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

Sunday
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
8 events,
Vancouver Island Symphony, Noteworthy Kids Choir
Commercial St.
Commercial St.
Baila o Muere! – Latin Halloween Party
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5 events,
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5 events,
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9 events,
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9 events,
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13 events,
Halloween Video Dance Party at The Nanaimo Bar
The Dark Eighties Halloween
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9 events,
Nanaimo Chamber’s Fall Market
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7 events,
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3 events,
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5 events,
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4 events,
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3 events,
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6 events,
Once Upon a Craft Fair
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7 events,
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6 events,
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3 events,
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4 events,
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9 events,
2025 Nanaimo Fine Art Show
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7 events,
The Nanaimo Rock Choir
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7 events,
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5 events,
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4 events,
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3 events,
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5 events,
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4 events,
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4 events,
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5 events,
Nanaimo Artwalk 2025
R.A. the Rugged Man & Sirreal live in Nanaimo – Nov 22!
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5 events,
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3 events,
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3 events,
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5 events,
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7 events,
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5 events,
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3 events,
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3 events,
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5 events,
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3 events,
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3 events,
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Ongoing
Vancouver Island Symphony, Noteworthy Kids Choir

Vancouver Island Symphony, Noteworthy Kids Choir

Departure Bay Baptist Church 3510 Departure Bay Road, Nanaimo

Do you have a child who loves to sing? The Vancouver Island Symphony’s Noteworthy Kids Choir, led by VIS choir director Patricia Plumley, is perfect for children aged 7 through 12 and starts October 1, 2025. No experience is necessary! Learn more about the program and register at https://vancouverislandsymphony.com/noteworthy-kids-sing

Commercial St.

Nanaimo Art Gallery 150 Commercial Street, Nanaimo

Image by: Sean Fenzl For Commercial St., artist Samuel Roy-Bois has created a series of artworks that directly respond to the vibrant street where Nanaimo Art Gallery is located. Drawing inspiration from architecture and streetscape elements, large wooden sculptures echo Commercial Street’s built environment—the street’s layout, a vanished window, and a cairn that has recently been removed—as well as aspects of its social dynamics and commercial exchanges. Roy-Bois has collaborated with local artists and businesses to engage in what he calls a sculptural conversation—​building community connections that transcend physical boundaries.  Through these relationships, Roy-Bois brings new elements into play with his sculptural forms. These include a drinking glass borrowed from Mon Petit Choux cafe, a record chosen by the artist and one recommended by Steve Lebitsching from Fascinating Rhythm, antique and imported objects from Steven Johns of Red Shelf Decor, and a shirt bought, and one borrowed, from Rumours Vintage Collective. Commercial St also includes artistic contributions by Bronwyn Arundel from Nanaimo Ceramic Arts, graffiti artist Doktoer, and photographs by David Spearing courtesy of Nanaimo Archives. The exhibition is accompanied by new writing from Canadian poet, essayist, and novelist Lisa Robertson. The artworks and objects in this exhibition reflect the everchanging network of events, individuals, and materials present on Commercial Street, brought together through playful interactions, coalescing in sculptural form. Commercial St. is the final exhibition through which we ask How can we play together? Learn more about this exhibition on a Friday Lunchtime Tour in the Gallery or during a special guest walking tour. More information here.

Halloween Video Dance Party at The Nanaimo Bar

The Nanaimo Bar 2-75 Front St, Nanaimo

Get ready for a one-of-a-kind Halloween party in Nanaimo with El Devine. This is not your average Halloween - legendary party DJ, El Devine, will be mixing music videos, classic horror movie clips, and Halloween visuals live on the big screen to create an immersive party experience you will not find anywhere else. The Nanaimo Bar will be decked out to celebrate the biggest dance party of the year - this is not to be missed - and of course, costumes are highly encouraged! VIBES: 70S · 80S · 90S · 2000S · POP· DISCO · HIP-HOP · RNB · NEW WAVE · DANCE Costume Parade Prizes Drink Specials Halloween Décor and more! Learn More: @islanddjco on Instagram @djeldevine on Instagram This is a 19+ event. All attendees must present two valid pieces of government-issued ID, regardless of age. Faces must remain fully visible at all times — full-face masks, heavy face paint, or FX that obscure recognition by security or staff are not permitted per BC law.

$15

The Dark Eighties Halloween

The Queens 34 Victoria Crescent,, Nanaimo

DJS! Candy! Costumes! Dancing! Costumes *strongly* encouraged or if you don't have a costume, dress goth / fabulous / glam / blitz kid / kinky / weird / wild! DJS playing mostly NEW + 1980s music that could come from ANY of these genres....

$20

Nanaimo Chamber’s Fall Market

Nanaimo North Town Centre 4750 Rutherford Rd, Nanaimo

Nanaimo Chamber’s Fall Market at Nanaimo North Town Centre Saturday, November 1st - 10 am to 6 pm Sunday, November 2nd - 11 am to 5 pm From the team behind the beloved Commercial Street Night Market, the Chamber is launching a brand-new seasonal event: the Nanaimo Chamber’s Fall Market. The Fall Market will showcase a curated collection of handmade goods, artisan products, festive treats, fall fashion, and more. This cozy indoor event offers a unique opportunity to shop local, discover new small businesses, and connect with the community in a warm, welcoming environment. Event Highlights: Co-Presented by: Home Saver Depot This two-day event is a must-visit for anyone looking to enjoy the best of local this fall season. With no need to worry about weather, parking, or outdoor logistics, the indoor setting makes for a comfortable and enjoyable shopping experience for all ages.

Science in the Park

Big Qualicum Hatchery 215 Fisheries Rd, Qualicum Beach

Join us for a drop-in day of discovery all about salmon! Explore the incredible life cycle of these iconic fish, their journey from stream to sea and back again, and why they matter to the entire ecosystem. Hands-on activities, nature observation, and storytelling will guide families through the science of salmon in one of the best places to witness their seasonal return.

Free

Haunted Holiday Market

Wellington Hall 3922 Corunna Ave, Nanaimo

Ladies and gentlemen, boys and ghouls~Cadaver Carnival Studios presents: A Haunted Holiday Market! A family friendly market filled with geeky, spooky, and festive delights!Come support local artists and vendors while supporting not one, but two amazing charities!This market will be taking place at Wellington Hall in Nanaimo from 11am-6pm on November 1st.Entry will be by donation, with all proceeds going to Loaves & Fishes and The Great Nanaimo Toy Drive!We will have door prizes to be won as well as a scavenger hunt for children!Costumes and/or tacky holiday sweaters are encouraged! Let’s get festive!

Free
If We Are Women by Joanna McLelland Glass

If We Are Women by Joanna McLelland Glass

Cedar Community Hall 2388 Cedar Rd., Nanaimo

This October, we have the privilege of presenting a wonderful women’s play for Yellow Point Drama Group at Cedar Community Hall.  In fact, while it is a play about women, it’s not just for women; it’s for everyone who’s ever had a mother!   On the morning after 18 year old Polly loses her virginity on a pew at the Congregational church, her two grandmothers, one an illiterate farmer from Saskatoon and the other a Jewish intellectual from Pennsylvania, draw upon their own life experiences to offer advice and direction to Polly and her mother Jessica who is mourning the very recent death of her lover.   Filled with pathos, passion, regret, insight and humour, this play touches on every woman’s experiences and the choices we have all had to make. We know you will relate!   We are pleased to offer a special group rate of $20 per person to your party of 10 or more.  This year’s schedule includes 6 matinee performances to accommodate those who don’t like driving on dark rainy nights, as well as 3 Friday evenings.  You can order tickets at https://yellowpointdramagroup.tickit.ca/events/29167 Or see our web page at https://www.yellowpointdramagroup.org/if-we-are-women

$25
Glorious!

Glorious!

The Bailey Studio 2373 Rosstown Road, Nanaimo

Nanaimo Theatre Group is delighted to open its 64th season with the heartwarming and witty production of Glorious! by Peter Quilter. The show is based on the true story of Florence Foster Jenkins, a New York City socialite and amateur singer who could not carry a tune but was convinced she was a great soprano. The pinnacle of her career was when, at the age of 76, she gave a legendary public performance in Carnegie Hall! In this touching play, also a movie with Meryl Streep and Hugh Grant, what begins as a joke becomes a lesson in how to live your dream. The play is ultimately about love in its many forms. Peter Quilter's plays have been presented in major theatres in 50 countries around the world and translated into over 30 languages.

$28

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Day: Wednesday

Ongoing

Commercial St.

Nanaimo Art Gallery 150 Commercial Street, Nanaimo

Image by: Sean Fenzl For Commercial St., artist Samuel Roy-Bois has created a series of artworks that directly respond to the vibrant street where Nanaimo Art Gallery is located. Drawing inspiration from architecture and streetscape elements, large wooden sculptures echo Commercial Street’s built environment—the street’s layout, a vanished window, and a cairn that has recently been removed—as well as aspects of its social dynamics and commercial exchanges. Roy-Bois has collaborated with local artists and businesses to engage in what he calls a sculptural conversation—​building community connections that transcend physical boundaries.  Through these relationships, Roy-Bois brings new elements into play with his sculptural forms. These include a drinking glass borrowed from Mon Petit Choux cafe, a record chosen by the artist and one recommended by Steve Lebitsching from Fascinating Rhythm, antique and imported objects from Steven Johns of Red Shelf Decor, and a shirt bought, and one borrowed, from Rumours Vintage Collective. Commercial St also includes artistic contributions by Bronwyn Arundel from Nanaimo Ceramic Arts, graffiti artist Doktoer, and photographs by David Spearing courtesy of Nanaimo Archives. The exhibition is accompanied by new writing from Canadian poet, essayist, and novelist Lisa Robertson. The artworks and objects in this exhibition reflect the everchanging network of events, individuals, and materials present on Commercial Street, brought together through playful interactions, coalescing in sculptural form. Commercial St. is the final exhibition through which we ask How can we play together? Learn more about this exhibition on a Friday Lunchtime Tour in the Gallery or during a special guest walking tour. More information here.