An afternoon of fall fun
VIU Fest features activities for all ages. From science activities to face-painting, there's something for everyone.
Discover possibilities for the future
- head to the Future Student Lounge to chat with VIU Recruiters
- take a kid-friendly campus tour with a current VIU student
Community Corner
Meet the VIU community - it's far bigger than you might imagine. Details coming soon.
With all these great options to choose from, you're sure to have a good time – and maybe learn something too!
Fun Zone!
For kids and kids at heart
- Race your friends in a bouncy castle obstacle course.
- Take part in fun kid-friendly activities.
- Indulge in tasty treats at the food trucks.
Science Mall
With hands-on activities and fun demos at every turn, you'll want to leave plenty of time to explore the Science Mall.
- Natural History Museum
- Augmented Reality Sandbox
- Bird banding station
- Chemistry Club demonstrations
- Social Sciences Hub
- Prize wheel!
Brain Waves
Prepare to discover something new in Brain Waves, where you can engage with different VIU areas of study, including Health, Management, Arts and Humanity and more.
Activities include:
- video game demonstrations
- dream job selfie station
- ball toss
- trivia
- arts and crafts
Pumpkin patch
Pumpkin carving
Carve a pumpkin with help from Culinary Arts students.
Pumpkins are only $2.
Culture Couch
Malaspina Theatre lobby.
Culture Couch is a student initiative to foster cross-cultural understanding.
At the Library
Button Making
Draw, make a collage and be creative
Thrive Wellness Lounge
Meet student Wellness Peers, enjoy a hot chocolate or take part in crafts.
Arts & Humanities activities
- Roving characters will entertain with friendly improv shenanigans
- Mask-making
- print-making
- bookmark-making
Live Show
For mature (14+) audiences
2 pm Mike Taugher Studio
Tough, a play by George F. Walker.
Directed by Ross Deprez
Trades fun
Try your hand at running heavy equipment on a simulator.
Dive into the trades tickle trunk for dress-up fun and take a photo in the trades photo booth.
Lightning talks
5-minute expert talks with passionate and engaging VIU professors.
Where: Malaspina Theatre (Building 310).
Emceed by Dr. Jean Maltesen, Associate Vice-President, Academic.
1 pm start:
- The Future of Humanity: How current AI tools are shaping our social and cultural landscapes
Speaker: Dr. Joanna Hesketh, Marketing Professor - What’s in a name? History in our own backyard
Speaker: Dr. Katharine Rollwagen - Environmental psychology: What it is and how it can make your life better
Speaker: Dr. Lindsay McCunn - Teaching children about climate change
Speaker: Dr. Wendy Simms, Education Professor - Starting Small: Learning Indigenous Ways Together
Speaker: Hayden Kenneth Taylor, Education Professor and VIU alum
2:30 pm start:
- Democracy's delicate dance: Trust vs. distrust
Speaker: Dr. Michael MacKenzie, Jarislowsky Chair in Trust and Political Leadership - “Wait, did I already tell you this story?” An explanation of memory for conversations
Speaker: Dr. Becky Earhart, Psychology Professor - Fluffy’s Vet Visit: Behind those closed doors, how Registered Veterinary Technicians make all the difference
Speaker: Marina John, Instructor of VIU’s Animal Care Aide program - Building your yellow brick road: A social psychology blueprint
Speaker: Dr. Elizabeth Brimacombe, Dean, Faculty of Social Sciences - Making your "Student Vote" count: Talking with kids about the provincial election
Speaker: Dr. Paula Waatainen, Education Professor - The performative power of pancakes
Speaker: Dr. Rob Ferguson, Associate Dean, Management - I think I can but what if? Building confidence in sport
Speaker: Dr. Jordan Herbison, Kinesiology Professor
Markets
Indigenous Artists’ Market at Shq’apthut
Come gather at Shq’apthut: A Gathering Place for An Indigenous Artists’ Market featuring local artists, including
- beaded earings
- cedar baskets
- jewellery
- carvings
- dreamcatchers
- art prints
- stickers
- sage bundles
- and much more
You can also check out the newly expanded Shq’apthut, the centre for ceremony and Indigenous students’ home away from home while they attend VIU.
Community Market
The Community Market is your destination for a little mingline and shopping. Meet the VIU community and browse the market.
- Nanaimo Art Gallery
- Central Vancouver Island Multicultural Society
- Nanaimo Neighbourhood Welcome Program
- Red Frogs Nanaimo
- Go By Bike
- Positive Space Alliance
- VIU DND club
- Milner Gardens & Horticulture
