It's Canada Day Frank Ney, with events happening across the mid-Island celebrating Canada's 158th year since signing the Constitution Act, creating the Dominion of Canada. (File photo/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By NanaimoNewsNOW staff

Canadian, eh?

Several Canada Day events planned for mid-Island

Jun 30, 2025 | 5:10 PM

NANAIMO — While there are plenty of ways to honour Canada Day this Tuesday, July 1, those living in central Vancouver Island have plenty of fun, family-friendly ways to honour the Great White North.

The City of Nanaimo is hosting a free family celebration from 11 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. at Maffeo Sutton Park.

Live music, a kid and family zone, food area, and a cultural community stage featuring dancers, singers, and musicians will provide entertainment all day long, emceed by Daryl Major from 102.3 FM The Wave.

A full list of Canada Day events at Maffeo Sutton Park courtesy of the City of Nanaimo is available here.

Thousands of people will converge on Maffeo Sutton Park for Canada Day festivities (File photo/NanaimoNewsNOW)

Fireworks can be viewed immediately following the Nanaimo NightOwls game, which starts at 6:35 p.m. at Serauxmen Stadium, as the Owls host the Victoria HarbourCats.

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The coastal defence vessel HMCS Nanaimo will be docked at the Nanaimo Harbour until July 4, offering tours via the W.E. landing dock on Promenade Dr. on Tuesday, July 1, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., as well as on Wednesday, July 2, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The ship will be part of Canada Day and Fleet Week activities before being transferred to the East Coast.

The Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) will also be conducting flybys for several Canada Day events on the mid-Island at various times throughout the day.

B.C. communities on their list include Courtenay, Mayne Island, Parksville and Qualicum Beach.

A detailed list of all the events happening at Maffeo Sutton Park on Tuesday, July 1. (City of Nanaimo)

Oceanside
The Canada Day parade in the City of Parksville kicks off at 10 a.m. along the Island Hwy. E at Shelly Rd., finishing up at the Parksville Civic and Technology Centre at 100 Jensen Ave, with road closures in the area between 7:30 a.m. and noon.

Following the parade, events at the Parksville Community Park are happening all afternoon long.

Live music, food trucks, family and kids activities like a magician, face painters, and Canada Day cake and cupcakes will all be available, as well as a chance to learn how to build sandcastles.

A full schedule of the Parksville events is available here.

The Town of Qualicum Beach is also hosting a full day of fun, food, music, and community spirit, in partnership with hosts Legion Branch #76, at 180 Veterans Way.

The Legion’s pancake breakfast starts at 8:30 a.m. before switching to lunch and beer gardens at noon, with the official opening ceremonies taking place at 1:00 p.m. on the main stage.

The cake cutting and the flyover by the RCAF are both expected to take place around 1:45 p.m.

The rest of the afternoon is filled with live music and entertainment at the Legion and along Veterans and Memorial Way.

Ladysmith
Transfer Beach is the place to be in Ladysmith on July 1 with the pancake breakfast starting at 9:00 a.m., hosted by the Ladysmith Kinsmen Club.

The official ceremony is at 11:00 a.m. at the amphitheatre, with live music planned after for the rest of the afternoon.

Food trucks, kids and family activities, interactive community booths and more will be available, with full details available here.

BC Transit & BC Ferries
BC Transit is offering free shuttle and bus service across select regions on July 1, with delays expected for Canada Day parades and events.

Sunday service hours will be in effect in the RDN, with a special shuttle provided for transportation to Maffeo Sutton Park.

Details on the shuttle schedule and pick-up locations can be found here.

BC Ferries is also expecting an increase in traffic around Canada Day as they ramp up their service for the busy summer season, including a new once-daily sailing from Tsawwassen to Duke Point in effect since June 19.

People travelling in B.C. are encouraged to know before they go by planning ahead, and getting the latest road conditions across the province by going to drivebc.ca.

Wherever you choose to celebrate on Canada Day, make sure you are prepared for the conditions, as Environment Canada is predicting highs around 27 degrees Celsius or higher for much of the province on July 1.

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