Festivals & Events

Ladysmith Festival of Lights

Ladysmith’s most popular event, the Festival of Lights is also Vancouver Island’s largest winter family celebration. From the last Thursday in November until the second Sunday in January, thousands of twinkling Christmas lights illuminate our town. And hundreds of thousands of visitors share the Christmas spirit.

Arts on the Avenue Festival

It all takes place on First Avenue Ladysmith. Art Jam (formerly know as Light Up the Night) takes place from 6 PM-9:30 PM and is designed as a fun family event on a Saturday evening in August. We encourage people to stay up late, bring the family and enjoy downtown Ladysmith, and art. Art Jam will include a paint competition, live music, kids area and interactive art stations for the whole family to enjoy. From 7:30 PM-9:30 PM there will be a street dance.

Early on Sunday morning, artists gather with coffee in one hand and original art in the other, ready for you. This festival art market is an art collector's dream. Wander the street and see what artists have brought this year. From original paintings, jewelry, fabric art, carving, Indigenous-made art and more, you will not be disappointed. The air is filled with music, the streets are lined with art and there is a kids' art space where young artists create their own one-of-a-kind work to take home! The market on Sunday is from

10 AM-4 PM.

Ladysmith Days Celebration

This annual summer affair has celebrated the abundant talent from Ladysmith for more than 40 years. Ladysmith Days features live music, pancake breakfast, a parade and many more fun family activities. Plus fireworks and more food. It all takes place on the August long weekend.

Heritage Boat Festival

Ahoy, matey! Ladysmith Maritime Society’s annual spring festival at the community marina features heritage vessels from all over the West Coast. You can also enjoy harbour tours on the Maritimer and exhibits of maritime art.

Pirate Day

Why wait until Halloween to dress like a swashbuckler? Pirate Day at the Ladysmith Community Marina encourages kids of all ages to do their best Blackbeard imitation. For the kids, there’s a bullhead derby, petting zoo, bouncy castle and other attractions. An evening Feast of the Pirates will fuel up your family for the fun.

Car Shows

If you love cars, you’ll love us. Take in our annual Ladysmith Show and Shine, where classic, vintage and collector vehicles take over our historic downtown. If your tastes are more international, Brits on the Beach on our waterfront may be your thing. But why choose when you can bring your family to both for a stroll among rare and valuable vehicles you don’t often get to see?

Logger Sports

Is there anything more West Coast than watching loggers show off their skills? Ladysmith Logger Sports brings you up close to springboard chopping, cross-cut sawing, log burling, speed tree climbing and more.