Santa in the Village

Festive fans of all ages will be flocking to Steveston on December 3 for what may be the biggest and best holiday celebration in the region. Santa in the Village is a holly jolly community-wide party of Christmas time fun, complete with a stocking-full of mostly free events and activities––and everyone is invited.

The festivities begin at 11:45am with the Christmas Classic Car Cruise, a beloved holiday parade of vintage cars, with many drivers dressed in their Yuletide finery. The tinsel-tastic trundle starts and ends at Steveston Hotel, and the vehicles will then be parked and on display until 1:30pm––the perfect opportunity for some cool selfies.

Here comes Santa Claus

Don’t spend all your time ogling the cars, though. At 1:00pm, the day’s special guest star will be making an appearance. And he’ll be arriving in a surprisingly dramatic way. Eschewing his usual mode of transportation, Santa will be sailing up to the village by boat and disembarking at Fisherman’s Wharf to greet the waiting crowds.

Next, he’ll hop on a horse-drawn carriage for a quick ride to the Gulf of Georgia Cannery National Historic Site. From 2:00pm to 4:00pm, he’ll be holding court at the Cannery and offering free photos to anyone with their own camera. Joining in the holiday vibe, the Cannery is offering free admission on the day––which makes this a great chance to check out its evocative displays.

But there’s even more to see in the Cannery at this time of year. The site is also the host venue for the annual Steveston Festival of Trees, which means you’ll find a glittering array of fully decorated Christmas trees here as well. Each tree has been decorated by a different local organization, and you can vote for your favourite via the Cannery’s Facebook page.

Also on December 3, you can emulate Santa’s horse-drawn trundle in Steveston by hopping on a carriage ride yourself. The rides will operate around the village between noon and 4:00pm. This is a by-donation activity ($10 per person is suggested), with all proceeds benefitting the Richmond Christmas Fund.

And there’s More

Before you head home, don’t forget to check out the rest of the village’s chestnut-warming holiday highlights. The Steveston Tram building and its vintage Tramcar 1220 will be fully decorated for the season, and you’ll also find some unique Lego models of local landmarks on display here.

In addition, there will be three special selfie stations set up around the village––each with a holiday theme––so you can snap some sparkling shots for your social media feeds. And many of Steveston’s independent stores and boutiques will also be fully decorated with festive displays, lights and ornaments.

If you still have some gift shopping to do, these stores are ideal for covering off those stubborn holdouts on your gifting list. You’ll find everything here from artisan chocolate to handcrafted jewellery and from one-of-a-kind artworks to restaurant gift certificates for some of Richmond’s most popular eateries. Check out our local gift guide here.

While Santa in the Village is a local highlight every year, don’t worry if you can’t make it on December 3. There’s also a full menu of additional holiday happenings in Steveston from now until the end of the year. Check out the Winter in the Village calendar for everything from a Holiday Dog Parade to Songs in the Snow carol singing to an extra special event on December 24––the return of the red-suited wonder for the beloved Steveston Santa Claus Parade.

Last Updated on January 3, 2024 by Tourism Richmond