Big crowds are expected over the next three days at the 132nd annual Vancouver Island Exhibition in Nanaimo. (Image Credit: File photo/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By Alex Rawnsley

fall fair

132nd annual Vancouver Island Exhibition opens in Nanaimo

Sep 25, 2026 | 5:33 AM

NANAIMO — The rides, entertainment, music, and mini-donuts are set to take over the Beban Park Fairgrounds this weekend.

Gates open for the 132nd annual Vancouver Island Exhibition at noon on Friday, Sept. 25, with three days of live shows and performances scheduled against the backdrop of rides and the midway from West Coast Amusements.

Returning for the 2026 edition of the VIEx are a majority of the animal shows and demonstrations, Superdogs, and Vancouver Island Pro Wrestling.

New this year is the West Coast Logger Show, replacing a spot on the program vacated by GlobalFMX motocross.

Also added to the festival for this year is a ‘Cruize & Car Show,’ featuring classic, custom, antique, or imported trucks, motorcycles, or cars, to take place Saturday, Sept. 26, with vehicles on display most of the day and a cruise through the fairgrounds planned for 2 p.m.

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The music mainstage is headlined Friday night by The Steadies, while Zach McPhee will close Saturday’s schedule.

Sunday is dedicated to women in country music, with Canadian Country Music Hall of Famer Lisa Brokop headlining in the afternoon.

A full schedule of performances is available here.

Tickets, either single-day or weekend passes, to the fairgrounds are available in advance through the VIEx website.

Children aged six and under are free, with tickets ranging from $5 to $15 for older visitors.

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by Alex Rawnsley

132nd annual Vancouver Island Exhibition opens in Nanaimo

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