Community Events, Fundraisers & Local Impact Across Nanaimo

Posted by Morgan Carey

Updated on July 1st, 2026

Between local volunteer opportunities, youth summer camps, and essential community fundraisers, there are so many ways to connect and make a difference in Nanaimo right now. Here’s a look at some inspiring regional updates and upcoming events you won’t want to miss.

We Need Your Help with CARLY'S HOUSE

What started as a dream to help families facing cancer has quickly become a reality thanks to the incredible generosity of our community.

CARLY'S HOUSE was created to provide a free "home away from home" for cancer patients and their families who must travel to Nanaimo for treatment. For many families, receiving cancer care means countless hours on the road, expensive hotel stays, time away from loved ones, and added stress during an already difficult journey.

CARLY'S HOUSE will remove those barriers by providing a comfortable, welcoming home where families can stay together while a loved one undergoes treatment. The home will be operated in partnership with the Nanaimo & District Hospital Foundation, helping ensure that families have access to safe and supportive accommodations when they need them most.

Today, we are excited to share that construction is moving forward and we are entering the next phase of the project—finishing and furnishing the home.

To open our doors, we still need community support for several essential items, including:

Stove
Refrigerator
Microwave
Dishwasher
Washer and Dryer
Televisions
Furniture and household essentials

We are also seeking support for larger items that will help complete the home, including:

HVAC System
Flooring
Interior finishing materials
Landscaping and exterior improvements

Whether you are able to donate funds, materials, appliances, or professional services, every contribution helps bring us one step closer to welcoming our first family.

Make a Donation

Donations can be made directly through the Nanaimo & District Hospital Foundation's CARLY'S HOUSE campaign. Donations made through the Foundation are eligible for a charitable tax receipt.

Please visit: CARLY'S HOUSE Donation Page

Together, we can create a place of comfort, hope, and support for families facing one of life's greatest challenges. Thank you for helping us make CARLY'S HOUSE a reality.

Carlys House Project Details

Help us build a welcoming place of comfort and hope for families facing cancer.

LOYAL NANAIMO BATHTUB SOCIETY

Bathtub Weekend Volunteers July 24 to July 26

The Loyal Nanaimo Bathtub Society is seeking volunteers for Bathtub weekend from Friday, July 24 to Sunday, July 26, 2026.

Volunteers are needed for setup and tear down, general park duties, servers (Serving It Right is required for this position), and merchandise sales (good communication skills and cash experience required for this position).

Energetic and enthusiastic volunteers are required for all positions; please wear comfy clothing.

For more information, please contact Sharon via phone: 250-327-3619 or via email: harleyshar88@gmail.com.

Loyal Nanaimo Bathtub Society Weekend Volunteers

Join us for the world-famous Bathtub Weekend festivities!

Nanaimo SPCA

BC SPCA summer camps kick off July 8! If you haven’t registered yet, there are still spaces available.

Camps are offered at 10 different locations, plus there are virtual options. Camp themes include pet care, using creativity to take action for animals, careers with animals, wildlife, and more.

Find complete camp listings at spca.bc.ca/camp.

At camp, participants can expect a variety of animal-themed games, crafts, action projects, and guest speakers.

Some time with animals is also included, up to 40 minutes a day. See our FAQ page to learn more.

Nanaimo BC SPCA Summer Camps

Give your kids a wild adventure at the BC SPCA Summer Camps.

Concerts in the Park

Check out the exciting 2026 performance lineup scheduled across our community parks:

Wed, Apr 22 | 6-7 pm | Westwood Lake | Terry Boyle (Roots/Blues; part of Earth Day)
Fri, May 15 | 6-7 pm | Maffeo Sutton Park | Murfitt & Main (Bluegrass/Banjo; part of Food Truck Friday)
Wed, Jun 3 | 6-7 pm | Mansfield Park | Shel Prince (Folk)
Wed, Jun 10 | 1-2 pm | Maffeo Sutton Park | Jared Popma & Band (Folk)
Wed, Jun 17 | 6-7 pm | Kin Park | Donny Boyd and Fine Company (Rock/Blues)
Fri, Jun 26 | 5:30-6:30 pm | Maffeo Sutton Park | Chris Noel & the Burning House (Rock/Blues; part of Family Fun Night)
Fri, Jun 26 | 6:45-7:45 pm | Maffeo Sutton Park | New Road Echo (Country Rock; part of Family Fun Night)
Wed, Jul 8 | 1-2 pm | Mansfield Park | Glen & Maggy (Folk)
Fri, Jul 17 | 6-7 pm | Bowen Park Amphitheatre | Mad Riddim Duo Ft. Janelle Reid (Dub/Reggae)
Wed, Jul 22 | 6-7 pm | Deverill Square Park | Tangible Two (Hip Hop/Rap)
Fri, Jul 31 | 6-7 pm | Daynes Park | Mansfield (Folk)
Fri, Aug 7 | 1-2 pm | Bowen Park Amphitheatre | Paul Gellman (Rock)
Wed, Aug 12 | 6-7 pm | Diana Krall Plaza | Jordan Reems (Pop)
Fri, Aug 21 | 6-7 pm | Maffeo Sutton Park | Tropic Mayhem (Pop; part of Food Truck Friday)
Fri, Aug 21 | 7:15-8:15 pm | Maffeo Sutton Park | Mark Crissinger (Rock/Blues; part of Food Truck Friday)
Thu, Aug 27 | 6-7 pm | Westwood Lake | Tides (R&B/Soul; part of End of Summer Splash)

Nanaimo Concerts in the Park Schedule

Enjoy free live music all spring and summer long in Nanaimo's beautiful public spaces.

Nanaimo Hospital Foundation

Healthcare in our region is at a turning point.

As our community grows, so does the need for more doctors, nurses, and healthcare teams.

That’s why we’re proud to support @nanaimohospitalfoundation and the work they’re doing to bring more healthcare professionals to Central and North Vancouver Island.

Head to NDHF.ca to meet some of the doctors, nurses, and healthcare workers who recently chose to relocate to our region, and learn how, together, we can continue to attract more.

Click here to learn more about recruitment

Nanaimo Hospital Foundation Recruitment Campaign

Supporting healthcare professional recruitment across Vancouver Island.

Save Your Receipts, Support Hospice

Did you know that your Country Grocer receipts can help support local hospice care? Through Country Grocer’s Save a Tape Program, community groups and non-profits like ours receive 1% back in gift cards when receipts are collected and submitted.

You can drop off your receipts at:

Hospice House (1080 St. George St.)
The Hospice Shoppe

These gift cards are then used to help with fundraisers, education events, and to supply programs that directly support the individuals and families we serve.

It’s a simple way to give back: shop local, save your receipts, and know you’re making a difference close to home.

We’re grateful to Country Grocer for including Hospice in this program and for their ongoing commitment to our community.

Country Grocer Save a Tape Program

Every receipt helps us supply programs that support our community.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

› What positions are available for Bathtub Weekend volunteers?

The Loyal Nanaimo Bathtub Society needs volunteers for setup/tear down, general park duties, merchandise sales, and food/beverage servers (Serving It Right certification required).

› When do the BC SPCA summer camps start?

Camps kick off on July 8 across 10 physical locations as well as virtually. Spaces can be reserved online at spca.bc.ca/camp.

› Where can I find the performance details for the Concerts in the Park series?

The full schedule featuring regional artists from April through August across locations like Westwood Lake and Maffeo Sutton Park is detailed in the structured listing above.

› How does the Country Grocer "Save a Tape" program work for Nanaimo Hospice?

When you drop off your collected grocery receipts at Hospice House or The Hospice Shoppe, Country Grocer gives 1% of the subtotals back to the society in the form of gift cards to buy supplies and fundraise.

› What is CARLY'S HOUSE and who will it benefit?

CARLY’S HOUSE is a dedicated, cost-free temporary home for cancer patients and their direct family members who travel to Nanaimo to receive medical care, lowering the financial barriers of traveling for treatment.

› Are financial donations to CARLY'S HOUSE eligible for tax receipts?

Yes. Because the project operates directly alongside the Nanaimo & District Hospital Foundation, all qualifying donations made through their landing campaign will receive formal charitable tax receipts.

› What types of non-monetary donations is the CARLY’S HOUSE project currently looking for?

The project is seeking essential appliances (stoves, refrigerators, laundry machines), residential furniture, household essentials, building components (flooring, structural panels), and specialized trade labour.

Enjoy this blog post? Click here to subscribe for updates