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 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. -
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. -
Glow in the Dark Skate - May 17, 2026
May 17, 2026, 3:00 PM
Join us for Glow in the Dark Skates this spring and summer. Regular admission rates apply. -
Bastion Lighting Colours Red and White on May 18, 2026 for Victoria Day
May 18, 2026
Victoria Day is a federal Canadian public holiday observed to honour and celebrate Queen Victoria (she reigned from 1837-1901) on her birthday. This holiday was declared by the Canadian government in 1845. -
Bastion Lighting Colours Orange and Blue on May 19, 2026 for Brain Tumour Awareness Month
May 19, 2026
Brain Tumour Awareness Month is dedicated to increasing awareness, advancing research, and supporting everyone affected by brain tumours. It is an opportunity to unite as a collective force, raise our voices, and create positive change. -
Bastion Lighting Colours Blue and Purple on May 20, 2026 for Huntington Disease Awareness
May 20, 2026
Huntington's disease is a rare, inherited neurodegenerative disorder that causes progressive breakdown of nerve cells in the brain, impacting movement, cognition, and mental health. It typically emerges in adults aged 30 to 50, causing involuntary movements (chorea), dementia, and emotional changes. It is fatal, usually over a 10-25 year period. -
Basting Lighting Colours Grey, Teal, and Yellow on May 21, 2026 for Brain Cancer Awareness
May 21, 2026
Brain cancer is a, often rapid, growth of abnormal cells in the brain that form a malignant tumor, invading healthy tissue and increasing pressure within the skull. It can be primary (starting in the brain) or metastatic (spreading from elsewhere, like the lungs or breasts). Symptoms include sudden headaches, seizures, vision changes, and personality shifts. Brain Cancer Awareness highlights the impact of brain tumours, fund research for cures, and support to patients. -
Bastion Lighting Colour Teal on May 22, 2026 for Food Allergy Awareness
May 22, 2026
Food allergy is one of the leading causes of potentially life-threatening anaphylactic reactions and a public health concern in Canada, especially among children. Over 3 million Canadians are affected by food allergy, that’s 7.5% of the population. The impact of food allergy is far greater, with an estimated 50% of households being either directly or indirectly affected by food allergy. That means 1-in-2 Canadian households are impacted by food allergy. As there is no way of predicting how severe an allergic reaction may be and no known cure for food allergy, avoiding the allergenic food is required to prevent a reaction. -
Bastion Lighting Colour Purple on May 24, 2026 for Schizophrenia and Psychosis Awareness Day
May 24, 2026
To educate the public about schizophrenia and psychosis, which involve symptoms like hallucinations, delusions, and disorganized thinking. To fight stigma, promote understanding, and support those affected by these, and similar, severe mental health conditions. Highlighting that recovery is possible with early treatment, -
Bastion Lighting Colour Red on May 28, 2026 for World Menstrual Health Day
May 28, 2026
This annual awareness day to highlight the importance of good menstrual hygiene management . Why May 28? Because 28 represents the average length of a menstrual cycle. 5 (May is the 5th month) represents the average number of period days. -
Bastion Lighting Colour Red on May 29, 2026 for World MS Day
May 29, 2026
A day of global solidarity, collective action and hope World MS Day takes place on 30 May every year. Raising awareness with everyone affected by multiple sclerosis (MS). Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic, often disabling autoimmune disease of the central nervous system (brain, spinal cord, and optic nerves) where the immune system mistakenly attacks the protective myelin sheath surrounding nerves, disrupting signal transmission. This damage creates scar tissue, causing unpredictable symptoms ranging from numbness and walking difficulty to vision loss and fatigue. -
Bastion Lighting Colour Dark Blue, Light Blue, and Yellow on May 30, 2026 for National Defeat Depression Campaign
May 30, 2026
The campaign brings together friends, family, and communities to support mental health awareness, dismantle stigma, and ensure no one faces mental illness alone. Raising awareness for mental health, specifically focusing on depression, anxiety, and other mood disorders. Aiming to reduce stigma, support community mental health programs. -
Bastion Light Colours Blue, Green and Orange on May 31, 2026 for BC Wild Salmon Day
May 31, 2026
BC Wild Salmon Day is celebrated annually to recognize the vital cultural, ecological, and economic role of wild salmon in British Columbia. First proclaimed in 2019, this day focuses on raising awareness of the threats facing salmon such as habitat loss and encouraging stewardship to support their recovery, often marked by community events and lighting up landmarks. -
Glow in the Dark Skate - June 3, 2026
Jun 3, 2026, 6:30 PM
Join us for Glow in the Dark Skates this spring and summer. Regular admission rates apply. -
Bastion Lighting Colour Purple on June 6, 2026 for Migraine Awareness
Jun 6, 2026
Migraines are a chronic neurological disease characterized by recurrent, moderate-to-severe, throbbing, or pulsating headaches, usually on one side of the head. Lasting 4 to 72 hours, they are often accompanied by nausea, vomiting, and extreme sensitivity to light and sound. Attacks may be preceded by an "aura" (visual disturbances) and triggered by stress, hormones, or sensory stimuli. June is Migraine Awareness Month, a good time to highlight the impact of migraines and support those who suffer from them, especially the youngest among us -
Bastion Lighting Colour Purple on June 7, 2026 for ALS Awareness
Jun 7, 2026
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), or Lou Gehrig's disease, is a progressive, fatal neurodegenerative disease that destroys motor neurons in the brain and spinal cord, causing muscles to waste away and lose function. It results in loss of voluntary muscle control, leading to paralysis, difficulty speaking, swallowing, and breathing, typically within 2-5 years of diagnosis. There is no cure, but treatments exist to manage symptoms. -
Bastion Lighting Colour Blue on June 8, 2026 for Deafblind Awareness Month
Jun 8, 2026
Deafblind Awareness Month is designed to help Canadians develop an understanding of, and a comfort with, the people in their communities who are Deafblind. Each June, people who are Deafblind, service providers, and supporters come together to ‘Make a Wave from Coast to Coast’, with a passion to make a difference and raise awareness.
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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