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

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

Tai Chi Open House with both Seated and Standing Demonstrations

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

Learn the “seated mini set” of the 17 moves from the 108 Moving Meditation, in addition to exercises which stretch the back and spine to improve overall flexibility, balance, and strength. Movements taught in this class can help to increase circulation and lymph flow as well as to open the joints and stretch the tendons and ligaments. For general health and relaxation (seated form) Tai Chi class is beneficial to everyone, and is particularly suitable for students who have health and mobility issues. Recent studies indicate that Tai Chi may help with a range of medical problems including; Parkinsons, MS, Fibromyalgia, Arthritis, Asthma, and rehabilitation from hip and knee replacements

Free

Subtle Colours from Nature: Fun with Hand-made Inks

Nanaimo Art Gallery 150 Commercial Street, Nanaimo

Artist Christi York specializes in–and celebrates–the collective human history of handcrafting and artisanal making, across cultures and time. In addition to learning how to make eco-friendly inks from plant material, we will play with abstract mark making—building up loose patterns in muted tones on watercolour paper. Beginners welcome. 16+ years

$60

Vancouver Island Dodgeball League – Season 10 Draft League

Island ConnectED 4355 Jingle Pot Road, Nanaimo

Our draft league in Nanaimo will usher you into a world of great dodgeball with the most widely used ruleset in BC. Come touch our premium balls that have hit, grazed, and deflected into every body part of a player's body since 2004. Bounce them. Hold 2. Hold 5! Catch 1! Catch 2! Pass them to a teammate! Season 10's draft league will expand on our growing dodgeball community with veteran players stepping up to captain the next wave of new players. Each season will have its own double-elimination playoffs as well as Legendary Pub Nights! Once registered, you'll be assessed (throw/catch in-game) on Exhibition Week so we can draft you onto a team that will thrive with your skillset (newbies are the best!). Please let us know if you prefer to have a buddy stay with you when teams are being created.

$10

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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.

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

Tai Chi Open House with both Seated and Standing Demonstrations

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

Learn the “seated mini set” of the 17 moves from the 108 Moving Meditation, in addition to exercises which stretch the back and spine to improve overall flexibility, balance, and strength. Movements taught in this class can help to increase circulation and lymph flow as well as to open the joints and stretch the tendons and ligaments. For general health and relaxation (seated form) Tai Chi class is beneficial to everyone, and is particularly suitable for students who have health and mobility issues. Recent studies indicate that Tai Chi may help with a range of medical problems including; Parkinsons, MS, Fibromyalgia, Arthritis, Asthma, and rehabilitation from hip and knee replacements

Free

Subtle Colours from Nature: Fun with Hand-made Inks

Nanaimo Art Gallery 150 Commercial Street, Nanaimo

Artist Christi York specializes in–and celebrates–the collective human history of handcrafting and artisanal making, across cultures and time. In addition to learning how to make eco-friendly inks from plant material, we will play with abstract mark making—building up loose patterns in muted tones on watercolour paper. Beginners welcome. 16+ years

$60

Vancouver Island Dodgeball League – Season 10 Draft League

Island ConnectED 4355 Jingle Pot Road, Nanaimo

Our draft league in Nanaimo will usher you into a world of great dodgeball with the most widely used ruleset in BC. Come touch our premium balls that have hit, grazed, and deflected into every body part of a player's body since 2004. Bounce them. Hold 2. Hold 5! Catch 1! Catch 2! Pass them to a teammate! Season 10's draft league will expand on our growing dodgeball community with veteran players stepping up to captain the next wave of new players. Each season will have its own double-elimination playoffs as well as Legendary Pub Nights! Once registered, you'll be assessed (throw/catch in-game) on Exhibition Week so we can draft you onto a team that will thrive with your skillset (newbies are the best!). Please let us know if you prefer to have a buddy stay with you when teams are being created.

$10