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.
March 23: Vancouver International Film Festival at Vancouver Island University
April 3-5: Vancouver Island Chamber Music Festival
April 18-19: EarthFest: Creative Climate Solutions Showcase
May 17: Nanaimo Heritage Festival
May 30-31: Hammond Bay Studio Tour
June 4-August 29: Commercial Street Night Markets, every Thursday. runs every Thursday for 13-weeks from June 4 to August 29, from 5-9 pm. The area is closed off to traffic so visitors can shop the vendor booths and purchase everything from food to crafts. Live entertainment will also be staged at several points downtown, along with bouncy castles and climbing walls for the little ones.
June 6: 5km Foam Festival
June 14: Nanaimo Pride Festival
June 19-20: Preliminary Red Bull Pump Track Qualifier
June 21: National Indigenous Persons Day celebrations at Maffeo Sutton Park
July 1-November 23: Grow Nanaimo at the Nanaimo Museum
July 10-12: Dragon Boat Festival
July 19: Silly Boat Regatta
July 24-26: Marine Festival & World Championship Bathtub Race has been welcoming visitors for more than 40-years, to take part in this now world-famous festival and race. At the core of the bathtub festivities, Maffeo Sutton Park & Sway-a-Lana Lagoon will play host to vendors, arts & crafts, and a Kiddies Karnival, July 24-26.
August 7-15: Nanaimo Fringe Festival
August 13-16: Nanaimo Summertime Blues Festival
TBD: Red Bull Pump Track Championship Canadian Qualifier hosts this country’s best for a spot in the world qualifiers as Nanaimo hosts the Red Bull Pump Track World Championships. The Stevie Smith Bike Park will host the Canadian Qualifier in August (TBD) for the third year in a row.
TBD: Longwoodstock Beer & Music Festival
September 18-20: Nanaimo International Jazz Festival
October 10-12: Gabriola Thanksgiving Studio Tour
November 19-22: Kris Kringle Craft Market
TBD: Cedar Yellow Point Artisans Country Tour
December 5-6: Nanaimo Art Walk
TBD: Vancouver Island Market
"A lakeside retreat in an old growth forest in the middle of thriving Nanaimo " Use our local knowledge to enhance your visit to Vancouver Island and use Long Lake as your base for day tours to Island destinations.
Overlooking Bowen Park, this 2-storey budget motel is a 4-minute walk from the waterfront, a 15-minute walk from Downtown and 2 km from BC Ferries Departure Bay Terminal. Simple rooms have Internet access, TVs, minifridges, microwaves and coffeemaking facilities.
The Grand Hotel Nanaimo is located in the north-end of Nanaimo in British Columbia. We are a 72-room property featuring Traditional, Deluxe, Executive, and Honeymoon suites that offer the most modern technological amenities.
20 acres of rural hospitality. The comforts of home, nature's bounty, and fine Island country living.
2 bedrooms w/ ensuites, kitchen & living area with harbour views. Garden patio, laundry, parking. Private entrance. $95 - 1 bedroom or $160 for both.
Bluebird Motel is centrally located just 5 minutes away from many of Nanaimo's favourite spots such as Terminal Park shopping centre (McDonalds, Starbucks, Cobbs Bread, TD Bank, Burger Kings, etc), Departure Bay Ferry Terminal and Marina.
Open year round, Rondalyn Resort offers fun for the whole family! Full-service sites and charming camping cabins.
Stay at our non-smoking Ramada Nanaimo hotel to get the most out of your trip to Vancouver Island. Our Nanaimo hotel near Vancouver Island Conference Centre offers easy access to the BC ferry terminals and popular area attractions.
Days Inn Harbourview is centrally located in the city of Nanaimo on Vancouver Island.
Conveniently located near downtown Nanaimo, the Colonial Motel is within walking distance to the Departure Bay ferry terminal, Maffeo Sutton Park, and many other prime locations.
Luxury accommodation 1050 sq ft ~self catering Salish Suite, private entrance - or deliciously original Gourmet Fusions~ B&B. Both have private balcony views of the Sea, fine linens, spacious and immaculate bathrooms, and comfortable living space. Views of Departure Bay
UPSCALE, AFFORDABLE We promise to spoil you with welcome tapas, quality linens, chocolates on your pillow and sumptuous artful breakfasts. We are a close walk to the ocean, the bistro, and mid island. Enjoy the full upper floor of our home. Check us out on Trip Advisor
Make your day trips from the elegant, spectacular harbour view rooms and suites of the BEST WESTERN Dorchester located in Nanaimo's city centre.
Oceanfront camping on scenic Gabriola Island. Walking distance from the ferries and close to the village center. Kayaking rentals and tours run right out of the park!
Descanso Bay Regional Park is one of those undiscovered gems.
Getaway accommodations on an enchanting waterfront acreage. 12 spacious guestrooms plus a self contained cottage. Kiwi fruit grown here too. Gazebo in the vineyard, pets on approval, great for retreat groups, reunions, weddings. 20 minutes south of Nanaimo.
Visit Page's Resort & Marina on beautiful Gabriola Island and you will be welcomed to secluded, fully equipped seaside cottages, a pristine campground surrounded by forests and offering ocean views, and a full service marina providing quiet nightly moorage.
Located easy walking distance from Downtown Nanaimo, our motel offers rooms and suites with kitchenettes, air-conditioning, cable TV and free high-speed wi-fi. We're pet-friendly, have our own laundry facilities and tons of free parking right at your doorstep too.
Nanaimo’s Painted Turtle Guesthouse is an accommodation for travelers to Vancouver Island and Nanaimo, providing unrivaled amenities and a home-away-from-home whether you are staying for one night, a week or a month. We offer a variety of flexible accommodation options.
Nice Rooms - Great People When you stay at Travelodge Nanaimo you can look forward to excellent service, a comfy room and a price that will make you smile. Located only 2 minutes from the BC Ferries Departure Bay Terminal, and historic downtown Nanaimo.
Family-operated,centrally located, minutes from Departure Bay Ferry Terminal. One & two bedroom kitchenette units.
The Waterfront Suites and Marina offers residence-style accommodation for guests visiting Nanaimo for business, university studies or pleasure. Originally designed as bachelor suites, our rooms are very spacious and come equipped with full kitchens and private balconies
Spectacular Executive Oceanfront B & B at Rocky Point. Gourmet Breakfasts, private decks, hot tub overlooking the ocean, luxurious king beds. Enjoy our fireplaces, games room, cappuccino bar, flat screen tv & WiFi. There are extensive gardens, wildlife, sea lions.
This lovely 40 acre campground features 100 beautiful campsites, 52 of them fully serviced RV sites, that will remind you of the camping trips of your childhood. Venture out into the countryside, and enjoy the Vancouver Island Wilderness.
Located 2 blocks from the Old City center, Harbour Seawalk, and “The Great Canadian Casino” at Port Place Mall. 28 rooms with a variety of bed combinations. Air conditioned. One 2 bedroom family suite with full kitchen. Small pets welcome at no extra charge.
Located in the heart of North Nanaimo’s shopping district, the Best Western Northgate offers a warm friendly atmosphere with all the conveniences of a home away from home. Offering cleanliness and comfort in 72 newly renovated rooms.
Closest to BC Ferries Departure Bay! Dave and Marlene warmly welcome you to our spotless clean, comfy, 1 bedroom oceanview suites featuring a separate bedroom and full kitchens with full size stoves and ovens. We also offer cozy and economical studios.
Close to ferries, city centre, bus route, golf, bowling, bike trails, lake fishing and swimming, nature trails. Amenities incl. full/partial/unserviced hookups, wireless internet, games room, store, boat rentals, playground, hot showers and laundry facility.
Located in the heart of Nanaimo's Arts, Shopping & Harbourfront district, the Coast Bastion Hotel is Nanaimo’s premiere hotel and conference centre. Relax in Minnoz Steak & Seafood Restaurant and Lounge, and/or our onsite spa and salon.
Providing modern comforts and excellent service, just a short drive from the Nanaimo Airport and the Nanaimo Ferry Terminal. Ideally located off the Trans-Canada Highway, making it easy to explore the island has to offer!
The Marinaside Resort has the most luxurious hotel in Nanaimo. We have the largest hotel suites on Vancouver Island. Our Presidential suites are 700+- square feet, has a full hi-end kitchen (not kitchenette), complete with cooking wares.
VIU Residences provides comfortable, affordable and convenient accommodation including breakfast and Wi-Fi. Close to transportation hubs and sports facilities, we offer suites, apartments and dorms with kitchens and living space.
The Ecoforestry Institute Society (EIS) was founded in 1995 at Wildwood Ecoforest, and is dedicated to the principles and practices of ecoforestry. We have stewarded Wildwood Ecoforest since 2001 and now hold the property in trust on behalf of the public.
53 acres of forested waterfront, with 300 spacious sites and premium facilities. Multi award winning park. Minutes to town, in a world of its own!
Nanaimo’s best value motel! Total of 42 comfortable rooms Plenty of FREE parking Licensed Restaurant (Pier 97) on premises FREE Cable TV FREE in-room coffee/tea FREE in-room toiletries FREE in-room WiFi FREE wake-up calls Telephone and clock radio
You will be the only guests. Private entrance, a sitting area with your cold breakfast and a microwave. Separate bedroom with a queen size bed and fold out cote. A four piece ensuite. Fully fenced back yard with huge cedar trees. Most pets welcome.
We offer immaculate, spacious, and luxurious short-term accommodations to both Vancouver Island locals, and visitors alike. Our affordable rental homes are comfortable and fully furnished, providing all the necessities you would find in your own home.
The Inn on Long Lake is more than just a place to spend the night in our newly renovated guest rooms—your experience starts from the moment you step onto your own private balcony and let your gaze stretch across the tree-lined waters of Long Lake.
Value Lodge Motel is one of the largest motels located on Vancouver island. At our lodge we offer comfort at an affordable price.
Ken built WurHere B&B in 2007. There is the main house with 2 separate suites attached. Each suite is fully self-contained with a private entrance and a private deck area.
Your budget will think you skimped by finding a cheap hotel – but you’ll know better as you enjoy the comforts of this motel and the convenience of being in the centre of Nanaimo on Vancouver Island.
We have been offering guests a simply clean, quiet and comfortable accommodation with sea view since May 2015. There are two guest's rooms and a 450 square feet lounge in the guesthouse. All units have a private bathroom and views of the sea and garden.
The Best Western Dorchester Hotel is conveniently located right downtown near the bustling Nanaimo Harbour, offering excellent views, professional service, immaculate rooms and extensive hotel features for your enjoyment.
