Latest Events in Nanaimo A(June Updated)

Welcome to the West Coast Readers Convention 2025 ! Join us in beautiful Nanaimo for a weekend of bookish fun. Meet your favorite authors, discover new reads, and connect with fellow bookworms. Whether you're into romance, mystery, fantasy, or non-fiction, there's something for every reader here. Don't miss out on meeting your favourite authors, book signings, and exclusive merchandise and the after party. Get ready to immerse yourself in a world of words and stories! Save the date and pack your bags - we can't wait to see you there! Information Source: Dark Desires Book Box | eventbrite

Information Source: Sylvia Humble, Community Song Leader | eventbrite

Welcome NDSS Class of 1970 alumni! Get ready to reminisce and reconnect at our upcoming 55th reunion at the Nanaimo Golf Club. Join in for an evening of laughter, memories, and good company. A variety of delightful appetizers will be served throughout the evening. No host bar Doors open at 6 pm. Hope to see you there! We invite you to join our Facebook page: NDSS Class of 1970 (set up for our 50th reunion) Information Source: eventbrite

Stop in and ask the Master Gardeners all your questions for a successful season. Drop-in, no pre-registration necessary. Information Source: GARDENWORKS Canada Nanaimo | eventbrite

Information Source: SIRREAL | eventbrite

Information Source: Sylvia Humble, Community Song Leader | eventbrite

Try It! Lawn Bowling Come join us at the Nanaimo Lawn Bowling Club for a fun-filled day of trying out the sport of lawn bowling! Whether you're a seasoned pro or a complete newbie, this event is perfect for everyone. Grab your friends and family for a friendly competition on the green. Learn the basics of the game from our experienced members and enjoy the beautiful outdoor setting. Don't miss out on this opportunity to socialize, have some laughs, and maybe discover a new hobby! See you there! Information Source: Young Professionals of Nanaimo | eventbrite

Boutique Booking Date Reserved Welcome to our exclusive event where you can reserve your spot at our boutique in Nanaimo! This in-person event is your chance to secure a booking date to experience our latest collections and exclusive offers. Don't miss out on this opportunity to shop in style and elevate your wardrobe. Mark your calendar and get ready to indulge in a mini fashion gala and fun with us! **Request your date: Select one month and one day for your event, one per boutique store - Select either Wednsday or Saturday night. 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm First come, first serve. We will hold one event per month. Set up your strategic planning session with the organizer (Dawn Wiggers) Email: info@lumisenz.com / Text or call: 778-966-1527 Information Source: Lumisenz Production Corporation | eventbrite

Doors open at 6pm. Bring a Yoga mat or blanket. We will also have chairs for those who do not want to lie down. Information Source: Spirits Of The Sea Wellness by Nicole Glover | eventbrite

We would love to see you at the event of the season. The ‘Picnic en Blanc’ is as fun as it is quirky, with equal parts sass and class. It is a wonderful evening where everyone wears fabulous white. More than just an excuse to dress up, ROAR's Picnic en Blanc brings people of all ages, genders, orientations, ethnicities together — sharing food, drink music and laughs, creating memories, and building community in Nanaimo. The picnic will be held Saturday, July 12 at 5pm, rain or shine, at 3341 Landalt Road. This beautiful setting offers a big lawn and shade trees. Tickets are $60. You will receive a delicious boxed meal. There is a vegetarian option. ‘The Pickups’ will be playing wonderful sets throughout the evening. We promise a unique experience. Please dress in white. If you really want to have fun, join friends to dress up and decorate your own table and chairs, in white of course. White tablecloths are provided. There is a prize for best table. Or you can simply join a round table of 8 people. A variety of non-alcoholic beverages will be available at the bar. There will be a 50/50 to delight all. Parking is free. Please carpool if possible. Disability parking is about 150 meters from the picnic area. If needed, bring mobility devices to assist with some mild slopes and uneven terrain. Enjoy the picnic! Information Source: Reaching Out Assisting Refugees | eventbrite

We are gladdened to offer this 7-night, Residential Silent Meditation Retreat with Rachel Lewis and DaRa Williams at the Bethlehem Retreat Centre in Nanaimo, BC, from July 22 - July 29, 2025. Retreat Description Cultivating Love and Wisdom Gather with us at the height of summer to take a deep dive into practice! An extended retreat like this one gives us an opportunity to pause and relax amidst the busyness of our lives, as well as to learn things we can’t learn any other way. We will be undertaking practices that strengthen the qualities of peace, love, and wisdom in our minds and hearts. There will be practice instructions at the beginning of each day and the practice schedule will be made up of alternating periods of formal sitting and walking meditation. There will be practice discussion groups and time for questions and answers each day. This silent retreat is suitable for people with some prior retreat experience: at minimum an in-person day-long. (If you haven't yet done something like this, check out the events that Rachel is offering most months as well as the weekend nonresidential retreats offered by BCIMS .) We welcome people from all backgrounds, communities, and life experiences. We will offer at least one “affinity sit” during the retreat for folks who self-identify as BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, people of colour), and at least one for folks who self-identify as LGBTQIA2S+. In an affinity sit, members of that group have the choice to gather in a separate space and sit in silence together during a scheduled sitting period. If you have questions about why we offer this as an option, please email rachel.lewis@gmail.com before the retreat starts. Retreat Information PLEASE READ CAREFULLY BEFORE REGISTERING. Registration: This retreat will go on sale April 22, 2025 at 10am PST. We anticipate tickets will sell quickly. We recommend you register as soon as possible once the tickets go on sale. Pease note that the deadline for for financial assistance is April 8 - see Financial Assistance/DEI Financial Assistance section below for details. COVID-19: It is anticipated that small gatherings will be allowed by the BC Provincial Health Authority at this time. All health guidelines in place at the time of the retreat for small gatherings will be followed and communicated to attendees. Vaccinations: Attendees are strongly encouraged to be fully vaccinated, including the boosters, though we will not be requiring proof during check in. Masking: Masks are optional and encouraged in shared indoor spaces. If a yogi has or develops a cough/runny nose/cold symptoms, they will be asked to take a COVID test and mask while in shared indoor spaces. COVID Testing: ALL yogis will be asked to take a home-COVID test sometime 24 hours BEFORE arriving at the retreat and indicate they have tested negative at check in. All yogis will also be asked to take a COVID test on day 3 of retreat. Commuters will be asked to take a COVID test daily. Room Rates/Fees: Private Room - $1,995 Shared Room - $1,750 Commuter (includes meals) - $1,320 If you are in the position to offer a Benefactor Rate, please consider a donation to BCIMS' Donations Page (Canada Helps). We are deeply grateful for any amount you are able to contribute to support BCIMS and the sangha, as donations help us to honour requests for financial assistance. Donations via the link above will receive an automatic tax receipt from Canada Helps. If you select the Shared Room option, please indicate your room-sharing preferences in the order form (ie: wish to share with a partner or friend also registered for this retreat, gender preference, etc.) Fees do NOT include a financial offering (dana) to the teachers. There will be an opportunity to offer dana to the teachers once you are at the retreat. Financial Assistance: We are gladdened to offer Financial Assistance for this retreat. You may apply by filling out this online form , or by emailing jess@bcims.org . For this retreat, we are offering financial assistance any amount up to 50% of the retreat fee. If you require additional assistance, please share your request on the form. DEI Financial Assistance: We also offer financial assistance from our DEI fund (Diversity, Equity and Inclusion). This is intended to offer support to folks from underrepresented and systemically marginalized communities to attend residential retreats. For this retreat, we are offering DEI financial assistance of any amount up to 50% of the retreat fee. If you require additional assistance, please share your request on the form. We encourage folks who identify as BIPOC (black, Indigenous, and/or people of colour), 2SLGBTQIA+, have a visible or invisible disability, or are from other underrepresented and systemically marginalized communities, to apply by filling out this online form , or by emailing jess@bcims.org. Please specify in your email that you are interested in applying for the DEI fund. The deadline for all financial assistance applications is April 8, 2025. BCIMS Cancellation Policy: 30 days or more before the start of retreat: refund offered, less a $125 cancellation fee. Between 30 days to 10 days before start of retreat: 50% refund offered. Within 10 days of the start of retreat: no refund guaranteed. Please note, our BCIMS Cancellation Policy applies to all ticket holders, including those with discounted tickets. Accessibility Needs: There will be an opportunity on the Registration Order Form to specify any special needs or accommodations, including any needs or requests on washrooms, dietary, and access needs. We may not be able to meet everyone’s preferences but we will do our best to accommodate needs and make the retreat as safe and accessible as possible. We encourage you to please reflect on the difference between needs and preferences for your stay as you fill out the Form, as this allows us to more easefully accommodate all retreatants. Ridesharing: The information collected during registration regarding ridesharing will be distributed by email to all interested retreatants about four weeks prior to the retreat. Each individual is then responsible for directly making any ridesharing arrangement. Dana: In the Buddhist tradition, teachings are given freely because they are considered priceless; in the Buddhist tradition we also practice dana, or generosity, by making monetary offerings to the teachers. Dana is not payment for goods or services rendered; it is given from the heart. Your generosity is a gift that supports not just the teachers, but also the Sangha, the larger Dharma community, and your own practice. Note that your registration fee goes toward BC Insight Meditation Society organizational expenses which allow us to continue offering retreats such as this one. More information will be shared with registrants. About the Teachers DaRa Williams is a trainer, meditation teacher and psychotherapist. DaRa has been a meditator for the past 25 years and is a practitioner of both Vipassana and Ascension meditation. She is a graduate of the Spirit Rock/Insight Meditation Society Teacher Training Program and is an IMS Emeritus Guiding Teacher. She is the program manager and a core teacher in the current IMS Teacher Training Program. DaRa has been a clinician and administrator in the field of mental health for over 25 years and currently maintains a private practice in Manhattan. She is a certified trainer and practitioner of Indigenous Focusing Oriented Therapy and Complex Trauma. DaRa integrates these skills, understandings, wisdom traditions and world views in her intention for contributing to the ending of suffering for all beings. It is my belief that vipassana meditation and the dharma are ideal for transforming suffering, particularly the trauma of oppression and its many vicissitudes-where the chains around our minds and hearts can be broken and dissolved. Awareness and wisdom become the vehicle for freedom and transforming lives. - DaRa Williams Rachel Lewis began practicing insight meditation in 2003, while completing her physics PhD at Yale. Since 2011, she has taught dharma and meditation classes and retreats in British Columbia and beyond. She completed the IMS/IRC 4-year teacher training in 2021, and is a guiding teacher of the British Columbia Insight Meditation Society. Her dharma teaching interests include the power of music, humour, and creativity to increase our capacity for learning, as well as the way that practice supports and is supported by social justice work. See her other events at http://rachelmeditates.ca/ With heartfelt gratitude, BCIMS acknowledges we are based in what is now known as Vancouver, BC, the beautiful, traditional, and unceded lands of the Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish), xʷməθkwəy̓əm (Musqueam), and Səl̓ílwətaʔ/Selilwitulh (Tsleil-Waututh) peoples, who live on and have stewarded this land for thousands of years. Information Source: BC Insight Meditation Society | eventbrite

Hey Wellington! In case you missed it, it's been 10 years! Join us for a casual catch-up at the Old City Station Pub in downtown! Let’s reconnect, share memories, and see where life has taken us since graduation. Based on est. attendee's it's currently planned to be max. capacity 50, where you'll order your own food/drinks. If we have a larger demand, we may have to shift to being catered with a higher ticket fee. The event will end at 9PM, at which point Old City will shift into a bar. You're welcome to stay, or continue the night elsewhere. ANY EXCESS FUNDS RAISED FROM TICKET SALES OR DONATIONS WILL BE DONATED See you there! Information Source: eventbrite

Nanaimo Idol 2025 is an exciting talent competition celebrating the vibrant community and performers of The Vancouver Island. Hosted by Indie Entertainment, the event will take place at The Queen's on April 17, 2025. The competition offers participants a chance to showcase their talents and win incredible prizes, including recording sessions, vocal coaching, photo shoots, and more. Notably, the winner will receive a customized branding consultation and the opportunity to perform live with The Femme Fatales. Applicants must be of legal drinking age to attend and compete. This event not only highlights local talent but also fosters a sense of community pride and spirit. Information Source: Indie Entertainment | eventbrite

C elebrate 420 this April 20th at Vancouver Island's largest 420 event! Where - Cavallotti Hall - 2060 East Wellington Road, Nanaimo When - 420! April 20th - 1-6pm Why - To celebrate this wonderful plant, of course. Connect with the growers of our fine products, discover growing methods, learn about new products on the market. Have a sesh with your friends and the growers. What To Expect - Meet BC craft cannabis growers and producers, live music, consumption area including a dab bar, live glass blowing, prizes, and multiple food trucks in case you get the munchies. This event is a collaboration with MoodFest and The Road Back To Legacy. Information Source: Mood Cannabis Co | eventbrite

About the event Come get creative with Kelsie at The Breakfast Nook on February 4th with a fun night of painting! We will be painting "Arbutus By The Sea", a crowd favourite. If you prefer a smaller, more intimate group with less noise, this venue is perfect for you. Kelsie will be teaching you how to paint this portrait step by step while helping you with anything you need along the way. Ages 12+ welcome. Monday, April 28th Event: 6:00 - 8:30 pm Very limited seating available, ages 12+, accessible venue. 440 Selby St, Nanaimo Information Source: Paint With Kelsie | eventbrite

Whether you’re looking to spruce up your front door, showcase fantastic blooms and foliage on your patio or your porch, extending your garden has never been easier! Mixing beautiful blooms and trailing foliage, create a bespoke hanging basket for your home. You will be guided through the basics of hanging basket design and care, with help to choose your plants, plant placement and colour scheme. *Selection of plants and materials may vary based on availability, and may differ from the example in the photo. Information Source: GARDENWORKS Canada Nanaimo | eventbrite

Join us for **Solitare Witch 101**! Are you curious about the mystical world of witchcraft? Come and learn the basics at our **Witchcraft 101** event! Whether you're a beginner or just looking to expand your knowledge, this in-person workshop is perfect for you. Date: Sat May 03 2025 Time: 1:00 PM PDT Location: The Space @ Lobelia's Lair Facilitation by: Lavana Tanner Don't miss out on this opportunity to dive into the world of spells, potions, and more. See you there! This first session will cover PROTECTION, GROUNDING and MEDITATION. Lavana Tanner has spent seventy years carving her own path. Through the challenges and struggles of a solitary witch's often demanding life, she has compiled her insights into a book titled The Gift. Within its pages lies all the wisdom she wished she had access to as a young woman drawn to magick. She is now sharing this knowledge through a series of workshops. *Lavana’s Book will also be available for purchase during the session* Information Source: Lobelia's Lair | eventbrite

Information Source: Diva Doll Productions | eventbrite

Welcome to the Cedar 20th High School Reunion (Class of 2005)! 1pm Saturday May 24 - 4pm Sunday May 25 Camping Encouraged! Please reserve 1 ticket per each person. We're hosting a yard party! BBQ/Games/Fire/Music. Come join us for a day & night of reminiscing and catching up with old friends at Alix Stupich's home: 1551 Stupich Rd . It's time to celebrate all the memories we shared back in the day. Don't miss out on this special event to reconnect with classmates and relive the good times. We can't wait to see you there! We're REALLY excited to see everyone again!! Alix, Chantelle & Whitney. Information Source: Alix, Chantelle, Whitney | eventbrite

Step into the whimsical world of Alice in Wonderland JR. Follow Alice as she tumbles down the rabbit hole into a land of curious creatures, mad tea parties, and thrilling adventures. Along the way, she meets iconic characters like the White Rabbit, Cheshire Cat, Mad Hatter, and Queen of Hearts, all while discovering the power of self-identity and imagination. Featuring classic Disney songs like “The Golden Afternoon” and “The Unbirthday Song,” along with fresh music from the 2010 live-action film, this production brings Wonderland to life with vibrant storytelling, colourful characters, and pure theatrical fun. Whether you’re new to Alice’s adventures or a longtime fan, this enchanting show will surely delight audiences of all ages! Information Source: Nanaimo Christian School | eventbrite

Welcome to STAND UP COMEDY AT THE TERMINAL ! Get ready to laugh until your sides hurt at this hilarious event taking place at The Terminal Bar Nanaimo . Join us for a night filled with non-stop laughter and good vibes. Our talented local comedians will have you rolling in the aisles with their witty dirty jokes and funny anecdotes. Don't miss out on this one-of-a-kind experience - grab your friends and come on down to The Terminal Bar for a night you won't forget! Hosted by Vancouver's own comedy rising talent Gabriel Vill. Information Source: DEAD PONY COMEDY PRODUCTIONS | eventbrite

Do you miss singing in community, just for the joy of it? Free your voice and sing in harmony by ear, in a joyful, inclusive community choir / song circle that I call “ SING AGAIN ”! It’s all about joy and connection, rather than performance or perfection. We are a diverse range of voices from beginners to experienced harmonizers - every voice belongs. Join us in the acoustically divine Rotary House, and learn harmony-rich songs from the community singing movement, uplifting pop, sea shanties, call & echo, and world music. Some songs are taught by ear in 3 or 4 parts, and on some songs we’ll let the harmonies happen organically. Tuesday nights are extra special as we're accompanied by Stephen Pilcher of Percussive Elements Drumming, and you are invited to grab a shaker or other rhythm instrument for a song or two. Enjoy a cup of ginger tea during our short break, and get to know others in the circle! Check out our song list and more details at www.sylviahumble.ca/sing-again-choir I offer three weekly circles: two in Nanaimo (Monday afternoons and Tuesday evenings) and one in Parksville (Thursdays at 3:30). Membership is optional; drop-ins welcome, and your first time at Sing Again is free! Information Source: Sylvia Humble, Community Song Leader | eventbrite

Welcome to the **Azucar Latin Neon Party**! Come join us at The Queen's for a night of vibrant Latin music and neon lights! Get ready to dance the night away to the hottest beats and enjoy delicious Latin-inspired drinks. Don't forget to wear your brightest neon outfit to stand out on the dance floor! Let's make memories and have a fantastic time together at the **Azucar Latin Neon Party**! Information Source: Dj Pachanguero | eventbrite

Pedal Progress - A Tour of Cycling Infrastructure in Nanaimo Come join us for a fun and informative event exploring the cycling infrastructure in Nanaimo! Pedal Progress is a great opportunity to learn more about bike lanes, paths, and other cycling amenities in our city. The event will have 5 key stops (Powder Works Road, Boxwood Road, Parkway Underpass, Metral Drive and Bowen Road). This tour will be guided by Strong Towns Nanaimo, Team Copenhagen and City of Nanaimo staff. We will meet at gravel lot between Frank Crane Arena and Beban Park Athletic Fields where we will kick off our tour. There will be a "Cycle in Nanaimo" flag. Whether you're a seasoned cyclist, bike-commuter, or newer to the activity, this event is perfect for anyone interested in improving cycling in Nanaimo and learning about the improved bike routes. Don't miss out on this chance to pedal around and discover the progress being made in our community, while meeting some awesome people along the way! This event is proudly sponspored by Strong Towns Nanaimo: https://www.beautifulnanaimo.ca/ Information Source: Tara M - Strong Towns Nanaimo | eventbrite

Information Source: Kat Nelson, Owner of Alley Kat Adventures | eventbrite

Stop in and ask the Master Gardeners all your questions for a successful season. Drop-in, no pre-registration necessary. Information Source: GARDENWORKS Canada Nanaimo | eventbrite

This event is part of our Generations Eating Together program through Nanaimo Foodshare and is free to all 55+ participants. This event requires the use of stairs to get to the kitchen. There is limited parking available behind the building. We will prep food and cook together, then enjoy the food we've prepared. Any leftover food will be offered to participants to take home. Please email mary.polk@nanaimofoodshare.ca with any additional inquiries. We hope to see you there! Information Source: Nanaimo Foodshare | eventbrite

Come join us for The Palace Band in Concert! Get ready to swing with one of the hottest bands on Vancouver Island! This is a night you won't want to miss! Grab your friends and get ready to dance the night away! The Palace Band was born from an era of rum smugglers and late night cabaret, when music bubbled with swinging emotion and soul. The raw sounds of old school jazz returns with an energy that will put your feet into motion and a smile on every face, combining soaring vocals with a flash of trumpet and the thunder of drums to make the old time new again. It’s impossible to talk about the creation of The Palace Band without first describing the production that formed them, A Night at the Palace. Every year, for the past 19 years, in the depths of winter, the community of Errington comes together to don their sequins, feathers, flapper dresses and frock coats to put on a completely original night of Vaudeville, Comedy and Burlesque Theatre. While there was always music involved, somewhere around the middle of this dynasty, a solid core band was formed, to be known as The Palace band. It soon became apparent that performing two sold out weekends a year was not going to be enough to satisfy the appetites of these musical mavericks. Drawing on their collective history of musical theatre, Jazz programs, and a wealth of other musical projects, they created a repertoire inspired by the jazz music of the 20’s to the 40’s. We can't wait to see you there! Information Source: Unity Vancouver Island | eventbrite

Are you curious about vocal improvisation? With April's creative, playful leadership, we will use the visual and auditory elements around us as starting points for short improvisational moments. All ages and abilities are welcome. You might participate frequently, a little, or simply listen. We might consider things like " how does one sing the shape of a fern", or " what sound illustrates the bend in that branch", or "what would i sing in response to a waterfalls power, and movement?". We'll start with some circle singing, and enjoy the sound of all our voices together. What is the meditative part of this experience? While on the walk, we will be in silence except for the music/improv pieces. We'll establish a few signals to navigate our time together. We'll close the event with a song taught and led by Sylvia Humble, local community songleader. Suggested donation: $10-20 in cash in person, or online via an Eventbrite ticket. PLEASE NOTE : we'll meet at the LOWER picnic shelter; parking is on Wall Street adjacent to the shelter Please wear comfortable shoes, and bring water to drink. Information Source: Sylvia Humble, Community Song Leader | eventbrite

This one day workshop will introduce you to the range of essences and the plant families of each essence used as well as therapeutic properties, contraindications and precautions. Upon arrival you will be given an essential oil and a 2oz Amber Boston Round for when we blend our oils. You will leave with the knowledge of the role and use of aromatherapy as part of a holistic lifestyle, as well as its potential of addressing the subtle energy and changes, which can affect wellbeing. Aromatherapy is the perfect gift to self care. Schedule Morning 10:00-12:30 History of Aromatherapy Theory of Aromatherapy Therapeutic Relationships Lunch 12:30-13:00 Afternoon 13:00-15:00 How to blend your oils Put it into practice! Information Source: Elizabeth Arcand | eventbrite