Events
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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 Yellow and Blue on May 4, 2026 for Falun Dafa Day
May 4, 2026
Honours the public introduction of the Falun Dafa (or Falun Gong) spiritual practice in 1992 by Mr. Li Hongzhi. It emphasizes principles of Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance, with global celebrations, parades, and proclamations highlighting the practice's health benefits. -
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. -
Glow in the Dark Skate -May 6, 2026
May 6, 2026, 6:30 PM
Join us for Glow in the Dark Skates this spring and summer. Regular admission rates apply. -
Bastion Lighting Colour Red on May 2, 2026 for Thalassemia Awareness Day
May 8, 2026
World Thalassemia Day is to raise global awareness about the inherited blood disorder, honor patients, and encourage preventive measures like premarital screening. A genetic blood disorder that causes the body to produce insufficient or abnormal hemoglobin, leading to a low red blood cell count (anemia). -
Bastion Lighting Colours Blue and Pink on May 9, 2026 for World Preeclampsia Day
May 9, 2026
To raise global awareness about the serious pregnancy-related hypertensive disorder. It highlights the need for symptom recognition such as headaches, vision changes, and high blood pressure and to prevent mortality, affecting nearly 76,000 mothers and 500,000 babies. Preeclampsia is a serious, high blood pressure disorder that develops during pregnancy, typically after the 20th week or postpartum, characterized by high blood pressure. -
Bastion Lighting Colour Purple on May 10, 2026 for World Lupus Day
May 10, 2026
Lupus is a chronic autoimmune disease where the immune system mistakenly attacks the body's own healthy tissues and organs, causing inflammation and damage, commonly affecting joints, skin, kidneys, brain, heart, and lungs. It's characterized by unpredictable flares and remissions, with symptoms varying widely but often including fatigue, joint pain, fever, and a butterfly-shaped facial rash. While there's no cure, treatments focus on managing symptoms and reducing flare-ups. -
Family Fishing Day 2026
May 10, 2026, 10:00 AM
Celebrate BC's annual Family Fishing Weekend with us! *Learn to Fish *Musical Entertainment *Trout Release *Community Booths -
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 Colours Blue and Green on May 13, 14, and 15, 2026 for Hospice Palliative Care Month
May 13, 2026
National Hospice Palliative Care Week is a time to celebrate and highlight the incredible work being done to provide quality palliative care across the country. It is also a time to call for better access to quality hospice palliative care. -
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.
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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