Itineraries

Best Dim Sum

This quintessential Chinese meal involves selecting small sweet and savory plates. It’s a fun, tasty way to socialize and connect, and also hugely popular and never rushed. At Continental Seafood Restaurant, you order from passing trolleys (more old school), but usually you mark your selections on a pad of paper. We strongly recommend arriving early or making a reservation if possible. Standard Dim Sum hours are 10:00am-2:00pm

Customs and traditions

Tea
Dim Sum originated in the ancient Silk Road tea houses in Southern China. As such, jasmine tea is a keystone of this meal. Remember not to pour tea for yourself, and when you require more water for your teapot, flip the lid upside down to notify the server.  

Chopsticks

Only use your chopsticks for your own food. Use serving implements or offer small plates to your companions to serve themselves. When finished, place them together to the side or at the top of your dish or bowl. Don’t stick chopsticks into food or point at people with them. It’s acceptable in Chinese tradition to tip a bowl and guide food into your mouth with chopsticks.  

Dim Sum Standouts

Empire Seafood Restaurant—One of Richmond’s oldest, this elegant Cantonese eatery has traditional dim sum as well as pork knuckle and geoduck (at dinner only).

Parkhill Seafood Restaurant – renowned for their expertise in Cantonese-style dim sum, and especially well known for their Chiu Chow (Teochew) cuisine. 

Jade Seafood Restaurant—A contemporary take with traditional dishes and western-inspired fusion.

Best Chinese

Home to one of Canada’s largest Asian populations, Richmond’s restauranteurs have brought authentic home cooking across the Pacific for everyone to enjoy. Here are a few notes and regional cuisine highlights to help you decide where to take your tastebuds next.

Sichuan (Szechuan)
Bold and spicy
Classic Sichuan ingredients include chili pepper and garlic. Chengdu, Sichuan Province’s capital city, was given a UNESCO city of gastronomy designation. One of our local favorites is Szechuan House.

Xingjiang
Rich and hearty
Fragrant lamb, freshwater fish and halal dishes dominate the dishes from China’s harsh, landlocked, mountainous northwest. Explore this cuisine at Silkway Halal and Richmond Night Market stalls like Chef James Xin Jiang Man BBQ. 

Shanghainese
Light and mellow
As a coastal city, much of Shanghai’s cuisine centers around seafood. Other specialties include xiao long baos and beggars chicken, where the stuffed bird is baked at high temperatures in a very thick clay-like dough. Suhang Restaurant is the place to go to enjoy this style.

Cantonese (Guangdong)
Diverse and delicious
Many non-Chinese North Americans think of Cantonese (egg foo young, chow mein) when Chinese food comes to mind. Our dim sum restaurants and higher-end Jade Seafood Restaurant, Sea Harbour Restaurant, and Red Star Seafood Restaurant banquet meals showcase this cuisine.

Northern Chinese
Warm and filling
Northern Chinese cuisine features noodles instead of rice. It combines rich meats, spice and garlic. Beijing’s hot and sour soup and Peking duck are classics of this region’s culinary scene.

Big Red Scavenger Hunt

We’re Going on a Scavenger Hunt with Big Red

Irish Setter Big Red used to roam Steveston Village and was known as its “unofficial Mayor”. The Cannery Cat at the Gulf of Georgia has challenged Big Red to a scavenger hunt. With your help, we’re pretty sure Big Red’s going to win.

Visit heritage sites on this free, family-friendly scavenger hunt to find the answers to clues left by the wily Cannery Cat. Complete the scavenger hunt and win a sticker and postcard.

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This Weekend

What’s Going On?

Planning the perfect weekend in Richmond? Here’s our up-to-the-minute guide to what’s happening throughout the upcoming weekend. If you want to make a full day of it, consider adding some local restaurants and attractions to your itinerary and make the most of your time in Richmond.

To use our event calendar, select a date range along with any filters you wish to apply. The calendar is updated daily, so be sure to check back regularly.

Chinese New Year

If you attend a single event in Richmond, Chinese New Year is the one
For 15 days, Richmond is awash with celebrations. Alongside traditional lion and dragon dance performances, pop-up flower and gift markets sell beautiful floral arrangements and red-and-gold decorations, and the city’s Chinese restaurants offer mind-boggling feasts—we’re talking 10-12 courses in one sitting! Good thing Richmond has North America’s most authentic Chinese cuisine.

Where to Celebrate
Dining out is customary to celebrate special occasions, and Chinese New Year (also called Lunar New Year or Spring Festival) is arguably the most important of them all. Large, round tables at Richmond’s Chinese restaurants typically overflow this time of year with lively and elaborate feasts. Local favourites include Jade Seafood Restaurant, Sea Harbour Seafood, Fisherman’s Terrace, Continental Seafood Restaurant, Empire Seafood, and Chef Tony Seafood Restaurant. All offer banquet-style menus for large groups. Make reservations.

Richmond’s monasteries and temples also host events to celebrate, and guests are always welcome. Of particular interest is the International Buddhist Temple. Modeled after the Forbidden City in Beijing, few other places in Canada offer as magical a venue to celebrate Chinese New Year. For a Tibetan take on the festivities, head to the Thrangu Monastery, where prayers and meditation services are open to all.

The biggest celebration in the city is at Aberdeen Centre. The mall hosts a popular flower and gift market, live performances, and a Chinese New Year’s Eve countdown event that attracts many locals and visitors alike.

When is Chinese New Year
2022: February 1, Year of the Tiger
2023: January 22, Year of the Rabbit
2024: February 10, Year of the Dragon

MORE ABOUT CHINESE NEW YEAR
Also called Lunar New Year or Spring Festival, Chinese New Year marks the beginning of the new lunar year based on the Chinese calendar and is a spirited celebration that lasts from the new moon through to the 15th day of the first Lunar calendar month. The lunar new year is celebrated in much of Asia, including China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Malaysia.

Traditionally, families gather on lunar New Year’s Eve for a reunion dinner. It is the most important meal of the year. Noodles are eaten for long life; dumplings, shaped like ancient Chinese money, represent wealth and prosperity. Spring rolls, a traditional food of the Spring Festival, are said to look like gold bars. Lettuce wraps are eaten because they play on the Chinese word for “fortune” which is also the word for “lettuce;” and large, golden fruits like tangerines, oranges, and pomelos symbolize fullness and wealth. Yum.

Canada Day

Oh Canada!

Dressed in red, waving little flags, and often sporting temporary maple leaf tattoos, people of all ages roll into Steveston for a full day of fun and festivities.

What’s the Steveston Salmon Festival?
The Steveston Salmon Festival is a unique Canada Day party that also celebrates Richmond’s roots. The highlight is a huge salmon barbecue. The day-long roster of activities and entertainment includes live music, free entry to several historic sites, and a sparkling fireworks display.

When and Where to Celebrate
Canada Day celebrations take place throughout Canada on July 1, a public holiday. Richmond’s activity-packed day starts in Steveston Village in the early morning and runs into the evening. Most of the day’s activities are free! Learn more in our Insider’s Guide to Canada Day in Richmond.

What to Expect
Festivities start with a pancake breakfast, followed by a parade (look for Sammy the Salmon, a favourite local mascot). The day holds multiple stages showcasing live music, cultural performances, vintage car displays, craft and horticulture demonstrations, and much more.

If you miss the Salmon Barbecue (it starts around 10:00am), plenty of food trucks and many of Steveston’s restaurants remain open. In the evening, headline musical acts take to the largest stage before—at around 10:15pm—Steveston’s grand fireworks finale.

How to Get There
Parking in Steveston is at a premium on Canada Day, so we recommend public transit, free shuttle buses, or by bike (free bike valet services are provided).

Annual events

The Best Time of Year is All Year Long

February
If events are your passion, Richmond has many to choose from. Chinese New Year—also known as Lunar New Year—is one of Richmond’s Chinese community’s most important events. The next Chinese New Year is February 10, 2024.

March
Richmond has lots of spring break activities at attractions, historic sites, and community centres. There is always a full slate of kid-friendly things to see and do, like the Lansdowne Centre Outdoor Spring Carnival.

May to September
The Steveston Farmers & Artisans Market is held on certain Sundays, featuring fresh produce, handmade jewelry, artisan crafts, and live entertainment. The market is located in the parking lot across from the Steveston Community Centre.

May to October
On weekends, the Richmond Night Market offers clothes, gadgets, and other merchandise alongside booths serving sweet and savoury street food and exotic drinks, all set to a soundtrack of live music, vocal merchants, cultural performances, and carnival games.

June
Doors Open Richmond is an annual arts, culture, and heritage festival that offers free activities and experiences to visitors and locals of all ages at up to fifty partner sites. These include National Historic Sites, museums, places of worship, art studios, city facilities, and specialty businesses.

July
Canada’s “biggest little birthday party” used to draw more than 70,000 people to Steveston every year. It kicks off with a pancake breakfast and parade, followed by various exhibits, live music, and performances. The highlights are the salmon barbecue, where more than 1,200 pounds of fresh salmon is grilled over open fire pits and a jaw-dropping fireworks display.

December
Don’t miss Steveston’s Winter in the Village during December. It’s an annual ritual for many families who wander the twinkling, festive streets, getting into the spirit of the season.

Wellness

Spa-ctacular Richmond

Richmond’s average life expectancy is 83.4 years, one of Canada’s healthiest and longest-living populations. Activity levels and farm-fresh food aside, relaxing and keeping stress down is key to living healthily. Thankfully, Richmond has ample spas and wellness centres offering everything from massage to meditation.

Meditation
Clear your mind and head to the Bodhi Meditation Centre for free drop-in meditation classes that welcome everyone regardless of experience. Richmond’s Buddhist temples—the International Buddhist Society, Steveston Buddhist Temple, and Ling Yen Mountain Temple also offer meditation. Check websites for details. Donations appreciated.

Spas
Richmond’s award-winning day spas feature ambiance, amenities, and services you won’t find anywhere else. Spa VERSANTÉ offers one of Richmond’s most opulent spa experiences, in over 5,000 sq. ft. of exquisitely designed spa space. Celebrity-favorite, award-winning Absolute Spa has multiple locations, including in YVR’s post-security area (one of CNN’s “Top Airport Spas”).

Yoga
Richmond’s yoga studios cater to all levels, with many of them offering drop-in classes and hot yoga for anyone interested. One of our favorites is YYoga at the Richmond Olympic Oval has more than 40 classes a week. Guests can use the infrared sauna and private tea lounge during their visit.

Asian Spas & Salons
Many salons offer Thai massage, Chinese pressure point massage, herbal body wraps and much more in Richmond’s Golden Village. Did you know that a reflexology foot massage is the best way to pause in a day of exploring Richmond? Now you do.

Shopping

It’s Always Time to Shop
*Richmond’s malls and shops are open, with new safety measures. Masks mandatory.  Keep an eye out for signage, like floor decals denoting one-way pathways.

Leave some space in your luggage, thank us later. You’ll find great deals on the eclectic and the essential in Richmond with its busy malls, boutique shops, big box stores, designer outlets, and local artisans with their unique wares.

PACIFIC. AUTHENTIC. RETAIL THERAPY

Shop Local
For a piece of Pacific Canada, head to Steveston Village. Here, you’ll find boutiques and artisans selling many stunning handmade items. Shops sell everything from jewelry and cool clothing to small-batch foodstuffs and mementos.

Malls
You’ll need a full day for the CF Richmond Centre and Lansdowne Centre. Shopping centres with an Asian focus include Aberdeen Centre, Yaohan Centre, and Parker Place, with countless boutiques selling everything from trendy Asian fashion and cute sushi sets to beautiful Chinese art. Do not miss the food court, home to everything from dumplings to bubble waffles and shaved ice desserts.

Designer Brands
Want high fashion without the high prices?  McArthurGlen Designer Outlet Vancouver Airport. located along the Canada Line, is where you want to go. Nab brands like Coach, Armani, Hugo Boss, Calvin Klein, and much more at up to 70% off retail. World Duty Free, located inside the Vancouver International Airport (YVR), has a fabulous selection if flying in (or out).  

Nightlife and Entertainment

Let’s go out tonight!

Craft beer flows, and the local food delights. Along with bars and lounges, Richmond’s nightlife stars a 24-hour casino, a summer night market, and plenty of late-night eateries.

Many head to the Richmond Night Market to eat, shop, listen to live music and have a great time with friends in a festive atmosphere under the stars. You can always try your luck at the 24-hr River Rock Casino, with slot machines, table games, and VIP rooms. Feeling late-night hangry? Head over to Alexandra Road and Food Street for delicious Asian fare. Do you feel a song coming on? Belt it out at one of Richmond’s karaoke bars, perfect for a fun night out with your friends and family. Many serve food and drinks, and offer private booths for groups of all sizes

Indoor Activities

Spend Quality Time in the Great Indoors.

Olympic Oval
Savour the triumph and glory of competing in the Olympics with Richmond Olympic Experience at the Richmond Olympic Oval, where the games come to life on hyper-realistic simulators. You can also drop in for fitness classes and to work out, play basketball, and ice skate.

Museums & History
Spending the day exploring Richmond’s Museums and National Historic Sites. Gulf of Georgia Cannery National Historic Site teaches all about Richmond’s maritime history in a fun, hands-on way. The Richmond Cultural Centre houses the free-to-see (donations welcome) Richmond Museum and Richmond Art Gallery.

Escape Rooms
Will you make it? Richmond’s escape rooms like EXIT Canada put your mind, nerves, and teamwork to the test in themed rooms packed with puzzles to solve. Difficulty levels vary. Solve the puzzles, get out in time, and you win. Too slow? You can always try again.

Sports Facilities
Splash into fun at Watermania, a humongous waterpark. 6Pack Indoor Beach offers indoor beach volleyball and archery tag with foam-tipped arrows, great for kids and adults alike. Try your hand at curling at Richmond Curling Club, and if you have a need for speed, head to TBC Indoor Racing.

Here are a few more indoor options: 
Splitsville
Kidtropolis
Clip n’ Climb
The Gaming Stadium