Endless Holiday Activities to Enjoy Close to Home
This year, communities have gotten creative in the spreading of holiday spirit. Through their efforts, there are still endless holiday inspired opportunities to enjoy the beautiful displays of lights, sip on some hot chocolate, and spend quality time with your household/bubbles.
Whether communities have created maps for you to follow the beautiful light displays, created virtual gatherings like wine tastings, or have found a way to safely allow Santa to leave the North Pole, there will be lots to do. Keeping activities local is the theme of this year, and that includes shopping local. Here are just a few examples of what communities are getting up to this year. Make sure to click on the links throughout this piece (words highlighted in light blue) for more information on the events.
West Kelowna Dock
Central and South Okanagan
In Peachland the Angel Tree will be set up in the Community Centre and open for community members to come between Nov 23-Dec 18 and safely select a tag in honour of a community member in need that they will then donate a gift to.
Check out the Peachland website for more holiday activity ideas.
Twinkle Tour in West Kelowna - Photo By @westkelownacity
Penticton Business Holiday Display - Photo by @hoodooadventures
Summerland was able to figure out a way to bring some of the common traditions of the holiday season to life by hosting a virtual live Nativity Scene scheduled for December 18th. If you’re driving through Penticton check out Hoodoo Adventure’s Holiday Spirit Map for the town’s best holiday displays!
Mission Hill’s Festival of Trees - Photo by @hashtagmeag
West Kelowna has taken their Holiday light trail to the next level with the incorporation of a scavenger hunt throughout the route. This year’s Twinkle Tour will be guided with a story map that will take you to public and municipal facilities as well as businesses and local residents, including the Gellatly Nut Farm. There will also be the annual Sip into Season event, which will be hosted by the West Kelowna Wine Trail wineries. It entails a month-long scavenger hunt with wine shop experiences along the way.
Check out Visit Westside for more holiday activity ideas.
Kelowna’s Tree of Hope - Photo by @merlynguildersonphotography
Kelowna’s Tree of Memories at the Kelowna Memorial Park Cemetery is up and ready to be filled with ornaments, placed in memory of loved ones. Throughout Kelowna you will find the traditional light displays of the Tree of Hope, Stuart Park, and Candy Cane Lane. These are all great attractions to observe from your car. If you are looking forward to a delicious holiday meal, but cooking is feeling a little daunting, Kelowna businesses have you covered. Restaurants and eateries throughout Kelowna are offering a variety of festive meals-to-go, catering, or delicious treats that you can enjoy in the comforts of your home.
Check out Tourism Kelowna for more holiday activities and delicious to-go meals.
Covert Farms Family Estate Holiday Gift Basket - Photo by @covertfarmsfamilyestate
Osoyoos wineries are working hard to keep their holiday traditions going with online, or adjusted event set ups. Make sure you check out your favourite winery’s website to see what they have put together! The light displays throughout downtown and in the nearby neighbourhoods are beautiful. Touring them is the perfect way to spend an evening while sipping on some hot chocolate. Santa is making an appearance this year from the inside of his Magical Igloo at Junction 3 Coffee House from December 17-20, between 5:45pm and 8:45pm, make sure you go say hello!
Check out Destination Osoyoos for more holiday activity ideas.
Downtown Osoyoos Businesses Holiday displays - Photo by @osoyoosbc
Photo with Santa inside his Igloo - Photo by Destination Osoyoos
Tour the Vernon Holiday Light Trail, it will take you all over town and is guaranteed to light up your night. If you’re wanting to have a snowy adventure in the mountains, consider a safe sleigh ride at SilverStar. It is sure to give you the feeling of being at the North Pole.
Check out Tourism Vernon for more holiday activity ideas.
SilverStar Sleigh Rides - Photo by @horsesofsilverstar
North Thompson
Kamloops has a fun campaign called Luv’n the Loops. This program is essentially a passport program that will reward you after shopping at select local businesses in Kamloops. Enjoy exploring the diverse attractions of your community all while getting the chance to win prizes! Along with local shops, you can explore downtown’s storybook village, and have a virtual visit with Santa from the comforts of your own home. If you want to get adventurous with your holiday activities, check out the soon to be virtual Wildlights event at B.C. Wildlife Park.
Check out Tourism Kamloops for more holiday activity ideas.
Window Shopping and Enjoying lights in Downtown Kamloops - Photo by @katelyn.faulkner
Shuswap
In Salmon Arm the holiday season is getting competitive with a virtual Gingerbread Contest. After you are done creating your master piece, follow the Goodes Shuswap Holiday Twinkle Trail and go visit the Downtown Story Walk for an unforgettable night. You will see beautiful light displays throughout town, and two holiday inspired stories displayed in downtown’s store windows.
Check out Downtown Salmon Arm for more holiday activity ideas.
Family Photo with Santa inside his Igloo - Photo by Destination Osoyoos
Sicamous is keeping the holiday and competitive spirit alive and well this year with beautiful downtown light displays and a Light Up the Community Contest.
Armstrong is also hosting a Bright Lights Tour with a scavenger hunt included. They hope that you are keeping your eyes open this year for clues about the hunt posted on their social media channels.
Check out Armstrong’s Facebook for more holiday activity ideas and clues.
The snowy forest of Merritt - Photo by @pekopekolife
Nicola Valley and Boundary
Along with Merritt’s endless snow activities like cross country skiing and ice fishing, the businesses of downtown have decorated their shop windows for the holidays. On your way to see the Christmas Tree in Spirit Square, enjoy the lit up shops.
Check out Tourism Merritt for more activity ideas.
Grand Forks Festival of Trees - Photo by Peter Kalasz
Grand Forks is hosting their annual Festival of Trees where about two dozen trees are decorated by local businesses and then auctioned off for a good cause. The trees will be on display at Gallery 2 until December 18th.
Communities throughout the Thompson Okanagan have worked hard to ensure there are plenty of safe and enjoyable holiday activities for you and your loved ones to do this season. This year more than ever we need to try and support local and spread holiday cheer in whatever way we can. Whether you want to enjoy the holiday activities, or explore the outdoors, the holiday spirit will always be alive and well in our region.
Written by Jenna Labossiere
Born and raised in Kelowna, Jenna loves being able to be a tourist in her own backyard. As a Brand Ambassador for the Thompson Okanagan region, she hopes to be able to showcase the region’s local businesses and natural attractions in order to encourage others to take the opportunity to enjoy.