What’s Up in Nanaimo This Week
July 28-August 3
For more local events, visit www.tourismnanaimo.com/events
Featured Event: SUNSET TIME
Credit: @jthrifty via Instagram
With the long weekend upon us and the stunning weather forecast, catch one of Nanaimo’s stunning sunsets. Some of the best spots to sit and relax and see the sun go down are: Neck Point Park, Piper’s Lagoon Park, Blueback Beach, Sebastion Beach or Jack Point and Biggs Park. The sun sets at the moment around 9pm.
CONCERTS and LIVE MUSIC
Live at Longwood, Thurs @ 8PM, Longwood Pub. Free. Live at Longwood (July 28th) Texas Radio & The Big Beat, Josh Gellman. Enjoy local music and door prizes.
Jimmy D Lane Blues Show, Sat @ 7PM, Queens Hotel, $18 at the Door. Jimmy’s music is on the rockin’ side but tempered with just the right amount of Blues. Opening act will be Summer and the Simmers with Frank Alexander. This will be a great show!
Summertime Music Series, Thurs @ 12PM-1PM, Old City Quarters, FREE
Bring your lunch and listen to some great local, live music!
FUNNYFEST on Tour Comedy Night, Thurs @ 8PM, Windward Pub. $15 Featuring: JOE KING – The King of Comedy. Every show is different; just like Stuey * Great Food & Early Bird Specials * TASTY BEVERAGES * Prizes and Fun!
KIDS ACTIVITIES
Harry Potter Party, Friday @ 1:30PM. Nanaimo Harbourfont (Downtown) Library. Free.
Join the fun and enjoy an afternoon in the magical world. Activities include: Harry Potter stick puppet show; Sorting and button-making; Scavenger hunt; Quidditch demo, Magical wizard photo classes; Wizard Rock Dance Party & Wizard Rockumentary; Dueling Club Costumes and much more!!
Art Lab Studio, Sat @ 9:30-12:30, Nanaimo Art Gallery, $12/child
Let your kids connect with artists, experiment with materials, learn new techniques, and have fun with art making.
Summer Activities at the Museum, Wed & Fri@ 1:30-3:30pm, incl. in admission
These drop-in hands-on programs are ideal for children ages 5-12. It’s a great opportunity to keep your kids engaged and explore the Museum.
Morrell Nature Sanctuary Summer Day Camp. Mon-Fri @ 9am-3pm. Morrell Nature Sanctuary $25/day.
Learn about; Fast Flyers and Mighty Mammals, ICKY Insects, Slime Time or become a Forest Detective or Mad Scientist.
Summer Playground Program, Mon-Fri @ 10AM, Various Locations. Free. Hey, kids 5-12! Drop into one of our neighbourhood playgrounds this summer for FREE family fun! Activities could include crafts, activities, games, sports & arts.
Drop-in Tabletop Gaming, Sat @ 1PM. Nanaimo Harbourfront (Downtown) Library. Free.
Bored? Like games? Why not check out our Board Game Afternoon? Drop by the Nanaimo Harbourfront Library, where we have a wide variety of games available for you to play.
Strategy Board Game Night, Tuesday, August 2nd @ 5PM, FREE.
Love to play board games? From Settlers of Catan to worker placement, a librarian will be on hand to moderate and play. Bring your games, bring your opponents or come alone and meet others who share your hobby.
SHOWCASES and TOURS
Newcastle Island Walking Tour, Sun and Mon @ 1:30 &3:30PM, $10 for Adults, $5 for Kids, *2 for 1 Special*, no reservations required.
Explore Newcastle and all its history and culture with a local expert on this guided tour.
Historic Pub Tour, meet at the Bastion, Thur @6:45pm, $25
You get two funky old pubs, loads of historic and quirky facts about our ever-evolving liquor laws in BC, beer, a slice of Mambo’s pizza and an eclectic guide to bring it all to life!
Nanaimo Art Gallery presents: Trusses Thurs – Sun @ 10AM-5PM, by Donation
Trusses is an exhibition of works by contemporary artists and architects that explores how buildings resonate through their uses and their intersections with other forms of culture.
The Story behind the artifact, Mon-Fri @10am-5pm, Admission$0.75-$2
The artifacts on exhibit range from ordinary household object to those that have survived fatal accidents. They cover hundreds of years of Nanaimo’s history, from First Nations stone tools to surveying instruments used up to the 1990s.
Blue, Month of July, Art 10 Gallery, Free. Landscapes, florals, decorative and functional pottery and art cards showcase the multiple talents of artists of this cooperative gallery all with a cohesive theme of the colour blue.
The Joy of Summer, Lantzville Art Gallery, Wed-Sat @ 11-4pm
Featured artist is Aleta Crawford
Nanaimo Bar Trail Run, Tuesday, August 2th @ 9:30AM. Diana Krall Plaza. $15 Adult.
Hosted by GottaRun! Join us rain or shine, on your own or with a friend, well behaved dog or kid in a stroller. Bring your running shoes, running gear and get ready to set out on a 45-60 minute run (approx. 6-8k). At the finish line your hard work will pay off when you indulge in a coffee or tea and a world famous Nanaimo Bar, included in your registration.
OTHER HIGHLIGHTS
Cannon Firing, Daily @11:45am, next to the Bastion, FREE
Join the ceremonial cannon firing which is accompanied by Bill Poppy the Nanaimo bagpipe icon.
Highland Dancers , Thurs & Sat, 11:30am, next to the Bastion, FREE
Twice a week the cannon firing is accompanied by several local highland dance students. Be sure to be there early as they start at 11:30 before the actual cannon firing ceremony.
FARMER’S MARKETS
Island Roots Bowen Road Market, Weds @ 4-6:30pm and Sat @9-12pm, Beban Park, FREE
Nanaimo’s premier food-oriented market promoting the 100 mile diet.
Bastion Waterfront Farmers Market, Fri @10am-2pm, Pioneer Plaza, FREE
Find farmers, bakers, crafters and anything else locally grown, made or baked.
Nanaimo Flea Market. Fri @12pm, Wellington Hall, FREE. The Nanaimo Flea Market is open to everyone and has a variety of vendors. You can find holiday, everyday retro, jewelry, antiques, household goods, jam, jellies, baked goods, farmer’s eggs and so much more.
Cedar Farmers Market, Sun @10-2pm, Crow and Gate Pub Field, FREE
The market boasts over 70 full time vendors making it one of the region’s largest.
Lantzville Market, Sun @ 1:30-4pm, St. Phillips Church, FREE
This is a great little market featuring local vendors from Nanaimo and Region
EXPLORE NANAIMO 