Thousands pack Commercial St. every week for the Night Market, with vendors lining the downtown. It returns to Nanaimo on June 22 for an 11-week run. (File Photo/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By Alex Rawnsley

MARKET SEASON

Mark your calendars: Nanaimo’s Night Market is back

Mar 3, 2023 | 11:11 AM

NANAIMO — Lock it in, the Commercial St. Night Market is coming back.

One of downtown Nanaimo’s signature and most popular events will run every Thursday night from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. for 11 weeks beginning June 22.

Aurora Zuraw, marketing coordinator for the Greater Nanaimo Chamber of Commerce said they’re coming off a very strong 2022 market which was the first after prior years were cancelled during the pandemic.

“People are super eager, we’ve had great feedback and we’re very excited to be hosting it this year. People who maybe weren’t vendors last year, noticed it and see it happening again so they’re reaching out to apply this year so it’s exciting to get some new, different vendors involved.”

Over 150 vendors are expected to line Commercial St. every week from Terminal Ave. to Chapel St.

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A mixture of food and drink trucks, arts and crafts, baked goods, clothing and other products draw thousands to the downtown.

Zuraw said it’s a ready-made audience for the brick-and-mortar stores downtown.

“We really promote the downtown core, especially the businesses on Commercial St. themselves. We position them to have their storefronts open as well as people searching through the vendors, all the main stores on the street are open as well and everyone has access to that.”

Live musical and other performers add to the atmosphere of the Commercial St. Night Market, which returns to Nanaimo in late June. (File Photo/NanaimoNewsNOW)

In advance of the 2023 Night Market, the Chamber has redesigned the event’s logo and is planning a new line of merchandise for market go-ers.

They’re also looking to cement more community partners to help organize and shape the future of the event, with Zuraw saying she wants to see it expand.

Applications to be a vendor or performer at the market are available on the Chamber of Commerce’s website.

The season will run through August 31.

In Parksville the Summer by the Sea Market, which runs Tuesdays between June 13 through Aug. 29 is also accepting applications.

It will set up on Craig St. in downtown Parksville with over 130 vendors lining the streets. The market is celebrating its 20th year in 2023.

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