Plan your holiday adventure in Nanaimo with our ultimate guide. From Nanaimo experts to novices, our guide is your roadmap to seasonal celebrations.
Experience the magic of the season at the Festival of Trees, where you’ll be surrounded by beautifully decorated trees. For a light-show extravaganza, the Nanaimo Christmas Light Tour showcases homes and neighborhoods dazzling with holiday displays. And the Christmas Craft Fair is something you definitely don't want to miss, offering unique handmade gifts perfect for loved ones. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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The Top Christmas Events in Nanaimo
- Festival of Trees
- Nanaimo Christmas Light Tour
- Christmas Craft Fair
- Craft & Artisan Fair
- Christmas Festival
- Skate with Santa
- Christmas at The Port Theatre
- Winter Bazaar
- Christmas High Tea
- Christmas Carol Concert
Nanaimo Holiday Light Displays
Nanaimo Christmas Light Tour
What to Expect:
Self-guided tour of the city's best light displays
Description:
Nanaimo's Christmas Light Tour illuminates the city with dazzling displays. This self-guided adventure takes you through neighborhoods where residents outdo themselves with elaborate light installations. You can create your own route, discovering hidden gems and local favorites. The tour, a tradition since the 1980s, showcases the community's holiday spirit. As you drive through the twinkling streets, you'll witness everything from classic displays to high-tech light shows synchronized to music.
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Nanaimo Holiday Markets and Shopping
Christmas Craft Fair
What to Expect:
Handmade crafts from Vancouver Island artisans
Description:
Nanaimo's Christmas Craft Fair celebrates the talent of Vancouver Island artisans. This bustling marketplace brings together skilled craftspeople showcasing their unique, handmade creations. You'll find everything from intricate woodwork to delicate jewelry, each piece telling the story of its creator. The fair, rooted in the island's rich artistic heritage, has been supporting local artisans for over three decades. The air hums with excitement as visitors browse the stalls, discovering one-of-a-kind gifts and treasures.
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Craft & Artisan Fair
What to Expect:
Focus on sustainable and eco-friendly crafts
Description:
Nanaimo's Craft & Artisan Fair spotlights sustainable creativity. This event brings together artisans who prioritize eco-friendly materials and processes in their work. Visitors can explore a wide range of crafts, from upcycled furniture to organic textile art. The fair reflects Nanaimo's commitment to environmental consciousness, a value that has shaped the community since the 1970s. As you peruse the stalls, you'll have the opportunity to chat with creators about their sustainable practices and the stories behind their work.
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Winter Bazaar
What to Expect:
Focus on locally-made winter clothing and accessories
Description:
Nanaimo's Winter Bazaar celebrates local craftsmanship in cold-weather wear. This specialized market features artisans who create warm, stylish clothing and accessories perfect for Vancouver Island winters. Visitors can find everything from hand-knit sweaters to locally-sourced wool scarves. The bazaar, established in 2015, supports Nanaimo's thriving textile arts community. As you browse the stalls, you'll have the chance to feel the quality of the materials and appreciate the intricate designs that go into each handcrafted item.
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Christmas Artisan Fair
What to Expect:
Focus on artisanal food products
Description:
Nanaimo's Christmas Artisan Fair celebrates the flavors of the season. This specialized market brings together local food artisans showcasing their holiday-themed creations. Visitors can sample and purchase a wide range of gourmet treats, from artisanal chocolates to small-batch preserves. The fair, established in 2012, highlights Nanaimo's growing culinary scene. The air is filled with enticing aromas as you explore the stalls, discovering unique flavors and learning about the artisanal processes behind each product.
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Nanaimo Holiday Giving Opportunities
Holiday Food Drive
What to Expect:
City-wide scavenger hunt food drive
Description:
Nanaimo's Holiday Food Drive turns giving into an exciting adventure. This city-wide scavenger hunt encourages participants to collect specific food items from various locations around Nanaimo. Teams compete to gather the most items, all of which are donated to local food banks. The event, initiated in 2018, has quickly become a popular way to combat food insecurity during the holiday season. You'll navigate through the city, solving clues and collecting food items, turning charitable giving into a thrilling community game.
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Nanaimo Holiday Shows and Entertainment
Christmas at The Port Theatre
What to Expect:
Local performers' holiday variety show
Description:
Christmas at The Port Theatre showcases Nanaimo's homegrown talent. This annual variety show brings together local musicians, dancers, and actors for a night of holiday-themed performances. The historic Port Theatre, built in 1998, provides a stunning backdrop for this celebration of community artistry. Audiences are treated to a diverse range of acts, from traditional carols to modern interpretations of holiday classics. The theater buzzes with excitement as performers take the stage, each act adding a unique flavor to the evening's entertainment.
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Christmas Carol Concert
What to Expect:
Interactive sing-along concert
Description:
Nanaimo's Christmas Carol Concert invites everyone to raise their voice in song. This interactive event transforms the audience into a massive choir, led by professional musicians. The concert features a mix of well-known carols and lesser-known holiday songs, creating a rich tapestry of seasonal music. This tradition, dating back to the 1950s, embodies the community spirit of Nanaimo. The venue resonates with the harmonious blend of hundreds of voices as participants join in singing beloved holiday tunes.
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Nanaimo Other Holiday Activities
Festival of Trees
What to Expect:
Creatively decorated trees by local organizations
Description:
The Festival of Trees transforms Nanaimo into a forest of creativity. Local organizations showcase their ingenuity by decorating unique Christmas trees, each telling a different story. Visitors can vote for their favorite tree, contributing to local charities. This tradition, started in 1992, has become a cornerstone of Nanaimo's holiday season. The gentle rustle of tinsel and ornaments fills the air as you explore the diverse array of decorated conifers, each representing a different aspect of the community's spirit.
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Christmas Festival
What to Expect:
Multicultural holiday celebrations
Description:
Nanaimo's Christmas Festival embraces diversity, showcasing holiday traditions from around the world. This vibrant event brings together various cultural communities, each sharing their unique winter celebrations. Visitors can sample international holiday cuisines, watch traditional dance performances, and learn about different customs. The festival, initiated in 2010, reflects Nanaimo's growing multiculturalism. You'll be immersed in a tapestry of sights, sounds, and flavors as you explore the various cultural pavilions, each offering a glimpse into global holiday traditions.
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Skate with Santa
What to Expect:
Ice skating with Santa on an outdoor rink
Description:
Skate with Santa in Nanaimo offers a frosty twist on meeting Old St. Nick. This unique event takes place on an outdoor ice rink, where families can glide alongside Santa himself. The crisp winter air adds to the exhilaration as skaters of all ages circle the rink. This tradition, started in 2005, has become a beloved part of Nanaimo's winter activities. You can practice your figure eights or simply enjoy a leisurely skate while chatting with Santa about your holiday wishes.
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Christmas High Tea
What to Expect:
Traditional high tea with a local twist
Description:
Christmas High Tea in Nanaimo elevates the traditional afternoon tea experience. This elegant event features a selection of locally-sourced teas paired with holiday-inspired treats, many incorporating Nanaimo's famous dessert, the Nanaimo bar. The event takes place in a historic venue, allowing guests to step back in time while enjoying modern flavors. This tradition, started in the early 2000s, has become a sophisticated highlight of Nanaimo's holiday season. You'll savor the delicate balance of flavors as you indulge in this refined culinary experience.