Events
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Bastion Lighting Colours Red and Green from December 17 - January 1, 2026 for Christmas
Dec 22, 2025
Christmas in Canada is celebrated in much the same way as it is in other Western countries. As it is across the globe, December 25 is the official holiday in Canada, with many Canadians also taking time off on the afternoon of the 24th (Christmas Eve) as well as Boxing Day, which is celebrated on the 26th. -
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 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 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 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 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 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. -
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 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. -
Bastioni Lighting Colours Red, Blue, White, Greeen 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 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 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 Red from November 5-11, 2026 for Veterans' Week and Remembrance Day
Nov 5, 2026
A national observance leading up to Remembrance Day (November 11) dedicated to honouring all who served in the Canadian Armed Forces. November 8 specifically recognizes Indigenous Veterans. It's a time for Canadians to reflect on sacrifices past and present by those who served. Wear a poppy to remember. -
Bastion Lighting Colours Red and Green from December 22-January 1, 2027 for Christmas
Dec 22, 2026
Christmas is celebrated to commemorate the birth of Jesus Christ and observed on December 25 with a broader cultural holidays with traditions of gift-giving, feasting, decorating, and family gatherings, blending Christian faith with secular customs.
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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