Festivals & Events

The Great International World Championship Bathtub Race

Every time of year is time to celebrate in Nanaimo. The city is famous for its love of quirky fun, which truly kicked off in 1967 when a former mayor of Nanaimo famously donned a pirate costume, raised his sword and launched Nanaimo's first bathtub race. "Tubbers" and visitors from around the world have been coming to Nanaimo for more than 40 years to take part in this now world famous recreational festival and race.

The Great International World Championship Bathtub Race has become even bigger and better. The annual race is now part of the larger Nanaimo Marine Festival drawing boaters and spectators to the city's harbour for three days of exciting Island-style summer celebrations. Coming up this year from July 22-25.

The fun kicks off after the New Year with the 10th Annual Maple Sugar Festival, February 19-21. Maple toffee on snow is a big hit at this annual winter celebration of French Canadian music, culture, food and kinship.

Nanaimo boasts the oldest annual continuous community celebrations of Victoria Day in the Commonwealth. Join in the Empire Days celebrations May 21-24.

The Nanaimo Floating Boat & Marine Trade Show

The Nanaimo Floating Boat & Marine Trade Show, June 4-6, at the Nanaimo Boat Basin offers a chance to see and tour luxury sail boats and power yachts, while enjoying live music and fresh gourmet seafood dishes.

The Nanaimo Dragon Boat Festival, July 9-11. Team-building, fundraising and cross-cultural entertainment combine with fierce competition on the waterfront each year at Maffeo Sutton Park.

The Vancouver Island Exhibition comes to town from August 20-22 with 4-H animal shows, carnival rides, live music and magicians served up in an old-fashioned country fair atmosphere.

The 17th Annual Festival of Trees in Nanaimo turns one level of the Vancouver Island University campus into a sparkling winter wonderland. Check for public viewing dates between November 20 to 28.

Check out our Calendar of Events for month-to-month year-round exciting events showcasing everything from wine and food festivals to university jazz jam nights to the Diwali Festival of Lights and the Nanaimo Pumpkin Festival.