Situated on the shores of Okanagan Lake in the heart of Wine Country, Kelowna is one of Canada's warmest, driest regions. This makes it especially appealing come September, as the temperatures drop and fall activities in Kelowna ramp up.
From harvest season and food and wine events to music festivals and the last few weeks of lake recreation, fall may just be the best time of year to visit.
Food and Drink
Courtesy of tourismkelowna.com - Jose Antonio Lopez
Autumn ushers in harvest season, making it an ideal time to get a literal taste of Kelowna. Start by heading to one of the weekly farmer's markets.
In town, you’ll find the Kelowna Farmers’ & Crafters’ Market, British Columbia's largest, with nearly 120 vendors. And don’t miss some of the smaller seasonal markets that wind down in September – they’re perfect Kelowna fall activities for weekend mornings.
Continue the food-themed celebrations at Kelowna's many fall festivals. Plan your visit during Feast of Fields for the ultimate smorgasbord of Okanagan harvest delights. The Feast is held at a different farm every year, highlighting the region's connections between "farm folks and city folks."
Tickets to the 3-hour wandering festival are all-inclusive, covering food, drinks, and live music. It's one of the most popular fall things to do in Kelowna among locals and visitors alike.
Courtesy of tourismkelowna.com
Coming back in 2024, lovers of craft beer and spirits won’t want to miss the Hopscotch Festival, which offers tastes of more than 150 of BC’s best breweries and distilleries – in particular, whisky. The event takes over the Kelowna Curling Rink, transforming it into a tasting hall for the evening.
There's even an onsite liquor store to bring home your favourite spirits and a smoking lounge. Tasty brews keep flowing into October during Kelowna Brew Week, alongside community Oktoberfest celebrations and several local brewery events.
Courtesy of tourismkelowna.com
If you're not a fan of the crowds at some fall activities in Kelowna, not to worry! Autumn is a fantastic time to visit the town’s best restaurants, bars, breweries, and cafes. Whether it’s a fine-dining experience or casual Thai fare downtown, there’s always something delicious to try.
And if you can't decide where to eat, don't! Instead, book a guided food tour to sample several places in just a few hours.
Wine
Yes, wine is technically a beverage, but it's such a big deal in Kelowna, we gave it its own category!
Fall is also an incredible time for wine-centred activities. It’s harvest season, after all. Visit one of Kelowna's 40+ vineyards or, if you can't decide on one, book a guided wine tour through Kelowna Conceriege and receive 20% off your tour as a guest at The Royal Kelowna and experience several of the region’s best.
If you've already done a tour or you're looking for something a bit different, exploring one of the city's five wine trails is one of the best fall activities in Kelowna.
Courtesy of tourismkelowna.com - Jose Antonio Lopez
Don’t have time for a whole tour or multiple wineries? Sip a glass at a wine bar in town, like Waterfront Wines Restaurant or Sandhill Wines, both within walking distance of The Royal Kelowna.
Wine festivals take off during the fall, as well. Come for the Okanagan Fall Wine Festival, held over two weekends in late October and early November. October is also the official BC Wine Harvest Month, with wineries offering more tastings and fun events. Expect to find several other wine-focused food and culture events throughout the city throughout October and into November.
Music and Culture
Courtesy of tourismkelowna.com - Matt Ferguson Photography
With the cooler temps come tons of lively fall things to do in Kelowna. Don’t miss the BreakOut West music festival, featuring over 50 artists across the city’s best venues. Keep an eye out for other concerts in town, too – fall always brings lots of shows to the Okanagan, from local favourites to global headliners.
Fans of off-beat performances won’t want to miss the Kelowna Fringe Festival over Labour Day weekend, which brings together several offbeat performing arts. Catch a more traditional performance at Ballet Kelowna or learn about incredible traditional Indigenous stories and dance at the community theatre. There are also always masterpieces to marvel at in the Kelowna Art Gallery.
Come November, holiday fun kicks into full gear with festive markets and performances. Catch productions of Rocky Mountain High Christmas at Kelowna Community Theatre, or take in the opening weekend of A Christmas Carol.
Outdoors
Although summer's long, sunny days are waning, there are still many outdoor fall activities in Kelowna to enjoy.
Okanagan Lake remains warm through late September, so it’s still a great time to hit the water, with just a fraction of the summer crowds. Rent a kayak or SUP to paddle around the lake, or explore a section of the 27-kilometre Kelowna Paddle Trail, passing downtown, beaches, and waterfront parks. Angling enthusiasts will enjoy casting their rods in the cooler temperatures, and those who prefer to stay on land can simply stroll the lakeshore.
Once October hits, Kelowna's landscape transforms. The trees turn dazzling shades of gold, red, and orange, setting the perfect scene for waterfront strolls or in-town bike rides. Mission Creek Regional Greenway Park and the Apex Trail offer lots of bang for your buck right in town. At Mission Creek, you can also witness the kokanee salmon spawn starting in late September.
One of the quintessential fall activities in Kelowna is seeing the impressive Western Larches, which grow at higher elevations. For a front-row seat to the changing colours, head out for a hike or bike ride along the Kettle Valley Rail Trail in Myra Canyon, or hike through the Boulderfields.
Family Fun
With so many vineyards, farms, and orchards (fun fact: over half of the city's land area is zoned for agriculture!), local farms offer up some of the most popular family-friendly Kelowna fall activities.
Make a day trip to pick pumpkins, go for a hayride, and love on the animals in the petting zoo at McMillan Farms or go fruit-picking and work your way through the region's largest corn maze at Kelowna Fruit N Veggies.
During the Halloween season, get spooked at the Westbank Museum haunted house, or take part in the spooky but more family-friendly activities at Don-o-Ray's Haunted Farm.
Enjoy the Best Kelowna Fall Activities at The Royal Kelowna
As you can see, the list of fall things to do in Kelowna is long. You'll run out of time well before you run out of activities! Best of all, there's truly something for everyone – savour the region's renowned wine and food offerings, take in concerts and other live performances, explore The Great Outdoors, or bond with your family at local farms' fall festivals.
In the heart of downtown,The Royal Kelowna is the perfect home base for your adventures. With spacious condo-style suites, you'll enjoy a private balcony with Okanagan Lake views, a jetted soaking tub, and even a gourmet kitchen. Kelowna has an incredible foodie scene, but sometimes the occasion calls for picking up some local meat and produce and preparing it yourself, alongside a bottle of wine.
Before retiring for the evening, head up to our stunning roof to take a dip in the heated infinity pool, relax and enjoy the views in either of our indoor or outdoor hot tubs, or stay cozy next to the fire pit in the lounge area. Book direct and save up to 15%!
