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Concerts in the Park will include an action-packed Friday, June 26, where FIFA World Cup 2026 viewing party on large projection screen will be staged at Maffeo Sutton Park. (Image Credit: Ian Holmes/NanaimoNewsNOW)
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Nanamo’s outdoor concert series includes FIFA World Cup viewing party

Apr 26, 2026 | 5:55 AM

NANAIMO — A Harbour City tradition aims to strike the right chord once again this year.

Concerts in the Park, featuring 14 performance dates across multiple genres, starting this past Wednesday evening carries on through August 27.

Adrienne Breen, the City’s manager of culture & special events, said local performers are sourced to entertain crowds in a rotating list of popular City parks.

“They’re paid to perform for the public, the concert’s themselves are free and we are able to bring to community together; people of all ages and abilities to our amazing parks,” Breen told NanaimoNewsNOW.

Schedule of this year's Concerts in the Park, staged by the City of Nanaimo.
Schedule of this year’s Concerts in the Park, staged by the City of Nanaimo. (Image Credit: City of Nanaimo)

The Friday, June 26 event is capped off by a FIFA World Cup 2026 viewing party at 8 p.m. at Maffeo Sutton Park when Belgium clashes with New Zealand.

A big screen and sound system will be set up in the grass field near Lions Pavillion to show the game from BC Place Stadium.

“We were fortunate enough to receive a 2026 community events support fund grant, that allowed us to add an outdoor watch party to one of our Concerts in the Park,” Breen said. “We actually have a triple event happening.”

A Family Fun Day event at the waterfront park, as well as a double-header Concert in the Park will be offered on June 26, with festivities scheduled between 4 p.m. and 10 p.m.

The City secured a $15,000 grant from the provincial Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport ministry, part of $1.7 million awarded to 32 B.C. communities.

Headed by the Parks, Recreation and Culture department, Breen said Concerts in the Park has been a valued staple in the City’s summer programming for many years.

New to the Concerts in the Park itinerary this year are a trio of hour-long performances starting at 1 p.m.

Breen encourages attendees bring a lawn chair and blanket.

“It’s an opportunity for artist’s to play in a location that’s a little unexpected where performances are still fairly early in the day — there’s that outdoor environment where kids can run around and dance freely, it’s really a lovely family event.”

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