Events
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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 Green 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 Colour Blue on July 25, 2026 for World Drowning Prevention Day
Jul 25, 2026
World Drowning Prevention Day is a global advocacy event held annually on July 25 to raise awareness about the devastating impact of drowning and promote life-saving prevention solutions. Declared by the United Nations, it highlights a public health issue that claims hundreds of thousands of lives every year. -
Bastion Lighting Colours Red, Blue, White, Green 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. -
Bastion Lighting Colour Orange on August 4 & 5, 2026 for Autoinflammatory Disease Awareness Month
Aug 4, 2026
First established in 2015, the month aims to raise global awareness for rare, often-genetic conditions that cause the innate immune system to trigger painful, recurring episodes of inflammation. -
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. -
Bastion Lighting Colours Pink and Yellow on August 7, 2026 for World PVNH Awareness Day
Aug 7, 2026
Periventricular Nodular Heterotopia (PVNH) is a congenital brain malformation where neurons (grey matter) fail to migrate to the brain's outer surface during fetal development, instead forming abnormal clumps (nodules) around the fluid-filled cavities (ventricles) inside the brain. August 7 is observed annually to bring support and awareness to this rare disorder with the hope of one day finding a cure. -
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 Gold from September 1 - 4, 2026 for Childhood Cancer Awareness Month
Sep 1, 2026
Childhood Cancer Awareness Month is observed globally every September to honor young patients, support families, and fund vital pediatric cancer research. The international symbol of the movement is the gold ribbon, and supporters across North America frequently "go gold" to raise awareness. -
Bastion Lighting Colour Red on September 9, 2026 for Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) Awareness Day
Sep 9, 2026
Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) is a lifelong disability caused by prenatal alcohol exposure, affecting the brain and body. It is a "hidden disability," meaning most individuals have no outward physical signs. Symptoms vary widely but typically include challenges with learning, memory, emotional regulation, and communication. September 9th is International Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) Day. Recognized globally on the 9th day of the 9th month, the date symbolizes the importance of an alcohol-free pregnancy for the full nine months. -
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. -
Bastion Lighting Colour Orange on September 30, 2026 for National Day of Truth and Reconciliation
Sep 30, 2026
To honour Residential School survivors, their families, and the children who never returned home. To remember the nearly 150,000 Indigenous children forced into residential schools starting in 1920 and to promote reconciliation. -
Bastion Lighting Colour Green on October 9, 2026 for Inflamed Brain Alliance PANS/PANDAS
Oct 9, 2026
October 9 is World PANS PANDAS Awareness Day. Led by the Inflamed Brain Alliance (IBA) and global partners, this day highlights PANS (Pediatric Acute-onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome) and PANDAS (Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorder Associated with Streptococcus). These conditions cause sudden-onset brain inflammation and psychiatric symptoms (such as OCD and anxiety) triggered by infections. -
Bastion Lighting Colours Red, Brown, Yellow, and Orange on October 12, 2026 for Thanksgiving Day
Oct 12, 2026
Canadian Thanksgiving is a harvest festival on the second Monday in October, focused on giving thanks for blessings and the season's bountiful harvest, celebrated with family, friends, and a traditional turkey dinner. -
Bastion Lighting Colour Orange on October 31, 2026 for Halloween
Oct 31, 2026
A festive event with ancient Celtic roots (Samhain) marking the end of harvest and blurring lines between worlds, evolving with Christian observances (All Hallows' Eve) and modern traditions like trick-or-treating, costumes, pumpkin carving (jack-o'-lanterns), and spooky themes, making it a blend of pagan, religious, and secular fun worldwide. -
Bastion Lighting Colour Teal on November 2, 2026 for Alzheimer's Awareness
Nov 2, 2026
To educate the public, reduce stigma and support those living with dementia. Highlighting the immense responsibility of caregivers and providing resources for them. Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive, irreversible brain disorder that slowly destroys memory, thinking skills, and eventually the ability to perform simple tasks. As the most common cause of dementia (60-80% of cases), it involves abnormal protein buildup in the brain—amyloid plaques and tau tangles—causing nerve cells to die
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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