Christmas at the Cannery Trees

The Steveston Festival of Trees is a Christmas event at the Gulf of Georgia Cannery National Historic Site in Richmond‘s Steveston Village in December.

In 2023 the Steveston Festival of Trees runs from December 1st until January 7th (which is a little longer than last year).

Other Christmas-themed events and attractions in 2023 include the PNE Winter Fair, VanDusen Festival of Lights, Vancouver Christmas Market and the Soar with Santa film at FlyOver Canada. There is also the Dundarave Festival of Lights in West Vancouver, Canyon Lights at Capilano Bridge, Photos with Santa at Britannia Mine, and both Christmas Glow and Martini Town Merry & Bright in Langley.

To learn about all of the Lower Mainland’s main holiday attractions this year, see our article about Vancouver’s Best Christmas Activities. To learn about the Steveston Festival of Trees, continue reading.

For the event’s official website, visit gulfofgeorgiacannery.org.

Christmas at Steveston Cannery

At Christmas time there are festive attractions throughout Metro Vancouver. In Richmond, for example, one of the main holiday things to see is the Christmas at the Cannery Steveston Festival of Trees event.

During December the Gulf of Georgia Cannery is home to dozens of elaborately decorated Christmas trees. The trees are designed and sponsored by local merchants and people vote for their favourite ones.

The Steveston Festival of Trees is a nice bonus when visiting the Gulf of Georgia Cannery Historic Site. It’s an interesting place to visit any time of the year, but especially pretty in December.

Cannery Admission

The regular cost of admission to the Cannery is the following as of November, 2023 (recognizing that prices are subject to change):

- Adults – $12.50
- Seniors (65+) – $10.75
- Children & Youth (ages 17 and under) – Free
- Cannery Society Members – Free

For the event’s official website, visit gulfofgeorgiacannery.org.

Festival of Trees Location

The Steveston Festival of Trees takes place indoors at the Gulf of Georgia Cannery which is located at 12138 Fourth Avenue in Steveston Village.

TIP: While in the area, if it’s not raining or you have an umbrella, go for a walk along the waterfront in Steveston Village. The Britannia Heritage Shipyard is just a 15 to 20-minute walk away and the route there on a nice day is beautiful.

Cannery Christmas Tree — Christmas at the Gulf of Georgia Cannery

Christmas in Steveston Village

On the first Sunday in December each year Steveston Village usually celebrates the start of the Christmas season with a number of events, including some at the Cannery. In 2023 “Christmas in Steveston Village” takes place on Sunday, December 3rd.

At the Christmas in Steveston Village event there is a classic car show. Santa arrives by boat at Fisherman’s Wharf. On the same day, Santa Claus sometimes hangs out at the Gulf of Georgia Cannery for part of the afternoon.

In 2023 Santa arrives at the wharf in Steveston Village at around 1:00 pm. The Christmas Classic Car Cruise takes place from noon-ish until 1:30 pm. Both of these events were free to enjoy.

Click Christmas in Steveston Village for more details about the special one-day event.