01/25/2025
Welcome to our weekly post sharing about upcoming low-cost/free events and currently available resources!
Feel free to add more in the comments below :)
For more local resources, check out our website at www.pananaimo.ca
Central Vancouver Island Multicultural Society
🟡Lunar New Year Celebration
Sat Jan 25 1pm to 3pm. Harbourfront Library.
Free event. Dance, crafts and fun. All are welcome.
My Inner Harbour
🟡Orientation (free): Tour the building and engage in some therapeutic activities.
Jan 25 1pm to 230pm. 149 Wallace St.
https://myinnerharbour.ca/event-6020391
Literacy Central Vancouver Island
🟡Free storytimes for Robert Munsch Week.
Jan 27 to 31 10:30am to 11am. 19 Commercial St.
🟡The Toolbox Talk & Narcan training:
Conversation about substance use, mental health, the current toxic drug supply, and available harm reduction/recovery options. Pizza included. Free event.
Thurs Jan 30th 1pm to 2pm. 19 Commercial Street.
RSVP to trades@lcvi.ca
🟡Tech Cafe: Digital literacy & tech support drop-in. Free. Jan 31 1pm to 3pm.
Nanaimo Science
🟡 Science in the Park - Winter and Alpine Ecosystems @ Mt Benson Regional Park Jan 26 11am to 2pm.
Free all ages activity - parent participation required.
Nanaimo Art Gallery
🟡Indigenous Crafting Circle
Feb 7th 10am to noon. Ages 16+. Requested donation admission fee of $5. Social event for Indigenous creatives. Visit website for more details.
Community Living BC/Nanaimo Community Dances
🟡Valentine's Masquerade Dance
Sat Feb 8th 6pm to 9pm FREE
Bowen Park Auditorium. Family friendly, fun music, snacks and prizes.
VIU Students Union
🟡No More Stolen Sisters Memorial March
Fri Feb 14 3:30pm
March begins at Diana Krall Plaza and ends at Maffeo Sutton Park.
🟡Overdose Awareness: Naloxone & Harm Reduction training. Pre-registration online required.
Feb 12, March 11 3pm to 430pm
VIU B193, R217
Learn how to respond to overdoses and receive a naloxone kit to take home.
Lisa Marie Barron, Member of Parliament, Nanaimo-Ladysmith
🟡Nanaimo FREE Skate
Feb 17th 11:30am to 1:30pm Nanaimo Ice Centre.
Branch Out Learning
🟡All Ages Free Clothing Swap on Sunday Feb 23
11am to 3pm at 100-4750 Hammond Bay Road.
All attendees must register in advance.
City of Nanaimo Local Government
🟡 Luminous Paths: Nanaimo's 150 and Beyond. A winter art festival to mark the 150th birthday of Nanaimo. Maffeo Sutton Park.
Opening event: Jan 22 5pm to 9pm
Closing event: Feb 17 4pm to 8pm
🟡Lions Free Skate at Frank Crane Arena
Every Sunday 12 to 1:30pm
Until March 30, 2025.
Includes free skate and helmet rentals.
🟡Youth Lounge at the Aquatic Centre. Free.
Ages 11 to 18. Gaming, charging stations, VR, pizza & snacks, swimming & skating, free wifi and more.
Thursdays 3pm to 7pm
Fridays 2pm to 9pm
🟡Spare Blox Youth Drop-In. Free.
Exercise and have fun with your peers.
*Ages 11 to 14 Fairview Community School
Mondays Jan 15 to March 4, 7pm to 8:30pm
*Ages 13 to 17 John Barsby School
Wednesdays Jan 17 to March 6, 8:30pm to 10pm
On Eagles' Wings at Maranatha Church
🟡FREE pasta supper every Sunday at 5pm. Doors open at 4:15pm. Family oriented, high chairs available. All you can eat, vegetarian options too. Salad, garlic bread and dessert. Extra pantry items available to take home. 6553 Portsmouth Road.
St. Paul's Anglican Church
🟡Food Card Ministry
Third Tues of every month.
Starting at 9am $15 Grocery gift cards given away to the first 30 people at the church office.
🟡Free Sunday Lunch 12:30pm to 1:30pm
Kids activities and an introduction to karate.
Jan 26 Feb 2, 9, 16
Helping Paws Nanaimo Community Animal Clinic
🟡Upcoming clinic dates at 12:30pm:
Feb 20, March 27, April 24, May 22
Free exams, vaccines and parasite control for pets.
Come early to line up!
Nanaimo Child Development Centre
🟡Community Drop-In Playgroup
Tues and Thurs 9am to 11:30am. Free.
For parents/caregivers and kids ages 0 to 8.
1135 Nelson St. Enter through the back gate off Grant Ave.
Risebridge
🟡Temporary Daytime Warming Center every Tues.
9am to noon. Clothing & survival gear, coffee & snack bar, connect with a support worker and other resources. 520 Prideaux St.
Island Crisis Care Society
🟡Drop-in Center at 55 Victoria Road. Entrance off Nicol St. 11am to 6pm 7 days a week. Warming Center offering resource connections, essential services.
Salvation Army Church Nanaimo
🟡Shares FREE pet food Mon to Thurs between 9am and 1pm at 505 8th St.
Nanaimo Foodshare Society
🟡FREE Monday Lunch together on Jan 27 at St Paul's Anglican Church.
🟡Also, check out the Good Food Box program where you can access fresh fruit and veg affordably! More info: https://nanaimofoodshare.ca/programs/good-food-box-gfb/
