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.

Filters

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

Calendar of Events

Filters

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

All Day

League Nanaimo

Nanaimo Art Gallery 150 Commercial Street, Nanaimo

League Nanaimo is a project led by Vancouver and Salt Spring Island based artist Germaine Koh that unites creative process and play. Community members of all ages are invited to gather and exercise creativity by developing new games and sports through iterative, embodied activities. Games evolve organically as they are played, and strategies emerge through trial and improvisation, and sometimes new tools are invented on the fly. Koh’s playful art installation turns Nanaimo Art Gallery into an experimental arena of sorts where visitors are welcome to jump, throw, dance, run, and touch; all actions that are usually frowned upon in art museums. In this space, that is a cross between a hockey rink, a dance hall, a tennis court, and an archery range, you are invited to interact with objects and markings, and with each other, and could find yourself developing your own games. The Gallery also serves as a hub for community outreach as the artist and Gallery facilitators bring League Nanaimo into the broader community. During the run of the exhibition, League activities not only take place in the gallery, but also at Nanaimo parks. Nanaimo Art Gallery is open Tuesdays to Saturdays from 10 am - 5 pm and Sundays from 12 - 5 pm.

By Donation

Indigenous Artisan Market

Nanaimo Art Gallery 150 Commercial Street, Nanaimo

The Nanaimo Art Gallery's next Indigenous Artisan Market is coming up on September 11-13th. Featuring work by Adele maskwaiskwew Arseneau, Denny Provost, Happy Mountain Goods, Tal-Glow Skincare, and more! Come by the Gallery Store and see what we have to offer! Thursday, September 11th: 10am – 8pm  Friday, September 12th and Saturday, September 13th: 10am – 5pm

Ongoing

Nanaimo International Jazz Festival

Venue specified by Booker

See international recording and performing artist Holly Cole at the Port Theatre on Sat., Sept. 13, enjoy free concerts on stage in Maffeo Sutton Park Saturday and Sunday including the Jazz Parade, dance to Stealing Dan at The Queen's Friday night, Jazz Jam at the Vault, and more in pubs, clubs, and halls from Sept. 6 - 27 -- Jazz Fest Month in Nanaimo.

Nanaimo International Jazz Festival

Nanaimo International Jazz Festival

Celebrated as BC’s Best Live Event in 2023, Nanaimo’s 9th Annual International Jazz Festival expands their event to four weekends this year turning September into a month-long live musical feast for locals and visitors. International performing artist Holly Cole headlines in the Port Theatre September 13 with regional and touring acts performing in pubs, clubs, dining rooms, churches and at free open-air concerts in Maffeo Sutton Park. The annual Jazz Parade will also entertain along the Waterfront Walkway replicating a bit of New Orleans’ Mardi Gras spirit. Seventeen performances in September will honour the broadest jazz genre with acts like The New Groovement, a ten-piece Vancouver band with a big following across North America for its hip-hop styling and syncopated rhythms. Local Indigenous, emerging artist Keanu Ienco offers a vast stylistic contrast with his quartet proving why he’s so widely recognized and nominated for many awards. Marc Atkinson Trio, well-known to Islanders, will offer modern jazz sounds before Mambo Mardi Gras wraps up the weekend with their high-powered R & B leanings – all this from just from four of the nine acts that will grace the free open-air concert stage at Maffeo Sutton Park on September 13 & 14. Ticketed shows include ‘Stealing Dan’ at The Queen’s in an act applauded across North America for incredible accuracy depicting this crossover act with reviewers acclaiming, “they don’t pay tribute, they simply channel Steely Dan”. Following that, a ‘Drag Jazz Cabaret’ at the Nanaimo Bar stars Josh Holloway as ‘Celeste’, a first-ever for the Festival Society. Other performances include a ‘Jazz Jam’ at The Vault, a late show that’s now a tradition on its own. Three dinner shows are on the menu this year highlighting The Lighthouse on downtown Nanaimo’s waterfront and North Nanaimo’s Simonholt Restaurant -- quickly building a reputation for its “sometimes chill, sometimes bumpin’” Sunday evening shows. The Festival winds up with Arrowsmith Big Band in an epic closing act to 2025’s Festival. Free Open-Air concerts in Maffeo Sutton Park will run September 13 & 14 with food trucks and vendors. On Sunday, the Jazz Festival shares the park with the 2nd annual Family Fun Fest offering free activities, games, attractions, and community kiosks for families.

Patrick Aleck’s Community Drum Circle

Patrick Aleck’s Community Drum Circle

Vancouver Island Regional Library - Nanaimo Harbourfront Branch 90 Commercial St, Nanaimo

Join us for a Community Drum Circle led by Stz’uminus and Penelakut Knowledge Keeper – and author and recording artist – Patrick Aleck Jr. Everyone is welcome to share in Indigenous drumming, song, language, and culture. Bring your drum OR use one from the Library’s drum collection. No registration required:  This event is Drop-in and family-friendly. Bring the kids!

Free

Days Gone By:  Archiving and capturing 125 years of Italian History in Nanaimo

Cavallotti Lodge Nanaimo 2060 E. Wellington Rd 2060 E. Wellington Rd., Nanaimo

At the Nanaimo Historical Society's Thursday September 11 general meeting, NHS Director Anne-Marie E. Fischer and the Cavallotti Lodge President Ian Cumpstone will be presenting "Days Gone By:  Archiving and capturing 125 years of Italian History in Nanaimo". Note: This meeting will be held at 7 p.m. at Cavallotti Lodge at 2060 East Wellington Road.  (Future meetings of the Nanaimo Historical Society will resume in October at Bowen Park Activity Room #1, 500 Bowen Road). Cavallotti Lodge is a hallmark gathering space in Nanaimo. It was originally created by Italian immigrants in the coal mining industry as a mutual aid society should any fellow Italian workers become ill, injured, or even worse, face death. Since then, Cavallotti Lodge has evolved to provide its members with a place to gather, a place to display its history, and to continue Italian traditions. The Cavallotti Lodge also provides an environment that is welcoming to all ages, as well as our wider community. Guests are welcome to learn about the 125th Anniversary project, sponsored by the Nanaimo Historical Society’s Arthur Leynard Grant. This grant has enabled the Cavallotti Lodge to collect and digitize historic artifacts while writing a book that documents this important space, its origins, and its significance within Nanaimo’s community since 1900.

Nanaimo 2025 55+ BC Games Community Mixer

Maffeo Sutton Park 100 Comox Rd,, Nanaimo

The Nanaimo 2025 55+ BC Games take place September 9–13, 2025, bringing together people from across British Columbia for an unforgettable multi-sport event. Whether you’re in it for the competition, camaraderie, or just the thrill of participation, now’s the time to get involved!

Do you have an event you would like us to know about?

Please note your event submission will not appear in the calendar immediately as it needs to be approved by Admin first. Please allow up to 2 working days for an event to be approved.

Don’t miss anything. Stay updated.

Name(Required)
Which of these best describes you?
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Filters

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

All Day

League Nanaimo

Nanaimo Art Gallery 150 Commercial Street, Nanaimo

League Nanaimo is a project led by Vancouver and Salt Spring Island based artist Germaine Koh that unites creative process and play. Community members of all ages are invited to gather and exercise creativity by developing new games and sports through iterative, embodied activities. Games evolve organically as they are played, and strategies emerge through trial and improvisation, and sometimes new tools are invented on the fly. Koh’s playful art installation turns Nanaimo Art Gallery into an experimental arena of sorts where visitors are welcome to jump, throw, dance, run, and touch; all actions that are usually frowned upon in art museums. In this space, that is a cross between a hockey rink, a dance hall, a tennis court, and an archery range, you are invited to interact with objects and markings, and with each other, and could find yourself developing your own games. The Gallery also serves as a hub for community outreach as the artist and Gallery facilitators bring League Nanaimo into the broader community. During the run of the exhibition, League activities not only take place in the gallery, but also at Nanaimo parks. Nanaimo Art Gallery is open Tuesdays to Saturdays from 10 am - 5 pm and Sundays from 12 - 5 pm.

By Donation

Indigenous Artisan Market

Nanaimo Art Gallery 150 Commercial Street, Nanaimo

The Nanaimo Art Gallery's next Indigenous Artisan Market is coming up on September 11-13th. Featuring work by Adele maskwaiskwew Arseneau, Denny Provost, Happy Mountain Goods, Tal-Glow Skincare, and more! Come by the Gallery Store and see what we have to offer! Thursday, September 11th: 10am – 8pm  Friday, September 12th and Saturday, September 13th: 10am – 5pm

Ongoing

Nanaimo International Jazz Festival

Venue specified by Booker

See international recording and performing artist Holly Cole at the Port Theatre on Sat., Sept. 13, enjoy free concerts on stage in Maffeo Sutton Park Saturday and Sunday including the Jazz Parade, dance to Stealing Dan at The Queen's Friday night, Jazz Jam at the Vault, and more in pubs, clubs, and halls from Sept. 6 - 27 -- Jazz Fest Month in Nanaimo.

Nanaimo International Jazz Festival

Nanaimo International Jazz Festival

Celebrated as BC’s Best Live Event in 2023, Nanaimo’s 9th Annual International Jazz Festival expands their event to four weekends this year turning September into a month-long live musical feast for locals and visitors. International performing artist Holly Cole headlines in the Port Theatre September 13 with regional and touring acts performing in pubs, clubs, dining rooms, churches and at free open-air concerts in Maffeo Sutton Park. The annual Jazz Parade will also entertain along the Waterfront Walkway replicating a bit of New Orleans’ Mardi Gras spirit. Seventeen performances in September will honour the broadest jazz genre with acts like The New Groovement, a ten-piece Vancouver band with a big following across North America for its hip-hop styling and syncopated rhythms. Local Indigenous, emerging artist Keanu Ienco offers a vast stylistic contrast with his quartet proving why he’s so widely recognized and nominated for many awards. Marc Atkinson Trio, well-known to Islanders, will offer modern jazz sounds before Mambo Mardi Gras wraps up the weekend with their high-powered R & B leanings – all this from just from four of the nine acts that will grace the free open-air concert stage at Maffeo Sutton Park on September 13 & 14. Ticketed shows include ‘Stealing Dan’ at The Queen’s in an act applauded across North America for incredible accuracy depicting this crossover act with reviewers acclaiming, “they don’t pay tribute, they simply channel Steely Dan”. Following that, a ‘Drag Jazz Cabaret’ at the Nanaimo Bar stars Josh Holloway as ‘Celeste’, a first-ever for the Festival Society. Other performances include a ‘Jazz Jam’ at The Vault, a late show that’s now a tradition on its own. Three dinner shows are on the menu this year highlighting The Lighthouse on downtown Nanaimo’s waterfront and North Nanaimo’s Simonholt Restaurant -- quickly building a reputation for its “sometimes chill, sometimes bumpin’” Sunday evening shows. The Festival winds up with Arrowsmith Big Band in an epic closing act to 2025’s Festival. Free Open-Air concerts in Maffeo Sutton Park will run September 13 & 14 with food trucks and vendors. On Sunday, the Jazz Festival shares the park with the 2nd annual Family Fun Fest offering free activities, games, attractions, and community kiosks for families.

Nanaimo International Jazz Festival

Nanaimo International Jazz Festival

Celebrated as BC’s Best Live Event in 2023, Nanaimo’s 9th Annual International Jazz Festival expands their event to four weekends this year turning September into a month-long live musical feast for locals and visitors. International performing artist Holly Cole headlines in the Port Theatre September 13 with regional and touring acts performing in pubs, clubs, dining rooms, churches and at free open-air concerts in Maffeo Sutton Park. The annual Jazz Parade will also entertain along the Waterfront Walkway replicating a bit of New Orleans’ Mardi Gras spirit. Seventeen performances in September will honour the broadest jazz genre with acts like The New Groovement, a ten-piece Vancouver band with a big following across North America for its hip-hop styling and syncopated rhythms. Local Indigenous, emerging artist Keanu Ienco offers a vast stylistic contrast with his quartet proving why he’s so widely recognized and nominated for many awards. Marc Atkinson Trio, well-known to Islanders, will offer modern jazz sounds before Mambo Mardi Gras wraps up the weekend with their high-powered R & B leanings – all this from just from four of the nine acts that will grace the free open-air concert stage at Maffeo Sutton Park on September 13 & 14. Ticketed shows include ‘Stealing Dan’ at The Queen’s in an act applauded across North America for incredible accuracy depicting this crossover act with reviewers acclaiming, “they don’t pay tribute, they simply channel Steely Dan”. Following that, a ‘Drag Jazz Cabaret’ at the Nanaimo Bar stars Josh Holloway as ‘Celeste’, a first-ever for the Festival Society. Other performances include a ‘Jazz Jam’ at The Vault, a late show that’s now a tradition on its own. Three dinner shows are on the menu this year highlighting The Lighthouse on downtown Nanaimo’s waterfront and North Nanaimo’s Simonholt Restaurant -- quickly building a reputation for its “sometimes chill, sometimes bumpin’” Sunday evening shows. The Festival winds up with Arrowsmith Big Band in an epic closing act to 2025’s Festival. Free Open-Air concerts in Maffeo Sutton Park will run September 13 & 14 with food trucks and vendors. On Sunday, the Jazz Festival shares the park with the 2nd annual Family Fun Fest offering free activities, games, attractions, and community kiosks for families.

Patrick Aleck’s Community Drum Circle

Patrick Aleck’s Community Drum Circle

Vancouver Island Regional Library - Nanaimo Harbourfront Branch 90 Commercial St, Nanaimo

Join us for a Community Drum Circle led by Stz’uminus and Penelakut Knowledge Keeper – and author and recording artist – Patrick Aleck Jr. Everyone is welcome to share in Indigenous drumming, song, language, and culture. Bring your drum OR use one from the Library’s drum collection. No registration required:  This event is Drop-in and family-friendly. Bring the kids!

Free

Days Gone By:  Archiving and capturing 125 years of Italian History in Nanaimo

Cavallotti Lodge Nanaimo 2060 E. Wellington Rd 2060 E. Wellington Rd., Nanaimo

At the Nanaimo Historical Society's Thursday September 11 general meeting, NHS Director Anne-Marie E. Fischer and the Cavallotti Lodge President Ian Cumpstone will be presenting "Days Gone By:  Archiving and capturing 125 years of Italian History in Nanaimo". Note: This meeting will be held at 7 p.m. at Cavallotti Lodge at 2060 East Wellington Road.  (Future meetings of the Nanaimo Historical Society will resume in October at Bowen Park Activity Room #1, 500 Bowen Road). Cavallotti Lodge is a hallmark gathering space in Nanaimo. It was originally created by Italian immigrants in the coal mining industry as a mutual aid society should any fellow Italian workers become ill, injured, or even worse, face death. Since then, Cavallotti Lodge has evolved to provide its members with a place to gather, a place to display its history, and to continue Italian traditions. The Cavallotti Lodge also provides an environment that is welcoming to all ages, as well as our wider community. Guests are welcome to learn about the 125th Anniversary project, sponsored by the Nanaimo Historical Society’s Arthur Leynard Grant. This grant has enabled the Cavallotti Lodge to collect and digitize historic artifacts while writing a book that documents this important space, its origins, and its significance within Nanaimo’s community since 1900.

Nanaimo 2025 55+ BC Games Community Mixer

Maffeo Sutton Park 100 Comox Rd,, Nanaimo

The Nanaimo 2025 55+ BC Games take place September 9–13, 2025, bringing together people from across British Columbia for an unforgettable multi-sport event. Whether you’re in it for the competition, camaraderie, or just the thrill of participation, now’s the time to get involved!

Patrick Aleck’s Community Drum Circle

Patrick Aleck’s Community Drum Circle

Vancouver Island Regional Library - Nanaimo Harbourfront Branch 90 Commercial St, Nanaimo

Join us for a Community Drum Circle led by Stz’uminus and Penelakut Knowledge Keeper – and author and recording artist – Patrick Aleck Jr. Everyone is welcome to share in Indigenous drumming, song, language, and culture. Bring your drum OR use one from the Library’s drum collection. No registration required:  This event is Drop-in and family-friendly. Bring the kids!

Free