Richmond Maritime Festival: the Insider’s Guide

Locals and visitors will be flocking to Steveston this month for the return of the region’s favourite nautical-themed celebration. Anchored in and around the shoreline heritage buildings of Britannia Shipyards National Historic Site, the Richmond Maritime Festival promises a treasure trove of fun for all the family.

Running from 11:00am to 6:00pm on August 23 and August 24, the 2025 event is the festival’s 22nd edition. But whether you’re a returning attendee or a curious first-timer, here’s our exclusive insider’s guide to help you plan your visit. Get ready to gather your friends and family and set sail for Steveston––sea legs not required!

What is there to see?

The entire Britannia Shipyards site––complete with historic buildings and wooden boardwalks––will be fully open throughout the weekend, bringing to life B.C.’s colourful maritime heritage. You’ll find fascinating exhibits and displays, artist and artisan demonstrations and the chance to encounter some beautifully restored antique boats. Add in the event’s food trucks and vast playbill of live performances, and you’ll find plenty to see and do on both days.

Can I bring my kids along?

The Richmond Maritime Festival is ideal for families, with lots of activities and performances to keep junior visitors fully engaged. Interactive arts and crafts will include origami, paint-by-numbers and the chance for young seafarers to create their own little boats from recycled scrap wood. And don’t miss the face painting in the festival’s Octopus’ Garden area!

The Octopus’ Garden will also be staging live performances perfectly pitched for families. These include ukulele duo Caro & Ali, street theatre with Stories on Wheels and puppet favourite Rikki the Rat. The nearby All Hands on Deck stage will also have some kid-friendly acts, including Lulu the Mermaid and the Cause & Effect Circus. Also, a three-piece ensemble from the Richmond Delta Youth Orchestra will be performing on board the historic MV Gikumi boat.

WILL THERE BE ANY OTHER PERFORMERS?

Yes! This year’s festival features a bigger-than-ever array of live acts on both days. You’ll find everyone from fiddle-playing band Collage Trad to vintage-themed vocal trio The Nautical Notes; and from Celtic four-piece The Irish Wakers to roots and country band Murfitt & Main. Keep your eyes (and ears) open for the festival’s roving performers as well––including the popular Cannery Mermaids and sea-shanty-singing Matt Stapleton. Check out the full roster of 2025 performers here.

TELL ME MORE ABOUT THE WORKSHOPS AND DEMONSTRATIONS.

There’s a brilliant array of artists and artisans to experience during the festival weekend. The site’s Seine Net Loft will be displaying some intricate scaled-down ships crafted by the Steveston Maritime Modellers as well as evocative ocean-themed paintings by artist Jia-huan Long. The nearby Murakami Boat Works building will also be hosting a marine-based exhibition by celebrated painter John Horton.

The festival’s All Hands on Deck area will be presenting hands-on craft activities throughout the weekend. These include workshops and demonstrations on knitting, net-making and cyanotype sun printing––the perfect opportunity to flex your creative muscles and have fun at the same time.

In addition, several Metro Vancouver organizations will be showcasing their work during the festival. These include the Vancouver Maritime Museum, Ocean Legacy Foundation and both the 10th Richmond Sea Scouts and the Sea Dragon Sea Scout Group. You definitely won’t run out of things to see!

WHAT ABOUT THE HISTORIC BOATS?

Speaking of things to see, don’t miss the unique opportunity to view a mini-armada of vintage wooden vessels. Moored at Britannia’s floating dock, these beautifully restored boats are a festival highlight. This year, there will be around a dozen vessels to view, including the century-old SS Master tugboat; Midnight Sun, a handsome old boat from the 1930s; and the 1977-built freezer troller, Island Provider. And don’t forget the aforementioned and much-admired MV Gikumi as well. Viewing the vessels is very popular, so we recommend making this a priority when you arrive.

Will there be anything to eat?

A full menu of at least 12 food trucks will be serving on site throughout the weekend. Options include Korean-inspired burgers from Stackers, Tater-tots from CultivATE, and Mexican treats from Steveston’s Little Mexico Cantina. You’ll also find ice cream from Mr. Golds, bubble teas from Slothfuls and doughnut-style sugar treats from The Lucky Churros. In addition, Steveston Village has lots of cafes and restaurants to consider during or after your visit.

What else is there to see at Britannia Shipyards?

Built as a cannery in the 1800s but transformed into a boat-building complex a century ago, this fascinating National Historic Site has a rich and gritty story to tell. Explore the preserved living quarters and tool-lined boat sheds and you’ll discover what it was like to live and work here back in the day. The attraction is free to enter at any time, so planning a return trip outside the festival weekend should definitely be on your agenda.

How do I get to the festival?

The Richmond Maritime Festival is at the Britannia Shipyards National Historic Site––a picturesque shoreline stroll from the heart of Steveston Village. If you’re driving, there will be by-donation parking at nearby Homma Elementary School. The free Richmond Discovery Shuttle will also be running; the nearest stop is Homma Elementary. Alternatively, ride your bike to the site or hop on transit (use TransLink’s online trip-planner to plot your route).

EVENT DETAILS

Richmond Maritime Festival
Date: August 23 and August 24, 2025
Location: Britannia Shipyards National Historic Site, 5180 Westwater Drive, Richmond, BC
Admission: Free

Last Updated on August 18, 2025 by Tourism Richmond