The Okanagan Valley is full of family fun events that happen throughout the year. Here is a full list of Annual Okanagan Events that you can plan a visit with your little ones. Click here to view our monthly events calendar.
January
Polar Bear Dip – Kelowna
What better way to start your new year than to jump into Okanagan lake? Come join them for the Polar Bear Dip at Tugboat Beach in Kelowna to help raise funds for CRIS Adaptive Adventures.
Tugboat Bay (By the Dolphins Downtown) | Website
Polar Bear Swim – Peachland
Celebrate the New Year with a splash and dash into Okanagan Lake for the annual Polar Bear Swim in Peachland. For 2022, the event is free but pre-registration is required. Event check-in is required from 12:00 – 12:45 pm at the Peachland Community Centre with the dip at 1:00 pm.
Okanagan Lake, Peachland | Website
Polar Bear Dip – Summerland
Join the Summerland Kinsmen Club on New Year’s Day for their annual Polar Bear Dip at Sun-Oka Beach in Trout Creek.
Sun-Oka Beach in Trout Creek | Website
February
Vernon Winter Carnival – Vernon
There is something to do for everyone in the family at this annual fun-filled 10-day festival.
Vernon | Website
BC Family Day Weekend
Join businesses across the Okanagan as they host Family Day activities and events.
March
Lake Country Children’s Festival
Hosted at the Lake Country Community Complex, this much-anticipated event offers an enriching experience for families. It now features five distinct sections filled with vendors, live performers, inflatables, and a wide array of activities, ensuring enjoyment for all family members.
May
Vernon Comic Con
Join the fun, meet some wonderful collectors, and artists, play games, search through a plethora of long boxes for that special comic, find unique collectibles, buy/sell/trade cards, view stunning props, costumes, cards, video, and board games, take in photo ops, find vintage items and much more. This event is created for the entire family!
Vernon Recreation Centre | Facebook
Giants Head Grind – Summerland
Choose to walk, run, bike, or hike the ‘Grind’ with your family. Registration for this event includes breakfast, yoga in the park, snacks at the end, a race t-shirt, and a post-race BBQ.
Starts at Peach Orchard Park | Website
North Okanagan Children’s Festival
The 3rd Annual North Okanagan Children’s Festival is brimming with activities for kids, featuring everything from roving performers and music to arts and crafts. Highlights include dynamic performances by the 360 All Stars and Uzumi Taiko Drummers, and workshops like the Movement & Rhythm Jamboree. With food trucks on-site, the festival promises a fun-filled day for the entire family.
Vernon & District Performing Arts Centre | Website
June
Ha Ha Ha Kidz Fest – Penticton
Main stage performances, surrounded by activity tents with hands-on participatory activities as well as a new workshop zone where children will learn directly in a small group setting from professional performers.
Gyro Park, Penticton | Website
Colours4Kids Run
Sign up for the ultimate fun run at Wildstone’s Colours4Kids Run, an event for participants of all ages! Whether you choose just under 2.5 or 5 km, you will get covered in vibrant colors from head to toe at the start (don’t worry, it all washes off). This event promises loads of colorful fun, laughs, and photo opportunities. Best of all, it’s for a great cause, with 100% of proceeds benefiting the OSNS Child Development Centre.
LocoLanding Adventure Park, Penticton | Website
Sunshine Festival – Vernon
Enjoy the 30th Avenue Street Closure which will showcase the wonderful downtown businesses, music, vendors, food, activities, and more! The 2900 block will be the Kidz Zone and the 3400 block will be Eats & Beats.
Location: Downtown, Vernon | Website
July
Celebrate Canada Day – Kelowna
An annual, free community festival for residents and visitors to celebrate our Nation’s birthday. Each year the community comes together to explore drop-in games and live performances that are multi-generational, family-friendly, and sure to entertain you all day long.
Location: Waterfront Park, Jim Stuart Park, Kerry Park, and Prospera Place | Website
Canada Day Events – West Kelowna
The Westside Daze Celebration Society is excited to have many on-site family and kids activities from 12-4 pm. More details to come on this family fun-filled afternoon.
Memorial Park, West Kelowna | Facebook
Canada Day Celebrations – Peachland
Peachland celebrates Canada Day! Free admission to a day of entertainment and activities for the whole family. Join them for the official ceremony, free cake, children’s games, entertainment, bouncy castle, face painting, art activities, parade, concessions, concerts, fireworks, and more!
Heritage Park, Peachland | Website
Canada Day Celebrations – Penticton
Join the Downtown Penticton BIA for Canada Day in Gyro Park. The day includes live entertainment, arts and crafts, inflatable activities and market vendors.
Gyro Park | Website
Canada Day Celebration & Cherry Fiesta – Osoyoos
The Canada Day Celebration will kick off with a Pancake Breakfast followed by the Cherry Fiesta Parade. Then enjoy live entertainment and children’s activities on the beach and as soon as the sun goes down a large fireworks display.
Main Street, Town Square, Osoyoos Legion Hall, Gyro Beach | Website
Penticton Scottish Festival – Penticton
Join them for Celtic entertainment and family fun! Traditional Scottish cultural events such as highland dancing, solo bagpiping and drumming, and heavy events (stone put, hammer throw, sheath toss, and the famous caber toss) start the morning off. Pipeband competitions, vendor village, main stage entertainment, massed bands.
Kings Park, Penticton | Website
Westside Daze – West Kelowna
The Westside Celebration Society’s mandate is Free Family Fun and what better way to celebrate our Community than with Free Kids Activities, Live Music Entertainment, Live Wrestling, Belly Dancing, Art Walk Plus On-site Food, and merchandise vendors!
Memorial Park, West Kelowna | Facebook
August
Penticton Peach Festival – Penticton
This festival is five days of free family fun and is sure to delight everyone with parades, live music, entertainment, carnival rides, delicious food, and more!
Okanagan Lake Park, Penticton | Website
Armstrong Interior Provincial Exhibition – Armstrong
Fun for the whole family! There are agriculture exhibits, fairgrounds, a rodeo, and more! Visit the Valley First Kids Club Booth on the fairgrounds to enter and win prizes. As a member, you will receive a gift bag stuffed full of amazing prizes, keepsakes, and souvenirs! You will automatically enter to participate in the zucchini derby or watermelon/corn-eating contest.
IPE Fairgrounds, 3010 Wood Avenue | Website
September
Summerland Fall Fair – Summerland
Live music, food vendors, zucchini races, children’s activities, and more!
Ryga Centre & Museum Plaza, Summerland | Website
Rock Creek Fall Fair – Rock Creek
Experience a truly rural, agricultural Fair that is packed full of 4-H classes, horse events, free live entertainment, a midway, lawnmower races, and exhibit classes including agriculture, horticulture, livestock, arts, crafts, baking, preserves, and a great selection of food and commercial vendors.
3880 Kettle Valley Road South, Rock Creek | Website
Kelowna Scarecrow Festival
Join Impact Events at their annual Scarecrow Festival! This fall event includes a Scarecrow building competition, local vendors, local performers, food, and fun for everyone! Everybody is welcome to come and try their hand at creating their own unique Scarecrow to be entered into our contest for prizes. Come out and paint pumpkins, come shop at their Fall Market, or enter their homemade Pie Competition.
Rutland Lions Park, 175 Gray Road | Facebook
October
Harvest Pumpkin Festival – Armstrong
The festival is a great place to bring your family and friends for fun and there is something for everyone at this event. The event has grown to showcase not only the key event held on Thanksgiving Weekend but also activities and events throughout October.
Various locations in Armstrong | Website
Family Monster Bash – Kelowna
Join the City of Kelowna for their Family Monster Bash at the Capital News Centre. This free event is fun for the entire family! Donations of non-perishable food items are appreciated at this event in support of the Centre Okanagan Food Bank. Their concession will be open and skate rentals will be available (remember to bring a helmet!).
Capital News Centre, Kelowna | Facebook
November
Deeck the Streets – Downtown Light Up Celebration – Armstrong
The Deck the Streets – Downtown Light Up Celebration in Historic Downtown Armstrong promises a festive evening filled with holiday spirit. This carol-inspired community event features lively entertainment, a holiday market, warming stations, and a beautiful tree lighting ceremony. Visitors can enjoy Christmas Carol window displays, a shop local event, and extended shopping hours.
Pleasant Valley Road, Spirit Square and Smith Drive, Armstrong | Website
Summerland Festival of Lights
These events will feature family entertainment, letters to Santa, carolers, shopping, wine tasting, and much more!
Downtown Summerland | Website
Rutland Winter Light Up – Kelowna
Join the community of Rutland for this free, family-fun, event. Local vendors, crafting, live entertainment, caroling, pictures with Santa, hot chocolate, food trucks, the large holiday tree and so much more.
Rutland Centennial Park, 190 McIntosh Road | Website
Tree of Hope Festival at the Landmark District – Kelowna
The Tree of Hope Festival in the Landmark District is the perfect way to kick off the holiday season! Enjoy an outdoor skating rink, photos with Santa, a bustling Christmas market filled with local treasures, and delicious treats like hot chocolate and s’mores. Don’t miss the magical Tree of Hope light-up ceremony as the towering tree and district sparkle to life.
1700-1631 Dickson Avenue, Kelowna | Website
Village Light-Up at District Wine Village
Celebrate the season at the Village Light-Up at District Wine Village! Bring a food bank donation to receive a complimentary tasting at the winery of your choice. Enjoy free skating, with skate rentals available, and watch as the Christmas lights illuminate the village. The event also features live music (weather permitting) and craft vendors for a festive day of holiday cheer.
100 Enterprise Way, Oliver | Website
December
Candy Cane Lane – Kelowna
Walk through the neighbourhoods to see the beautiful displays at Candy Cane Lane. This annual holiday light display in the community of Springvalley in Rutland draws visitors to come and walk to take in the lights. They encourage visitors to bring a donation to the food bank.
Along Collison Road, Gramiak Road, Mary Court, and nearby | Facebook
Downtown Kelowna Light Up! & Winter Street Market – Kelowna
This free community event invites you Downtown, to kick off the Holiday season. Visit local vendors at the Winter Street Market along Water Street, sip on warm hot chocolate or pick up some food truck eats, and enjoy all-day family-friendly activities and entertainment in Stuart Park,
Stuart Park, Kelowna | Website
Lion’s Club Christmas Light-Up – Lake Country
Kick off the festivities at George Elliot Secondary School with Santa’s Workshops, featuring crafts, a toy drop-off, road hockey, cookie decorating, and storytime. Then head over to Memorial Park for the Lion’s Club Christmas Light-Up. Enjoy a cozy bonfire, hot dogs, coffee, live music, and photos with Santa, all hosted by the Lake Country Lion’s Club. The event features a magical tractor and tree lighting, creating a warm and festive atmosphere for the whole community.
Memorial Park, Lake Country | Website
Lumby Christmas Light Up – Lumby
Join the festive fun at the Lumby Christmas Light-Up! The evening kicks off with Santa’s arrival, where kids can share their Christmas wishes and snap photos with the jolly man himself. Enjoy the magical light-up alongside complimentary hot chocolate, coffee, popcorn, and treats. The celebration continues with skating at the Pat Duke Memorial Arena.
2040 Vernon Street, Lumby | Website
Town of Oliver Light Up – Oliver
Celebrate Oliver Town Light Up with activities and events for the entire family. There will be hot chocolate, popcorn, a town Christmas tree, a lighted tunnel pathway, a caroling fire truck, and more! Don’t miss out.
6359 Park Drive, Oliver | Facebook
Magic on Main Street: Santa Claus Parade & Light Up – Penticton
Ho, ho, ho! Enjoy the magic of the Santa Claus Parade as dozens of festive floats cruise down Main Street. Families are invited to join the procession down to Gyro Park, where the celebration continues with the official Light Up.
Main Street & Gyro Park, Penticton | Website
Christmas Light Up at SilverStar Mountain Resort – Vernon
Join SilverStar Mountain Resort for a night of festivities – fun for the whole family. Everything from local crafts and talents, hot food and drinks, sleigh rides, fire dancers, fireworks, Santa Claus, and more.
SilverStar Mountain Resort, Vernon | Website
Victorian Christmas at O’Keefe Ranch – Vernon
O’Keefe Ranch hosts their annual Victorian Christmas featuring wagon rides, bonfires, roasted chestnuts, live music, local artisans, Gingerbread train making, Christmas lights, and more!
Historic O’Keefe Ranch, Vernon | Website
