Gulf of Georgia Cannery: Steveston Festival of Trees 2025

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.

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.

Here’s what else is happening at the Cannery during the 2025 Festival of Trees:
- Filipino Holiday Heritage – Parol Crafting Workshop and Dance Performance (Saturday, December 6)
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 at the Cannery (Sunday, December 7)
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.

- 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.
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