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
-
-
-
-
-
-
9 events,
Nanaimo Chamber’s Fall Market
-
-
-
-
7 events,
-
-
-
-
3 events,
-
5 events,
-
-
-
4 events,
-
-
3 events,
-
6 events,
Once Upon a Craft Fair
-
-
-
7 events,
-
-
-
-
6 events,
-
-
-
3 events,
-
4 events,
-
-
9 events,
2025 Nanaimo Fine Art Show
-
-
-
-
-
-
7 events,
The Nanaimo Rock Choir
-
-
7 events,
-
-
-
5 events,
-
-
4 events,
-
-
3 events,
-
5 events,
-
-
-
4 events,
-
-
4 events,
-
-
5 events,
Nanaimo Artwalk 2025
R.A. the Rugged Man & Sirreal live in Nanaimo – Nov 22!
-
5 events,
-
3 events,
-
3 events,
-
5 events,
-
-
7 events,
-
-
-
-
5 events,
-
-
-
3 events,
-
3 events,
-
5 events,
-
-
-
3 events,
-
3 events,
-

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.

2025 Nanaimo Fine Art Show

Vancouver Island Conference Centre 101 Gordon Street, Nanaimo

This show brings more than 50 artists together from Nanaimo and the mid-island, in a vibrant atmosphere and a professionally curated art show in Dodd Narrow's Hall at the Vancouver Island Conference Center in Nanaimo. Art lovers and families are invited to enjoy four days filled with a diverse display of art. This year’s show aims to showcase beautiful art and foster inspiring conversations among creative minds. With 125 pieces of art, and a variety of mediums including oil, acrylic, watercolor, and mixed media, there’s something for everyone. All art work submitted to this show is juried. This is the largest art show of its kind in Nanaimo, and it is only for 4 days, don't miss it!

Free

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

Country Karaoke Championship Audition Day 1 of 2 – Win Cash Prizes!

The Landlubber Pub 2220 Bowen Road, Nanaimo

Presented by Island Karaoke at The Landlubber Pub Think you’ve got what it takes to be Nanaimo’s next country karaoke star? 🌟 The spotlight is waiting for you at the Country Karaoke Championship at The Landlubber Pub—a high-energy, country-themed event designed especially for everyday singers. Whether you sing in your car, in the shower, or at your favorite pub, this is your chance to step up and shine on stage! 🗓️ Audition Nights Sunday, November 16, 2025 | 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM Sunday, November 23, 2025 | 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM 🎟️ Audition Entry Fee: $20 (pre-registered online on Eventbrite) $25 (at the door – your audition song will be added to the end of the list) 👉 Important Audition Info: Each auditioner must prepare one song to perform on their audition day. Contestants can only audition once—you may not perform on both audition nights. Only 30 audition spots are available each night (60 total). Just 24 singers will be selected to advance to Round 1 of the Championship. 🎶 Amateurs only! No professional singers allowed (that means no regular band performers, solo artists, or formally trained professionals). 🎤 Championship Rounds The Country Karaoke Championship unfolds across three exciting nights at The Landlubber Pub: Round 1 – Sunday, November 30 | 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM 24 contestants take the stage, with only 12 advancing to the Semi-Finals. Semi-Finals – Sunday, December 7 | 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM 12 singers compete, and only 6 move forward to the Grand Finale. Grand Finale – Sunday, December 14 | 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM The final 6 singers battle it out for the crown, the cash, and the title of Country Karaoke Champion! 💵 Prizes 🥇 1st Place – $500 🥈 2nd Place – $250 🥉 3rd Place – Prize to be announced 🌟 Why Enter? This isn’t just karaoke—it’s your chance to: Showcase your love of music at The Landlubber Pub, one of Nanaimo’s favorite live venues Compete for cash prizes Be part of a fun, supportive singing community 🎤 Register now on on eventbrite and secure your audition spot today! Limited spots available—don’t miss your chance to let your country voice be heard at the Country Karaoke Championship in Nanaimo! 🙌 Not competing? Come cheer on your friends and favorite singers! Every voice on stage needs a supportive crowd, and your energy helps make the night unforgettable.

$20

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.

Your selections
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.