Winter break is an amazing time to spend with family and find things to do with them in the Okanagan. This month, we cover everything from ski resorts to ice skating to indoor play below.
Know Before You Go:
- Check websites and Facebook pages to confirm hours and availability before going
- Dress warmly for outdoor activities
- Outdoor ice rinks may close due to weather or maintenance
To quickly jump to a location, click the links below:
Armstrong | Kelowna | Lake Country | Oliver | Penticton | Summerland | Vernon | West Kelowna
Armstrong
Holiday Skating at Nor-Val Arena
Dec 24, 26-29, 31, 2023 & Jan 2-5, 2024 | Website
Enjoy FREE holiday ice skating at the Nor-Val Arena in Armstrong. There is no skating on December 25 and 30, 2023. Please check their website for hours of operation.
Roller Skating at the Hassen Arena
Dec 29, 2023 and Jan 5 & 7, 2024 | Website
Enjoy roller skating at Hassen Arena in Armstrong. The admission fee includes a skate rental (if required). Unisex sizes 3-13 are available. Bring your skates/blades or use theirs. There is an on-site concession and drop-ins are welcome. Please check their website for hours of operation.
Winter Sleigh Ride with Horse Drawn Okanagan
Dec 22-24 & 26-30, 2023 | Website
Horse Drawn Okanagan invites you to experience the magic of a horse-drawn sleigh ride this winter. Horses, sleigh bells, hot cocoa, along with a bon fire – it’s a perfect holiday activity for the whole family. Join them at their new location this year – 4735 Grandview Flats Road North.
Kelowna
Arcadia Virtual Reality Lounge
Open Daily (Closed Dec 24 & 25, 2023 and Jan 1, 2024) | Facebook
Hang out with Arcadia Virtual Reality over the winter break! They are open boxing day until New Year’s Eve and then will reopen again on January 2, 2024.
Winter Activities at Big White Ski Resort
Open Daily | Website
Big White is the second-largest Family Ski Resort in British Columbia. Winter activities include alpine skiing and snowboarding, nordic skiing, fat biking, dog sled tours, snowshoeing, tubing, ice skating, and horse-drawn sleigh rides.
Holiday Public Skating at Rutland Arena
Dec 27-31, 2023 and Jan 2-7, 2024 | Website
Lace up your skates for public skating at the Rutland Arena at 645 Dodd Road this winter break. Public skating will be available from 1:00 – 3:15 pm December 27,31, 2023, and January 2-7, 2024. Pre-booking your time is recommended to secure your spot, however, drop-ins are also available with sign-in (cash only).
Outdoor Skating at Stuart Park
Open Daily (weather permitting) | Website
The outdoor skating rink at 1430 Water Street is open to the public for casual, drop-in use from 6 am – 11 pm daily (weather permitting), except on Mondays when it’s closed from 6-8 am from maintenance. Before going, you can check ice conditions, maintenance schedules, and crowd levels using the live cam on their website. Skate rentals and a food truck are on-site during certain hours.
Family Swimming at H2O
Open Daily (Closed Dec 25, 2023) | Website
Drop in for family fun at the H2O Adventure & Fitness Centre! Make use of their Olympic-size pool, river run, waterslides, and more. Please check their pool schedule ahead to make sure the areas you want to visit are open. No reservations are required. They are closed on Christmas Day with revised hours on Dec 24, 26, 31, and January 1.
Indoor Play at EnergyPlex
Open Daily (Closed Dec 25, 2023 & Jan 1, 2024) | Website
Energyplex is open for drop-ins over Christmas break. They offer all these activities: kids zone, rock climbing, laser tag, an ariel park, and an arcade area. Their website lists their up-to-date hours of operation.
Monkey Academy
Open Dec 27, 28, 29, 30 2023, and Jan 3, 6, 2024 | Facebook
Pre-purchase tickets for drop-in play with Monkey Academy during specific dates and times over the holiday break. Children will have access to their Ninja obstacle course, gymnastics equipment, and a large climbing structure.
Okanagan Heritage Museum
Open Thursdays-Mondays (Closed Dec 25 & 26, 2023 and Jan 1, 2024) | Website
Discover something new at the Okanagan Heritage Museum which features exhibits, Indigenous and settler history, biodiversity, the Central Okanagan Sports Hall of Fame, and more!
Beyond the Crux Climbing Gym
Open Daily (Closed Dec 25, 26, 2023 & Jan 1, 2024) | Website
Get your climb on at Beyond the Crux Climbing Gym. Please call ahead to confirm the hours of operation.
Planet Lazer
Open Daily (Closed Dec 25, 2023) | Website
For family fun over the holidays, visit Planet Lazer for laser tag and arcade games. They will have shortened hours on December 24, 26, and January 1.
Airhouse Kelowna
Open Daily (Closed Dec 25-26, 2023) | Website
Drop into Airhouse Kelowna over the winter break to jump around and burn off some energy. Please note that payment is required to book a drop-in session.
Twice the Dice Board Game Cafe
Open Tuesdays to Sundays (Closed Dec 24-25, 2023) | Website
With over 800 games to choose from, your family can enjoy indoor play at this board game cafe. They are open every day except Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Check their social media pages for hours of operation.
Watch a Movie on the Big Screen
Landmark Cinemas Kelowna | 110 – 948 McCurdy Road
Cineplex Cinemas Orchard Plaza | 160-1876 Cooper Road
Scandia Golf & Games
Check their website for daily hours | Website
For arcade games and indoor mini-golf, visit Scandia Golf & Games. Collect tickets and cash them in for a big prize.
Lake Country
Public Skating at the Winfield Arena
Dec 24, 26, 30, 2023 and Jan 1, 3, 4, and 7, 2024 | Website
Bring your family to the Winfield Arena for public skating over the holidays. All ages are welcome to this family-friendly public skate. View their Skate Schedule here.
Oliver
Holiday Skating at Oliver Arena
Dec 27-30, 2023 and Jan 2-4, 2024 | Website
Join Oliver Recreation for Holiday Skating starting on December 27, 2023. They will have public skates, family skates, and stick & puck running on select dates throughout the Holiday Break.
Catch a movie at the Oliver Theatre
Open Dec 28 to Jan 8, 2023 (Closed Dec 30-Jan 1) | Website
Catch a flick on the big screen at the Oliver Theatre. They will be filming Wonka on December 22-24, 27, and 28, 2023 at 2:00 pm and 7:00 pm. Aquaman will be showing from December 29-30, 2023 and January 3-4, 2024 (Closed December 31, 2023 and January 1-2, 2024).
Penticton
Meeples and Milkshakes Board Game
Open Daily (Closed Dec 25, 2023 and Jan 1, 2024) | Website
Bring the family and choose from a large selection of board games from their library. They serve amazing food and drinks (try their milkshakes!).
Winter Activities at Apex Mountain Resort
Open Daily (Lifts running 9 am to 3:30 pm) | Website
If you are seeking snow, head up to Apex Mountain Resort. Activities include tubing, hockey, adventure skating, snowshoeing, night skiing, and snowboarding.
Ethos Parkour & Movement Drop-In
Open Dec 27-29, 2023 for Special Drop-In | Website
Join Ethos Parkour for their special 2-hour parkour Christmas Drop-In. From 9:30-11:30 am, drop in and get active after Christmas. There are limited spaces available, for children ages 5+. Not included with regular weekly classes drop-in rate.
EXIT Escape Room
Open Daily | Website
Escape Room fans will find EXIT Penticton an ideal setting for family bonding, offering a collaborative challenge to solve puzzles and escape before time expires.
Holiday Public Skating at McLaren Arena
Open Daily (Closed Dec 25-26, 2023 & Jan 1, 2024) | Website
Bring your family to McLaren Arena for Holiday Public Skating. There are also times available for Family Shinny and Adult Hockey. View their Holiday Public Skating Schedule.
Holiday Swimming at the Penticton Recreation Centre
Open Daily (Closed Dec 25-26, 2023 & Jan 1, 2024) | Website
The leisure pool at the Penticton Community Centre is open again for family swimming fun! Click on the website link above for holiday hours. The pool is closed on December 25 and 26, 2023, and January 1, 2024. View their Holiday Pool Schedule Here.
Bowling, Mini-Golf, and Arcade at Roll N Stones Fun Centre
Open Daily (Closed Dec 25, 2023) | Website
Roll N Stones Fun Centre is a great indoor place to visit with your family. They have indoor black-light mini golf, pool tables, arcade games, and bowling! Call ahead to confirm holiday hours.
Activate Penticton Outdoor Ice Rink
Open Daily | Website
Located near City Hall at 107 Martin Street, the new public outdoor rink is available to use for free public skating from 12:00-9:00 pm. Please note there are no skate rentals available.
Catch a movie at Landmark Cinemas
Open Daily | Website
Catch a flick on the big screens with your family this winter break. Located in Penticton, Landmark Cinemas 7 offers an upscale moviegoing experience with four auditoriums. Reserve your seats ahead of time and enjoy the show!
Indoor Play at McDonald’s
Open Daily | Website
Visit the indoor play zone at Mcdonald’s, a separate room where your kids can climb, slide, and go wild with touchscreen games.
Summerland
Holiday Swimming at Summerland Aquatic Centre
Open Daily (Closed Dec 25-26, 2023 & Jan 1, 2024) | Website
The Summerland Pool will be open on certain days over the winter holidays for you and your family to enjoy public swimming.
Holiday Skating at the Summerland Arena
Open Daily (Closed Dec 25-26, 2023 & Jan 1, 2024) | Website
Bring your family to the Summerland Arena for holiday skating. Register and pay online to book your holiday skate. Skate rentals are available.
Vernon
Winter Activities at SilverStar Mountain Resort
Open Daily | Website
Bring your family and friends to SilverStar and explore all the mountain has to offer. Activities include tubing, skating, fat biking, snowshoeing, and horse sleigh ride tours.
Cross-country ski or Snowshoe at Sovereign Lake Nordic Club
Open Daily | Website
Located 20 minutes from Vernon, bring your family to Sovereign Lake Nordic Club for cross-country skiing or snowshoeing. They have ski, snowshoe, and child carrier rentals available. View Christmas Holiday Hours here.
Holiday Swimming at Vernon Aquatic Centre
Open Daily (Closed Dec 25, 2023) | Website
The Vernon Pool will be open over the winter holidays for you and your family to enjoy public swimming.
Public Skating at the Centennial Outdoor Rink
Open Daily (Closed Dec 25 & 31, 2023 & Jan 1, 2024) | Website
Public skating at Centennial Outdoor Rink is free to the public and no pre-registration is required. Please note that the rink can be closed due to weather conditions. View their Skating Schedule here.
Explore the Okanagan Science Centre
Open Dec 28-30, 2023 (Closed Dec 24-27 and Dec 31, 2023-Jan 1, 2024) | Website
Looking for something to do in Vernon? Check out the indoor exhibits at the Okanagan Science Centre.
Go Bowling at Lincoln Lanes
Open Daily (Check ahead before visiting) | Website
Enjoy 5-pins of bowling fun at Lincoln Lanes.
West Kelowna
Indoor Play at Just4Fun Play Centre
Open Daily (Closed Dec 25, 2023) | Website
Just4Fun is OPEN every day except Christmas Day this year! Westbank’s very own indoor play centre, featuring over 5500 sq ft of energy-burning fun. No reservations are needed so you can drop in at Just4Fun’s Indoor Play Centre. Bring the family and enjoy the fun.
Holiday Public Skating at Jim Lind Arena
Open Daily (Closed Dec 25-26 & 29, 2023 & Jan 1, 3 & 5, 2024) | Website
Bring your family to Jim Lind Area for Holiday Public Skating. Other programs such as Adult Stick & Puck, Big & Little, and Stick & Puck & Ring are also available during select times.
Swimming at Johnson Bently Memorial Aquatic Centre
Open Daily (Closed Dec 25, 2023) | Website
Public swimming at the Johnson Bently Memorial Aquatic Centre is open for family swimming fun! Click on the website link above for holiday hours.
Twinkle Tour
December 1-30 (Winners announced Dec 19, 2023) | Website
Visit the map for a self-guided tour of holiday light displays on the Westside! See if you can spot all of the holiday shapes along your self-guided Twinkle Tour. Enjoy one of the ‘just for fun’ scavenger hunts with the whole family!
West Kelowna Bowl
Open Daily (Closed December 24 & 25, 2023) | Facebook
Bring the kids bowling at West Kelowna Bowl ‘Pins & Pints’. They are open from December 26 through to the New Year.
