📬 My Nanaimo This Week - August 24, 2026

August 24, 2026

This Week...

Nomination period for the 2026 General Local Election is coming up, check out Beyond Van Gogh & Beyond Monet and join us for our final FREE Family Fun Night. Read on for more!

Nanaimo Votes 2026

Thinking about running in Nanaimo's 2026 General Local Election?

The nomination period officially opens Tuesday, September 1 at 9 am. Those interested in becoming a candidate can file nomination documents with the Chief Election Officer or designate at the Legislative Services Office, City Hall (455 Wallace Street).

📅 Appointments are encouraged and can be booked on a first-come, first-served basis:
📧 elections@nanaimo.ca
📞 250-755-4405
🕘 Monday to Friday, 8:30 am to 4:30 pm (excluding statutory holidays)

Candidates will be declared after the nomination period closes, and nomination documents will be posted on the election website as soon as possible.

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Beyond Van Gogh & Beyond Monet

Have you checked out the Beyond Van Gogh & Beyond Monet: The Immersive Experience in Nanaimo? There is just over a week left to experience art through light, movement, music and storytelling.

Experiences like these help make art more accessible, inviting people of all ages to connect with creativity in an engaging and memorable way. The City of Nanaimo is proud to support this event and the opportunity it brings to connect with arts and culture in our community.

📍 Vancouver Island Conference Centre
📅 On now through August 29
🤝Presented in partnership by the Port Theatre, Nanaimo Museum, Tourism Nanaimo and Vancouver Island Conference Centre
🎟️For tickets, hours, and more information, visit IslandEvents.ca.

TICKETS

Family Fun Night

Join us for the final FREE Family Fun Night of the summer on Thursday, August 27, from 4 to 7 pm at beautiful Westwood Lake Park! Bring the whole family for an evening packed with fun, including games, inflatables, community booths and delicious options from local food trucks. From 6 to 7 pm, enjoy a live concert by Tides, performing a soulful mix of R&B and Soul music to cap off the celebration. It's the perfect opportunity to connect with friends, neighbours and community partners while enjoying one last summer gathering. Come help us celebrate the wonderful summer we've shared in Nanaimo!

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Call for Temporary Public Art

The City of Nanaimo is seeking proposals for Temporary Public Art to be initiated in 2026 and realized in 2027. The Temporary Public Art Program offers artists of diverse backgrounds and skillsets the opportunity to create artwork for public spaces in Nanaimo. Artists can propose artworks that vary in scale, scope, and medium, including temporary sculptural installations, social practice and community engaged artist projects and artwork that is integrated into landscape, architecture or civic infrastructure.

Deadline for Submissions: October 18, 2026

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Call for Poet Laureate

The City of Nanaimo is seeking applications for its next Poet Laureate (2027-2029). The Poet Laureate is a literary ambassador for the City of Nanaimo. Through their role, they raise the profile of literary arts in our community by creating and presenting poetic works and activities that are relevant to our times and respond to our place. Nanaimo’s next Poet Laureate will engage and inspire, bring their own unique voice and experience to collaborate and realize poetry projects for the benefit of our community.

Deadline for Submissions: October 25, 2026

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Poetry in the Harbour

Celebrate the power of words and community at an inspiring evening of poetry on Wednesday, September 9 at 7 pm in the Piper's Lagoon Lobby at the Vancouver Island Conference Centre (entrance at 80 commercial st.) Join Poet Laureate, Neil Surkan, and featured poet Kevin Spenst, along with special guest poets, Dalton Derkson, Erin Zinsky, and Bailey Bellosillo for an evening of poetry.

Whether you are a longtime poetry enthusiast or simply curious to experience the local literary scene, this free event offers an opportunity to connect with talented writers and enjoy an evening of meaningful storytelling, reflection, and artistic expression.

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Book a Facility

Looking to book a facility this fall? We’ve made the process easier with our newly revised Facility Rentals & Bookable Spaces webpage.

Explore available venues, learn about rental options and find the information you need to plan your event. Visit the updated page today and start booking with confidence.

FACILITY RENTALS & BOOKABLE SPACES

Lifeguards on Duty

Lifeguards are on duty at Westwood Lake First Beach daily from 12 to 5:30 pm (including stat holidays, weather permitting).

Visitors are encouraged to swim during these supervised hours for added safety and to follow all posted beach and water safety guidelines.

Concerts in the Park

Head over to Westwood Lake Park on August 27 from 6 to 7 pm to enjoy some R&B/Soul with Tides. Howard and Tiffany are "Tides". a Nanaimo-based due bringing a warm, laid-back vibe to every performance. Featuring the seasoned musicianship and soulful vocals of Howard alongside Tiffany's expressive voice, the duo blends experience and fresh chemistry in a new collaborative project.

Drawing inspiration from timeless artists like Sade, Fleetwood Mac, Olivia Dean and Bill Withers, their sound leans into smooth grooves, heartfelt melodies, and songs that feel both nostalgic and current. Their setlist moves effortlessly between soulful classics and modern favourites delivered with rich harmonies and a relaxed stage presence that invites audiences to settle in and enjoy.

CONCERTS IN THE PARK

Free Playground Programs

Join us for some neighborhood fun! Play games, do some crafts, or run around and play a sport with our exciting playground leaders. The Playground Program is FREE for all to enjoy between the ages of 5-12 years old.

Departure Bay Park, Monday to Friday, 9:30 am to 4 pm (not open on stat holidays)
Aug 10 to 21, Maffeo Sutton Park, 10 am to 4 pm

Will Your Commute Be Affected This Week?

Here’s a list of up-to-date information on City construction projects. For more information on Nanaimo construction projects, visit the current Construction page on the City's website.

Third St between Howard Ave and Pine St is closed 24 hrs per day until August 28. Detours are in place.
Storm sewer and watermain upgrades on Kenworth Road, and at the intersection of Shenton Road will require single-lane alternating traffic on both roads Mondays through Thursdays between 7 am and 6 pm.
Howard Avenue will be closed at Ninth Street from August 24 to 27, 24 hours a day, to accommodate road upgrade work. Local access will be maintained, although some residents may need to use alternate routes, and BC Transit Route 6 will be detoured. All traffic should follow the signed detour and divert along Bruce Avenue and Weber Street for the duration of the construction works
Beginning August 17, the intersection of Kenworth Road and Shenton Road will be affected by storm sewer and watermain upgrades. Both roads will have single lane alternating traffic and motorists should expect delays. Construction will typically occur Monday through Thursday between 7 am and 6 pm.
Single lane alternating traffic along Hammond Bay Rd (westbound lane) between Brickyard Rd and McGirr Rd to install power to the sanitary sewer monitoring station and paint road markings. The existing traffic signals at Hammond Bay Rd and Turner Rd intersection will operate as normal.
Single lane alternating traffic along Turner Rd from Hammond Bay Rd to Kenning Pl while crews work on painting road markings. Traffic signals at Hammond Bay Rd and Turner Rd intersection will operate as normal
Single lane alternating traffic along Hammond Bay Rd (eastbound and westbound lanes) at Rutherford Rd to paint road markings. The existing traffic signals at Hammond Bay Rd and Rutherford Rd intersection will operate as normal.

Note: All businesses in the construction areas are open unless otherwise posted. When approaching construction zones, please make sure to slow down and obey all signage and traffic personnel instructions. Remember that construction zone speed limits are 30 km/hr unless otherwise posted. If you know your commute is taking you through any of the areas below, please allow for additional time and plan ahead.

CURRENT CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS