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

In 2023 the festivities happened on July 1st, which, this past year, was a Saturday. 2024’s festivities take place on Monday, July 1st.

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, craft fair, music concerts, fireworks and world-famous salmon BBQ.

In 2022 the Steveston Salmon Festival featured in-person activities from June 25th to July 1st. The pre-Canada Day events included the Pacific Rim Kite Festival on June 25th and 26th. There was no big parade in 2022 either; rather, the July 1st events were split up into different festival “zones” around Steveston. Each of them contained its own events and entertainment to enjoy.

In 2023 the Canada Day celebrations returned in their usual, pre-pandemic form, complete with the parade, fireworks and other family-friendly activities.

NEW EXHIBIT AT THE CANNERY

The next time you’re at the Gulf of Georgia Cannery in Steveston Village, be sure to check out the cannery’s new feature exhibit, Fish Tales, which celebrates seafood. Also, good to know, admission to the national historic site is free on Canada Day. Every other day of the year, it’s free just for youth ages 17 and under.

Steveston Salmon Festival

In 2023 highlights of the Steveston Salmon Festival included the following:

Art Show – plenty of paintings and other pieces from local artists on display.
Parade – classic vehicles and fun floats hit the streets at 10:00 am.
Japanese Cultural Show – there were traditional Japanese tea ceremonies and more.
Sammy’s Fun Zone – an area for the little ones including a mini waterpark.

In 2023 there were also fireworks blasting off at 10:15 pm at Imperial Landing.

Girls in Steveston Parade — Canada Day Parade in Steveston Village

2023 Entertainment Lineup

The 2023 program for the Canada Day festivities in Steveston Village included the following stages and performers.

Spirit of Steveston Stage

12:00 pm – Vancouver Okinawa Taiko
12:35 pm – Welcome Ceremony
1:20 pm – Orchard Sky
2:20 pm – Warren Dean Flandez
3:20 pm – Aaron Wong: Elvis Tribute
4:20 pm – B.C. Top

Cannery Stage

12:00 pm – John Michael Lind
1:00 pm – Norine Braun
2:00 pm – The Seabillys
3:00 pm – Sweet Pan
4:00 pm – The Gastown Strutters

Boardwalk Showcase

12:00 pm – Kellie Haines – Ventriloquist
1:00 pm – Sweet Pan
2:10 pm – Charles Barstow
3:00 pm – Norine Braun
4:00 pm – Ishinomonosashi (DJ and Dancing)
8:30 pm – Ishinomonosashi (DJ and Dancing)

Sammy’s Fun Zone Stage

12:00 pm – Showstoppers
1:00 pm – CCIM Entertainment Group with Cassie B
2:00 pm – Ginalina Trio
2:50 pm – AdoReMi K-pop
3:30 pm – Marcato Youth Community Band
4:30 pm – Richmond Delta Youth Orchestra

Britannia Pop-Up Stage

1:00 pm – Greg Meloche
2:00 pm – Ricky Francisco
3:00 pm – Dave McArthur

Roving performers in 2023 included jugglers, stilt walkers and living statues. There were also caricature artists, Tarot card readers, and henna and face-painting stations.

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, and that was the case again in 2023. That means that on July 1st you can visit the Gulf of Georgia Cannery for free!