Santa at the Cannery 2026

Last updated: October 22, 2026. Date, hours, ticket rules and donation details below come from the Gulf of Georgia Cannery’s official event page. The Cannery has not yet confirmed the ticket pickup date, so check its page for the announcement.

Santa and Mrs. Claus are coming to the Gulf of Georgia Cannery in Steveston for Santa at the Cannery, the museum’s annual winter visit. Admission to the Cannery is free that day, there are new festive photo stations throughout the museum, local musicians perform live, and families can have their photo taken with Santa and Mrs. Claus in the historic Boiler House Theatre.

The event is on Sunday, November 29, 2026. The Cannery is open from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM, and Photos with Santa run from 2:00 to 4:00 PM. Here is how it works, including the free ticket system for photos.

Santa at the Cannery 2026: Quick Facts

What’s On

• Free Cannery admission for the day.
• Photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus from 2:00 to 4:00 PM in the Boiler House Theatre.
• All-new festive photo stations located throughout the museum.
• Live performances by local musicians.

The event is suitable for families and children.

How the Photos with Santa Tickets Work

Photos with Santa are free but need a ticket, and tickets are limited. For 2026, tickets are available at no cost, though the Cannery says it cannot guarantee that will be the case in future years.

• Pickup: at a table outside the front doors of the Cannery, or in the Lobby in bad weather, starting at 10:30 AM. The Cannery lists the pickup date as “to be confirmed.”
• First come, first served: you can’t reserve a specific time.
• Time slots: 2:00 to 2:30, 2:30 to 3:00, 3:00 to 3:30 and 3:30 to 4:00 PM, with 25 tickets per slot.
• Who a ticket covers: one family group of parents or guardians and children, generally up to 6 people. Larger groups need an additional ticket.
• Limit: 2 tickets per person or group.
• At the event: show your physical ticket to staff or volunteers. The ticket time is for lining up and does not guarantee the time your photo is taken.

If You Don’t Get a Ticket

Once tickets are gone, the Cannery can’t guarantee a spot. It may have extra space at the end of each 30-minute block, so you can stay at the Cannery and check with Photos with Santa staff near the end of a block, for example at 2:20, 2:50, 3:20 or 3:50.

Photos and What to Bring

• Your own camera. Families need to bring a phone or camera. The Cannery will not provide professional photography.
• Your ticket for Photos with Santa.
• Warm clothes. The Cannery says the building sits over the water, and it is colder inside than outdoors.

No food or drink is allowed inside the Cannery or the Boiler House Theatre. Food and drink can be left at the front desk for safekeeping.

Supporting the Richmond Food Bank

Admission to the Cannery is free that day, and the Cannery accepts cash and card donations for the Richmond Food Bank Society. The Cannery says the food bank gives healthy, nutritionally balanced food to more than 2,800 people in a typical week and connects clients to services.

Contact

For questions about Photos with Santa or tickets, contact Tatyana Beck, Curatorial Program Manager, at tatyana.beck@gogcannery.org or 604-664-9282. The Cannery’s main phone is 604-664-9009. The Cannery’s page does not give parking or transit details.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is Santa at the Cannery in 2026?

Sunday, November 29, 2026. The Cannery is open from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM, and Photos with Santa run from 2:00 to 4:00 PM.

Is it free?

Admission is free. Photos with Santa are free in 2026 but require a ticket.

Where do I get tickets?

At a table outside the Cannery’s front doors, or in the Lobby in bad weather, from 10:30 AM. The pickup date is to be confirmed.

How many people does a ticket cover?

One family group, generally up to 6 people.

Can I book a time?

No. Tickets are first come, first served, split into half-hour slots with 25 tickets each.

Do I need to bring a camera?

Yes. The Cannery does not provide professional photography.

Where is the Gulf of Georgia Cannery?

12138 Fourth Avenue, Steveston, Richmond.

Sources: Gulf of Georgia Cannery: Santa at the Cannery.