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.
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
Dine About Mid Island is a volunteer-driven initiative dedicated to showcasing and celebrating the culinary diversity of the mid-Island region through our annual food festival. By partnering with a variety of local restaurants, cafes, bakeries, and beverage makers, we create a memorable multi-week dining experience that connects residents and visitors alike to the unique flavours and creative talent of our community.No tickets necessary, but reservations are recommended! Sample the fare of our participating establishments in Cedar, Nanaimo, Gabriola Island, Lantzville, Nanoose, Parksville, & Qualicum. Check out the menus at participating establishments or learn more here.
Artists: Fred Herzog, Kin Jung, Karen Tam, Betty Wong, Jackie Wong, and Charlotte Zhang Event Image: Kin Jung working in the darkroom, c. 1940s, Courtesy of Nanaimo Archives and Nanaimo Museum Bleached by the Sun: Perspectives on Chinatown,《陽光下的褪色:關於華埠的觀點》, is an exhibition that responds to the histories and legacies of Nanaimo’s former Chinatowns through artworks and photographs. Beginning in the 1860s, Nanaimo had a succession of four Chinatowns. The third Chinatown was destroyed by fire in 1960, which had a devastating effect on the community. The exhibition features the viewpoints of three artists who documented Nanaimo’s third Chinatown while it was still standing, and three contemporary artists who respond to Nanaimo’s Chinatowns through textile installation, painting and video, and consider what it means to reflect on these lost sites from the present moment.
Join us each Wednesday in Beban Park for a vibrant market where fresh, local products meet community spirit! Explore a delightful array of fruits and vegetables (in season), meat, eggs, preserves, artisanal baking, soaps, and specialty goods from our region's best farmers and artisans. Come and meet your local farmers and producers. Bring your friends and family to enjoy an afternoon filled with delicious flavours, community connections, and a celebration of local agriculture. Support our local economy while savouring the bounty of our region! We are inside the Centennial Building from October 2, 2024 - May 7, 2025. We move outside on May 14 until October. PLUS Special Christmas Farmers' Market on Sunday, December 22 from 10 - 2:30.
Join us each Wednesday in Beban Park for a vibrant market where fresh, local products meet community spirit! Explore a delightful array of fruits and vegetables (in season), meat, eggs, preserves, artisanal baking, soaps, and specialty goods from our region's best farmers and artisans. Come and meet your local farmers and producers. Bring your friends and family to enjoy an afternoon filled with delicious flavours, community connections, and a celebration of local agriculture. Support our local economy while savouring the bounty of our region! We are inside the Centennial Building from October 2, 2024 - May 7, 2025. We move outside on May 14 until October. PLUS Special Christmas Farmers' Market on Sunday, December 22 from 10 - 2:30.
February 12–14, 2026 | Nanaimo, BC Come in out of the rain and feel the heat in Nanaimo as the Vancouver Island Symphony presents Cuban Vibes: A Symphonic Festival at the Port Theatre. Led by Artistic Director Cosette Justo Valdés, this three-day festival celebrates the rhythms, melodies, and spirit of Cuban culture. Featuring world-class Cuban musicians, Cuban Vibes offers three distinct concert experiences filled with passion, joy, and irresistible energy. A vibrant celebration of music that moves both the heart and the feet. Tickets & details: https://vancouverislandsymphony.com/2025-cuban-vibes-a-symphonic-festival/
Thursday, February 12, 2026 | 7:15 PM salsa lessons · 8:00 PM concert Step into the lively spirit of Old Havana for an evening of rhythm, movement, and joy. A Night in Old Havana begins with pre-concert salsa lessons, followed by an electrifying performance featuring Cuban jazz musicians and the Vancouver Island Symphony. A festive, welcoming night that invites audiences to move, feel, and celebrate.
Friday, February 13, 2026 | 7:30 PM Let the night pulse with lush melodies and irresistible syncopated rhythms. Waves of Latin Jazz blends Cuban jazz traditions with symphonic colour, creating an atmosphere rich with energy, passion, and musical brilliance. An immersive evening of rhythm-driven excitement.
✨ TRUEVIBE EVENTS ✨ Exclusively Presents **VALENTINE’S GLAM SOIRÉE** An Affair of Love, Luxury & Celebration 💋 Indulge in romance. Sip in style. Celebrate love. 📅 14 FEBRUARY 2026 🕒 3:00 PM ONWARDS 📍 BETHLEHEM CENTER 💃🕺 DRESS CODE ❤️ Women: Red Glam 🖤 Men: Black / Charcoal / White with Red Accents 💎 EARLY BIRD SPECIALS Luxury Rewards who book early ✨ 10% OFF — LIMITED TIME ONLY 🗓 Discount Valid till 20th January 2026 💑 Couples: $100 ➝ $90 per couple Early Birds 💃 Singles Mingle: $50 ➝ $45 per person Early Birds ✨ A MEMORABLE TRUEVIBE EXPERIENCE ✨ Whether you’re celebrating love or stepping out to mingle, this is an evening designed to feel special, stylish, and unforgettable. ✨ Wine, food & a glamorous ambiance ✨ Interactive games & exciting prizes ✨ Curated moments for couples and singles ✨ Dance, Laughter, connections, and memories that last Come for the celebration. Leave with moments worth remembering. 🎬 LITTLE STARS LOUNGE (Ages 6–13) 🎥 Movie time + kids meal 💲 $10 per child 💎 Love. Confidence. Celebration — the TrueVibe signature. 📩 Limited seats available — Book your Spot Now! E-transfer to krishnavelu.balaji@gmail.com For any queries plz send us an email at TrueVibe.events25@gmail.com After the payment is received, we will send you a form to fill in , keep your couple photo ready to share with us 😊 https://www.instagram.com/reel/DTlfK_Wkmow/?igsh=MWo1dWw4emExbGc3Ng==
Join us for a special Family Day Market on Monday, February 16th! Explore a delightful array of fruits and vegetables (in season), meat, eggs, preserves, artisanal baking, soaps, and specialty goods from our region’s best farmers and artisans. Come and meet your local farmers and producers. Bring your friends and family to enjoy a day filled with delicious flavours, community connections, and a celebration of local agriculture. Support our local economy while savouring the bounty of our region!
Join us each Wednesday in Beban Park for a vibrant market where fresh, local products meet community spirit! Explore a delightful array of fruits and vegetables (in season), meat, eggs, preserves, artisanal baking, soaps, and specialty goods from our region's best farmers and artisans. Come and meet your local farmers and producers. Bring your friends and family to enjoy an afternoon filled with delicious flavours, community connections, and a celebration of local agriculture. Support our local economy while savouring the bounty of our region! We are inside the Centennial Building from October 2, 2024 - May 7, 2025. We move outside on May 14 until October. PLUS Special Christmas Farmers' Market on Sunday, December 22 from 10 - 2:30.
Nanaimo’s Maple Sugar Festival Turns 25! Celebrate the 25 years anniversary of the festival with music, food, and fun for all! Tap your feet to folk, jazz, R’n’B, and more. Kids will love the family room activities, and everyone can join free workshops to dance, craft, and play. Indulge in maple toffee-on-snow, a French Canadian buffet, and local food truck treats. Explore artisan treasures at the bustling market. Come curious, come hungry, come ready to celebrate!
West Coast Swing Social Dance and All-Levels Workshop Everyone is welcome; no partner or dance experience required. Schedule: 7:00pm - 8:00pm: All-Levels Workshop 8:00pm - 10:00pm: Social Dance Entry: $15, cash at the door Instructors: Sat February 21 - Workshop taught by Pamela Podmoroff from Parksville Fri March 6 - Workshop taught by Journey Song from Westie Inspiration in Victora Fri March 20 - Workshop taught by Emily from Forbidden Dance Company Comox Valley The Nanaimo West Coast Swing Collective hosts social dances twice a month at Wellington Hall and a lesson series in Lantzville. To learn more, visit our website https://wcsnanaimo.com/ We are looking for volunteers! If you'd like to volunteer with us, for a night or as a Board Member, please contact us or talk to us at the dance.
Join us each Wednesday in Beban Park for a vibrant market where fresh, local products meet community spirit! Explore a delightful array of fruits and vegetables (in season), meat, eggs, preserves, artisanal baking, soaps, and specialty goods from our region's best farmers and artisans. Come and meet your local farmers and producers. Bring your friends and family to enjoy an afternoon filled with delicious flavours, community connections, and a celebration of local agriculture. Support our local economy while savouring the bounty of our region! We are inside the Centennial Building from October 2, 2024 - May 7, 2025. We move outside on May 14 until October. PLUS Special Christmas Farmers' Market on Sunday, December 22 from 10 - 2:30.
Nanaimo Art Gallery
150 Commercial Street, Nanaimo
Artists: Fred Herzog, Kin Jung, Karen Tam, Betty Wong, Jackie Wong, and Charlotte Zhang Event Image: Kin Jung working in the darkroom, c. 1940s, Courtesy of Nanaimo Archives and Nanaimo Museum Bleached by the Sun: Perspectives on Chinatown,《陽光下的褪色:關於華埠的觀點》, is an exhibition that responds to the histories and legacies of Nanaimo’s former Chinatowns through artworks and photographs. Beginning in the 1860s, Nanaimo had a succession of four Chinatowns. The third Chinatown was destroyed by fire in 1960, which had a devastating effect on the community. The exhibition features the viewpoints of three artists who documented Nanaimo’s third Chinatown while it was still standing, and three contemporary artists who respond to Nanaimo’s Chinatowns through textile installation, painting and video, and consider what it means to reflect on these lost sites from the present moment.
Nanaimo’s Maple Sugar Festival Turns 25! Celebrate the 25 years anniversary of the festival with music, food, and fun for all! Tap your feet to folk, jazz, R’n’B, and more. Kids will love the family room activities, and everyone can join free workshops to dance, craft, and play. Indulge in maple toffee-on-snow, a French Canadian buffet, and local food truck treats. Explore artisan treasures at the bustling market. Come curious, come hungry, come ready to celebrate!
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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
Dine About Mid Island is a volunteer-driven initiative dedicated to showcasing and celebrating the culinary diversity of the mid-Island region through our annual food festival. By partnering with a variety of local restaurants, cafes, bakeries, and beverage makers, we create a memorable multi-week dining experience that connects residents and visitors alike to the unique flavours and creative talent of our community.No tickets necessary, but reservations are recommended! Sample the fare of our participating establishments in Cedar, Nanaimo, Gabriola Island, Lantzville, Nanoose, Parksville, & Qualicum. Check out the menus at participating establishments or learn more here.
Artists: Fred Herzog, Kin Jung, Karen Tam, Betty Wong, Jackie Wong, and Charlotte Zhang Event Image: Kin Jung working in the darkroom, c. 1940s, Courtesy of Nanaimo Archives and Nanaimo Museum Bleached by the Sun: Perspectives on Chinatown,《陽光下的褪色:關於華埠的觀點》, is an exhibition that responds to the histories and legacies of Nanaimo’s former Chinatowns through artworks and photographs. Beginning in the 1860s, Nanaimo had a succession of four Chinatowns. The third Chinatown was destroyed by fire in 1960, which had a devastating effect on the community. The exhibition features the viewpoints of three artists who documented Nanaimo’s third Chinatown while it was still standing, and three contemporary artists who respond to Nanaimo’s Chinatowns through textile installation, painting and video, and consider what it means to reflect on these lost sites from the present moment.
Join us each Wednesday in Beban Park for a vibrant market where fresh, local products meet community spirit! Explore a delightful array of fruits and vegetables (in season), meat, eggs, preserves, artisanal baking, soaps, and specialty goods from our region's best farmers and artisans. Come and meet your local farmers and producers. Bring your friends and family to enjoy an afternoon filled with delicious flavours, community connections, and a celebration of local agriculture. Support our local economy while savouring the bounty of our region! We are inside the Centennial Building from October 2, 2024 - May 7, 2025. We move outside on May 14 until October. PLUS Special Christmas Farmers' Market on Sunday, December 22 from 10 - 2:30.
Join us each Wednesday in Beban Park for a vibrant market where fresh, local products meet community spirit! Explore a delightful array of fruits and vegetables (in season), meat, eggs, preserves, artisanal baking, soaps, and specialty goods from our region's best farmers and artisans. Come and meet your local farmers and producers. Bring your friends and family to enjoy an afternoon filled with delicious flavours, community connections, and a celebration of local agriculture. Support our local economy while savouring the bounty of our region! We are inside the Centennial Building from October 2, 2024 - May 7, 2025. We move outside on May 14 until October. PLUS Special Christmas Farmers' Market on Sunday, December 22 from 10 - 2:30.
February 12–14, 2026 | Nanaimo, BC Come in out of the rain and feel the heat in Nanaimo as the Vancouver Island Symphony presents Cuban Vibes: A Symphonic Festival at the Port Theatre. Led by Artistic Director Cosette Justo Valdés, this three-day festival celebrates the rhythms, melodies, and spirit of Cuban culture. Featuring world-class Cuban musicians, Cuban Vibes offers three distinct concert experiences filled with passion, joy, and irresistible energy. A vibrant celebration of music that moves both the heart and the feet. Tickets & details: https://vancouverislandsymphony.com/2025-cuban-vibes-a-symphonic-festival/
Thursday, February 12, 2026 | 7:15 PM salsa lessons · 8:00 PM concert Step into the lively spirit of Old Havana for an evening of rhythm, movement, and joy. A Night in Old Havana begins with pre-concert salsa lessons, followed by an electrifying performance featuring Cuban jazz musicians and the Vancouver Island Symphony. A festive, welcoming night that invites audiences to move, feel, and celebrate.
Friday, February 13, 2026 | 7:30 PM Let the night pulse with lush melodies and irresistible syncopated rhythms. Waves of Latin Jazz blends Cuban jazz traditions with symphonic colour, creating an atmosphere rich with energy, passion, and musical brilliance. An immersive evening of rhythm-driven excitement.
✨ TRUEVIBE EVENTS ✨ Exclusively Presents **VALENTINE’S GLAM SOIRÉE** An Affair of Love, Luxury & Celebration 💋 Indulge in romance. Sip in style. Celebrate love. 📅 14 FEBRUARY 2026 🕒 3:00 PM ONWARDS 📍 BETHLEHEM CENTER 💃🕺 DRESS CODE ❤️ Women: Red Glam 🖤 Men: Black / Charcoal / White with Red Accents 💎 EARLY BIRD SPECIALS Luxury Rewards who book early ✨ 10% OFF — LIMITED TIME ONLY 🗓 Discount Valid till 20th January 2026 💑 Couples: $100 ➝ $90 per couple Early Birds 💃 Singles Mingle: $50 ➝ $45 per person Early Birds ✨ A MEMORABLE TRUEVIBE EXPERIENCE ✨ Whether you’re celebrating love or stepping out to mingle, this is an evening designed to feel special, stylish, and unforgettable. ✨ Wine, food & a glamorous ambiance ✨ Interactive games & exciting prizes ✨ Curated moments for couples and singles ✨ Dance, Laughter, connections, and memories that last Come for the celebration. Leave with moments worth remembering. 🎬 LITTLE STARS LOUNGE (Ages 6–13) 🎥 Movie time + kids meal 💲 $10 per child 💎 Love. Confidence. Celebration — the TrueVibe signature. 📩 Limited seats available — Book your Spot Now! E-transfer to krishnavelu.balaji@gmail.com For any queries plz send us an email at TrueVibe.events25@gmail.com After the payment is received, we will send you a form to fill in , keep your couple photo ready to share with us 😊 https://www.instagram.com/reel/DTlfK_Wkmow/?igsh=MWo1dWw4emExbGc3Ng==
Join us for a special Family Day Market on Monday, February 16th! Explore a delightful array of fruits and vegetables (in season), meat, eggs, preserves, artisanal baking, soaps, and specialty goods from our region’s best farmers and artisans. Come and meet your local farmers and producers. Bring your friends and family to enjoy a day filled with delicious flavours, community connections, and a celebration of local agriculture. Support our local economy while savouring the bounty of our region!
Join us each Wednesday in Beban Park for a vibrant market where fresh, local products meet community spirit! Explore a delightful array of fruits and vegetables (in season), meat, eggs, preserves, artisanal baking, soaps, and specialty goods from our region's best farmers and artisans. Come and meet your local farmers and producers. Bring your friends and family to enjoy an afternoon filled with delicious flavours, community connections, and a celebration of local agriculture. Support our local economy while savouring the bounty of our region! We are inside the Centennial Building from October 2, 2024 - May 7, 2025. We move outside on May 14 until October. PLUS Special Christmas Farmers' Market on Sunday, December 22 from 10 - 2:30.
Nanaimo’s Maple Sugar Festival Turns 25! Celebrate the 25 years anniversary of the festival with music, food, and fun for all! Tap your feet to folk, jazz, R’n’B, and more. Kids will love the family room activities, and everyone can join free workshops to dance, craft, and play. Indulge in maple toffee-on-snow, a French Canadian buffet, and local food truck treats. Explore artisan treasures at the bustling market. Come curious, come hungry, come ready to celebrate!
West Coast Swing Social Dance and All-Levels Workshop Everyone is welcome; no partner or dance experience required. Schedule: 7:00pm - 8:00pm: All-Levels Workshop 8:00pm - 10:00pm: Social Dance Entry: $15, cash at the door Instructors: Sat February 21 - Workshop taught by Pamela Podmoroff from Parksville Fri March 6 - Workshop taught by Journey Song from Westie Inspiration in Victora Fri March 20 - Workshop taught by Emily from Forbidden Dance Company Comox Valley The Nanaimo West Coast Swing Collective hosts social dances twice a month at Wellington Hall and a lesson series in Lantzville. To learn more, visit our website https://wcsnanaimo.com/ We are looking for volunteers! If you'd like to volunteer with us, for a night or as a Board Member, please contact us or talk to us at the dance.
Join us each Wednesday in Beban Park for a vibrant market where fresh, local products meet community spirit! Explore a delightful array of fruits and vegetables (in season), meat, eggs, preserves, artisanal baking, soaps, and specialty goods from our region's best farmers and artisans. Come and meet your local farmers and producers. Bring your friends and family to enjoy an afternoon filled with delicious flavours, community connections, and a celebration of local agriculture. Support our local economy while savouring the bounty of our region! We are inside the Centennial Building from October 2, 2024 - May 7, 2025. We move outside on May 14 until October. PLUS Special Christmas Farmers' Market on Sunday, December 22 from 10 - 2:30.