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.

Monday Night Open Mic

Gabriola Golf & Country Club 825 South Road, Gabriola

Join us every Monday night. All skill levels are welcome and encouraged! Open mics are a great way to get some experience on stage and meet other like-minded artists.If you have multiple instruments or a more complicated setup, please let me know ahead of time so we can ensure we have the required equipment Children encouraged and welcome!

Free

Vancouver Island Symphony, TAFELMUSIK BAROQUE ORCHESTRA BRILLIANT BAROQUE

Port Theatre 125 Front Street, Nanaimo

Experience Canada’s world renowned Tafelmusik Baroque Orchestra celebrated for its authentic performances of Baroque repertoire, utilizing period instruments. Music by Handel, Avison, Purcell, J.S. Bach, Pisendel and Reichenauer will be performed. CONDUCTOR: Rachel Podger, violin PROGRAMME Jean-Baptiste LULLY 1632–1687 Suite from Roland Ouverture – Air gay – Gavotte – Gigue – Chaconne Charles AVISON 1709–1770 Concerto no. 6 in D Major, after Scarlatti Largo – Con furia – Adagio – Vivacemente Johann Sebastian BACH 1685–1750 Prelude and Fugue in E-flat Major, after BWV 552 INTERMISSION Georg Philipp TELEMANN 1681–1767 Concerto for 2 oboes and bassoon in D Minor, TWV 53:d1 Grave – Allegro – Affettuoso Adagio – Vivace Johann Sebastian BACH 1681–1767 Concerto for violin in G Minor, after BWV 1056 Allegro – Adagio – Presto Rachel Podger, violin soloist George Frideric HANDEL 1685–1759 Concerto grosso in G Minor, op. 6, no. 6 Largo affettuoso – A tempo giusto – Musette – Allegro –Allegro – Chaconne (from Terpsicore)

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Day: Wednesday

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.