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Indigenous Arts & Cultures in Nanaimo

Discover Indigenous Destinations and Experiences in Nanaimo

Nanaimo, located on the east coast of Vancouver Island, is deeply rooted in the traditions of the Snuneymuxw First Nation, one of the Coast Salish peoples. With a rich history spanning over 5,000 years, Nanaimo offers visitors a chance to engage with Indigenous culture through art, storytelling, and immersive experiences that celebrate the deep connection between the Snuneymuxw people and the land, water, and sky.

Start your journey at the Snuneymuxw Cultural Centre, where visitors can learn about traditional Coast Salish practices, oral histories, and the significance of the region’s sacred sites. Explore the Petroglyph Park, home to ancient rock carvings that tell stories of the Snuneymuxw people’s connection to the land and their spiritual beliefs.

Immerse yourself in authentic Indigenous experiences by joining guided canoe tours, visiting Indigenous-owned galleries featuring Coast Salish art, or attending cultural festivals that showcase traditional drumming, dance, and storytelling. Along Nanaimo’s waterfront, interpretive signs and public art installations highlight the Indigenous history of the area, offering insights into traditional fishing, trading routes, and ceremonial practices.

Whether you’re exploring sacred petroglyphs, learning about Indigenous land stewardship, or engaging with Snuneymuxw artists, Nanaimo invites you to experience the living cultural heritage of the Coast Salish people, where ancient traditions continue to thrive in a modern world.

Nanaimo is situated on the east coast of Vancouver Island, British Columbia. One of the main things to do in downtown Nanaimo is a visit to the Nanaimo Museum, located in downtown on the traditional territory of the Snuneymuxw Nation. The museum offers a variety of critically acclaimed exhibits including the ones being brought from the Canadian History Museum, the National Gallery and the Vancouver Art Gallery.   Other art attractions include the Nanaimo Ceramic Arts - Studio & Gallery which showcases ceramics, paintings, jewelry and fibre arts. The studio also offers 1-2 day workshops for all ages. Apart from museums, the city also has the Port Theatre, which is an 800-seat theatre located downtown. Additionally, the city also hosts the annual Jazz Festival that showcases many local artists   Beautiful scenery and a rich local culture make downtown Nanaimo a great destination for art enthusiasts.  

Every community has its own unique cultural footprint.

Please come back to visit this community as we are curating content and destinations throughout the Province of BC. If you or your organization wish to be presented on this page, we invite you to become a Marketing Member

Upcoming Community Events

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VIS Studio: Fall 2025 Art and Sculpture Classes

Joel A Prevost – Vancouver Island Sculpting Studio
Nanaimo
Date:
September 1, 2025
-
November 30, 2025
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Highlights (learn more / register): Click the blue link for more information. – Urban Sketching with John Hofman — Sun, Sept 21, 28 & Oct 5 | 1 – 4 pm – Garden of Eden — clay sculpting with Joël A. Prévost — Thu, Oct 2, 9, 16, 23 & 30 | 7- 10 pm – The Eyes Exploration — Joël A. Prévost — Tue, Oct Read more...
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Upcoming Events | Tourism Nanaimo

Tourism Nanaimo
Nanaimo
Date:
October 1, 2025
-
May 29, 2026
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Embrace the eclectic energy of Nanaimo at our Bathtub Races, a thrilling tribute to our marine heritage, or get lost in the magic of our Lantern Festival, join the city in colour for our Pride Festival, Jazz fest and more. Every season brings something new and exciting, ensuring that no two visits to Nanaimo are ever the same. Here’re Upcoming Read more...
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Grow Nanaimo | Nanaimo Museum

Nanaimo Museum
Nanaimo
Date:
November 8, 2025
-
September 6, 2026
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Farming and food security are important topics of conversations today, and in the past. Grow Nanaimo features stories of complex relationships with the land, culturally diverse farmers, and Five Acres, a planned agricultural community now known as Harewood. Take a seat in the outhouse interactive and be privy to the secrets of the night soil scavengers and check out the Read more...
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Nanaimo Art Walk

Nanaimo Art Walk
Nanaimo
Date:
November 22, 2025
-
November 23, 2025
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Since 1999, the Downtown Nanaimo Artwalk has been an exciting cultural event for visual artists to display works of art for sale. This is a self-guided tour through artists studios and host locations, featuring a great variety of art with something for everybody’s budget. Read more...
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