EVENTS CALENDAR

Festivals and events

Embrace the eclectic energy of Nanaimo at our Bathtub Races, a thrilling tribute to our marine heritage, or get lost in the magic of our Lantern Festival, join the city in colour for our Pride Festival, Jazz fest and more. Every season brings something new and exciting, ensuring that no two visits to Nanaimo are ever the same.

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Calendar of Events

S Sun

M Mon

T Tue

W Wed

T Thu

F Fri

S Sat

3 events,

Trust Fall

Trust Fall

Maple Sugar Festival du Sucre d’Érable

- Event Series

DADS! The Musical

2 events,

- Event Series

DADS! The Musical

5 events,

- Event Series

DADS! The Musical

- Event Series

Global Citizens Forum

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Jeff Martin

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Relation-SHI% Comedy

6 events,

- Event Series

DADS! The Musical

- Event Series

Global Citizens Forum

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Island Roots Farmers’ Market

- Event Series

Harbour Hustle – VIU Super Smash Bros Meetup

- Event Series

Harbour Hustle – VIU Super Smash Ultimate Tournament Series

2 events,

- Event Series

DADS! The Musical

2 events,

- Event Series

DADS! The Musical

4 events,

19th Annual Naked Bungy for Mental Health

Event Series
- Event Series

DADS! The Musical

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Tacos and Tunes

7 events,

19th Annual Naked Bungy for Mental Health

Event Series
- Event Series

DADS! The Musical

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Nanaimo Seedy Sunday

- Event Series

Film Screening – Sheperds

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Film Screening – Flow

- Event Series

Film Screening – Sheperds

2 events,

- Event Series

DADS! The Musical

3 events,

- Event Series

DADS! The Musical

- Event Series

Colin James

7 events,

- Event Series

DADS! The Musical

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Island Roots Farmers’ Market

- Event Series

Harbour Hustle – VIU Super Smash Ultimate Tournament Series

- Event Series

Harbour Hustle – VIU Super Smash Bros Meetup

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Empty Bowl

- Event Series

Colin James

3 events,

- Event Series

DADS! The Musical

5 events,

- Event Series

DADS! The Musical

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Nanaimo Whiskey Festival

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Making Waves: Play Edition

5 events,

Body Talk HiP HoP PoW WoW, 2025: Spring Break Workshop

- Event Series

DADS! The Musical

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Vancouver Island Symphony presents Favourite Composers

2 events,

3 events,

-

SPOTLIGHT – Yes Yes Yes

5 events,

-

Island Roots Farmers’ Market

- Event Series

Harbour Hustle – VIU Super Smash Bros Meetup

- Event Series

Harbour Hustle – VIU Super Smash Ultimate Tournament Series

4 events,

-

Five Alarm Funk

3 events,

3 events,

2 events,

3 events,

3 events,

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Vancouver Film School – Info Session | Nanaimo, BC

5 events,

-

Island Roots Farmers’ Market

- Event Series

Harbour Hustle – VIU Super Smash Ultimate Tournament Series

- Event Series

Harbour Hustle – VIU Super Smash Bros Meetup

3 events,

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Tour of the Black Flame

4 events,

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Salsa Dancing Nanaimo Presents: Spring Celebration – Dinner & Salsa Social Dance

2 events,

4 events,

-

Natalie MacMaster

-

Comedy Misfits Nanaimo

5 events,

-

Island Roots Farmers’ Market

- Event Series

Harbour Hustle – VIU Super Smash Ultimate Tournament Series

- Event Series

Harbour Hustle – VIU Super Smash Bros Meetup

3 events,

-

An Evening with Judy Collins

1 event,

1 event,

1 event,

4 events,

-

Island Roots Farmers’ Market

- Event Series

Harbour Hustle – VIU Super Smash Ultimate Tournament Series

- Event Series

Harbour Hustle – VIU Super Smash Bros Meetup

1 event,

2 events,

- Event Series

Nanaimo! The City That Sings – A Choral Kaleidosope

5 events,

- Event Series

Nanaimo! The City That Sings – A Choral Kaleidosope

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Vancouver Island Symphony Family Series – M is for Music

- Event Series

Nanaimo! The City That Sings – A Choral Kaleidosope

- Event Series

Nanaimo! The City That Sings – A Choral Kaleidosope

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All Day

Trust Fall

Nanaimo Art Gallery 150 Commercial Street, Nanaimo

From origami objects that are folded based on remote instructions, to artworks developed through psychic intervention, Trust Fall is an exhibition featuring works by Jon Sasaki and Laura Gildner that celebrates the creative potential of mistakes and miscommunication. Nanaimo Art Gallery offers admission by-donation. Their hours are Tuesdays to Saturdays from 10 am to 5 pm and Sundays 12 to 5 pm. Visit their website for all details including Friday lunchtime tours of Trust Fall. Image: Jon Sasaki in collaboration with Baco Ohama, Misconstructions, Origami object folded by Jon following verbal instructions sent by Baco, 2022

Ongoing

Body Talk HiP HoP PoW WoW, 2025: Spring Break Workshop

vibe dance

Body Talk HiP HoP PoW WoW, 2025: Spring Break Workshop Join us in Nanaimo for an immersive, youth-led Forum Theatre experience designed for Indigenous and allied youth (ages 14–19). This is your chance to speak your mind, share your story, and spark change! Schedule:• March 1 (1–4 PM): Kick-off session at Snuneymuxw Gym• March 8 (1–3 PM): Online workshop with Renae Morriseau• March 24–28 (10 AM–4 PM): Daily workshops at VIBE Studio• March 29 (7:30 PM): Final performance at Snuneymuxw Gym Why Attend?Work with acclaimed artists Renae Morriseau and Kyle Shepard to create a dynamic Forum Theatre performance that empowers voices and builds community. Ready to join the movement?Visit CRIMSONCOASTDANCE.COM to learn more and register now!

$400 – $750

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Filters

Changing any of the form inputs will cause the list of events to refresh with the filtered results.

All Day

Trust Fall

Nanaimo Art Gallery 150 Commercial Street, Nanaimo

From origami objects that are folded based on remote instructions, to artworks developed through psychic intervention, Trust Fall is an exhibition featuring works by Jon Sasaki and Laura Gildner that celebrates the creative potential of mistakes and miscommunication. Nanaimo Art Gallery offers admission by-donation. Their hours are Tuesdays to Saturdays from 10 am to 5 pm and Sundays 12 to 5 pm. Visit their website for all details including Friday lunchtime tours of Trust Fall. Image: Jon Sasaki in collaboration with Baco Ohama, Misconstructions, Origami object folded by Jon following verbal instructions sent by Baco, 2022

Ongoing

Maple Sugar Festival du Sucre d’Érable

Beban Park Social Centre 2300 Bowen Road, Nanaimo

Celebrate French-Canadian culture at the Nanaimo Maple Sugar Festival this February! Over three days, enjoy live music, from traditional to rock and reggae, delicious food from the Francophone world, a lively market, and the sweet tradition of maple sugar on ice. In 2025, we’re expanding our activity room for even more fun for the whole family. Best of all, we’re committed to keeping the festival budget-friendly, so everyone can gather, dance, and have a great time together. Don’t miss out – we can’t wait to see you there!

Coldest Night of the Year

St. Andrew’s United Church 315 Fitzwilliam St., Nanaimo

Coldest Night of the Year is a winter-effic family event that helps raise money and awareness for those experiencing hurt, hunger, and homelessness in our community.  Sign up as a walker or team, volunteer or donate and help raise money for Island Crisis Care Society and their vital community programs.  

Coldest Night of the Year

St. Andrew's United Church 315 Fitzwilliam St., Nanaimo

Coldest Night of the Year is a winter-effic event for people of all ages to come together and help raise money and awareness for those experiencing hurt, hunger, and homelessness in our community.  Whether you sign up as a walker, donate, or volunteer - every impact makes a difference in the life of someone in need.  All funds raised go towards Island Crisis Care Society and their vital programs in the community.