The Steveston Festival of Trees is back this holiday season! From December 1 to January 7, visit the historic Cannery as it is transformed into a winter wonderland with illuminated trees. Like years past, the festival will hold a friendly community competition between local partners to win the top vote for favourite tree. However, this year, the Gulf of Georgia Cannery is thrilled to announce that this holiday season will include new fun and festive activities for the whole family! Read on to learn more.
About
Steveston Festival of Trees (Dec 1 – Jan 7)
The Steveston Festival of Trees is an opportunity for local merchants and community groups to festively decorate trees in hopes of winning the community’s top vote for favourite tree. Voting can be done onsite (and is included in the cost of admission) or on our Facebook page @GulfofGeorgiaCannery between December 1 and 31. The winners will be announced early January.
NEW: Santa at the Cannery (Dec 3)
Join us on Sunday, December 3, for Santa at the Cannery! To celebrate the holiday season, enjoy free admission and festive activities – including meeting Santa!
Take in the Festival of Trees and vote for your favourite entries free of charge, enjoy a live performance by Astral String Quartet on the Cannery stage, and see Santa as he arrives for the season! From 2-4pm, take your photo with Santa and Mrs. Claus in the Cannery’s very own Boiler House Theatre.
Photos with Santa are free and require a ticket. Tickets will be available for pickup onsite starting at 11am day-of (Sun, Dec 3). Tickets are limited and first come, first serve. No reservations or pre-booking available.
Please note: Families partaking in photos with Santa need to provide their own camera (ex: a smartphone) to capture the memory. The Cannery will not be providing a professional photography service.
NEW: Festive Fish Tales (Dec 9 & 16)
Create and share memories with your family this holiday season with a Fish Tales inspired craft! On Saturday, December 9 and 16, from 1-3pm visit our Cannery Kids Corner and tell your stories of seafood, community, and holiday traditions, all while joining in Festival of Trees’ signature decorating fun!
Add your “Fish Tale” to a Cannery-themed ornament to take home or add your craft to a special Cannery tree. You might even see your story in our Fish Tales exhibit in 2024! To add to the holiday spirit, join us for a live performance by The Irish Wakers on the Cannery stage, from 2-3:45pm.
Details
Steveston Festival of Trees
- Dates: Viewing December 1, 2023-Sunday, January 7, 2024; Voting open December 1-31
- Time: 10am-5pm
- Admission: Regular admission fees apply
- Please note our holiday hours this December and January
Santa at the Cannery
- Date: Sunday, December 3
- Time: 10am-5pm; Photos with Santa 2pm-4pm
- Admission: Admission to the Cannery and photos with Santa are free; however, photos with Santa require a ticket. Tickets will be available for pickup onsite starting at 11am day-of (Sun, Dec 3). Tickets are limited and first come, first serve. No reservations or pre-booking available.
- Suitable for families and children
- Please note: Families partaking in photos with Santa need to provide their own camera (ex: a smartphone) to capture the memory. The Cannery will not be providing a professional photography service.
Festive Fish Tales
- Dates: Saturday, December 9 and 16
- Times: Ornament making 1pm-3pm
- Admission: Regular admission fees apply
- Suitable for families and children
What to expect: Due to our building’s unique placement over the water and historic architecture, it is colder inside the Cannery than it is outdoors; please dress appropriately to stay comfortable.
In partnership with Tourism Richmond’s Winter in the Village.
A conversation with new Public Programs Coordinator, Ben, who’s taking on his first major Cannery event this Easter long weekend.