities in Steveston Village included the following stages and performers (and the lineup in 2025 will be comparable).

Spirit of Steveston Stage

12:00 pm – Aaron Wong
12:30 pm – Welcome Ceremony
1:15 pm – Aaron Wong
2:20 pm – MashTown
3:20 pm – The Aristo-Cats
4:20 pm – The R&B Conspiracy
5:20 pm – Dr. Strangelove

Catch of the Day Stage

12:00 pm – Perry Ehrlich’s Showstoppers
12:45 pm – Ginalina Fusion Folk Music
1:45 pm – Chris Clute
2:45 pm – Sons of Granville
3:30 pm – Twin Flames Entertainment
4:00 pm – Midnight Cruiser Band

1st & Moncton Showcase

12:30 pm – Ranj Singh
1:30 pm – Stuart Alves
2:15 pm – Twin Embers
3:05 pm – Shot of Scotch Dance
3:30 pm – The Yoshi Show
4:30 pm – Luc LeMans

Bayview Tower Showcase

12:00 pm – Sons of Granville
1:00 pm – CocoLarosa
1:45 pm – Kotojiro
2:30 pm – Luc LeMans
3:30 pm – Stuart Alves
4:15 pm – Murphy & the Cats

Expect to see roving performers at the event as well, including stilt walkers, circus performers, storytellers and more.

Tips & Advice

Below are some tips and suggestions to help you make the most 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 10:00 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 might be able to visit the Gulf of Georgia Cannery for free!