Why do thousands of tourists from all around the world visiting Nanaimo? Everything from the pleasant climate, world-class waterfront, vibrant cultural scene, pristine natural landscapes, to the friendly people that live here. The reasons that people travel here are varied, but they all have one thing in common: they want to visit again. So, if you're thinking about taking a trip to Vancouver Island, here are just some of the reasons to visit Nanaimo this year:


• The warm, temperate climate makes Nanaimo an ideal tourist destination all year long.
• Nanaimo is Vancouver Island's arts & culture hotspot.
• Nanaimo is centrally located on Vancouver Island, making it a perfect base for your West Coast vacation.
• Nanaimo is Vancouver Island's Hub City; at the center of all the action.
• Nanaimo has urban amenities, but hasn't lost its small town charm.
• The city of Nanaimo is very cosmopolitan, yet affordable.
• There is a thriving sports and athletics scene in the city.
• Nanaimo has outstanding accessibility from other communities. Get here by car, ferry, train, bus, or plane.
• Nanaimo residents enjoy the laid back lifestyle that is synonymous with west coast living.
• Nanaimo hosts some of the best festivals, events, and celebrations on Vancouver Island.

Nanaimo Entertainment venues provide a great setting for celebrations, relaxation, and an evening of fun. Dozens of lively nightspots and performance spaces throughout the city offer a good time whether you're here for a weekend party, or just checking out a band for the evening. Many live music acts perform at downtown Nanaimo bars in the Commercial Street/Victoria Crescent area, but there's always a hall show going on somewhere, and the courtyard between the Port Theatre and the library is often used for street performances. A good place to check for upcoming Nanaimo entertainment bills is on the post above the China Steps, where Victoria Crescent, Albert Street, and Wallace Street meet.

Live Theatre in Nanaimo
The performing arts offers a rich source of cultural entertainment in Nanaimo. The Port Theatre is an 800-seat complex that was built in 1998. Located downtown overlooking the waterfront, the Port Theatre is the perfect venue to relax and enjoy a variety of performances. Ballet, improvisation, drama, and concerts featuring world-class musicians, are just some of the spectacular entertainment that you can find here.
The Harbor City also is home to a professional theatre company, as well as a community theatre group. These companies offer drama, comedy improve, children's theatre, and fringe flicks. Nanaimo theatre companies have something for everyone, and help to promote a love for the performing arts in adults and children, alike.

Nanaimo Events & Festivals
In addition to daily entertainment opportunities, there are also a number of festivals and events in Nanaimo that take place all throughout the year. Popular events bring a variety of exciting activities, contests, and shows. Local Battle of the Bands contests aims to encourage healthy competition among entertainment venues, as well as to promote the thriving Nanaimo music scene.
The International Bathtub Race, an annual event since 1967, is Nanaimo's best-known event. It sees dozens of high-speed 'bathtubs' take to the water on the fourth Sunday of July for a challenging race through local waters, and around the Winchelsea Islands. In earlier years the race went all the way across the Strait of Georgia and finished in Vancouver, but a Nanaimo-to-Nanaimo route is now the norm. A weeklong Marine Festival, packed with activities for the whole family, also precedes the Bathtub Race.
In late summer, Nanaimo hosts the Vancouver Island Exhibition (VIEX) on the fair grounds at Beban Park. The VIEX promises a delightful country fair weekend, with agriculture and horticultural displays, livestock competitions, a petting zoo, and live performances from some of Canada's biggest names in Country music.

Tours of Nanaimo
See Nanaimo through the eyes of a local expert! Nanaimo tours and charters allow vacationers to sit back, enjoy the scenery, and ask questions along the way. Nanaimo's beautiful natural setting and central location on Vancouver Island make this a great base for charter and tour companies. Providers in the area offer a variety of sightseeing packages that will enhance any Nanaimo vacation.
From Nanaimo, it's just a short trip by boat, plane, or vehicle to some of the most beautiful spots on the West Coast. You'll find several charter companies based in Nanaimo Harbor, offering daily tours to places like Desolation Sound, the Southern Gulf Islands, and the Johnston Strait. Most providers also offer multi-day skippered boat charters for fishing or sightseeing. There are also several airplane and helicopter tour operators in Nanaimo, which provide aerial tours of the coast and central Vancouver Island.
For sightseeing closer to town, you can hike up Mount Benson with a local outdoor adventure company, or get in touch with the Nanaimo Community Heritage Commission for a historic tour of the city.
There are tours on the harbor; eagle watching, whale-watching, etc but make sure you book in advance so you can avoid disappointment.

And if the weather isn’t holding up for outdoor activates, Nanaimo offers lots of family fun indoors. Visitors who come to Nanaimo know how much the great outdoors has to offer. Fortunately, Nanaimo also has plenty of indoor activities that can offer a whole lot of fun and adventure when the weather's poor. There are a wide variety of fun indoor recreation venues in Nanaimo where you can work up a sweat or spend a relaxing day with the family. Local indoor destinations are rarely crowded since the ocean and mountains are typically the city's biggest draw, so you can come and go as you please. You'll also find prices at these places always within easy reach of the average travel budget.
Some of Nanaimo's most popular indoor recreation spots are located in the mid-town area, near Bowen road. The indoor rock-climbing centre in this part of town is a great place to try scaling a wall for the first time, and is a frequent meeting place for local outdoor climbers. Just down the road, a giant arcade and laser tag hall is available for birthday parties, youth events, and multi-family outings.

Nanaimo Movie Theatres
Evening crowds make their way to Nanaimo movie theatres, both located in the north end of town. See the latest blockbusters and indie flicks at the Avalon Cinema, and Galaxy Nanaimo. Shows run nightly, and many films are offered as matinees as well.

Nanaimo Swimming Pools
For indoor water recreation, Nanaimo has two large swimming facilities that offer families the perfect escape from the bad weather blues. These popular aquatic centers feature giant swimming pools with extras like steam rooms, saunas, wave pools, and water slides.

Ice Skating in Nanaimo
Ice-skating in Nanaimo has long been a favorite pastime of local residents. Public skating is offered at two large arenas in the city. One was constructed in 2001, and is located near the college, while the other was recently renovated, and is situated near mid-town. Onsite snack bars serve hot chocolate and other delectables, perfect for a break between laps.

Nanaimo Bowling Alleys
For fun lovers of all ages, bowling can be a great way to spend time indoors during your stay in Nanaimo. Whether you enjoy 10-pin, 5-pin, or glow-in-the-dark, Nanaimo bowling alleys offer a fun indoor activity for the whole family.