The 2025 Maple Sugar Festival runs Friday, Feb. 20 to Sunday, Feb. 22. (Image Credit: Ian Holmes/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By Ian Holmes

sugar fix

French-inspired Nanaimo festival celebrates 25 years

Feb 20, 2026 | 12:39 PM

NANAIMO — It’ll be a weekend of sugary treats, poutine, family fun and more at Nanaimo’s Beban Park Social Centre.

The 25th annual Maple Sugar Festival, hosted by the Nanaimo Francophone Association (NFA), takes place between the evening of Friday, Feb. 20 and Sunday, Feb. 22.

Camille Veron, NFA executive director, told NanaimoNewsNOW said while the longstanding event is heavily tied to Francophone traditions, it’s carefully assembled to be enjoyed by all.

“You don’t need to speak to French, all information and announcements are done in both languages.”

Extensive Francophone-infused entertainment, food trucks, workshops, and kids’ activities are among the offerings at the affordable festival free for kids 12-years-old and under.

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Beyond food trucks outside the front entrance, several sweet treats, along with traditional French Canadian cuisine options will be offered inside.

The main stage features musical acts from local artists and headliners across Canada, who are all connected to Francophone culture, Veron said.

Over the years, the Maple Sugar Festival’s lineup of entertainment has become increasingly multi-cultural, Veron noted.

“We have different kind of music, like traditional Quebec music, but also west African music, hip hop, jazz, all kinds of music.”

Beban Park Social Centre’s main stage will hold a constant rotation of a variety of musical acts. (Image Credit: Maple Sugar Festival/Nanaimo Francophone Association.)

Reflecting on the festival’s growth, Veron said the event has expanded on all fronts, which has served as an important gathering place for the Francophone community.

More people have attended from wider backgrounds over the years, Veron said.

“We can see how the festival evolved over the years. It started from a sugar shack, it was pretty famous, so it ended up being three days.”

Detailed information on the Maple Sugar Festival is linked here, while the Nanaimo Francophone Association’s main page is available here.

The event runs on Friday from 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m., Saturday between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m., and Sunday starting at 10 a.m. and wrapping up at 4 p.m.

Day passes at the door are $15, day passes are $10, while admission is free for NFA members.

Nanaimo was formally selected last year by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada as a “welcoming community” for the quality of services offered in French.

Last year’s designation for the Harbour City, as well as 23 other Canadian communities, highlighted commitments to welcoming French-speaking newcomers transition to their new surroundings.

toffee on snow is one of many sweet and savory food delicacies at the annual Maple Sugar Festival. (Image Credit: Maple Sugar Festival/Nanaimo Francophone Association)

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