Vancouver 
If you’ve always been interested in life on the water, or even if you’re just looking for a fun event to take part in, visit Britannia Shipyards National Historic Site for the annual Richmond Maritime Festival.
Credit: Fun Richmond
This festival is Richmond’s largest nautical-themed annual celebration. This year will be its 20th year of running. You’ll find no shortage of fun things to do while you’re here, and you’ll want to make sure you come on both days that the festival runs so you don’t miss out on anything.
Make sure you also take a look at the heritage vessels and wooden boats like SS Master, Gikumi, SV Ziska, Island Provider, Viking Mariner, Saravan,Silver Ann, Small Fry, Bianca, Arctic Charm, Hai Long(Chinese Junk Sailing Ship), Delta Lifeboat, Spirit of Hastings, Jimmy Ng and Sea Dragon that are on display.
The SS Master is a Canadian steam-powered tugboat from 1922, renowned for its service in the Pacific Northwest. The Gikumi, launched in 1954, transitioned from freight and towing to BC’s first whale-watching vessel. Ziska, a 1903 yacht, has survived shipwrecks and completed the 2019 R2AK race. Island Provider, built in 1977, survived a fire and was refitted. Viking Mariner, launched in 1955, has been meticulously restored and refitted. Saravan, from 1938, served in the Navy and offered harbour tours. Silver Ann, a 1969 wooden gillnetter, symbolizes Steveston’s fishing heritage. Small Fry, from 1941, remains operational. Bianca is a unique 1959 Chris Craft cruiser. Arctic Charm, a 1977 fishing vessel, underwent a major refit. Hai Long is an authentic Chinese Junk Ship built in 1968.
For a fee, attendees can enjoy a two-hour tour aboard the restored 1954 MV Gikumi. Tours, presented with Tourism Richmond, provide an authentic Fraser River’s Cannery Channel experience, highlighting its storied history.
Plein air painters, caricaturists, visual artists, and muralists will be on the site providing an extra cultural dimension to the festival.
Kids can enjoy singing, dancing, maritime arts and crafts, and learning experiences at the Britannia Shipyards. Live performances feature musicians and storytellers, including favourites like Rikki the Rat. Engage in origami, Cyanotype printing, and more. Cool down in The Captain’s Quarters, play games, and relish festival food.
A culinary adventure awaits at the festival. Sample home-style gelato from Angel’s Gelato, Polish delights at Baba’s House Kitchen, and refreshing brews at The Coffee Box. Indulge in Crema’s ice creams, Dos Amigos’ tacos, Japadog’s fusion hotdogs, and Lemon Heaven’s cold lemonades. Explore Greek meals from The Mad Greek, Middle Eastern fusion from Namaste, Smoking Hot Donairs’ treats, Takenaka’s Japanese cuisine, Tornado Truck’s comfort bites, and Wakwak Burger’s fusion burgers.
While you’re at the Festival, enjoy some live musical performances as well as displays made by the local community.
There will also be a variety of actors dressed as historical characters along with storytellers. The festival is located on a spacious, eight-acre site at Britannia Shipyards National Historic Site.
Trip Planning — Richmond Maritime Festival – 2023
2023 Festival Highlights include:
- Live Entertainment: Enjoy performances by local musicians and artists such as GO Taiko and the Seabillys.
- Fraser River Boat Tours. Embark on a two-hour exploration aboard the MV Gikumi, a beautifully restored 1954 west coast work boat. Tours will run both days and are presented in partnership with Tourism Richmond to offer an authentic experience of the Fraser River’s historic Cannery Channel, complete with stories of its rich past. Adults $90 + GST & service charge Child (8-12) $80 + GST & service charge
- Wooden Boats: Walk the 190-metre (600-foot) dock to admire wooden boats and ships of all kinds at this year’s festival. From the SS Master, a steam-powered tugboat with a rich legacy, to the Silver Ann, a beautifully restored wooden gillnetter, there’s something for everyone to admire!
- 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.
When: Saturday, August 26, and Sunday, August 27 from 11AM-6PM.
How Much: Free Admission, select activities ticketed.
Where: Britannia Shipyards National Historic Site, 5180 Westwater Dr, Richmond
Parking is available at Homma Elementary ( 5100 Brunswick Dr, Richmond). The lot is accessible from Trites Road to Westwater Drive (and not from Railway Avenue). Parking will be by donation.
A complimentary shuttle from various locations will run to the event site on both days.
