📬 My Nanaimo This Week - August 17, 2026

August 17, 2026

This Week...

Get ready for the Nanaimo Recycles Car Trunk Sale, join us for a free Family Fun Night and registration for recreation programs opens. Read on for more!

Nanaimo Recycles Car Trunk Sale

Bargain hunters will find trunks full of treasure at the City of Nanaimo's Car Trunk Sale on Saturday, August 22, 2026 from 9 am to 2 pm.

Anyone looking for a bargain or a unique buy, can shop at over 200 vendors selling used items from the trunk of their car in Vancouver Island University's lower parking lot off Fifth Street. This free-to-attend reuse event aims to promote reuse and recycling of unwanted “garage sale” type items and items made from recycled materials and to reduce the amount of waste sent to landfill.

For more information on this and other similar events, visit the Reduce and Reuse Community Events page.

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Family Fun Night

Join us for our 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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Fall Registration Begins

Registration for all recreation programs opens Wednesday, August 19 at 6 am.

Registration is available in person at Beban, Bowen or Oliver Woods; by phone by calling 250-756-5200 or online at recreation.nanaimo.ca. See our online Activity Guide or pick one up at our recreation centres.

Concerts in the Park

Head over to Maffeo Sutton Park, as part of Food Truck Friday, on August 21 from 6 to 7 pm to enjoy some Pop with Tropic Mayhem. Tropic Mayhem has carved out a distinct niche in the local music scene, known for bringing high-energy performances that feel like a tropical escape. Following Tropic Mayhem, stay for Mark Crissinger from 7:15 to 8:15 pm to enjoy Rock/Blues music. The Mark Crissinger Band is a contemporary blues band featuring an all-star cast of musicians from Nanaimo that ignites audiences every time they play. When you combine fresh ideas, excellent musicianship, and audience participation the result is a good time for everyone. You will hear some Boogie Woogie, Funky Country, Rock'n'Roll and good old fashion Blues Shuffles. Dancing and singing along are all encouraged.

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 to 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

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Recycling

Make sure your recyclables are clean, dry and free of food residue before placing them in your blue cart. Items like plastic containers, paper and tin cans are accepted—but no plastic bags, styrofoam or greasy pizza boxes!

When in doubt, check the City of Nanaimo’s Waste Wizard tool online to see what goes where. Recycling properly helps reduce contamination and keeps our community’s waste stream running efficiently. Let’s all do our part!

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Build an Emergency Kit and Grab-and-Go Bag on a Budget

It's a good time to make sure you and your family are prepared for an emergency. The Province of BC offers ideas on ways to build your own emergency kit and grab-and-go bags on a budget in the event of an emergency. They also have a guide on drafting your own emergency plan along with a fill-in the blank plan you can download.

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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.
Single lane alternating traffic on Departure Bay Rd between Little John Way and Green Leaf Place. Expect delays.
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.

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