Category: Art, History and Culture

The Thanksgiving Weekend Studio Tour – Gabriola Island, Nanaimo, BC

October 1, 2018

Link: The 2018 Gabriola Island Thanksgiving Weekend Studio Tour Date: October 6-8, 2018 Location: Gabriola Island Come autumn, the forest lights up in all the shades of yellow, orange, and red. The landscape becomes like a painting, the moody fall weather rolling in over the hills, the forests enshrouded by mist, and the water dark and foreboding. Its powerful images like these that inspire many of the amazing works of art found up and down the coast. Locals and visitors alike know that there is no shortage of artistic talent throughout Vancouver Island & the Gulf Islands. And just a […]

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The Nanaimo International Jazz Festival

September 17, 2018

It’s only natural that Nanaimo, with it’s rich and vibrant music scene, play host to such an incredible event as the Nanaimo Jazz Festival. Last year was the first of these festivals; this year, in 2018, it returns for the second time to welcome performers from across the globe. On September 21-23, musicians will gather in our pocket of Vancouver Island for a tremendous weekend of musical performances and celebration. Recently, we connected with Festival Administrator Jill Smith, to learn more about this incredible event. Here is what we found out: Last year was the inaugural Nanaimo Jazz Festival; what […]

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The Art Lover’s 2-Day Getaway

August 28, 2018

Welcome to Nanaimo! Just steps from our stunning harbour is your home away from home – the Best Western Dorchester, a beautifully appointed historic building offering convenient and comfortable luxury. Check in and drop your bags, taking a moment to relax in your new surroundings. Day One Public Art in Maffeo Sutton Park Your first activity is a self-guided urban art crawl. Walk to Maffeo Sutton Park to view incredible displays of public art like Breaching Orca, a metal sculpture by artist Carl Sean McMahon made entirely of scrap metal and the newly installed Driftwood Nests by Samuel and Deryk […]

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Locals Know Nanaimo

July 31, 2018

Aaramë from the Nanaimo Art Gallery What is there to do on a rainy day in Nanaimo? Brave the rain and explore nature I’ve lived on the BC coast my whole life, so I’m not afraid of the rain. If it’s a big winter storm, it’s fun to go up to Bowen Park and see how high the river has come up or to go for a walk around Westwood Lake or Morell Nature Sanctuary. I love to bring my camera as there is always something interesting growing in the forest. The trees also usually provide a bit of shelter from […]

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Nanaimo Festival & Events 2018

July 18, 2018

We are more than just a place to live, but a place to have fun. Find out how Nanaimoites make a good time, and walk alongside the locals as they put together an array of unique and authentic experiences to celebrate what makes this corner of the world awesome!   The Story It all started in 1967 when former mayor of Nanaimo, Frank Ney, famously donned a pirate costume, raised his sword, and launched Nanaimo’s first annual Bathtub Race. “Tubbers” and visitors from around the world have been coming to Nanaimo for more than 40 years to take part in […]

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Nanaimo harbour fireworks

Bathtub Weekend 2018

July 16, 2018

July 20th-22nd It all started in 1967 when former mayor of Nanaimo, Frank Ney, famously donned a pirate costume, raised his sword, and launched Nanaimo’s first annual Bathtub Race. “Tubbers” and visitors from around the world have been coming to Nanaimo for more than 40 years to take part in this now world famous festival and race. This year’s Bathtub Festival — a part of the larger, month-long Marine Festival — takes place at Maffeo Sutton Park & Sway-a-Lana Lagoon on the weekend of July 20th to 22nd. The Scoop, Or “Bail Bucket” if You Prefer With a mix of […]

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The Nanaimo Dragon Boat Festival 2018

July 5, 2018

July 6, 7, & 8, 2018 Maffeo Sutton Park, 10 Comox Rd, Nanaimo, BC Also, check out The InFrinGinG Dance Festival happening the same weekend. This year’s 16th annual Nanaimo Dragon Boat Festival (July 6, 7, & 8, 2018) hosts 72 teams from Vancouver Island, Western Canada, and the USA. The event takes place at Maffeo Sutton Park on Nanaimo’s downtown waterfront. Dragon boat racing is an exhilarating sport to take part in or to watch, so you won’t want to miss it! There’s no better way to gain insightful information than talking with the experts, so we contacted Leslie Sutton, the […]

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The InFrinGinG Dance Festival 2018

July 4, 2018

JULY 5-8, 2018 Celebrate diversity through dance Also, check out The Nanaimo Dragon Boat Festival happening the same weekend. Showcasing an array of music and dance styles, the InFrinGinG Dance Festival brings together performers from across the world. The goal of this event is to allow artists to share a piece of their culture, whether authentically traditional or infused by their contemporary identities. For festival goers, this is an opportunity to explore and learn about different peoples in a fun and interactive way. This festival hosts various events: theatrical productions, interactive performances and workshops, a film-screening, and mass-choreographed public displays […]

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Hammond Bay Studio Tour 2018

May 17, 2018

Discover your 360° What Makes Art Beautiful? What makes a piece of art beautiful? This is a question often asked of artists and something that is hard to define. When we interviewed local painter and lead organizer of the Hammond Bay Studio Tour, Carla Stein, we asked this very question. Carla responded by stating that “beauty, as the saying goes, is in the eye of the beholder.” While Carla couldn’t say what makes art beautiful for everyone, she finds that skill and understanding of the materials an artist chooses to work with can greatly enhance the conceptualization of an artist’s […]

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Cold Weather Activities in Nanaimo

December 15, 2017

While we’re certainly not heralded as snow destination, Nanaimo does get its fair share of chillier days. If you’re travelling during the off season, you can reap all the benefits of areas being less crowded, a stunning fog that rolls over the city, and year-round hikes. The city’s weather is mild in comparison to other parts of Canada, but we still like to bundle up from time to time and hide away from the frost! Here are a few cold weather activities for your stay in #ExploreNanaimo. Shop Local Nanaimo’s downtown streets fan out from the center, the Bastion, with […]

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