VANCOUVER ISLAND CONFERENCE CENTRE | SEPT. 12, 2026
A FUNDRAISER FOR MENTAL HEALTH
Get ready for GLITTER2026
September 12, 2026 | A Fundraiser Supporting Mental Health in Nanaimo, B.C. | Vancouver Island Conference Centre
Mark your calendars for GLITTER206 on September 12, 2026. More than 700 guests will be captivated by an all-star cast of musicians, dancers, circus performers, models, and more—supported by Nanaimo’s local fashion designers, retailers, hairstylists, and makeup artists all uniting in the spirit of giving back.
Enjoy an unforgettable evening of fashion, fun, and entertainment, complete with appetizers, libations, and auctions for your chance to give back to our community.
“Communities Supporting Communities”
PHOTO CREDITS: Ernest von Rosen
Gala Highlights
Get ready for an extraordinary evening featuring six spectacular elements that make GLITTER2026 Nanaimo’s most anticipated fundraising event.
Variety Show
Experience a dazzling multi-disciplinary showcase where local and visiting artists transform the runway into a theatrical wonderland. From contemporary dance to dramatic storytelling, this spectacular variety show breaks down barriers between art forms, creating moments of pure magic that celebrate our community’s incredible creative diversity.
Music Showcase
Feel the rhythm as Nanaimo’s finest musicians and special guest performers take center stage. From soulful ballads to upbeat anthems, our music showcase features diverse genres and styles that reflect the rich cultural tapestry of Vancouver Island, creating an unforgettable soundtrack to an extraordinary evening.
Amazing Dance
Witness breathtaking choreography as dancers of all styles grace the runway stage. Contemporary, jazz, cultural dance, and artistic movement come together in performances that tell stories, express emotions, and celebrate the universal language of dance that connects us all across cultures and communities.
Live Auctions
Get ready for auction excitement as we present unique experiences, valuable treasures, and exclusive opportunities you won’t find anywhere else. From luxury getaways to behind-the-scenes experiences, our diverse fundraising activities include live auctions, silent auctions, 50/50 draws, pop and win balloon prizes, and heart strings auctions – ensuring everyone has multiple chances to give and win while supporting mental health programs in Nanaimo.
Fashion Runway
Marvel at stunning fashion presentations featuring local designers, retailers, and creative collaborators who showcase both classic elegance and cutting-edge style. Our fashion runway celebrates personal expression and artistic vision while highlighting the incredible talent and creativity within our Vancouver Island fashion community.
Food & Drink
Savor carefully crafted appetizers and premium cocktails designed to complement the evening’s spectacular entertainment. Our culinary experience features fresh, local ingredients prepared by talented chefs, creating delicious moments that enhance the overall celebration while supporting our community cause.
What Is GLITTER2026?
GLITTER2026 represents a new chapter in community-driven fundraising, once again bringing 14 years of proven success and over $4 million raised from Vancouver’s legendary events to Vancouver Island. More than just a gala, GLITTER2026 is a spectacular celebration of what happens when creativity meets compassion, diversity meets unity, and all the vibrant communities of Vancouver Island come together for mental health programs in Nanaimo.
Our unique stage presentation format transforms traditional fundraising into an immersive 90-minute experience featuring music, dance, circus performers, fashion models, and cultural performances that celebrate everything Vancouver Island has to offer. Here, surgeons dance with drag queens, CEOs mingle with hairstylists, Indigenous artists share the stage with new Canadians, and every guest becomes part of something truly extraordinary that honors our island’s rich cultural tapestry.
With over many volunteers contributing their hearts and talent, GLITTER2026 proves that when communities support communities, magic happens. From live auctions and silent bidding to 50/50 draws and heart strings auctions, everyone has multiple chances to give and win while supporting a cause that touches every family.
Every element of GLITTER2026 – from the breathtaking performances showcasing our island’s diversity to the carefully crafted appetizers – is designed to break down social barriers while building up hope for mental health support right here in Nanaimo. This isn’t your typical fundraiser; it’s a movement that transforms lives through the power of collaboration, creativity, cultural celebration, and compassion.
The Statistics on Mental Health are Staggering
“The statistics underlying this ecosystem are sobering. More than 70% of mental illness develops by the age 25, with suicide being the second leading cause of death among young Canadians. In BC alone, over 950,000 kids and youth are impacted by mental health issues annually, yet. Only about 40% receive appropriate service. Emergency department visits by children and youth for mental health treatment rose several 5% between 2007 and 2017, while an estimated 1.2 million children and youth in Canada are affected by mental illness, with less than 20% receiving appropriate treatment.”
Your Help Counts
GLITTER 2026 In Support of Mental Health Programs in Nanaimo, B.C.
Mental health challenges often begin in youth—75% of serious mental health issues emerge before age 25. For young people in Nanaimo, help isn’t always easy to find or access. GLITTER2026 proudly supports Foundry Snuneymuxw, opening Spring 2026 as Nanaimo’s first integrated youth health centre, bringing mental health, substance use support, primary care, peer support, and social services under one roof—with no referrals required, no waitlists, and no stigma.
As BC’s second indigenous-led Foundry centre, co-led by Kw’umut Lelum Child and Family Services and Snuneymuxw First Nation, this transformational facility will serve youth ages 12-24 with culturally grounded care that weaves Coast Salish healing practices with mainstream approaches. In partnership with the Nanaimo & District Hospital Foundation, GLITTER2026 supports the enhanced programming, cultural integration, and community connections that will make Foundry Snuneymuxw extraordinary—not just adequate.
Together, we’re not just hosting an extraordinary event—we’re celebrating a new era of youth wellness in Nanaimo. Every ticket purchased, every auction bid, and every moment of celebration helps ensure that when our young people need help, they find a safe, welcoming, culturally respectful place where healing begins. We’re investing in our youth, honoring indigenous leadership in healthcare transformation, and creating lasting positive change that will serve generations to come.
Previous Events
For over a decade, Volume Studio Productions and the team at LiTLevents.com have created extraordinary fundraising experiences that have raised more than $4 million for vital healthcare causes. From Vancouver’s iconic Brilliant!, SHINE, RED, and STRUT events to community celebrations across British Columbia, our track record speaks to the power of creative collaboration and community spirit.
Each event has brought together hundreds of volunteers, thousands of supporters, and countless moments of magic that prove what’s possible when communities unite for meaningful causes. GLITTER2026 continues this legacy of excellence, bringing proven fundraising success to Vancouver Island while celebrating the unique character and incredible generosity once again to Nanaimo.
Event Sponsors & Media Partners
EMERALD LEVEL SPONSORS:
RUBY LEVEL SPONSORS:
GARNET LEVEL SPONSORS:
These community champions make GLITTER2026 possible through their generous support and shared commitment to mental health programs in Nanaimo. Their partnership helps create an extraordinary evening while making a lasting difference.
Want to join these community leaders? Contact us about sponsorship opportunities that connect your business with meaningful impact.
Supporting the future of mental health in children and youth.
