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.

The Britannia Shipyards site is hosting the event again this year. PHOTO CREDIT: City of Richmond.

Running from 11:00am to 6:00pm on August 24 and August 25, the 2024 event marks this admission-free festival’s 21st year. And whether you’re a regular visitor or a curious first-timer, you can plan ahead with our exclusive insider’s guide. Then 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 open throughout the weekend, bringing to life B.C.’s past and present maritime heritage. You’ll find fascinating exhibits and displays, artist and artisan demonstrations and the chance to encounter some beautifully restored antique wooden boats. Add in the event’s food trucks and huge playbill of performances, and you’ll find plenty to see and do on both days.

Check out the scaled-down boat models. PHOTO CREDIT: Steveston Maritime Modellers.

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, crochet and the chance to design a digital fish. There will also be face painting plus a Family Cool Down Zone, complete with puzzles, puppet-making and the opportunity to learn knot-tying with the Sea Scouts.

There will be lots of activities for children. PHOTO CREDIT. City of Richmond.

In addition, there will be a wide array of family-friendly performances to keep your kids fully entertained. These include story time with Mara the Musical Mermaid; 10-year-old singer and ventriloquist Estella Celeste Banez; and charming puppet favourites such as Rikki the Rat and Tabby the Cat.

Don’t miss Rikki the Rat! PHOTO CREDIT: City of Richmond.

WILL THERE BE ANY OTHER PERFORMERS?

Live music is always a big part of the festival. PHOTO CREDIT: City of Richmond.

Yes! The festival is packed on both days with a diverse array of live performances, both on stage and roving around the Shipyards’ site. You’ll find everyone from Accordion Dan to banjo-playing Paul Silveria; from the toe-tapping Whiskeydicks to the ever-popular Seabillys; and from Celtic duo Blackthorn Blossoms to folk band The Wheat in the Barley.

There will be a huge array of performers at the festival. PHOTO CREDIT. City of Richmond.

TELL ME MORE ABOUT THE WORKSHOPS AND DEMONSTRATIONS.

There’s a fascinating array of artists and artisans to connect with during the festival weekend. These include the Steveston Maritime Modellers and their intricately crafted scaled-down ships; Ainsley and Liana Oh with their crochet and knitting workshop; and sculptor Ralph Heading, who will be constructing amazing creations from river-salvaged plastic waste.

Check out the intricate carving from local enthusiasts. PHOTO CREDIT: Richmond Carvers.

Several Metro Vancouver organizations will also be showcasing their work throughout the weekend. These include the Fraser River Discovery Centre, Vancouver Maritime Museum and the Richmond Carvers, who will be displaying and demonstrating their highly polished woodworking skills.

WHAT ABOUT THE HISTORIC BOATS?

Festivalgoers will have a unique, up-close opportunity to view an amazing armada of vintage wooden vessels throughout the weekend. Moored alongside Britannia’s floating dock, these photogenic, beautifully restored boats are a must-see. There will be around 15 vessels to check out and this year’s highlights include the century-old SS Master tugboat; Midnight Sun, a handsome old boat from the 1930s; and the 1965-built salmon troller, Sandra Jean II. Viewing the vessels is very popular, so it’s best to make this a priority when you arrive.

Richmond Maritime Festival - City of Richmond — The festival is a great chance to check out some vintage boats: PHOTO CREDIT: City of Richmond.

Will there be anything to eat?

A full menu of at least 10 food trucks will be available during the weekend. Options include Iranian dishes from Cazba Persian Grill, Filipino treats from Shameless Buns and Japanese cuisine from Takenaka. You’ll also find ice cream from Slothfuls and gourmet doughnuts from Lee’s Donuts. Steveston’s much-loved D-Original Sausage House will also be here with their top-notch bratwursts. In addition, Steveston has lots of great cafes and restaurants to consider during or after your festival 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. Check out the site’s heritage buildings via these specially created virtual tours.

One of the oldest remaining heritage buildings found along the Fraser River. PHOTO CREDIT: Tourism Richmond.

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 24-25, 2024
Location: 5180 Westwater Drive, Richmond, BC
Admission: Free

Last Updated on August 19, 2024 by Tourism Richmond