Community festival brings maritime history, music and family activities back to Steveston
This summer Richmond’s Steveston village will once again transform into a waterfront hub of music, maritime craft and history as the Richmond Maritime Festival returns to the Britannia Shipyards National Historic Site on Saturday, Aug. 22 and Sunday, Aug. 23, 2026.
Sponsored by the City of Richmond, the two-day event celebrates Steveston’s fishing and shipbuilding past and offers programming aimed at residents of all ages. Organisers promise a mix of live performances, working and restored boats on display, hands-on family activities and opportunities to explore the neighbourhood’s preserved historic buildings.
“free fun for the whole family”
The festival runs from 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. both days, and admission is free. Highlights scheduled for this year include a special performance by the Naden Band, the 35-member band of the Royal Canadian Navy, alongside returning local acts such as Tiller’s Folly, The Wheat in the Barley and The Whiskeydicks.
Boats, heritage sites and family zones
A major draw remains the array of wooden and working boats moored along the Steveston waterfront. Visitors will be able to get close to historic vessels including the 104-year-old SS Master tugboat and other heritage and working craft such as the Island Provider and Midnight Sun. The festival programme notes that dock access hours should be checked on the event website before arrival.
Families with young children can expect puppet shows featuring the seafaring characters Rikki the Rat and Lulu the Mermaid, as well as a Captains Quarters area with activities run by Richmond’s Sea Scouts and Sea Dragons. Interactive stations will include a flag-making craft, a knitting tree and painting projects aimed at engaging children with maritime themes.
- Historic buildings open: Britannia Shipyard building, the Murakami House and Garden, and the Chinese Bunkhouse.
- Boat restoration on show: Richmond Boat Builders will continue work on the restoration of the Crystal S, a 63-year-old gillnetter and troller originally built in Steveston.
- Musical acts: Naden Band and returning festival favourites for a family-friendly waterfront soundtrack.
Practical details and what it means for Richmond
The festival’s free admission and concentration of family-oriented programming make it a low-barrier cultural event for Richmond residents and visitors alike. For the Steveston business community and heritage organisations, the festival is an opportunity to showcase conservation work, boat restoration projects and the neighbourhood’s history to a broad audience.
Organisers encourage attendees to consult the festival website for the most up-to-date information on dock access and schedules, particularly for those wanting to tour vessels or visit the interiors of heritage buildings.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Dates | Aug. 22-23, 2026 |
| Hours | 11:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. (both days) |
| Location | Britannia Shipyards and Steveston waterfront, Richmond |
| Admission | Free |
For Richmond residents seeking family-friendly activities, maritime history or a summer weekend on the water, the Richmond Maritime Festival offers a concentrated taste of Steveston’s identity as a working fishing village turned heritage destination. With live music, hands-on crafts, and historic vessels on display, the event underlines the city’s ongoing efforts to preserve and interpret its waterfront legacy while supporting local cultural groups and volunteers.
Those planning to attend should arrive early to secure parking or take public transit, and check the festival’s online postings for any updates on programming or accessibility to specific docks and restored buildings.
