Picnic en Blanc 2026
Saturday, July 11th, 2026 - 5pm-10pm
Rain or shine!
Join us for a magical evening in Nanaimo, BC at Picnic en Blanc 2026, celebrating the 10th anniversary of ROAR.
Experience an elegant garden party with an incredible purpose!
Exquisite open-air garden setting.
Live music and dancing for a lively and memorable night.
NEW - Delicious food - now catered by Bees Knees! Dairy free and gluten free!
NEW - Fresh mocktails and passed hors d'oeuvre.
One free mocktail included with purchase of your ticket!
NEW - A fancy-hat contest, 50-50 draw, and a chance to learn about ROAR.
Proceeds support LGBTQI+ refugees, fostering community, and belonging.
This enchanting evening allows you to make a meaningful impact while enjoying an unforgettable gathering.
Feel the joy and connection as you support a vital cause.
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Art by abdo.is.abdoScroll down for more information about this year’s Picnic en Blanc.
What to Expect
5pm-10pm
Dress code:
All white — and your most fabulous garden party hat if you want to participate in our new hat contest. There are three categories:
Best Hat with a Message
Best Hat with Pride
Best Classic Garden Party Hat
Show off your creativity and be in it to win a fabulous prize from a local business.
Arrivals & Mocktail Hour:
Arrive to the sound of live strings and a glass of complimentary mocktail. Pick a table - with friends you’re bringing along or join a table to make new ones. We have mostly 8-person tables with four 10-person tables available for larger groups. And you can, of course, feel free to decorate your table if you like. But no pressure! For prior attendees please note there is no table decoration contest this year!
Welcome & Dinner:
Settle in for a hot dinner and delicious dessert from Bee Knees Catering while you enjoy conversation with old friends and new. Each place is set with a postcard by a refugee artist currently sponsored by ROAR — a small, personal piece of the story you're part of. Buy tickets to the 50/50 raffle for a chance to win a cash prize, while supporting ROAR. During dinner enjoy the sounds of our “house band” The Pickups!
A Story from the Heart
Before dessert, hear directly from a newcomer — what their journey looked like, and what their life looks like now. This is the heart of the evening: the moment everything becomes real.
The Queer Garden Party Hat Contest
Think your hat deserves recognition? You might be right. Our crowd-judged hat contest celebrates creativity, pride, and personality in three categories: Best Hat with a Message, Best Hat with Pride, Best Classic Garden Party Hat. Prizes donated by local businesses.
Dancing to Close
A DJ takes over for the rest of the night. The floor is yours.
Event Location
Picnic en Blanc takes place at a private home in North Nanaimo. Exact address provided upon purchase of tickets.
Parking is free. Please carpool if possible.
Disability parking is about 150 meters from the picnic area.
If needed, bring mobility devices to assist with some mild slopes and uneven terrain.
