A little snow on the ground won't stop mid-Island families from enjoying some fun and free Family Day activities this long weekend. (Dreamstime)

By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

long weekend

Fun and free Family Day long weekend events happening on the mid-Island

Feb 17, 2025 | 5:22 AM

NANAIMO — The Family Day weekend is once again upon us, with plenty of fun and free family events taking place across the mid-Island on Monday, February 17.

In Nanaimo, the Aquatic Centre is hosting a free swim for everyone from noon until 5 p.m.

The Nanaimo Ice Centre’s pair of rinks will host an open free skate from 11:30 a.m. until 1 p.m., along with a Stick ‘n’ Puck’ event at the same time on the other side.

The Oliver Woods Community Centre at 6000 Oliver Rd. in Nanaimo is hosting an entire day of activities starting at 9 a.m., with food trucks also set up on-site.

The gym will be open for a variety of sports options along with storytime for the younger kids starting at 9:30 a.m., with the story starting every half hour or so.

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Cooking demonstrations will also be available through the Nanaimo Foodshare.

The closing event for Nanaimo’s 150 Luminous Paths at Maffeo Sutton Park will also take place on Monday at 4 p.m.

More information on Nanaimo events can be found here on the City’s website.

In Ladysmith, the Frank Jameson Community Centre will host free family activities starting at noon with open swimming sessions, gym activities, art kits and more. More information can be found here on their website.

Oceanside
The Coombs fairgrounds at 1014 Ford Rd. will be hosting their 13th annual family day celebration from 1:00 until 4:00 p.m., complete with live animals, educational displays, heritage demos and more.

More details can be found here.

The Ravensong Aquatic Centre in Qualicum Beach is offering a free swim from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., and the Qualicum Beach museum will be open from 1 to 4 p.m. featuring crafts, scavenger hunts and more.

The Oceanside Place Arena in Parksville will have a free skating session, including skate rentals, starting at 1 p.m. until 4 p.m.

And for those interested in hitting the slopes, Mount Washington Alpine Resort is offering 50 per cent off on all lift tickets and Nordic trail passes, with the Oyster Bay Fire Department on site collecting non-perishable and monetary donations for the Comox Valley food bank.

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