RiverFest 2026

Tickets

Cost: Free
Find tickets: here

This year, RiverFest will take place on September 26, and 27—offering a dynamic mix of exhibits, live performances, exhibitor expo and artisan market, the Lucille Johnstone Workboat Parade, and many fun activities for all ages.

Enjoy free admission to the Discovery Centre all weekend on September 26-27 and join the festivities!

September 26:
Family Fun Zone: 10:00am – 4:00pm @ the Centre
Explore the FRDC’s interactive exhibits and participate in hands-on activities located throughout the building to learn about the stories of the Fraser River.

Fraser River Diorama
10:00am – 12:00pm and 1:00pm – 3:00pm @ the Centre
Combine a variety of fun materials, including markers, oil pastels, cardboard, construction and tissue paper, popsicle sticks, sand, rocks and more to create a unique diorama inspired by the beautiful Fraser River ecosystem. This is a fun, hands-on art project for artists of all ages, with the goal of understanding basic riverbed ecosystems as well as identifying the unique wildlife, including flora and fauna, of the Fraser River. This workshop is presented by Clarissa Banos and Arts New West.

Sturgeon Stage:
The mainstage will feature live performances throughout the day:
-JB the First Lady @ 11am
Jerilynn Webster, aka JB the First Lady, is a member of the Nuxalk & Onondaga Nations. She is a Vancouver-based hip hop and spoken word artist, beat-boxer, cultural dancer and youth educator. With four studio albums under her belt, JB sees her songs as a way of capturing oral history and isn’t afraid to write lyrics that speak to challenging subjects like residential schools and missing and murdered indigenous women.
-Uptown Swing @ 12pm
Uptown Swing Collective is a New Westminster based registered non-profit society. They are passionate about creating intergenerational connections between musicians, dancers, and toe tappers, by providing live music in accessible and welcoming spaces in the heart of New Westminster.
- Tsatsu Stalqayu (Coastal Wolf Pack) @ 1:30pm
Returning to the Sturgeon Stage for their fifth year, Tsatsu Stalqayu (Coastal Wolf Pack) celebrates their ancestral lands and Coast Salish communities through traditional song and dance. Composed of near and extended family, Coastal Wolf Pack has members ranging from as young as 6 months old to over 50 years of age.
- ZORNITZA Dance Ensemble @ 3pm
Zornitza Dance Ensemble is a group of young dancers who love and cherish their European roots and aspire to showcase their culture and celebrate their community. Most of them have been involved in Bulgarian dancing for over 10 years. The group’s mission is to highlight and showcase all of the unique and diverse qualities of Bulgaria and its surrounding Eastern-European regions. With colorful costumes and captivating music, Bulgarian folklore is an exceptional collection of spiritual wealth that has been built over centuries, and these dances embody that.

Lucille Johnstone Workboat Parade – Presented by Ledcor @ 2:15pm
The Lucille Johnstone Workboat Parade takes place on the New West waterfront! Find a good place to watch vessels from a variety of companies and organizations cruise by. This is a great opportunity to learn about just a few of the 42,000 jobs that the Fraser River supports! The FRDC would like to thank Ledcor for sponsoring the workboat parade

Exhibitor Expo & New West Craft Artisan Market:
Soak up the sights as you stroll along the New Westminster Quay where exhibitors will share their expertise and makers will showcase their skills and wares.

Samson V Museum:
The museum will be open from 12pm to 4pm for visitors to interact with maritime community members aboard the vessel!

September 27
Family Fun Zone: 10:00am – 4:00pm @ the Centre
Explore the FRDC’s interactive exhibits and participate in hands-on activities located throughout the building to learn about the stories of the Fraser River.

DIY Salmon: Celebrate Our Native Aquatic Life
10:00am – 12:00pm and 1:00pm – 3:00pm @ the Centre
Get creative and celebrate one of B.C.’s most iconic species with a fun, eco-friendly salmon-themed art workshop! Using repurposed paper and foam materials, participants explore their creativity while learning about and celebrating our local aquatic life. There’s no one way to make your salmon! Participants can colour a pre-cut salmon, create a collage, design their own salmon, or draw and decorate one from scratch. This open-ended craft is perfect for all ages and encourages imagination, creativity, and a little upcycling along the way. Come make a salmon, get creative, and give leftover materials a second life!

Samson V Museum: 12:00pm – 4:00pm
The museum will be open from 12pm to 4pm for visitors to interact with maritime community members aboard the vessel!
More info