Welcome to The Hub Nanaimo, your weekly insider guide to the best of community arts and culture. Did a friend forward this email to you? Subscribe to this newsletter.

We are officially into December and the holiday season is creeping up on us like Lock, Shock and Barrell stalking Sandy Claws for Jack Skellington.

So, if you haven’t taken down the giant skellington in your yard from Halloween, be sure to put a red hat on it. 

If you are still shopping for that perfect gift there are still lots of Christmas and craft markets happening this month which we have collected for you below, as well as plenty of holiday-themed shows and events. 

For those of you who can relate more to Scrooge’s sentiments, we also have our regular music, arts and community events listings.

Happy Holidays,

Mick Sweetman

🖊️ What you said ⌨️

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“Fantastic! Keep on letting us know where all the holiday festivities are. Markets, music, etc. Love it.”

— Santa's Elf, from our newsletter survey

🎄 Holiday Markets and more 🎄

Thursdays, Dec. 4 to 18, 4 p.m. to 9 p.m.: Downtown Nanaimo Winterfest has late-night shopping and holiday activities in Diana Krall Plaza and the downtown core. Catch the Christmas tree light up at 5 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 4 in Diana Krall Plaza. Admission is free.

Thursday, Dec. 4 to Dec. 21: Make memories with your loved ones this holiday season by experiencing Milner Christmas Magic, an outdoor stroll through thousands of twinkling lights and festive window displays at Milner Gardens and Woodland in Qualicum Beach. Admission is by donation, suggested $8 for adults, $4 for a child or $20 per household.

Friday, Dec. 5, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.: The VIU Art Club invites the public and campus community to its annual Winter Art Sale in the Building 310 cafeteria at VIU. There will be one-of-a-kind artworks for purchase which include prints, paintings, photos, ceramics, drawings and more.

Friday, Dec. 5 to Sunday, Dec. 7: Explore thoughtfully crafted items by local artists and makers at the Winter Weekend Holiday Market at the Nanaimo Art Gallery. Admission is free.

Saturday, Dec. 6, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.: A Santa Brunch and Market will be held at Park Avenue School. Admission is $25 for a family (up to six people) or $5 for individuals. Admission to just the market is by donation. 

Saturday, Dec. 6, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.: Celebrate the holidays in the Old City Quarter for its Winter Jamboree. Local businesses will host interactive activities such as Santa story time, crafting wrapping paper, brewing potions and more! An artisan market will take place at 403 Fitzwilliam St.

Saturday, Dec. 6, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.: The Ukrainian Christmas Bazaar features vendors and plenty of perogies, borscht and baked goods at St. Michael’s Parish Hall.  

Saturday, Dec. 6, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.: The Holiday Hop-Along is a scavenger-style hunt that brings you through shops in the Old City Quarter. A rabbit has been hidden inside of each listed store on your game card and it's your job to find it in the shop and get your card punched before moving on to your next stop! 

Saturday, Dec. 6 and Sunday, Dec. 7: The Holiday Bazaar will be held in the Cedar Community Hall. Admission is free.

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

Let us know by sending Mick an email.

🎵 Listen 🎤

Thursday, Dec. 4, 7:30 p.m.: Celebrate the spirit of the season with Shari Ulrich & The Unfaithful Servants sharing the stage for a night of acoustic magic at St. Andrew's United Church. Tickets cost $43.50.

Friday, Dec. 5, 8 p.m.: A night of Vancouver Island hip hop, with lyricist Phoenix Gates and Comox Valley's Alick Mac at The Vault Cafe. Tickets cost $10. 

Friday, Dec. 5, 8 p.m.: Dead Bob, Danger Box and Mean Bikini will play an all-ages show at The Globe Live Studio. Tickets cost $25 in advance or $30 at the door. 

Saturday, Dec. 6, 7 p.m.: Experience the magic of the season with Christmas in Canada, a traditional family Christmas concert presented by Festive Brass and featuring beloved choirs from across Vancouver Island at St. Andrews United Church. Tickets cost $18.50

Saturday, Dec. 6, 7 p.m.: Jake Vaadeland and The Sturgeon River Boys will play at The Queen's. Tickets cost $39.50. 

Saturday, Dec. 6, 9 p.m.:  A night of exceptional jazz with Cayleigh Borsboom on saxophone with friends at The Vault Cafe. Tickets cost $15.

Monday, Dec. 8, 7:30 p.m.: A Holly Jolly Christmas combines beloved Christmas classics with some of the biggest hits of the 1950s and 60s at The Port Theatre. Tickets cost $54. 

Tuesday, Dec. 9, 7:30 p.m.: CBC Comedy’s The Debaters bring their Holiday Special to The Port Theatre. Tickets cost $61.50. 

Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2 p.m. & 7:30 p.m.: Nanaimo’s own Nico Rhodes and Patrick Courtin bring the festivities home for the holidays with a brand-new show — Piano Heist: A Very Merry Heistmas! — at The Port Theatre. Tickets cost $59 or $20 with student ID.

🎭 View 🖼️

Friday, Dec. 5, noon: Take a lunchtime tour of the exhibit Commercial St. at the Nanaimo Art Gallery. Tickets cost $5. 

Friday, Dec. 5, 6 p.m.:  Experience a night of inclusive, sustainable fashion, featuring runway looks from local favourites Funk Revival and Genskee Apparel with Unlabeled: Pride on the Runway at 21 Nicol St. Tickets cost $22.

Friday, Dec. 5, 7:30 p.m.: The Cheesecake Burlesque Revue presents: Brrr-lesque & Baubles: A Winter Holiday Spectacular at the Malaspina Theatre. Tickets cost $40. 

Saturday, Dec. 6, 7:30 p.m.: Bear Grease reimagines the iconic 1972 musical Grease through a bold and comedic Native lens at The Port Theatre. Tickets cost $50 or $25 for students. 

Saturday, Dec. 6, 8 p.m.:  The MYNAIMO Freakers Ball DIY fashion fundraiser for Palestine at Mellowdrama Studios. Music by DJ Brendolage, DJ Meowth, DJ MCMCM, DJ Velia. Emceed by Alex Hicks of Penny A Sketch Productions and Hypnojerk and Kristjanne Vosper of KMVP. All proceeds support The Sameer Project. $10 to walk or $25 to gawk.  

Sunday, Dec. 7, 1 p.m. and 7 p.m.: The film One to One, which gives a final look at Beatles singer, songwriter and lead musician John Lennon and his wife, Yoko Ono, in New York in the early 70’s, will be screened in the Vancouver Island Conference Centre’s Shaw Auditorium. Tickets cost $15 or $10 for youth under 25. 

Sunday, Dec. 7, 4 p.m.: The French film The Marching Band (En Fanfare) will be screened in the Vancouver Island Conference Centre’s Shaw Auditorium. Tickets cost $15 or $10 for youth under 25. 

⛹️ Meet 🎲

Thursday, Dec. 4, 8 p.m.; Sound Heritage is partnering with Granby Tech to host a "Synth-Mas" gathering at the store. The focus of the event will be the showcasing of an impressive analog synth built by Mike Hogan. Admission by donation.

Thursday, Dec. 4, 8 p.m.: Celebrate 30 years of health and community services at AVI Nanaimo’s anniversary party in The Vault Cafe. There will be raffles, entertainment and more!  Cover is $10 to $20, sliding scale. 

Friday, Dec. 5, 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.: Come to the second floor of the Nanaimo Harbourfront library for a Frosted Woodland Teen Lock-In for youth aged 12 to 18 years. 

Saturday, Dec. 6, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.: The Nanaimo RCMP’s youth section will collect donations of toys, non-perishable food and gently used clothing and footwear at the Cram the Cruiser event at Save On Foods, 6901 Island Hwy N. 

Saturday, Dec. 6, 11:30 a.m.: Watch Vancouver Whitecaps FC take on Inter Miami CF in the MLS Cup Final with other supporters at the SIP Pub.

Saturday, Dec. 6, 4:30 p.m.: The Nanaimo, Duncan & District Labour Council will hold a candlelight vigil marking the National Day of Remembrance and Action Against Gender Based Violence at Maffeo Sutton Park. 

Sunday, Dec. 7, 2 p.m.: Mobility Storytime at the Wellington Library features mobility-focused books in partnership with National Seating & Mobility Nanaimo.

Sunday, Dec. 7, 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.: The Sunday Board Game Group meets at the Nanaimo North Library. 

Wednesday, Dec. 10, noon to 4:30 p.m.: Drop in at the Gabriola Island Library for the annual Amnesty International event, Write for Rights. Write or sign a letter in support of people around the world who are suffering from or fighting for injustices such as environmental destruction and unsafe working conditions.

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