The Island is growing faster than the care it needs
Vancouver Island has added nearly 137,000 people in a decade. Family-doctor waitlists and crowded hospitals show that care has not kept pace.
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A third-generation garden centre on Hammond Bay Road
The Crow and Gate, B.C.’s first neighbourhood pub, still stands in Yellow Point
A downtown gallery, by donation, and a winter exhibition about the land
Island Roots keeps the Nanaimo farmers’ market going all winter
Leaves, drains and a shovel: what Nanaimo asks of households in a rainstorm
Where Nanaimo’s community gardens and food forests are — and how to join
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Babytime at Nanaimo Harbourfront Library
November 18, 2026 – December 16, 2026
Nov 18 – Dec 16 · 10:30 AM
Vancouver Island Regional Library — Nanaimo Harbourfront Branch, 90 Commercial Street, Nanaimo · BC V9R 5G4
Free
A Handmade Christmas Makers Market
November 20, 2026 – November 22, 2026
Nov 20 – 22 · 2:00 PM
Beban Park Social Centre, 2300 Bowen Road, Nanaimo · BC
$7 weekend pass per person; children 12 and under free. Pay once for a wristband and return all weekend
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Nanaimo Christmas Village
November 27, 2026 – November 28, 2026
Nov 27 – 28 · 11:00 AM
Wellington Hall, 3922 Corunna Avenue, Nanaimo · BC
Free entry and free parking; donations at the door welcome (half supports a local toy drive)
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Santa Fly-In at Nanaimo Harbour
December 5, 2026
11:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Harbour Air dock, then Santa's Workshop at the Best Western Dorchester, 90 Front Street, Unit 1A, Nanaimo, BC (landing); workshop at the Best Western Dorchester · Nanaimo
Free to watch the landing and visit the workshop; donations and a toy drive support Make-A-Wish Canada
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Downtown Winterfest — The Holiday Village
December 5, 2026
2:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Diana Krall Plaza, downtown Nanaimo · BC
Free
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Family Storytime at Wellington Library
December 6, 2026
3:00 PM – 3:30 PM
Vancouver Island Regional Library — Nanaimo Wellington Branch, 3200 North Island Highway, Nanaimo · BC V9T 1W1
Free drop-in, for babies, toddlers, preschoolers and caregivers
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Downtown Sip and Shop
December 10, 2026
5:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Downtown Nanaimo shops and streets, Nanaimo · BC
Free to attend
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Mistletoe & Magic Handmade Market
December 11, 2026 – December 13, 2026
Dec 11 – 13 · 2:00 PM
Beban Park Social Centre, 2300 Bowen Road, Nanaimo · BC
$7 weekend pass per person; children 12 and under free