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Events

  • Bastion Lighting Colour Blue on February 22, 2026 for Human Trafficking Awareness Day

    Feb 22, 2026

    Human Trafficking Awareness Day in Canada has been observed since February 22, 2021, when it was declared by the Canadian government as part of their commitment to fighting human trafficking. Every year, February 22 is a day to encourage Canadians to “raise awareness of the magnitude of modern day slavery in Canada and abroad and to take steps to combat human trafficking.” In Canada, the most common form of human trafficking is sexual exploitation. Sexual exploitation involves a person profiting from the use of another person’s body in a sexual manner to benefit financially or otherwise. Sexual exploitation makes up 50% of human trafficking worldwide and over 70% of the human trafficking in Canada.

  • 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 and Blue from March 19 - 23, 2026 for World Down Syndrome Day

    Mar 18, 2026

    World Down Syndrome Day (WDSD) is observed in Canada and globally on Saturday, March 21, 2026, with the theme "Together Against Loneliness". The day focuses on promoting inclusion, combating social isolation, and encouraging the public to wear, bright, mismatched colours. Down syndrome is a genetic condition caused by the presence of an extra copy of chromosome 21 (Trisomy 21), resulting in 47 chromosomes instead of the typical 46. This extra genetic material alters development, causing mild-to-moderate intellectual disabilities, developmental delays, and characteristic physical features. While it is a lifelong condition, individuals can live healthy, active lives with support.

  • Bastion Lighting Colour Red on March 24, 2026 for World Tuberculosis Day

    Mar 24, 2026

    Tuberculosis (TB) is a serious, treatable bacterial infection, usually of the lungs, caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis. It spreads through the air when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or speaks, but most infections are latent (inactive), meaning the bacteria are present but don't cause symptoms and can't spread, while active TB causes illness, symptoms (like chronic cough, fever, weight loss), and can be contagious. While preventable and curable with long-term antibiotics, it remains a major global health concern. The date marks the day in 1882 when Dr. Robert Koch announced that he had discovered the bacterium that causes TB, which opened the way towards diagnosing and curing this disease.

  • 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.

  • 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 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, 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.

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!

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