The Steveston Festival of Trees is back this holiday season! From November 29th, 2025 to January 4th, 2026, visit the historic Cannery as it is transformed into a winter wonderland. Like years past, the festival will hold a friendly community competition between local partners to win the top vote for favourite tree. In addition, join us throughout the month for a range of activities and performances that will celebrate the objects and belongings that hold our holiday memories and experiences!
About
Experience the beauty of the holiday season and explore a display of illuminated holiday trees inside the historic Cannery! Steveston’s Festival of Trees is back, showcasing a wide range of beautiful trees, holiday traditions, and festive performances.
Steveston Festival of Trees (Saturday, November 29 – Sunday, January 4, 2026) In partnership with Tourism Richmond
Weave your way through a Winter Wonderland of unique holiday trees, decorated by Steveston and Richmond community members, organizations, and businesses! Included in regular admission costs, audiences will experience the beauty and creativity of the holiday season, before casting their vote for Steveston’s Favourite Tree!
Voting can be done onsite (and is included in the cost of admission) or on our Facebook page @GulfofGeorgiaCannery between November 29th and December 31st. The winners will be announced early January.
In connection with Feature Exhibit Cannery REcollections: Redefining Storytelling through Objects, 2025’s Festival of Trees theme is Holiday Touchstones. Decorating contestants are encouraged to include objects, decorations, and gifts that hold holiday stories, memories, or experiences.
Share your own touchstone objects at the What We Hold pop-up installation, which will be showcasing Celebratory Stories/Holiday Gifts from December 1st-31st.
Here’s what else is happening at the Cannery during the 2025 Festival of Trees:
During the “ber” months (September, October, November, December), our Filipino community gets ready for Christmas! Join us at the Gulf of Georgia Cannery on Saturday, Dec. 6th, at 1:00pm for a celebration of Filipino culture. Together we’ll enjoy a lively dance performance from the Richmond-based Philippine Cultural Arts Society.
After that, we’ll learn how to make a Christmas lantern, called a parol, with Filipina artist, Leann Juatco. Leann will share the steps to creating this traditional holiday decoration and teach workshop participants how this object shares the story of Filipino culture and tradition!
Santa and Mrs. Claus are coming to the Cannery! To celebrate the holiday season, enjoy free admission and festive activities – including getting your picture taken with the big man himself!
Take in the Festival of Trees and vote for your favourite entries free of charge, enjoy live musical performances 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 10:30am day-of (December 7th). Tickets are limited will be available on a first-come, first-serve basis. No reservations or pre-booking available.
Please note: Families partaking in photos with Santa will need to provide their own camera (ex: a smartphone) to capture their memories. The Cannery will not be providing any professional photography services onsite.
- Dog Photos with Santa (December 14) Presented by the Steveston Merchants Association
Don’t let your puppies miss out on the fun! Mr. and Mrs. Claus will be available for photos with your pet outside the Gulf of Georgia Cannery. First come, first serve.
Details
Steveston Festival of Trees
- Dates: Saturday, November 29, 2025 to Sunday, January 4, 2026; Voting open November 29 – December 31, 2025.
- Time: 10am-5pm
- Admission: Regular admission fees apply
- Please note our holiday hours this December and January
Filipino Christmas Celebration and Parol Workshop
- Date: Saturday, December 6, 2025
- Time: 1:00-3:30pm
- Admission: FREE with admission
- Activities: Filipino dance performance followed by holiday parol-making
- Date: Sunday, December 7
- 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 10:30am day-of (Sunday, December 7). Tickets are limited and will be available on a first come, first serve basis. No reservations or pre-booking available.
- Suitable for families and children
- Please note: Families partaking in photos with Santa will need to provide their own camera (ex: a smartphone) to capture their memories. The Cannery will not be providing any professional photography services onsite.
Dog Photos with Santa
- Date: Sunday, December 14
- Time: 11am-1pm
- Photos are first-come, first-served. No dogs allowed inside the Cannery.
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.
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