Holiday Events and Festivities Winter 2024
The holiday season is in full swing, and there’s no better way to enjoy the winter than at festive events across the Thompson Okanagan. Whether you’re looking for light-ups, holiday parades, festive trees, winter markets, or ice skating, there is something for everyone.
The holiday season is in full swing, and there’s no better way to enjoy the winter than at festive events and cozy markets across the Thompson Okanagan. Whether you’re looking for light-ups, holiday parades, festive trees, winter markets, or ice skating, there is something for everyone. Come for the family-friendly events, free admissions, or to support a good cause.
Light Ups and Parades
Sicamous and Shuswap - Christmas Light Up Parade - December 7th
Kelowna - Rutland Winter Light Up - December 1st
Penticton - Magic on Main Street - December 1st
West Kelowna - West Kelowna Light Up! - December 6th
Osoyoos - Christmas Lite-Up - December 6th
Peachland - Christmas Light Up Event - December 6th
Enderby - Annual Christmas Light Up & Parade - December 6th
Keremeos - Keremeos Light-Up Weekend - December 6 & 7th
Summerland - Light Up the Vines - December 6 & 7th
SilverStar - Annual Light Up - December 7th
Lumby - Lumby Christmas Light Up - December 7th
Kelowna - Parade with a Purpose - December 14th
Image By: Megan Reading
Festival of Trees
Delta Hotels Grand Okanagan Resort - Festival of Trees - Now, until Jan 3rd
Mission Hill - Festival of Trees - Now, until Jan 5th
Markets
Vernon - Christmas Market - December 7th, 9am to 2pm
Keremeos - Christmas Market at the Grist Mill - December 1st, 10am to 3pm
Naramata - Slow Outdoor Winter Market - December 6th, 4pm to 7pm
Osoyoos - Christmas Market - December 21st, 10am to 2pm
Kamloops - Holiday Artisan Market at Monte Creek Winery - December 7th & 8th
Shuswap - Holiday Market - December 2nd, 10am to 2pm
Shuswap - Love Local Holiday Market - December 1st, 10am to 3pm
Image By: Tourism Kelowna/Danika Lee
Novelty Events
West Kelowna - Self Guided Light Tour - All December
Vernon - O’Keefe Ranch A Christmas Carol - Now, until December 15th
Caravan Farm Theatre - A Sleigh Ride Christmas Carol - December 3rd to Jan 5th
Oliver - Winter Skating at District Wine Village - December 1, 6, 7, 8, 13, 14, 15, 20, 21, & 22
Kamloops - Who-Ville Kamloops - December 1, 6, 7, & 8
Kelowna & Kamloops - Stars on Ice 2024 Holiday Show - December 12th & 13th
Kamloops - CPKC Holiday Train - December 18th, around 5pm
From magical parades to dazzling trees and sleigh rides, this region is spreading holiday cheer. Be sure to check the local community and events page for even more fun-filled events and things to do, even after the holiday season.
Written by Caroline Peterson
A local who went from the lower mainland to the Okanagan. As a student with a passion for tourism, she aims to highlight the Thompson Okanagan experience with a fresh, adventurous perspective.
Festive Season in the Thompson Okanagan Through Photos
Explore the visuals of celebrations around the Thompson Okanagan ranging from grand to quaint, exhilarating to peaceful, and everything in-between.
Many communities throughout the Thompson Okanagan go to great lengths to put together wonderful celebrations in the snowy months of the year to raise levels of joy & cheer. These celebrations range from grand to quaint, exhilarating to peaceful, and everything in-between.
While I could spill oodles of digital ink describing each affair and its uniqueness, I think that the energy & emotions related to each celebration are better communicated through the photos you’ll find in this post.
Be sure to check out the links if an event catches your eye! These celebrations offer quite a bit more than these lovely visual captures.
Summerland Light Up - December 18 - Annual
Location: Summerland, British Columbia
Season of Trees - November 26-December 23 - Annual
Location: Mission Hill Family Estate, West Kelowna, British Columbia
WildLights Festival - December 10, 2021-January 3, 2022 - Annual
Location: BC Wildlife Park, Kamloops, BC
Joyride by Caravan Farm Theatre - December 3-January 2 - Annual
Location: Armstrong, British Columbia
New York New Years - New Years Eve - Annual
Location: Stuart Park, Kelowna, BC
Peak Pride - January-March - Annual
Location: Big White Ski Resort, SilverStar Mountain Resort, Sun Peaks Resort
Vernon Winter Carnival - February 4-13, 2022 - Annual
Location: Vernon, BC
Magical Winter Sleigh Rides
Locations: Horse Drawn Okanagan - Armstrong, British Columbia - December 21 – 24, and 26 – 29, 2021
Okanagan Sleigh and Wagon Aventures - SilverStar, British Columbia - Annual December 4th-April
Credit: @horsedrawnokanagan
Credit: @horsesofsilverstar
Winter Markets in Boundary - All Winter
Locations: Greenwood, British Columbia
Grand Forks, British Columbia
Written by Darnel St.Pierre
After graduating from university & completing a collegiate athletics career in 2020, Darnel returned home to Kelowna and started rediscovering his hometown. With endless wineries to discover and adventures to be experienced, he couldn’t be happier with his current chapter. Showcasing the Thompson Okanagan through tourism marketing has brought Darnel immense joy as he looks to grow alongside the tourism industry.