Santa in the Village

Holly jolly locals and visitors will be flocking to Steveston Village on December 8 for one of the biggest and best festive celebrations in the region. Santa in Steveston is a sparkling Christmas-time community party––complete with a stocking-full of free and budget-friendly activities for all ages.

Mark your calendar, dig out your favourite holiday sweater and gather your friends and family for a great day out in the shoreline heritage destination. But before you arrive, don’t forget to read on for what to expect—just to make sure you don’t miss anything!

Here comes Santa Claus

The excitement starts at 1:00pm with Santa’s arrival at Fisherman’s Wharf. And he’ll be arriving in a surprisingly dramatic way. Eschewing his usual mode of transportation, Santa will be sailing up to the village by boat and disembarking at Fisherman’s Wharf to greet the waiting crowds.

From 2:00pm to 4:00pm, he’ll be holding court at the Gulf of Georgia Cannery National Historic Site and offering free photos to anyone with their own camera. This is your big chance to meet-and-greet the Jolly Old Elf––and let him know what you’d like to see under your tree this year.

The Cannery is offering free admission on the day––which makes this a great chance to check out its evocative displays. The site is also the host venue for the annual Steveston Festival of Trees, which means you’ll find a glittering array of fully decorated Christmas trees here as well. Each tree has been decorated by a different local organization, and you can vote for your favourite via the Cannery’s Facebook page.

Also on December 8, you can emulate Santa’s horse-drawn trundle in Steveston by hopping on a carriage ride yourself. The rides will operate around the village between noon and 4:00pm. This is a by-donation activity ($10 per person is suggested), with all proceeds benefitting the Richmond Christmas Fund.

And there’s More

Before you head home, don’t forget to check out the rest of the village’s chestnut-warming holiday highlights. The Steveston Tram building and its vintage Tramcar 1220 will be fully decorated for the season, and you’ll also find some unique Lego models of local landmarks on display here.

In addition, there are three special selfie stations around the village right now––each with a holiday theme––so you can snap some sparkling shots for your social media feeds (hashtags #WinterintheVillage and #RichmondMoments recommended). And many of Steveston’s independent stores and boutiques are also fully decorated with festive displays, lights and ornaments.

If you still have some gift shopping to do, these stores are ideal for covering off those stubborn holdouts on your gifting list. You’ll find everything here from artisan chocolate to handcrafted jewelry and from one-of-a-kind artworks to restaurant gift certificates for some of Richmond’s most popular eateries. Check out our local gift guide here.

While Santa in Steveston is a local highlight every year, don’t worry if you can’t make it on December 8. There are lots of additional holiday happenings––under the Winter in the Village banner––running between now and the end of 2024.

Check out our handy calendar for everything from Jingle Bell High Teas at London Farm to free Holiday Crafts at Murakami House, located at Britannia Shipyards National Historic Site. There’s also a must-see Holiday Dog Parade as well as the toe-tapping Songs in the Snow carol singing sessions, where you are fully encouraged to join in.

Last Updated on December 5, 2024 by Tourism Richmond