Richmond Maritime Festival

The Richmond Maritime Festival is a free event that takes place in and around the Britannia Heritage Shipyard in Steveston Village in July.

Maritime Festival in Steveston

Last year the Richmond Maritime Festival took place on the Saturday and Sunday of July 27-28. There was also a special Battle of the Tall Ships on Friday, July 26 and Sunday, July 28 from 6 to 9 pm off the shores of nearby Garry Point Park.

Due to COVID-19 the festival was unable to take place in its normal format in 2020. Instead, the 2020 Maritime Festival was run as an online event. Dates and details for 2021 are to be determined.

It’s a medium-sized festival that includes live entertainment, artisans and boat-related activities.

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Where and When

In 2019 the Richmond Maritime Festival took place on July 27th and 28th from 11 am until 6 pm both days. The 2021 dates and details are to be announced.

Britannia Shipyards National Historic Site is located at 5180 Westwater Drive in Steveston Village in the southwest corner of Richmond. It’s about 1.5 km from the Gulf of Georgia Cannery, or just a 5-minute drive from Steveston’s other National Historic Site.

Richmond Maritime Festival

Maritime Festival Activities

The Richmond Maritime Festival is a free, family-friendly event that includes educational and interactive activities, as well as an artisan market and live entertainment. There are street performers, local artists, boats to explore, craft activities, live music, food vendors and other forms of entertainment.

Battle of the Tall Ships

In 2019, you could experience the thrill and excitement of a real tall ship battle either from onboard ship or from the shorelines of Garry Point Park on Friday, July 26 or Sunday July 28 from 6 to 9 pm. It is to be determined if this will take place again in 2021.

Tickets were $80 to watch from onboard one of the two battling ships, while it was free to enjoy from the beach. Bring your chairs or blanket and enjoy a meal from any one of the more than 25 food trucks. Also be entertained by roving acts when there was a break in the excitement of the battle.

A warning for those with sensitive ears – bring your earplugs! Cannons can be very loud.

2019 Music and Entertainment Lineup

There are two areas for entertainment at the Richmond Maritime Festival – the Main Stage and the Imperial Landing Stage.

As no details about the 2021 event have been released, we have listed the live entertainment at the various venues in 2019 below for an idea of what to expect this year.

Note: scheduled performers and times are subject to change.

Saturday, July 27, 2019

On the Main Stage

11:00 am – Bobs & LoLo
12:00 pm – The Coastal Wolf Pack
1:00 pm – The Seabillys
2:15 pm – Beauty Shop Dolls
3:15 pm – Jocelyn Pettit Band
4:15 pm – Flint and Feather
5:15 pm – Wooden Horsemen

On the Imperial Landing Stage

11:40 am – Jessica McMann
1:15 pm – Lola Parks
2:15 pm – Bottom Shelf Bourbon Trio
3:15 pm – Shawn Bullshields
4:15 pm – Norine Braun & Alice Fraser
5:15 pm – The Seabillys

Sunday, July 28, 2019

On the Main Stage

11:00 am – Will’s Jams
12:00 pm – Langley Ukulele Ensemble
2:00 pm – Blackthorn
3:15 pm – Sarah Wheeler Band
4:15 pm – Brian O’Brien
5:30 pm – Tetsu Taiko

On the Imperial Stage

11:40 am – Jessica McMann
12:15 pm – Flint & Feather
2:15 pm – Bottom Shelf Bourbon Trio
4:15 pm – Flint & Feather

Historic Shipyard Buildings at Steveston Village — Britannia Heritage Shipyard

About the Area

Steveston Village and the area around the Britannia Heritage Shipyards are worth visiting any time of the year.

Steveston Village is full of history, walking and cycling trails along the water, and two National Historic Sites to explore. Britannia Heritage Shipyard is in a neighbourhood along the water with historic buildings, some of which you can go into and explore.

Tips and Advice

Below are some tips and advice to help you make the most out of your visit to the Richmond Maritime Festival and surrounding area.

TIP #1: Take your walking shoes or bicycles and explore the trails while you’re in the area. Parking close to Britannia Heritage Shipyard will likely be challenging during the festival, which means parking elsewhere and walking or cycling the rest of the way can be a good idea.

TIP #2: While in Richmond, combine your trip to the Richmond Maritime Festival with visits to other weekend activities, including the giant Richmond Night Market on either evening, or the Steveston Village Farmers’ Market on the Sunday.