Winter here? Oh, we have the goods.
While the rest of Canada is hiding under electric blankets, shovelling driveways, and scraping ice off windshields with expired debit cards, Nanaimo is out here living its best flannel life. Rain? That’s just free ambience. Steam rising from a mug, sea lions heckling from the harbour, and cozy corners with actual personality. Winter on the coast isn’t something to survive, it’s something to enjoy.
Here’s how to do it right.
Shop Local
Holiday shopping? Treat-yourself shopping? “Accidentally bought myself a present while buying someone else a present” shopping? We support all forms.
Nanaimo’s independent makers, crafters, and creators are the backbone of this place. From artisan chocolates and hand-poured candles to wearable art and quirky treasures you won’t find in a mall. Local dollars go further, feel better, and taste a lot sweeter.
Need inspo? Our 2025 Local Shopping Guide is alive, well, and ready to rescue you from your annual “gift card panic.”
Outdoor Adventures? The Rain Never Bothered Us Anyway
In Nanaimo, you don’t cancel plans because of rain. You dress for it and get bragging rights later.
Grab your raincoat, pull on a toque, and head to WildPlay Nanaimo, where you can swing, zip, climb, and laugh under towering evergreens. Or hit a forest trail, stomp some muddy puddles, and look extremely outdoorsy for your Instagram followers. And tag us while you’re at it. We’re here for it.
Cozy Stays
Sideways rain not your aesthetic? Respect.
Wrap up in a chunky knit blanket, pour something warm, and watch waves roll in from the comfort of Snaw-Naw-As Campground & Cabins. Rustic charm, ocean views, and the kind of peaceful quiet you can’t download on Spotify.
Art Tour?
Picture this: a ferry ride, ocean mist, roadside farm stands, and an island full of artists just waiting to welcome you into their creative worlds. That’s Gabriola Island, one of BC’s highest concentrations of artists per capita, and only 20 minutes from downtown Nanaimo. Rainy day plans? Handled.
A Day at the Gallery
Prefer to stay mainland and dry? We’ve got art for days.
Browse rotating exhibits at the Nanaimo Art Gallery, shop local works at Artzi Stuff, throw your own masterpiece at Nanaimo Ceramic Arts, wander the Artisan’s Studio, or pop into any shop along Old City Quarter and Victoria Crescent. Trust us, creativity is thick in the air.
Explore Nanaimo’s History
Once you’re arted out, unleash your inner history buff. Learn about Snuneymuxw history, coal mining days, and the many stories rooted in this region at the Nanaimo Museum. Rainy day gold.
Nanaimo Bar Trail Stops for No One
Rain makes us hungry. Sunshine makes us hungry. Tuesdays make us hungry. Whatever the weather, the Nanaimo Bar Trail is waiting. From classic squares to reinvented creations and inedible spins like soap, candles, and merch. Your dentist will understand.
Sip & Savour Nanaimo’s Flavours
Nanaimo’s food scene is bold, brilliant, and wildly underhyped (which is honestly fine. Less lineups for us).
Plan a delicious weekend of breweries, distilleries, chocolatiers, cafes, and culinary surprises that taste like coastal comfort and West Coast creativity. Need inspo? Check out our 3-Day Sip & Savour Itinerary.
Catch a Show
Live music is alive, loud, and thriving. From acoustic sets in cozy venues to tribute bands that might actually be better than the original, Nanaimo’s music scene delivers. Concerts, clubs, festivals, pop-up performances, you never know who you’ll hear next.
Markets, makers, and more!
’Tis the season for handmade everything. Winter brings out our makers, bakers, creators, and crafters, and yes, you will find something you didn’t know you needed.
Here are just a few highlights for 2025:
- Nanaimo Fine Art Show – Nov.13-16
- Holiday Maker’s Market – Nov.15
- Nu Veau Market – Nov. 22
- Santa Brunch & Market – Dec. 6
- Winter Weekend Holiday Market – Dec. 6–8
So, winter in Nanaimo?
Not slow. Not sleepy. Not “see you next summer.”
We’re still cooking, crafting, exploring, sipping, dancing, shopping, zooming down zip-lines, and eating Nanaimo Bars in questionable weather decisions. When the sun sets early and the rain rolls in, Nanaimo rolls out the cozy, the creative, and the downright fun.
Throw on a flannel, bring your appetite, and come play in the off-season. The coast is calling and it sounds like sea lions arguing and coffee steaming. Perfection.
