The holiday season is always a magical time, and what better way to celebrate than by escaping to picturesque Kelowna, nestled in the heart of British Columbia's stunning Okanagan Valley? While the city is best known for its exceptionally warm summer days, bountiful vineyards (fun fact: Kelowna was the birthplace of wine-making in British Columbia!), and incredible access to the outdoors, don't underestimate the winter activities Kelowna offers.
Kelowna's small-town charm shines during the holiday season and through the early winter months. With fewer crowds, a cozy and welcoming atmosphere, lower prices, and plenty of festive events, it's the perfect destination to relish in the season's delights. In this guide, we'll explore the best winter holiday activities in Kelowna, with a little something for every age and interest.
Festive Events and Activities
Downtown Kelowna Light Up & Winter Street Market
Kick-start the holidays in Kelowna by attending the Downtown Kelowna Light Up and Winter Street Market. This FREE community event is typically held on the first Saturday of December in Stuart Park. Come enjoy the lighting of the city's official Christmas tree, ice skating, local food trucks, and the bustling Winter Street Market.
The enchanting open-air market on Bernard Avenue features more local food and delicious treats, live entertainment, kids' corners, and more. You can shop for unique holiday gifts, supporting local artisans while also getting into the festive swing of the season.
Santa's Workshop at Big White Ski Resort
For many families, Santa's Workshop at Big White Ski Resort is the epitome of winter holiday activities in Kelowna. The ski resort's Village Centre transforms into a true winter wonderland, with hands-on craft stations led by Santa's elves, hot chocolate by a roaring fire, and Santa himself. Santa's Workshop lasts from December 16-24, with two daily time slots.
Festival of Trees at Mission Hill Winery
Arguably one of Kelowna's most popular annual winter holiday activities, Festival of Trees is a month-long celebration. It kicks off on the last weekend in November with the Festival of Trees Light Up Celebration, then runs throughout December.
Guests will enjoy a tour of the winery's spectacularly decorated trees, as well as a seated Terroir and Legacy Collection wine pairing. This lovely event raises money for the BC Children’s Hospital Foundation.
European-style Holiday Markets
Among the most unique winter activities Kelowna hosts are the European markets. While the events vary slightly from year to year, there are a few local mainstays:
Grizzli Winery Christmas Market – Indoor and outdoor markets held weekends throughout December, with tons of local vendors and creators, an interactive light tunnel, mulled wine, and appearances from Santa. Dog- and kiddo-friendly!
Outdoor European Christmas Market at Camelot Vineyards – This free, family-friendly market held the first weekend in December, with food trucks, live music, fire pits throughout the vineyard, and even complimentary samples of traditional Glühwein.
The Nutcracker
Enjoy a timeless holiday performance by attending Kelowna's Nutcracker Suite, a local rendition by The Canadian School of Ballet. This particular dance company has hosted this performance for over 30 years, and tickets do sell out, so we highly recommend booking early.
Candy Cane Lane
This neighbourhood goes all out for the holidays in Kelowna, with over 40 years decking themselves out in lights and cheer. Stroll the block and pick your favourite house. Throughout the season, Candy Cane Lane also brings in live music, carriage rides, appearances by Santa, and hosts toy drives.
Culinary Delights
Wine Tours and Tastings
While the summer months are more closely associated with wine tours, Kelowna's wineries are open year-round. With 40-plus wineries within 20 minutes of The Royal Kelowna and five unique wine trails to explore, sipping on some award-winning local wines and savouring the unique flavours of the Okanagan Valley is easy!
Remember that many wineries also host special holiday-themed events and pairings. To maximize the experience and put a flavourful twist on your holidays in Kelowna this year, book a guided wine tour. Guests of The Royal get a 20% discount, and there are half and full-day options daily.
If you still have some holiday shopping to do, a unique local bottle of wine makes a wonderful gift! Pick one (or two or three!) to bring home during your tasting or tour.
Courtesy of tourismkelowna.com
Courtesy of tourismkelowna.com - Bergeron
Farm-to-Table Dining
Kelowna has a thriving, amazingly diverse farm-to-table dining scene. Guests can walk to over 100 different restaurants from The Royal Kelowna. Whether you're in the mood for a cozy dinner by the fireplace, a festive champagne brunch, comfort food in a lively pub, or coffee and a pastry, Kelowna's restaurants have you covered. Best of all, there's a heavy focus on seasonal and locally sourced ingredients, so you can always count on an ultra-fresh meal.
Outdoor Winter Activities in Kelowna
Snowshoeing and Cross-Country Skiing
Courtesy of tourismkelowna.com - Big White Ski Resort
Thanks to Kelowna's unique geography, you can enjoy winter outdoor activities like cross-country or Nordic skiing and snowshoeing all season long. The Telemark Nordic Club has over 60 kilometres of groomed trails for a variety of experience levels, while the Kelowna Nordic Ski Club has over 75 kilometres of trails. Both offer warming huts, rentals, and lessons.
Guests at The Royal Kelowna also get free snowshoe rentals through our Stay® | Well Amenities to hit the trails during your stay, contact the front desk to learn more.
Ice Skating
Courtesy of tourismkelowna.com - Matt Ferguson Photography
Lace up your skates and channel your inner child to glide across Kelowna's seasonal outdoor ice rinks. Both Stuart Park in downtown Kelowna and Big White Ski Resort offer excellent ice skating, with rentals onsite and a variety of public skating sessions daily from December through February.
Winter Hiking
For those who prefer more stable footing, great news: Kelowna's relatively mild winter weather means you can hike throughout the season. Of course, you should still take some precautions, such as keeping a close eye on the weather and wearing micro-spikes or snow cleats, but you can certainly enjoy hiking this season without strapping on skis or snowshoes. Scenic Myra-Bellevue Provincial Park is a great place to start, as well as Knox Mountain Park, which is practically downtown.
Courtesy of tourismkelowna.com - KCL Photography with Okanagan Gals
Go Sledding
Of all the winter activities Kelowna offers, this is perhaps the most accessible – and fun. Simply load your favourite sledding device into your vehicle and head for the hills, literally. Big White has a sledding and tubing hill, but you'll find many others in town. Check out Myra Bellevue Provincial Park and Curlew Park in Kettle Valley. Plus no need to bring those sleds from home, with our Stay® | Well Amenities guests get access to borrow saucer sleds for the fam.
Enjoy the Holidays in Kelowna at The Royal
While Kelowna is best known for its summer allure, the holiday season and winter bring a different kind of magic to this charming lakeside city in the heart of the Okanagan Valley. From festive holiday events and foodie delights to outdoor recreation and more, the city offers a unique and memorable backdrop to enjoy the holiday season.
Book your winter stay at The Royal today and see just how magical holiday vacations in Kelowna really are. Happy holidays!
