As we bid farewell to fall and that crisp chill in the air takes on a certain magic moving into December, this lakeside town best known for its abundance of wineries and vineyards transforms into a winter wonderland.
Enjoy an impressive lineup of holiday events for the entire family across Kelowna's restaurants and wineries, robust arts and culture scene, and some other fun surprises throughout town.
With so much to do and see, you'll want to plan more than a day trip. Perched on the shores of Okanagan Lake in the heart of downtown, The Royal Kelowna is the perfect cozy start and end for all the merry things to do during the Christmas season in Kelowna. In addition to being convenient to all the holiday events listed in this guide, the outdoor ice skating rink at Stuart Park is also just a short walk away.
Let's take a look at all the other options for festive things to do around Kelowna this season.
1. Festival of Trees Celebration at Mission Hill Estate Winery
November 22, 2024 – January 5, 2025, Mission Hill Estate Winery
The 8th annual Festival of Trees Celebration fully immerses in the season's revelry, with mulled wine, special holiday goodies, live music, and photo ops with Santa. The main attraction is the estate itself, blanketed in community-sponsored Christmas trees, each uniquely decorated. New for 2024, the winery is also introducing its first holiday market.
2. Christmas Carol: A Walk With Scrooge
Wednesday-Sunday, November 20, 2024 – December 15, 2024, O’Keefe Ranch
Perhaps one of the most unique holiday events in the entire Okanagan Valley, this is a live, walk-through theatre experience. That's right—you'll walk alongside Scrooge himself as he goes through his fateful Christmas Eve transformation, made famous in the classic Charles Dickens tale. Each performance is about one hour long, and there are six showings each evening.
3. The Christmas Market at Summerhill Pyramid Winery
November 23-24, 2024, Summerhill Pyramid Winery
Get a head start on your holiday shopping list as you sip a glass of wine and enjoy views overlooking the vineyard. The market includes everything from artisan craters to gourmet food vendors and, of course, wine. There will also be interactive activities to keep kiddos occupied.
4. Candy Cane Lane
December 1-31, 2024, Rutland
Celebrating 14 years in 2024, Candy Cane Lane is one of Kelowna's most beloved holiday events. Nearly all the houses on several streets (Collison Road, Gramiak Road, and Mary Court) in this Rutland neighbourhood go all out with lights and decorations, drawing tens of thousands of people. It's free to attend, but consider bringing some non-perishable food or new, unwrapped toys to drop off in one of several collection boxes.
5. Downtown Kelowna Winter Street Market & Light Up
11:00 am - 5:00 pm (tree lighting at 5:30 pm), November 30, 2024, Stuart Park
Easily one of the most iconic Kelowna attractions during the holidays is the huge tree downtown. Come to the annual Light Up event to see it illuminate for the season, and do some shopping downtown beforehand while you enjoy complimentary hot cocoa and live entertainment.
6. “A Rocky Mountain High Christmas” Performance
December 6-8, 2024, Kelowna Community Theatre
In conjunction with the Rocky Mountain High Philharmonic Orchestra, this special night honors the late great John Denver. The audience will hear all of his most popular hits, along with selections from his Christmas special and even some of the work he did with The Muppets.
7. A Christkindl Market at The Laurel
December 6-8, 2024, The Laurel Packinghouse (practically right behind The Royal!)
This indoor-outdoor, European-style market is a highlight for many among things to do during Christmas season in Kelowna. Sample baked goods, shop intricate Christmas decor and gifts, and watch live ice sculpture demos. In true Christkindl Market fashion, attendees keep their souvenir mugs when they order a hot drink.
8. Craft Culture Holiday Market
December 6-8, 2024, Prospera Place
By far the biggest market in Kelowna, Craft Culture features over 200 vendors, all local.
9. Big White's Twinkling Trail
December 14, 2024, Big White Ski Resort
A brand new offering at popular Big White, the Twinkling Trail is a beautifully-lit, snow-blanketed wonderland with special light displays, live music, and warm beverages.
10. The Nutcracker
December 13-15, 2024, Kelowna Community Theatre
Enjoy a special limited-run performance of the holiday classic The Nutcracker, presented by the Canadian School of Ballet. The dancers are joined by some principal dancers from the New York City Ballet, and this is their 34th year in Kelowna.
11. Big White Ski Resort Christmas Eve Festival
December 24, 2024, Big White Ski Resort
The Christmas Eve Festival has been a long-time local favourite for Kelowna activities during the holidays. This annual event features food booths and craft stations, carnival-style games, live music, bonfire stations, a Loose Moose dance party and everyone's favourite: Christmas Eve fireworks. There's also a warm indoor area inside the Village Centre Mall, in case the chill gets to be a bit too much.
If you ski, head back up the mountain on Christmas morning for Ski With Santa...which is exactly what it sounds like, and just as fun! Join the big guy in red to ski down Sun Run (one of the resort's 'green,' or easy runs), then enjoy a hot cocoa bar with dozens of festive toppings in Santa's Workshop at the bottom.
12. New York New Years
December 31, 2024, Stuart Park and Kelowna Community Theatre
This FREE annual New Year's Eve celebration is one of the top things to do during Christmas season in Kelowna, especially for families. The all-ages celebration includes upbeat live music and other entertainment, kids' activity and game stations in the Snow Zone, free hot cocoa, face-painting, food trucks, and more. Stay until 9:00, when there will be a fireworks show and countdown to 'midnight' (early so parents can get home and get the littlest ones tucked in!).
This event is primarily held outdoors at Stuart Park, but you can also enjoy some indoor, warm festivities at the Valley First Warm-up Zone inside the Kelowna Community Theatre.
