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Events

  • Bastion Lighting Colour Purple on March 26, 2026 for Epilepsy Awareness

    Mar 26, 2026

    Epilepsy awareness focuses on educating the public to dispel myths, reduce stigma, and improve safety for the 1 in 100 people living with the neurological disorder. Epilepsy is a chronic neurological disorder characterized by recurrent, unprovoked seizures caused by sudden, excessive electrical discharges in the brain. It is generally diagnosed after two or more, unprovoked seizures. Symptoms vary widely from brief staring spells to convulsions, and while no cure exists, it is often managed with medication, diet, or surgery.

  • Bastion Lighting Colour Red from March 27 - 30, 2026 for Multiple Myeloma Awareness Month

    Mar 27, 2026

    Multiple myeloma is a rare, generally incurable blood cancer that develops in the bone marrow, where cancerous plasma cells multiply uncontrollably. These cells crowd out healthy blood cells, create harmful M proteins that damage kidneys, and trigger bone destruction. Key symptoms include bone pain, infections, fatigue, and anemia.

  • Bastion Lighting Colours Blue, Pink, White on March 31, 2026 for Transgender Day of Visibility

    Mar 31, 2026

    International Transgender Day of Visibility (TDOV) is celebrated annually on March 31 to honor the achievements and contributions of transgender and non-binary people worldwide. Founded in 2009 by Rachel Crandall, it raises awareness against discrimination while celebrating the lives of trans individuals.

  • Glow in the Dark Skate - April 1, 2026

    Apr 1, 2026, 6:30 PM

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

  • Bastion Lighting Colours Yellow, Green, Pink, Orange, Blue, and Purple from April 3-6, 2026 for Easter

    Apr 3, 2026

    Easter is primarily a Christian holiday celebrating the Resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, marking his triumph over sin and death and offering hope for salvation, preceded by Lent and Holy Week, but it also incorporates older pagan traditions symbolizing spring, new life, and fertility, like eggs and bunnies, creating a blend of religious and secular celebrations. Good Friday (mourning the Crucifixion) and Easter Sunday (celebrating the Resurrection).

  • Bastion Lighting Colour Green on April 7, 2026 in Honour of the Legacy for Logan Boulet (Green Shirt Day) and Those Injured or Killed in the Humboldt Broncos Hockey Team Bus Crash of 2018

    Apr 7, 2026

    April 7 is Green Shirt Day, a day to honour all the victims of the Humboldt Broncos bus crash and their families. It is also a day to continue the legacy of Logan Boulet — a Broncos player whose example has inspired thousands of Canadians to both register as organ and tissue donors. On April 6, 2018, 16 people were killed and 13 were injured when a northbound coach bus (most of the deceased and injured were players from the Humboldt Broncos Junior Ice Hockey team) which struck a westbound semi-trailer truck that had failed to stop at a stop sign.

  • Bastion Lighting Colour Purple on April 8 and 10 for National Dental Hygienist Week

    Apr 8, 2026, 4:00 PM

    Bring awareness and appreciating hygienists and promoting preventative oral care, coinciding with April being Oral Health Month in some regions. The Canadian Dental Hygienists Association (CDHA) sponsors NDHW annually from April 4–10, highlighting the theme "Oral Health for Total Health," but some sources place the US celebration around the second full week of April.

  • Bastion Lighting Colours Green, Grey, Blue, and Red on April 9, 2026 for Vimy Ridge Day

    Apr 9, 2026

    Remembering the bravery and sacrifice of the Canadian soldiers who fought in the Battle of Vimy Ridge, a pivotal moment in Canadian history. The battle, which took place from April 9 to 12, 1917, marked Canada's first major military victory during World War I

  • Bastion Lighting Colour Blue on April 11, 2026 for World Parkinson's Day

    Apr 11, 2026

    World Parkinson's Day, observed annually on April 11th (Dr. James Parkinson's birthday), aims to raise global awareness, reduce stigma, and accelerate research for the world's fastest-growing neurological disease. It brings together the Parkinson's community to advocate for better care and a cure for over 10 million people. Raising awareness, supporting patients/caregivers, and advocating for research for better treatments.

  • 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 Light Colour Purple from April 12 - 16, 20-26 for Lab Week

    Apr 12, 2026

    National Medical Laboratory Week (often shortened to Lab Week) in Canada is an annual event held in April to celebrate and raise awareness of medical laboratory professionals, including technologists and assistants. It highlights their crucial role in patient care, diagnostics, and the healthcare system.

  • Bastion Lighting Colour Red on April 17, 2026 for World Hemophilia Day

    Apr 17, 2026

    Hemophilia is a rare, usually inherited bleeding disorder where blood does not clot properly due to low levels of, or missing, clotting proteins (Factor VIII or IX). It causes prolonged bleeding after injury, surgery, or sometimes spontaneously into joints, muscles, or organs. It primarily affects males, with treatment involving regular,, or as-needed, intravenous infusions of the missing factor.

  • Bastion Lighting Colours Blue and Red on April 18, 2026 for Emergency Service Dispatchers and 9-1-1 Awareness

    Apr 18, 2026

    Highlighting the crucial role of emergency communicators, or "the heroes behind the headsets". These professionals are the first point of contact for police, fire, and ambulance, managing, under pressure, over 5,700 calls daily.

  • Bastion Lighting Colours Blue, Pink, and Yellow on April 19, 2026 for Global Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia Awareness Day

    Apr 19, 2026

    April is International Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia (CDH) Awareness Month, with April 19th recognized globally as CDH Awareness Day to highlight a, often unknown, birth defect affecting 1 in 2,500 babies. Organizations like CDH International promote research and support for families.

  • Glow in the Dark Skate - April 19, 2026

    Apr 19, 2026, 3:00 PM

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

  • Bastion Lighting Colour Green on April 23, 2026 for Canadian Fertility Awareness Week (CFAW)

    Apr 23, 2026

    A national campaign dedicated to breaking the stigma around reproductive health, sharing stories, and advocating for equitable access to fertility care for the 1 in 6 Canadian facing infertility. The week aims to educate the public on fertility issues, support those experiencing loss, and urge policy changes for better, more affordable, and accessible fertility treatments across Canada.

  • Bastion Lighting Colour Yellow on May 1, 2026 for Environmental Sensitivities/Multiple Chemical Sensitivity (ES/MCS) Awareness

    May 1, 2026

    May is Multiple Chemical Sensitivity (MCS) Awareness Month, with dedicated focus often on May 1st and May 12th to educate the public on environmental sensitivities. MCS is a chronic, often disabling physical condition causing severe reactions to low levels of chemicals like fragrances, pesticides, and solvents. It is recognized as a disability, affecting over 1.1 million Canadians.

  • Bastion Lighting Colour Blue for May 2 & 3, 2026 for GBS/CIDP Awareness

    May 2, 2026

    GBS/CIDP Awareness focuses on educating the public about Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) and Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy (CIDP). These are rare, potentially paralyzing, and catastrophic, autoimmune disorders of the peripheral nerves. Awareness efforts aim to improve early diagnosis, encourage support for patients facing long-term, unpredictable recoveries, and promote research for cures. To campaign aims to educate the public, increase medical knowledge for faster diagnosis, and support patients and families through the GBS/CIDP Foundation of Canada.

  • Bastion Lighting Colours Red, White, Orange on May 5, 2026 for Dutch Heritage Day

    May 5, 2026

    Dutch Heritage Day is observed in Canada annually on May 5 to honor the liberation of the Netherlands by Canadian forces in 1945 and to celebrate the contributions of over one million Canadians of Dutch descent. Proclaimed in 2019, it coincides with the Dutch Liberation Day, often featuring celebrations of cultural bonds and the lighting of landmarks in orange

  • Bastion Lighting Colours Red and Yellow on May 6 & 7, 2026 for Bladder Cancer Awareness Month

    May 6, 2026

    Highlighting symptoms, risk factors, and patient stories for this common, often overlooked disease. Early detection is crucial, as survival rates can reach 90% when diagnosed early. Bladder cancer is the 5th most common cancer in Canada, with over 80,000 Canadians currently living with the disease. Approximately 37 Canadians are diagnosed each day, meaning over 13,400 will be diagnosed this year alone.

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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