Latest News
National Indigenous Peoples Day 2026
June 21st marks National Indigenous Peoples Day, and the Comox Valley will have no shortage of activities to celebrate this important day and month. Celebrations will be held at the Comox Valley Exhibition Grounds on Saturday, June 20 from 2:00 pm until 7:00 pm.
The Vaux’s Swifts Are Here!
Watch our 24-hour Vaux’s swifts livestream on YouTube to view the birds as they enter and exit the museum chimney. Tune in around sunrise and sunset for their departure and return, and scrub through the previous 12 hours for any sightings you might have missed.
Canada Day Open House
The Courtenay and District Museum will celebrate Canada Day with an open house from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm on Wednesday, July 1. Guests are welcome to enjoy live music by Alan Jossul, enter to win a door prize, and try their hand at kids’ crafts.
Driftwood Mall Turns 50 Years Old
For the community, this was front page news on May 5, 1976 in the Comox District Free Press newspaper: “The ribbon has been cut and the doors are officially open at the new shoppers’ mall in Courtenay.”
From the Archives: Photo of the Month April 2026
Here a four-horse team driven by Mr. Edwards and Tom Idiens works on ploughing the fairway of the recently formed Comox Golf Club, April 1924. This S.B.W. (Dusty) d’Esterre photograph appears on page 136 of Step into Wilderness: A Pictorial History of Outdoor Exploration in and around the Comox Valley.
Spring Fling Wrap-Up
Courtenay Museum staff would like to thank everyone for attending this year’s Spring Fling & Easter Magic event. A special thank you to the Barnyard Party Animals, Magician Donald Dunphy, and MARS Wildlife Rescue Centre for joining the celebration.
April 2026 Gift Shop News
Light up the room with these dinosaur nightlights, and add some prehistoric fun to your evening routine. These and other fabulous gifts from Rex London have arrived on the shelves, including temporary dino tattoos, prehistoric activity sets, and dinosaur-projector flashlights.
Fossil Tours Are Back!
As warmer weather approaches, it’s the perfect time to plan an unforgettable outdoor adventure. Be sure to reserve your spot on one of our world-famous fossil tours, led by Natural History Curator, Pat Trask. Running from now through the fall, these guided experiences offer a unique opportunity to explore and uncover the region’s ancient past.
Coming Soon: Watch the Vaux’s Swifts Live
Look to the sky! Soon the Vaux’s swifts will be returning to the Courtenay Museum’s brick chimney. With help from Mayor Bob Wells and ACS Computer Solutions, the museum will be hosting a 24-hour livestream on YouTube to view the swift traffic inside and outside the chimney.
From the Archives: Photo of the Month March 2026
Local members of the British Columbia Women’s Service Corps display plums picked for the “Jam for Britain” campaign, ca. 1941. Left to right: Pam Harvey, Mrs. Lucy Muir, Mrs. Clive, Mary Bell.
March 2026 Gift Shop News
The Museum Gift Shop has a fabulous new selection of maps for sale in various styles and sizes. They are printed by Richmond BC based company, ITMB Publishing Ltd.
We’re Hiring Summer Students
Is someone you know looking for work experience this summer? To apply, please send your resume to info@courtenaymuseum.ca or drop off a hard copy at the front desk.
Event: Spring Fling and Easter Magic
The Courtenay and District Museum invites you to attend the annual Spring Fling and Easter Magic event on Saturday, March 21 from 11:00 AM until 2:00 PM. All three hours will be jam-packed with family fun activities, and admission to the event is by donation.