Events
-
Bastion Lighting Colour Purple from February 1 - 7, 2026 for Eating Disorders Awareness Week (EDAW)
Feb 1, 2026
Eating Disorders Awareness Week (EDAW) is a national movement from February 1st to 7th each year, dedicated to raising awareness and fostering understanding about eating disorders while challenging the stigma and barriers that prevent access to care. Eating disorders affect people of all genders, sexual orientations, ages, socioeconomic classes, abilities, races, and ethnic backgrounds. That is why eating disorder groups across Canada unite to mark EDAW with a national week of action aimed at educating the public, highlighting available supports, and advocating for meaningful change. -
Bastion Lighting Colours Red and Pink on February 14, 2026 for Valentine's Day
Feb 14, 2026
Valentine's Day originated as a Christian feast day honouring a martyr named Valentine, and through later folk traditions it has also become a significant cultural, religious, and commercial celebration of romance and love in many regions of the world. -
Bastion Lighting Colour Gold on February 15, 2026 for International Childhood Cancer Day
Feb 15, 2026
International Childhood Cancer Day is a global collaborative campaign to raise awareness about childhood cancer, and to express support for children and adolescents with cancer, the survivors and their families. -
Bastion Lighting Colour Blue and Lime Green on February 27, 2026 for Rare Disease Day
Feb 27, 2026
The main objective of Rare Disease Day is to raise awareness amongst the general public and decision-makers about rare diseases and their impact on patients' lives. -
Bastion Lighting Colours Navy, Teal, and Yellow on February 28, 2026 for Coldest Night of the Year
Feb 28, 2026
Each year in February, tens of thousands of Canadians step outside the warmth and comfort of home to shine a light of welcome and compassion in their communities. Since 2011, the Coldest Night of the Year has raised over $75,000,000 across Canada in 190 Canadian communities. -
Bastion Lighting Colour Purple and Blue on March 1, 2026 for Autoimmune Awareness Month
Mar 1, 2026
March is Autoimmune Awareness Month, dedicated to increasing understanding, funding research, and supporting the over 50 million Americans—roughly 80% of whom are women—living with more than 100 different chronic autoimmune diseases. This observance highlights the need for better diagnostics, treatments, and awareness of conditions where the immune system attacks the body's own tissues. -
Bastion Lighting Colour Green on March 2 - 5, 2026 for Canadian Agriculture Literacy Month (CALM)
Mar 2, 2026
It's an opportunity to meet someone working in agriculture and learn how food is grown sustainably in our province. Organized by BC Agriculture in the Classroom Foundation, it features resources like "Spuds in Tubs" and guest speakers. The initiative aims to build a deeper understanding of the agricultural industry among students from Kindergarten to Grade 12. -
Bastion Lighting Colour Teal on March 6, 2026 for World Lymphedema Awareness Day
Mar 6, 2026
World Lymphedema Awareness Day (WLD) 2026 takes place on March 6, 2026, marking the 11th annual, global initiative to educate the public, improve care, and reduce stigma surrounding lymphatic diseases. As part of Lymphedema Awareness Month, this day features worldwide events—including webinars, social media campaigns, and educational initiatives -
Bastion Lighting Colour Teal on March 15, 2026 for International Long COVID Day
Mar 15, 2026
A day dedicated to raising awareness and amplifying the voices of millions who continue to suffer from the prolonged effects of COVID-19. For many, the acute phase of infection has passed, but the lingering symptoms persist, often in ways that disrupt daily life, work, and relationships. -
Bastion Lighting Colour Green on March 17, 2026 for St. Patrick's Day
Mar 17, 2026
An annual observance on the same date each year, commemorating the death of Ireland's patron saint, Saint Patrick. Celebrations involve wearing green, shamrocks, parades, Irish music, and good, with festivities occurring worldwide,, particularly in places with large Irish populations. -
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. -
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. -
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 Purple on May 12, 2026 for Fibromyalgia Awareness Day
May 12, 2026
An international day dedicated to raising awareness about fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, and related conditions, focusing on education, reducing stigma, and advocating for research and support through activities, purple ribbons and community events. -
Bastion Lighting Colour Green on May 16, 2026 for Celiac Awareness Day
May 16, 2026
Celiac disease is a serious, hereditary autoimmune disorder where ingesting gluten—a protein found in wheat, barley, and rye—triggers the immune system to attack and damage the lining of the small intestine. This damage hinders nutrient absorption, leading to symptoms like diarrhea, abdominal pain, and weight loss. The only treatment is a strict, lifelong gluten-free diet. -
Bastion Lighting Colour Purple on May 17, 2026 for Global Porphyria Day
May 17, 2026
A worldwide event to raise awareness for porphyria, encouraging everyone to wear purple. Porphyria is a rare hereditary disease in which the blood pigment hemoglobin is abnormally metabolized.
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
Give feedback on accessibility. Submit your feedback through our online accessibility feedback form. Help us understand barriers people face when accessing City services.
You can attach files to help explain the barrier you faced in the form, like: a video, voice recording or photos. If American Sign Language (ASL) is the best way for you to communicate, upload a video of yourself using ASL into the form.
Please include: what you were trying to access, where the barrier happened, what the barrier was and any recommendations you might have.
Help us improve our website
Important Information About Privacy
Information collected on this form is done so under the general authority of the Community Charter and Freedom of Information and Privacy Protection Act (FOIPPA), and is protected in accordance with FOIPPA. Personal information will only be used by authorized staff to fulfill the purpose for which it was originally collected, or for a use consistent with that purpose.
For further information regarding the collection, use, or disclosure of personal information, please contact the Legislative Services Office at 250-755-4405 or at foi@nanaimo.ca