Category: What’s On

Nanaimo Festivals & Events 2020

July 18, 2019

The Nanaimo events calendar is full of fun and unique activities throughout the year. Experience art, heritage, culture, and the flavours of local cuisine while you’re in town. From our world-famous bathtub races in July, to tasting your way along the Nanaimo Bar Trail at any-time of year, attending the craft beer and music festival of Longwoodstock in September, or stepping into history at the museum or attending a variety of other exciting festivals – we invite you to discover what makes Nanaimo so unique.   Annual & Ongoing Events The Nanaimo Museum hosts a variety of events throughout the […]

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Nanaimo harbour fireworks

Nanaimo Grape Escape – Vancouver Island’s Wine Festival

October 15, 2018

Can you tell us about the wine festival? Nanaimo Grape Escape is taking place at The Grand Hotel Nanaimo on Friday October 26 from 7pm-10pm. The Nanaimo Wine Festival has been around for over 20 years, but this year we have a whole new venue and event. There will be 200 different wines to sample and Chef Ian Ter Veer is preparing the food. You can experience live music, while sampling wines from around the world. What can visitors expect? The opportunity to sample 200 different wines from around the world, including wines local to British Columbia. This event also […]

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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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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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Commercial Street Summer Night Markets 2019

July 12, 2018

June 20 – August 29   Taking place over eleven consecutive weeks, from June 21st to August 30th, The Commercial Street Night Market makes for an amazing downtown Nanaimo experience. Between 5pm and 9pm on Thursday evenings, Commercial Street, the city’s ‘main street’, will be closed to vehicle traffic to allow pedestrians to enjoy 100+ vendors, local merchants, booths, exhibits, and tents. Food trucks will be parked along the street for a tasty and convenient bite. Many permanent downtown businesses, sidewalk cafes, art stores, and clothing shops, etc., will be joining in on the fun by extending their hours until […]

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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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A Cold Front Has Hit Nanaimo

June 14, 2018

Discover your 360° Cold Front Gelato 306-60 Commercial St., Nanaimo, BC The Word on The Street A cold front arrived in Nanaimo early May 2018 and it looks like it’s here to stay. Sunny Parsons, a gelato aficionado and businesswoman, has opened up shop on the lower block of Commercial St. in the downtown district of Nanaimo. One month in and her business is already the buzz of the town – apparently even in the construction yard, said one source. “You have to try out the new gelato shop downtown,” said a burly man, sitting on a pile of 2×4’s […]

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Meet the Nanaimoites who emulate nature

February 20, 2018

Guest blog post by Mei Dunlop When I moved from the mainland to Nanaimo 4 years ago, I had no idea how creative and inspiring the people around me were. My husband and I had no relatives, no close friends or anyone else we could connect with in Nanaimo. Lucky for us, we are pioneers of our own lives and we needed our own space to experience and get away from the busy and growing economy on the mainland. Within a few short months, I discovered a social culture that nurtures creativity, sustainability and island living. People here care for […]

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Get into a Merry Christmas mood at the Kris Kringle Craft Fair

October 26, 2017

It’s easy to get into the merry spirit of the Christmas season when the Kris Kringle Craft Market gets underway in Nanaimo. There are plenty of reasons why more than 12,000 people from around Vancouver Island head to Beban Park to attend the four-day event, held this year from Nov. 16 to 19. If the twinkling lights, festive décor and the smell of gingerbread don’t put you in the Christmas spirit, the buzz of dozens of activities each day surely will. More than 150 artisan vendors will be selling goods such as hand-crafted soaps, unique jewelry, wooden toys and woolen […]

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