Updated August 16, 2023
Get ready to set sail as the Richmond Maritime Festival returns for its milestone 20th edition on Saturday, August 26 and Sunday, August 27. Set amidst the beautiful and scenic Britannia Shipyards National Historic Site in Steveston, the festival will come alive from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. both days. The entire eight-acre heritage site will be open to the public and visitors will discover delightful surprises around every corner. This free event is open to all ages.
Marking two decades of showcasing the City’s rich maritime heritage, the festival boasts a remarkable lineup of activities.
2023 Richmond Maritime Festival highlights include:
- Live entertainment: Enjoy performances by local musicians and artists such as GO Taiko and the Seabillys.
- Maritime-themed experiences: Celebrate Richmond’s maritime heritage through a range of experiences and displays, including historical exhibits, artist workshops, model boat displays, community outreach booths and the chance to get up close to the wooden boats on the Shipyards’ docks.
- Family activities: Participate in a variety of family-friendly activities such as maritime-themed puppet shows, hands-on arts and crafts stations, and a cool-down zone to beat the heat in the shade of The Captain’s Quarters.
- Local food vendors: Sample from an international array of food trucks such as Takenaka and Dos Amigos, and get cool treats from Crema Ice Cream and Angel’s Gelato.
For the first time in Maritime Festival history, people can cruise the Fraser River on the remarkable Voyage of the Gikumi. Embark on a two-hour exploration aboard the MV Gikumi, a beautifully restored 1954 west coast work boat. Tours will run both days and offer an authentic experience of the historic Cannery Channel, complete with stories of its rich past. Limited seats available. Purchase tickets online in advance at https://richmondmaritimefestival.ca/fraser-river-boat-tours/.
Festivalgoers are encouraged to plan ahead to learn about the different ways of getting to the event. In addition to transit, cycling or walking, the free Richmond Discovery Shuttle, provided by Tourism Richmond, has several pickup locations throughout the city. Parking will be available, by donation, in a lot behind Homma Elementary School. For more transportation information, visit www.richmondmaritimefestival.ca/about/getting-festival.
The festival is presented by the City of Richmond in partnership with Richmond Arts Coalition and Britannia Shipyards National Historic Site Society, with funding support from the Department of Canadian Heritage, BC Arts Council and the Province of British Columbia.
Britannia Shipyards National Historic Site, the location of the festival, is an authentic representation of a once-thriving community of canneries, boatyards and residences. Many of the heritage buildings date back to the 1880s and tell the stories of a diverse community of workers through recreations of living and work spaces. The site is located at 5180 Westwater Drive and is open seven days a week from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is free.
To learn more about the 20th Richmond Maritime Festival and for a full list of activities and details, visit www.richmondmaritimefestival.ca.