Events
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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 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 -
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 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. -
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 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 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 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. -
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. -
Bastion Lighting Colour Purple on June 11, 2026 for Lipedema Awareness Day
Jun 11, 2026
Dedicated to educating the public and medical professionals about a chronic, often misdiagnosed, painful fat disorder affecting mostly women. It aims to reduce stigma, promote early diagnosis, and to support research.
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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