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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 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.

  • Bastionn 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.

  • 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.

  • Bastion Lighting Colour Purple on June 15 for World Elder Abuse Awareness Day

    Jun 15, 2026

    World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD), marked annually on June 15, is an official United Nations observance dedicated to raising awareness about the abuse, neglect, and exploitation of older adults. Initiated in 2006, it promotes dignity, rights, and community action to protect seniors, recognizing that elder abuse is a critical global public health and human rights issue.

  • Bastion Lighting Colour Green on June 19, 2026 for World Kidney Cancer Day

    Jun 19, 2026

    Kidney cancer is a disease where kidney cells mutate, growing uncontrollably to form a tumor, most commonly starting in the filtering tubules (Renal Cell Carcinoma). It often develops in one kidney but can spread (metastasize) to lungs, bones, or liver. While often asymptomatic early, symptoms can include blood in urine, back/side pain, and weight loss.

  • Bastion Lighting Colour Purple on June 21, 2026 for Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) Awareness Day

    Jun 21, 2026

    A progressive, terminal neurodegenerative disease that destroys motor neurons in the brain and spinal cord. It causes muscles to waste away, leading to loss of voluntary movement, speech, swallowing, and breathing, with an average survival of 3–5 years.

  • Glow in the Dark Skate - June 21, 2026

    Jun 21, 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 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.

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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