The iconic Steveston Salmon Festival is known as “Canada’s biggest little birthday party,” and it’s returning to Steveston Village for its 79th year in just over a week from now.
The massive Canada Day celebration is all about community fun, the area’s maritime history, and of course, a delicious salmon bake that has become the festival’s signature event. The savory, barbecued salmon filet is a Steveston favourite, but there will also be chow mein to feast on, or a stack of fluffy pancakes at the festival’s pancake breakfast.
Aside from the amazing food, visitors will be treated to a day of free live music, family-friendly activities, and two Canada Day parades: a Kids Bike Parade that kicks off the festivities at 9:30 a.m. and heads to No. 1 Road, followed by the main parade, which will meander from Garry Point Park to Moncton Street and Railway Avenue.
A vibrant marketplace will also display the work of dozens of local vendors.
What’s new this year
Be on the lookout for the newest festival vendors, Tochi and Poncho Tacos, as well as a skateboarding demo by legendary Richmond skateboarder Kevin Harris and up-and-coming freestyle pro skater, Orson Merry, who’s still in high school and is already making waves in pro skating.
To check out the latter, head to the festival’s Sports on Courts zone, which will also have special areas for golf, frisbee, and other outdoor activations.
Family-friendly activities and live music
Visitors can also check out Sammy’s Fun Zone, which will feature face painting and hand-drawn caricatures for the whole family to enjoy. After, you can hear live music by Ginalina, Volcano! The Jimmy Buffett Experience, and the circus band Blackberry Wood at the Salmon Run Stage.
The other two live music stages will keep the crowds dancing all day long, with Barney Bentall & The Legendary Hearts headlining the Spirit of Steveston Zone, with additional performances by Gift Shop, a tribute to The Tragically Hip, and Truly Tina, a tribute to Tina Turner. The Buttery Biscuits will headline the Catch of the Day Stage, which will also feature Okinawa Taiko and youth jazz band The Diatonics.
Other performances to look out for include the samba band Bloco Energia and multiple soccer games celebrating Richmond’s soccer community.
Know before you go
There are a few things to note before you head to Steveston for one of the largest non-profit-driven Canada Day celebrations in the country.
Firstly, if you want to indulge in pancakes, get to the pancake breakfast early, as it starts at 8 a.m. on July 1.
The Salmon Bake sees over 3,000 salmon fillets cooked over an open fire, which will be served from 11 a.m. until they’re sold out.
The local fave Japanese Canadian Chow Mein will be prepared and served by volunteers while supplies last, and there will be plenty of other food truck bites to munch on. This includes food truck vendors like Lee’s Donuts, Hong Kong-style mini French toast with mochi by Tochi, Ponchos Tacos, D’Original Sausage Haus, Mukasi Coffee, and many more.
There will also be a Japanese Cultural Show with ikebana demos and calligraphy from noon to 5 p.m. at the Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre.
In addition to the parades and activities above, festival-goers can check out activations at the Steveston Museum and Post Office, the Britannia Shipyards National Historic Site, and the Gulf of Georgia Cannery during their visit.
Mark your calendars!
When: July 1, 2026
Time: Pancake breakfast at 8 a.m., parades start at 9:30 a.m., and Salmon Bake starts at 11:30 a.m.
Where: 12011 7th Ave., Richmond, and locations across Steveston Village
Cost: Free admission
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