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Events

  • Lions FREE Swim 2026

    Apr 11, 2026, 12:30 PM

    The City of Nanaimo Parks & Recreation, Lions Club of Nanaimo, Country Grocer and many other community sponsors are proud to present the Lions Free Swims. Held Saturdays, April 11-June 27, 12:30-2 pm at Beban Park Pool.

  • Bastion Lighting Colour Purple on June 6, 2026 for  Migraine Awareness

    Jun 6, 2026

    Migraines are a chronic neurological disease characterized by recurrent, moderate-to-severe, throbbing, or pulsating headaches, usually on one side of the head. Lasting 4 to 72 hours, they are often accompanied by nausea, vomiting, and extreme sensitivity to light and sound. Attacks may be preceded by an "aura" (visual disturbances) and triggered by stress, hormones, or sensory stimuli. June is Migraine Awareness Month, a good time to highlight the impact of migraines and support those who suffer from them, especially the youngest among us

  • Bastion Lighting Colour Purple on June 7, 2026 for ALS Awareness

    Jun 7, 2026

    Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), or Lou Gehrig's disease, is a progressive, fatal neurodegenerative disease that destroys motor neurons in the brain and spinal cord, causing muscles to waste away and lose function. It results in loss of voluntary muscle control, leading to paralysis, difficulty speaking, swallowing, and breathing, typically within 2-5 years of diagnosis. There is no cure, but treatments exist to manage symptoms.

  • Bastion Lighting Colour Blue on June 8, 2026 for Deafblind Awareness Month

    Jun 8, 2026

    Deafblind Awareness Month is designed to help Canadians develop an understanding of, and a comfort with, the people in their communities who are Deafblind. Each June, people who are Deafblind, service providers, and supporters come together to ‘Make a Wave from Coast to Coast’, with a passion to make a difference and raise awareness.

  • Flag Raising Ceremony at City Hall Tuesday, June 9, 2026 from 5-7 pm for Pride Week with the Inclusive Pride and Transgender Flags Raised.

    Jun 9, 2026

    This annual tradition marks the official start of Pride Week with a short, meaningful ceremony that brings together local leaders, community members, and chosen family to celebrate resilience, visibility, and queer joy. There will be community information booths, face painting, food and drunk vendors with live DJ and Drag Story Time with PJ Smudge. Everyone welcome! Nanaimo City Hall, 455 Wallace Street, Upper Parking Lot on the corner of Franklyn Street and Dunsmuir Street.

  • Bastion Lighting Colour Purple on June 11, 2026 for Lipedema Awareness Day

    Jun 11, 2026

    Dedicated to educating the public and medical professionals about a chronic, often misdiagnosed, painful fat disorder affecting mostly women. It aims to reduce stigma, promote early diagnosis, and to support research.

  • Bastion Lighting Colour Purple on June 15 for World Elder Abuse Awareness Day

    Jun 15, 2026

    World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD), marked annually on June 15, is an official United Nations observance dedicated to raising awareness about the abuse, neglect, and exploitation of older adults. Initiated in 2006, it promotes dignity, rights, and community action to protect seniors, recognizing that elder abuse is a critical global public health and human rights issue.

  • Bastion Lighting Colour Green on June 19, 2026 for World Kidney Cancer Day

    Jun 19, 2026

    Kidney cancer is a disease where kidney cells mutate, growing uncontrollably to form a tumor, most commonly starting in the filtering tubules (Renal Cell Carcinoma). It often develops in one kidney but can spread (metastasize) to lungs, bones, or liver. While often asymptomatic early, symptoms can include blood in urine, back/side pain, and weight loss.

  • Bastion Lighting Colour Purple on June 21, 2026 for Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) Awareness Day

    Jun 21, 2026

    A progressive, terminal neurodegenerative disease that destroys motor neurons in the brain and spinal cord. It causes muscles to waste away, leading to loss of voluntary movement, speech, swallowing, and breathing, with an average survival of 3–5 years.

  • Glow in the Dark Skate - June 21, 2026

    Jun 21, 2026, 3:00 PM

    Join us for Glow in the Dark Skates this spring and summer. Regular admission rates apply.

  • Bastion Lighting Colours Red and White on July 1, 2026 for Canada Day

    Jul 1, 2026

    July 1 commemorates the anniversary of Canadian Confederation in 1867, when the British North America Act united the colonies (New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Quebec, and Ontario) into the single Dominion of Canada. It's a national holiday for Canadians to celebrate our history, diversity, culture, and achievements through events, reflecting on what it means to be Canadian.

  • Bastion Lighting Colour Gree on July 6, 2026 for Canadian Injury Prevention Day

    Jul 6, 2026

    An annual awareness day dedicated to reducing preventable, serious injuries across Canada. Led by Parachute, a national charity, it highlights that injuries are the leading cause of death for Canadians aged 1 to 44. To educate Canadians on how to prevent injuries at home, at play, and on the road.

  • Glow in the Dark Skate - July 8, 2026

    Jul 8, 2026, 6:30 PM

    Join us for Glow in the Dark Skates this spring and summer. Regular admission rates apply.

  • Glow in the Dark Skate - July 19, 2026

    Jul 19, 2026, 3:00 PM

    Join us for Glow in the Dark Skates this spring and summer. Regular admission rates apply.

  • Bastion Lighting Colours Red, Blue, White, Greeen and Gold on August 3, 2026 for BC Day

    Aug 3, 2026

    Created in 1974 (the first Monday in August) to honour the province's heritage, culture, and pioneers. It's a statutory holiday in BC for families to enjoy the summer with festivals, travel, and community events, recognizing our diverse history.

  • Glow in the Dark Skate - August 5, 2026

    Aug 5, 2026, 6:30 PM

    Join us for Glow in the Dark Skates this spring and summer. Regular admission rates apply.

  • Glow in the Dark Skate - August 16, 2026

    Aug 16, 2026, 3:00 PM

    Join us for Glow in the Dark Skates this spring and summer. Regular admission rates apply.

  • Bastion Lighting Colour Pink on September 13, 2026 for World Sepsis Day

    Sep 13, 2026

    World Sepsis Day, held annually on September 13th, is a global initiative to raise awareness of sepsis, a life-threatening, often preventable, reaction to infection. Established in 2012 by the Global Sepsis Alliance, it aims to reduce the estimated 11 million annual sepsis deaths through education, improved prevention, and faster treatment

  • Bastion Lighting Colour Blue on September 14, 15, 16, 17, and 18, 2026 for Prostate Cancer Awareness

    Sep 14, 2026

    September is Prostate Cancer Awareness Month in Canada, dedicated to raising awareness for the most commonly diagnosed cancer in Canadian men. With 1 in 8 men expected to face a diagnosis in their lifetime, the month emphasizes early detection, research funding, and support.

  • Bastion Lighting Colour Green September 19th for Mitochondrial Disease Awareness Month

    Sep 19, 2026

    On September 19th, the Nanaimo Bastion will be coloured green for Light Up For Mito, alongside dozens of countries worldwide. MitoCanada will be lighting up as many national landmarks as possible in bright green to raise awareness for Mitochondrial Disease Awareness Month.

Special Events

The City of Nanaimo hosts special events year round, so check back here often or join us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter as we are always adding more!

Hosting a Special Event in a City of Nanaimo Park?

Do you have plans to host an event in one of Nanaimo's Parks?

If you are looking for community events happening in and around Nanaimo, visit www.tourismnanaimo.com and view the events page.

Clubs and Organizations in Nanaimo

The City of Nanaimo is home to several clubs and organizations. From arts, social, sports or community, check out this Clubs and Organization Listing and see how you can get involved! Email parksandrecreation@nanaimo.ca to add your non profit group to this list or to update your organization information.

Bastion Lighting Events

Do you have a cause or organization and would like to have a Bastion lighting event? Visit our Bastion Lighting Requests page to get details on how to qualify and request the Bastion be lit for you!

Last updated: June 11, 2025

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