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It’s almost Pride Month and the celebrations are already starting for Nanaimo’s 2SLGBTQIA+ community with 2SLGBTQIA+ choir, AVIVA Chorus, performing at Brechin United Church on Saturday. The official start of Pride month will be marked by raising the Pride flags at Vancouver Island University on Monday and Nanaimo City Hall on Tuesday.

Our team at The Discourse has put together a Pride Guide for this season’s events in Nanaimo, Gabriola Island, the Comox Valley and Cowichan Valley. If we have missed mentioning an event or local organization, we would be happy to add it to the guide. Please email us at nanaimo@thediscourse.ca if you think something should be added.

Happy Pride!

Mick Sweetman

2025 Pride guide for Cowichan, Nanaimo and the Comox Valley

Check out local Pride guide for events, plus resources and organizations for 2SLGBTQQIA+ and allies in Cowichan, Nanaimo and the Comox Valley.

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Got the inside scoop of an event you think should be shared? 

Let us know by sending Mick an email.

🎵 Listen 🎤

Tuesday, May 27, 7:30 p.m: Women Aren’t Funny presents Roast Battle: Nanaimo at The Sip Pub. Tickets cost $20.  

Thursday, May 29, 6 p.m.: Blues guitarist Mark Crissinger will play a solo show at the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 256. 

Thursday, May 29, 9 p.m.:  Fake Jass, Nanaimo's monthly evening of experimental, noise and ambient music, with The Jones Paradox, Windharp, Grandpa Brown Sound and Mr. Golden Arches at The Vault Cafe. Tickets cost $15. 

Thursday, May 29, 9 p.m.: Portland’s Dumpster Joe will play jazz, jugband and country blues tunes from the 1920’s and 30’s on resophonic guitar and cello at The Nanaimo Bar. Tickets cost $10. 

Friday, May 30, 6 p.m.: Elise Boulanger and band will play cinematic indie-folk in the Bowen Park Amphitheatre as part of the City of Nanaimo’s free Concerts in the Park series.

Friday, May 30, 6:30 p.m.: Uke’s Misbehavin’ will play at the Gabriola Agi Hall. Tickets cost $10. 

Friday, May 30, 6:30 p.m.: The second-annual Zaddyfest will be at The Globe Live Studio with Last Year's Wishes, The Next, Voyde, Mouth Feel (members of Smash TV and Badblood), As Ash Fell and GorillaFlip. Tickets cost $15. 

Friday, May 30, 9 p.m.: Vancouver’s Ribcage will play psychedelic soul jazz meets free funk at The Vault Cafe. Tickets cost $10-$15 sliding scale.

Friday, May 30, 10 p.m.: Sludge metal band DeathProof and doom klezmer / blues band Tremblers of Sevens will play with Void DJs at The Queen’s. Tickets cost $15 in advance or $20 at the door. 

Saturday, May 31, 3 p.m.: 2SLGBTQIA+ choir AVIVA Chorus will perform Pride in Every Beat: Songs to Lift You Higher at Brechin United Church. Tickets cost $25 in advance or $30 at the door. 

Saturday, May 31, 7 p.m.: Krypteia, Utility Provider and Butcher will play a 19+ metal show at The Globe Live Studio. Tickets cost $15. 

Saturday, May 31, 9 p.m.: Citysnickers Comedy Night with Darcy Boon-Collins and Amy Walsh at The Vault Cafe. Tickets cost $15-$20. 

Saturday, May 31, 9 p.m.: Dead Pony Comedy night at The Terminal with Aidan Collier, Gabriel Vill, Jen Schulueter, Amit Solanki, Talon Peters and Tamara Paulin. Tickets cost $15.

🎭 View 🖼️

Thursday, May 29, 6 p.m.: Sweet Tooth Burlesque presents theatre-based drag and burlesque show Gatsby Glamour: Glitz and Gasps at The Queen’s. Tickets cost $25. 

Friday, May 30, Noon: Take a lunchtime tour of the exhibit After Wrappers by artist-run flavour incubator Big Rock Candy Mountain at the Nanaimo Art Gallery. Tickets cost $5 or are free for members.

⛹️ Meet 🎲

Wednesday, May 28, 6 p.m.: Snuneymuxw Jam Night at Snuneymuxw th’ilelum Kitchen. 

Wednesday, May 28, 6:30 p.m.: Celebrate Asian Heritage Month with a high-energy Bhangra Saap and Khunda workshop led by Sukhi Sangha of Vancouver Island Bhangra at the Nanaimo Museum. Tickets cost $25. 

Thursday, May 29, 5 p.m.: Convos and Cocktails, an evening of womxn coming together to talk, to share, to support, to listen, to strategize and to create a stronger community at The Nanaimo Bar.  

Thursday, May 29. 6:35 p.m.: The Nanaimo Night Owls will play the Mid-Island Pirates at Serauxmen Stadium. Tickets cost $10 to $25. . 

Friday, May 30, 10 a.m.: The Photos for Fun Group meets in the Nanaimo North library’s large meeting room. 

Friday, May 30, 6:35 p.m.: The Nanaimo Night Owls will play the Bellingham Bells for the home opener at Serauxmen Stadium. Tickets cost $10 to $25.

Saturday, May 31, 10:30 a.m.: The Nanaimo Historical Society’s Dave Bodaly will give a guided tour of Colliery Dam Park.  Meet before 10:30 a.m. in the parking lot.

Saturday, May 31, noon to 4 p.m: Celebrate Africa Day with music, food and cultural performances at Wellington Hall. Tickets cost $12.

Saturday, May 31, noon to 8 p.m.: The Strait Curbside Food Truck Festival is at the Nanaimo North Town Centre.

Saturday, May 31, 1 p.m.: Lions free swim at the Nanaimo Aquatic Centre. 

Saturday, May 31, 6:30 p.m.: The Nanaimo Night Owls will play the Bellingham Bells at Serauxmen Stadium. Tickets cost $10 to $25.

Saturday, May 31, 7 p.m.: The Nanaimo Timberman take on the Victoria Shamrocks in the home opener for the Western Lacrosse Association at Frank Crane Arena. Tickets cost $15 or $110 for a season pass.  

Sunday, June 1, 10 a.m.: Join Nanaimo Community Hospice for the annual Hike for Hospice, an event that brings our community together in support of those facing advanced illness, death and grief at Westwood Lake Park.

Sunday, June 1, 1:05 p.m.: The Nanaimo Night Owls will play the Bellingham Bells at Serauxmen Stadium. Tickets cost $10 to $25.

Sunday, June 1, 8:30 a.m.: The Nanaimo Lawn Bowling Club is holding a 12 Hour Lawn Bowling Marathon to raise funds for the breakfast and lunch program at Fairview Elementary School.

Monday, June 2, 11:45 a.m.: Join the Positive Space Alliance to celebrate Pride month by raising the pride flag at Royal Bank Plaza on Vancouver Island University’s Nanaimo campus. After the flag raising, stay for music, cupcakes and games!

Tuesday, June 3, 5 p.m.: Pride Flag raising at Nanaimo City Hall. After a few short speeches from local queer voices and allies there will be a street fair with community info booths, face painting, food and coffee trucks, live music from DJ Trees and Drag Story Time will bring sparkle to the square. 

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