Events

  • Lions FREE Swim 2025

    Jun 7, 2025, 1:00 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 5-June 28, 1-2:30 pm at Nanaimo Aquatic Centre (no sessions on Apr 26, May 17, May 24 & Jun 21).
  • Lions FREE Swim 2025

    Jun 14, 2025, 1:00 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 5-June 28, 1-2:30 pm at Nanaimo Aquatic Centre (no sessions on Apr 26, May 17, May 24 & Jun 21).
  • Bastion Lighting Colour Purple on June 16, 2025 for World Elder Abuse Awareness Day

    Jun 16, 2025

    The purpose of WEAAD is to provide an opportunity for communities around the world to promote a better understanding of abuse and neglect of older persons by raising awareness of the cultural, social, economic and demographic processes affecting elder abuse and neglect.
  • Bastion Lighting Colour Lime Green on June 17, 2025 for CDLK5 Awareness Day

    Jun 17, 2025

    International CDKL5 Day is celebrated on June 17th. It's a day to recognize CDKL5 deficiency disorder (CDD), a genetic disorder that affects the brain and causes seizures, developmental delays, and intellectual disabilities.
  • Bastion Lighting Colour Blue on June 18, 2025 for National Deafblind Awareness

    Jun 18, 2025

    n Canada, June is National Deafblind Awareness Month, a time to raise awareness about deafblindness which is a complex disability involving a combination of hearing and vision loss. The aim is to celebrate the achievements of deafblind individuals, and promote understanding of their experiences.
  • Bastion Lighting Colour Green on June 19, 2025 for World Kidney Cancer Day

    Jun 19, 2025

    Since it was established in 2017, it is a day dedicated to raising awareness of the local and global impact of kidney cancer, educating people about the disease, and making a difference in the lives of people affected by kidney cancer.
  • Lions FREE Swim 2025

    Jun 28, 2025, 1:00 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 5-June 28, 1-2:30 pm at Nanaimo Aquatic Centre (no sessions on Apr 26, May 17, May 24 & Jun 21).
  • Bastion Lighting Colour Lime Green on June 29 and 30, 2025 for Lights on for Lisa

    Jun 29, 2025

    Lights on for Lisa was organized as a sign of hope in guiding Lisa Marie Young home after going missing in Nanaimo on June 30, 2002. Lime green was her favourite colour.
  • Bastion Lighting Colours Red and White on July 1, 2025 for Canada Day

    Jul 1, 2025

    Canada's national holiday is celebrated on July 1. Canadians across the country and around the world show their pride in their history, culture and achievements. It's been a day of celebration since 1868, where many festivities are held across the nation.
  • Bastion Lighting Colour Green on July 7, 2025 for National Injury Prevention Day

    Jul 7, 2025

    This annual health promotion day aims to raise awareness about the impact of preventable injuries in Canada. FACTS: Injury is the leading cause of death for Canadians ages 1 to 44. Every day, 48 Canadians die and 634 are hospitalized because of injuries. 75% of injury-related deaths are from unintentional causes, such as falls, car crashes, and poisonings. Falls are the leading cause of injury deaths and hospitalizations.
  • Bastion Lighting Colour Pink on July 22, 2025 for World Fragile X Awareness Day

    Jul 22, 2025

    World Fragile X Day celebrates families impacted by Fragile X and highlights advances of research to find effective treatments and ultimately a cure. As the most common inherited single gene cause of autism, Fragile X is the best key we have to solving autism. Treatments for Fragile X are also likely to help people who have Alzheimer’s or other brain disorders.
  • Bastion Lighting Colours Red, Blue, White, Green and Gold on August 4, 2025 for British Columbia Day

    Aug 4, 2025

    BC Day, or British Columbia Day, is a public holiday celebrated in the province of British Columbia. It falls on the first Monday in August and celebrates the pioneering spirit, history and diverse cultural heritage of the province.
  • Bastion Lighting Colour Blue from September    1 - 7, 2025 for Prostate Cancer Awareness

    Sep 1, 2025

    In Canada, September is Prostate Cancer Awareness Month, a time to raise awareness about the most common cancer in men, encouraging early detection and support for those affected, with organizations like the Canadian Cancer Society and Prostate Cancer Foundation Canada playing key roles. While progress has been made, prostate cancer is still the most commonly diagnosed cancer among men in Canada.
  • Bastion Lighting Colour Orange on September 30, 2025 for National Day of Truth and Reconciliation

    Sep 30, 2025

    Each year, September 30 marks the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. The day honours the children who never returned home and Survivors of residential schools, as well as their families and communities. Public commemoration of the tragic and painful history and ongoing impacts of residential schools is a vital component of the reconciliation process.
  • Bastion Lighting Colours Red, Brown, Yellow and Orange on October 13, 2025 for Thanksgiving Day

    Oct 13, 2025

    Thanksgiving Day in Canada has been a holiday on the second Monday of October since 1957. It is a chance for people to give thanks for a good harvest and other fortunes in the past year.
  • Bastion Lighting Colour Orange on October 31, 2025 for Halloween

    Oct 31, 2025

    It is a celebration of the end of the harvest season and the beginning of the dark, cold winter. It is also a time to remember the dead and to protect oneself from evil spirits. Halloween has its origins in the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain.
  • Bastion Lighting Colour Red from November 5 - 11, 2025 for Veterans' Week and Remembrance Day

    Nov 5, 2025

    Veterans' Week is to honor the bravery and sacrifice of those who have served and continue to serve in the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF). Remembrance Day was originally focused on commemorating the dead of the First World War (1914-1918). Since the Second World War (1939 - 1945), Remembrance Day commemorates those who gave their lives to serve our country.
  • Bastion Lighting Colours Red and Green from December 11 - 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.

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!

Thank you for your assistance. One of our website team will look into the reported issue shortly. Loading animation

Help us improve our website

Don't include private or financial information in this form.

Collection and use of your personal information

Information collected on this form is done so under the general authority of the Community Charter and Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FOIPPA), and is protected in accordance with FOIPPA. Questions about the collection of your personal information may be referred to the Legislative Services Department at 250-755-4405, or via email at foi@nanaimo.ca. Please also see our Privacy Policy.