Nanaimo Marine Festival

The first Nanaimo Marine Festival was in 1966 to celebrate Canada's 100th birthday, and now the festival has more than 50 years old. Every year these festivities are held in July, mainly in the last ten days of the month. The best way to enjoy the festival, especially for boating enthusiasts, is on a yacht charter throughout this period. This way you wouldn't miss anything about the event.
The Nanaimo Marine Festival's main event is the world-renowned Great International World Championship Bathtub Race, an entertaining competition. There has been a change in the racecourse couple of years ago. Racers used to end their journey at Departure Bay Beach, but now both the start and finish lines are at Maffeo Sutton Park.
Naval history is a big part of Nanaimo's culture. Any chance to celebrate it and make it more known to the world is always taken up with enthusiasm. The marine festival has everything a good festival needs, a competition, food, drink, and sometimes there is even a concert with famous singers.

Nanaimo Marine Festival Location

The Nanaimo Marine Festival is held at Nanaimo Harbour, Vancouver Island. It is near downtown, which means you are close to everything downtown has to offer. During the festival, the city is awash with activities. You can go to the farmer's markets for parades. There are light festivals and fireworks everywhere and very powerful music performances. Nanaimo Marine Festival is an old tradition and representative of Nanaimo's navy culture; it is also an institution, a celebration that locals look forward to all year round.
For more information about the festival, go to the Loyal Nanaimo Bathtub Society at 170 Wallace St, Nanaimo.

How to Get to Nanaimo Marine Festival by Car

From Nanaimo:
The fastest route from downtown Nanaimo to Nanaimo Harbour is Bastion St and Front St. It is 700 m (2296.5 ft) and takes about 10 minutes.
Head east on Wallace St toward Fraser St and go on for 13 m (42.6 ft). With a slight left onto Bastion St, follow it for 300 m (984.2 ft). Turn right onto Front St and after 290 m (951.4 ft), turn left onto Promenade Dr. Continue 95 m (311.6 ft) more to reach Nanaimo Harbour.

From Victoria:
Getting to Nanaimo Harbour from Victoria is via Trans-Canada Hwy/BC-1 N. It is 111 km (68.9 miles) and takes about an hour and a half.
Head west on Pandora Ave toward Government St and go on for 99 m (324.8 ft). Turn right onto Government St and after 1 km (0.6 miles) take a slight right toward Trans-Canada Hwy/BC-1 N. Follow it for 72 m (236.2 ft) and use any lane to turn left onto Trans-Canada Hwy/BC-1 N. Drive 109 km (67.7 miles). Turn right onto Esplanade (signs for Gabriola 1st) and go on for 89 m (292 ft). Continue onto Front St, and after 400 m (1312.3 ft), turn right onto Promenade Dr. Drive 95 m (311.6 ft) more to reach Nanaimo Harbour.

History of Nanaimo Marine Festival

In 1966, the first Nanaimo Marine Festival was held in celebration of Canada's 100th birthday.

Things to do around the Nanaimo Marine Festival Area

Downtown is where the best activities in Nanaimo are available. You get to do almost any pleasure you want. Throw an axe at a target like a Viking warrior in Axe & Grind, an axe-throwing club less than a kilometre (0.6 miles) away. With so many take-outs and dine-in restaurants like Modern Café or The View Oceanside Grill, it would be a total loss if you don't try some of them. Another good place to go is Port Theatre on Front St, where you can see a play or enjoy a concert. Since the docks are accessible via Nanaimo Harbour, walk there in the evening and watch the sunset.