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

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
-
-
-
-
-
5 events,
-
-
-
5 events,
-
-
-
9 events,
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
9 events,
-
-
-
-
-
-
13 events,
Halloween Video Dance Party at The Nanaimo Bar
The Dark Eighties Halloween
-
-
-
-
-
-
10 events,
Nanaimo Chamber’s Fall Market
Eyemazy Iris Photography Popup @ Woodgrove Centre
-
-
-
-
8 events,
-
-
-
-
4 events,
-
6 events,
-
-
-
5 events,
-
-
4 events,
-
7 events,
Once Upon a Craft Fair
-
-
-
8 events,
-
-
-
-
7 events,
-
-
-
4 events,
-
5 events,
-
-
10 events,
2025 Nanaimo Fine Art Show
-
-
-
-
-
-
8 events,
The Nanaimo Rock Choir
-
-
8 events,
-
-
-
6 events,
-
-
5 events,
-
-
4 events,
-
6 events,
-
-
-
5 events,
-
-
5 events,
-
-
6 events,
Nanaimo Artwalk 2025
R.A. the Rugged Man & Sirreal live in Nanaimo – Nov 22!
-
6 events,
-
4 events,
-
4 events,
-
6 events,
-
-
8 events,
-
-
-
-
6 events,
-
-
-
4 events,
-
4 events,
-
8 events,
-
-
-
-
5 events,
-
-
6 events,
-
-
8 events,
Protection Island Art Walk 2025
-
-
-

Filters

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

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.

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.

Eyemazy Iris Photography Popup @ Woodgrove Centre

Eyemazy Iris Photography Popup @ Woodgrove Centre

Woodgrove Centre 631 Island Highway North, Nanaimo

Capture the Beauty of Your Eyes: Experience Eyemazy Iris Photography  in Woodgrove Centre (Nanaimo) at their temporary popup shop, right beside guest services. Eyemazy Canada has setup their mobile operation and they are ready to introduce you to iris photography this Christmas season. Popular with singles, couples and families they create amazing, meaningful and cherished keepsakes. Gift cards are available! Discover this truly unique and surprising experience, as they reveal the intricate structures, patterns and colours, in your own eye! Eyemazy’s specialized macro photo technology captures an ultra high resolution image of your own eye. No appointment needed, just walk in during mall hours. The free preview takes about 2 minutes per person. If you want to go ahead with your new iris photo, they use specialized editing technology to remove light reflections leaving your iris as close to natural as possible. Beautiful prints are available in 5x7” or 8x10” sizes and are ready to take with you in 5-10 minutes per iris! Choose from a number of options like added special effects, digital files and a whole range of stunningly beautiful premium prints. Canadian made, top quality pieces on Metal or Canvas can also be ordered.  Whether you’ve seen the new concept on social media or you love unique art experiences this is a great opportunity to get your own! Don’t delay, this cool new Eyemazy Popup will be gone after Dec 31, 2025. 

$60

Dawn Walton & Associates – Annual Winter Warm-Up Clothing Drive

Country Club Mall 3200 North Island Highway, Nanaimo

Dawn Walton & Associates- eXp Realty, will be loading up their Argyle Truck & Trailer to collect donations in support of the Nanaimo Family Life Association, which operates three full-time winter shelters in Nanaimo — along with the City of Nanaimo Emergency Shelters. Annual Winter Warm-Up Clothing Drive! Sunday, November 2nd, 2025 | 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM Country Club Mall Parking Lot What we’re collecting: Winter coats & clothing (especially fleece, sweatshirts, and sweatpants) Hats, scarves, gloves, and warm socks.Every item donated helps someone in our community stay warm this winter. What you can spare, they can wear.

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

Sunday Blues Jam

The Queens 34 Victoria Crescent,, Nanaimo

The best Sunday blues jam by The Nanaimo Blues Society. Different host band every week. Doors 2:00pm. Music 3:00pm.

$10

Nanaimo Concert Band Fall Performances

Port Theatre Nanaimo

 “IT WAS A DARK AND STORMY NIGHT” Our fall concert is on the same weekend as Hallowe’en, so we couldn’t help but choose some music that’s dark and mysterious. Whether it’s music from a spooky movie or musical, or music about dark rain clouds and storms, come prepared to be chilled, thrilled, and entertained. We might have a happy ending or two just to balance things out. This concert features guest artist, James Mark on violin who will join the band for Saint-Saens’ Danse Macabre as well as Schindler’s List.

$15 – $25

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.

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

Filters

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

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.

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.

Eyemazy Iris Photography Popup @ Woodgrove Centre

Eyemazy Iris Photography Popup @ Woodgrove Centre

Woodgrove Centre 631 Island Highway North, Nanaimo

Capture the Beauty of Your Eyes: Experience Eyemazy Iris Photography  in Woodgrove Centre (Nanaimo) at their temporary popup shop, right beside guest services. Eyemazy Canada has setup their mobile operation and they are ready to introduce you to iris photography this Christmas season. Popular with singles, couples and families they create amazing, meaningful and cherished keepsakes. Gift cards are available! Discover this truly unique and surprising experience, as they reveal the intricate structures, patterns and colours, in your own eye! Eyemazy’s specialized macro photo technology captures an ultra high resolution image of your own eye. No appointment needed, just walk in during mall hours. The free preview takes about 2 minutes per person. If you want to go ahead with your new iris photo, they use specialized editing technology to remove light reflections leaving your iris as close to natural as possible. Beautiful prints are available in 5x7” or 8x10” sizes and are ready to take with you in 5-10 minutes per iris! Choose from a number of options like added special effects, digital files and a whole range of stunningly beautiful premium prints. Canadian made, top quality pieces on Metal or Canvas can also be ordered.  Whether you’ve seen the new concept on social media or you love unique art experiences this is a great opportunity to get your own! Don’t delay, this cool new Eyemazy Popup will be gone after Dec 31, 2025. 

$60

Dawn Walton & Associates – Annual Winter Warm-Up Clothing Drive

Country Club Mall 3200 North Island Highway, Nanaimo

Dawn Walton & Associates- eXp Realty, will be loading up their Argyle Truck & Trailer to collect donations in support of the Nanaimo Family Life Association, which operates three full-time winter shelters in Nanaimo — along with the City of Nanaimo Emergency Shelters. Annual Winter Warm-Up Clothing Drive! Sunday, November 2nd, 2025 | 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM Country Club Mall Parking Lot What we’re collecting: Winter coats & clothing (especially fleece, sweatshirts, and sweatpants) Hats, scarves, gloves, and warm socks.Every item donated helps someone in our community stay warm this winter. What you can spare, they can wear.

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

Sunday Blues Jam

The Queens 34 Victoria Crescent,, Nanaimo

The best Sunday blues jam by The Nanaimo Blues Society. Different host band every week. Doors 2:00pm. Music 3:00pm.

$10

Nanaimo Concert Band Fall Performances

Port Theatre Nanaimo

 “IT WAS A DARK AND STORMY NIGHT” Our fall concert is on the same weekend as Hallowe’en, so we couldn’t help but choose some music that’s dark and mysterious. Whether it’s music from a spooky movie or musical, or music about dark rain clouds and storms, come prepared to be chilled, thrilled, and entertained. We might have a happy ending or two just to balance things out. This concert features guest artist, James Mark on violin who will join the band for Saint-Saens’ Danse Macabre as well as Schindler’s List.

$15 – $25