Festivals & Events
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2009 Penticton & South Okanagan Wine Country
There’s lots happening in Penticton & the South Okanagan Wine Country! From April through September there are festivals or events that cater to young, old… and everyone in between. A word to the wise: Penticton & the South Okanagan Wine Country’s festivals and events are very popular and if you’re planning to take one in, book your stay early.
Where possible, we’ve linked the event to their web site. We will be updating this page and adding events as they are finalized for this year and the information becomes available.
Fun, Festivals & Events For Visitors
| Penticton: Harlem Globetrotters World Tour | |
| When: Apr 24, @ 7:00pm | |
| Info: www.soec.ca | |
| Where: South Okanagan Events Centre | |
| Check out the world-famous Globetrotters and their amazing basketball wizardry! | |
| All Communities: Okanagan Spring Wine Festival | |
| When: Apr 30 – May 9 | |
| Info 250-861-6654, info@TheWineFestivals.com www.owfs.com | |
| Where: Valley-wide | |
| Choose from over 100 events, including luncheons and dinners with wine pairing, along with wine educations and consumer tastings. |
|
| Penticton: The Penticton Farmers and Artisans Market | |
| When: Every Saturday starting May 2, @ 8.30 am – noon | |
| Info:Cindy & Tom Nelson, 250-770-3276; The Okanaganfarmersmarket@gmail.com | |
| Where: 100 Block Main Street | |
| Enjoy local produce and artwork every Saturday until October. | |
| Penticton: Penticton Night Market | |
| When: Thursday evenings 5 – 9 pm, June 25th – Sept. 3rd | |
| Info: Laurel Burnham 250 496-0025 or email: laburnham@shaw.ca | |
| Where: 200 Block of Main Street | |
| This once a week public market is outdoors at Okanagan Lake Park during the late afternoon and early evening hours every Tuesday until September. It is a mixed venue, open to artisans, crafters, and farmers from all markets. All vendors follow the conventional market rule of thumb: you must make, grow it, or bake it! | |
| Penticton: Emerson Drive | |
| When: May 4, @ 7:30pm | |
| Info: www.soec.ca | |
| Where: South Okanagan Events Centre | |
| Emerson Drive brings their latest album “Countrified” to the South Okanagan Events Centre. Often referred to as the “hardest working band in country music,” the band’s musical influences cross genres, from AC/DC and Black Sabbath to Alabama, Merle Haggard, George Strait and Ricky Skaggs; along with Charlie Daniels, who pitched in vocals on their remake of “Devil Went Down To Georgia.” | |
| Penticton: Meadowlark Festival | |
| When: May 14 – May 18, | |
| Info: OSCA office; 250-432-5275; www.meadowlarkfestival.bc.ca | |
| Where: Locations throughout The Okanagan & area | |
| This event celebrates the unique wildlife and habitat found in The Okanagan & area, by joining thousands of nature enthusiasts. Pre-registration recommended as some venues have limited space. | |
| Penticton: Okanagan International Children’s Festival |
|
| When: May 21 – May 23 @ Friday 9.30am – 4 pm, Sat. 9.30am – 5.30pm, Sun. 9.30am – 8.30pm | |
| Info: Michelle, 250-490-8800; info@okchildrensfest.org; www.okchildrensfest.org | |
| Where: Okanagan Lake Park | |
| Some of the best dancers, actors, comedians, rock & roll circus, kids crafts, storytellers and much more are coming to the park between the Lakeside Resort and The Okanagan Art Gallery. | |
| Penticton: Naramata Unfiltered | |
| When: May 23 – May 24, (2 full days) | |
| Info:Naramata Bench Wineries, 250.490.8339 www.naramatabench.com | |
| Where: Naramata Bench Wineries | |
| Designed to be a completely comprehensive retreat, the ticket price includes two lunches and two gourmet dinners, all four of which will build on the theme of the exploring wine and food parings. The event finishes with an UnFiltered ‘Graduation Dinner’ where participants will have an opportunity to challenge their palates alongside the winemakers during a blind tasting. The Unfiltered Wine Education retreat includes transportation between seminars and meals, first class accommodation, custom gum boots and a culinary and wine experience to remember.The Naramata Bench wineries plan to offer the Naramata UnFiltered Wine Education Retreat three times a year with subsequent wine education retreats in Summer and Fall 2008. $799, based on double occupancy. | |
| Osoyoos: Market On Main | |
| When: June to September | |
| Info: 250-495-7723 | |
| Penticton: Penticton Regional Bridge Tournament |
|
| When: Jun 15 – Jun 21, | |
| Info: Don Cousens, 250-490-3805; don7774@shaw.ca | |
| Where: The Okanagan Trade & Convention Centre | |
| Penticton: Charley Pride | |
| When: Jun 22, @ 7:30pm | |
| Info: 1-877-763-2849 | |
| Where: South Okanagan Events Centre | |
| Charley Pride brings his classic country tunes to The Okanagan. Tickets are now on sale at the South Okanagan Events Centre Box Office, the The Okanagan Wine Country Visitor Centre, online at ww.valleyfirstTIX.com, or charge by phone, 1-877-763-2849. For more info on upcoming shows at the Events Centre, visitwww.soec.ca. | |
| Penticton Pacific Northwest Elvis Festival | |
| When: June 26 – June 28, | |
| Info: Darlene, 250-493-4055 1-800-663-5052: info@The Okanaganelvisfestival.com www.TheOkanaganelvisfestival.com | |
| Our 8th Anniversary, and we will have Tribute Artists plus some headliners, appearing at different venues, from Okanagan Park on Lakeshore Drive beside the Lakeside Resort, to the Convention Centre. There will be everything from pancake breakfast, food & refreshment vendors, and a fabulous gospel show Sunday morning. Start is Friday @ 6 pm Okanagan Lake Park. | |
| Penticton: Peach City Beach Cruise Antique & Classic Car Convention | |
| When: Jun 26 – Jun 28,; Starts 6:00 pm | |
| Info:.250-487-2303 1-866-889-2288; www.peachcitybeachcruise.com | |
| Where: Lakeshore Drive (Okanagan Beach) | |
| Join in Canada’s premiere family oriented Antique & Classic Car Convention. View over 800 of the finest antique cars. Activities for the whole family, with live music, vendors and much more. | |
| Penticton: Canada Day Celebrations | |
| When: July 1, @ 9:00 am to 11:00 pm | |
| Info: Laurel Burham; 250-492-7717; laburnham@shaw.ca | |
| Where: Gyro Park | |
| Join us for our very Favorite Birthday Party of all…Thousands of Happy People will be there! Free cake and balloons and much more!!! | |
| Summerland: Canada Day Celebrations | |
| When: July 1 | |
| Where: Memorial Park, Peach Orchard Park | |
| Flag Raising at Memorial Park. Canada Day celebration & Spirit Square Sculpture Dedication at Peach Orchard Park. | |
| Okanagan Falls: Canada Day Celebrations | |
| When: July 1 | |
| Where: TBA | |
| Info: 250-497-8188 | |
| Oliver: Canada Day Celebrations | |
| When: July 1 | |
| Info: 250-498-6321 | |
| Osoyoos: Canada Day Celebrations | |
| When: July 1 | |
| Info: 250-498-6321 | |
| Osoyoos: Cherry Fiesta | |
| When: July 1 | |
| Info: 250-495-7723 | |
| Penticton: Naramata Farmer’s Market | |
| When: July 1, 4 – 7 pm | |
| Where: Warf Park, Naramata | |
| Info: | |
| Fresh local produce and artisan market with entertainment | |
| Oliver: Country Market A-Fair | |
| When: July to September | |
| Info:250-498-3369 | |
| Penticton: Penticton Highland Games Cancelled for 2009 | |
| Penticton: Skaha Lake Artisans Market | |
| When: July 2, 4 – 8 pm | |
| Where: | |
| Info: www.artisanmarket.ca; email: artisan220@hotmail.com | |
| Summerland: Kettle Valley Steam Railway – Great Train Robbery & BBQ | |
| When: July 5 @ 1:30PM & 4:00PM | |
| Where: Kettle Valley Steam Railway Station | |
| Info: Toll free 1-877-494-8424 ; www.kettlevalleyrail.org | |
| RESERVATIONS REQUIRED. | |
| Penticton: Super Sprints Dragonboats | |
| When: July 3 – 5, all day | |
| Where: East park, Skaha Lake | |
| Info: 250-770-2911 | |
| Penticton: Naramata Farmer’s Market | |
| When: July 15 | |
| Where: Warf Park, Naramata | |
| Info: | |
| Fresh local produce and artisan market with entertainment | |
| Penticton: Skaha Lake Artisans Market | |
| When: July 16, 4 – 8 pm | |
| Where: Skaha Park | |
| Info: www.artisanmarket.ca; email: artisan220@hotmail.com | |
| Penticton: Sicamous Follies Five | |
| When: July , Wednesdays through Saturdays at 8 pm. Sunday matinées at 2 pm. | |
| Where: On board the SS Sicamous, Okanagan Inland Marine Heritage Park | |
| Info: 250-492-0405; website: TBA ; email:info@sssicamous.ca | |
| Live music & comedy with a twist of history in the intimate setting of the historic S.S. Sicamous Ballroom. Ticket price includes a free tour of the ship & historic exhibits. Seniors & Students $17/ $20 Regular admission. Reservations recommended. | |
| Penticton: Beach Blanket Film Festival | |
| When: Jul 17 – Jul 19, @ 10:00pm or dusk | |
| Info:Nikos; 250 490 7886 mail@beachblanketfilmfest.ca www.beachblanketfilmfest.ca | |
| Where: Okanagan Beach (Lakeshore Drive) | |
| Okanagan Lake hosts Canada’s only outdoor floating screen film festival with top Canadian filmmakers screening their creations. | |
| Summerland: Kettle Valley Steam Railway – Great Train Robbery & BBQ | |
| When: July 19, 4:00 PM | |
| Where: Kettle Valley Steam Railway Station | |
| Info: Toll free 1-877-494-8424 ; www.kettlevalleyrail.org | |
| RESERVATIONS REQUIRED. | |
| Penticton: Boston Pizza Jr. Triathlon | |
| When: July 18, @ 7:00am | |
| Info: 250 493-0329 www.bostonpizza.com | |
| Mini Triathlon for children 8 to 15 years old in which they swim bike and run. | |
| Oliver: Sunshine Festival and Parade | |
| When: July 18 | |
| Info: 250-498-4985 | |
| Penticton: Investors Group Peach Classic Olympic Distance Triathlon |
|
| When: July 19 | |
| Info:Peach City Runners 250-490-3334 | |
| Where: Around The Okanagan lakeshore | |
| Package pickup for athletes is at Peach City Runners & Nordic Ski, 212 Main St. swim 1.5km, bike 40km, run 10km. Start is at the Peach on Lakeshore Drive (Okanagan Beach), The Okanagan | |
| Penticton: Naramata Farmer’s Market | |
| When: July 29, 4 – 7 pm | |
| Where: Warf Park, Naramata | |
| Info: | |
| Fresh local produce and artisan market with entertainment | |
| Penticton: Skaha Lake Artisans Market | |
| When: July 30, 4 – 8 pm | |
| Where: Skaha Park | |
| Info: www.artisanmarket.ca; email: artisan220@hotmail.com | |
| Penticton: Bill Cosby | |
| When: July 31; 6:30pm & 9:30pm | |
| Where: South Okanagan Events Centre | |
| Tickets: Exclusively through ValleyFirstTIX.com, the South Okanagan Events Centre Box Office, the Wine Country Visitors Centre or charge by phone at 1-877-763-2849 | |
| Penticton & Summerland: Ultra Man Canada | |
| When: July 31- Aug.4 | |
| Info: ultramancanada.com; email: info@peachcityrunners.com | |
| 3-day, 512.6 kilometer (318.6 mile) individual ultra-endurance event: Saturday – Stage 1 – 10.0 km (6.2 mile) point to point swim starting in Penticton and finishing in Okanagan Falls, followed by 144.8 km (90.0 mile) bike ride, beginning in Okanagan Falls over the Richter Pass returning to Okanagan Falls; Sunday – Stage 2 – 273.5 km (170 mile) bike ride, beginning in Penticton and ending in Princeton.Monday – Stage 3 – 84.3 km (52.4 mile) double-marathon run from Princeton to Summerland. | |
| Oliver: Tinhorn Shakespear Co. | |
| When: July 31 to August 1 | |
| Where: Tinhorn Creek Vineyards | |
| Info: 250-498-3743 www.tinhorn.com | |
| Penticton: Mr Muscle & Miss Bikini Contest | |
| When: August 2, Noon to 8:00 pm | |
| Where: Skaha Lake (Sudbury Beach) | |
| Info: 250-490-4420; 250-809-1430; www.jcipenticton.com; ryan.syrianni@rbc.com | |
| Penticton: Tragically Hip | |
| When: August 2, 8:00pm | |
| Where: South Okanagan Events Centre | |
| Info: Visitor Centre: 250-493-4055 SOEC: 250-490-2460; www.valleyfirsttix.com | |
| Penticton: Peach Festival |
|
| When: Aug 5 – Aug 9, | |
| Info: Mark Grimm; 250-488-0584; info@peachfest.com www.peachfest.com | |
| Where: Okanagan Lake Park | |
| The Peach Festival features a whirlwind week of family entertainment at Okanagan Lake Park, pancake breakfast, sandcastle competitions, music concerts, large parade, plus a kiddies parade, food vendors, crafts and much more. | |
| Penticton: Skaha Rotary Penticton Sandcastle Competition | |
| When: August 6, evening | |
| Where: Skaha Beach Pavillion & Park | |
| Info: 250-493-6786 | |
| Osoyoos: Bluegrass Country | |
| When: August 6 – 9 | |
| Info: 250-495-6061 | |
| Osoyoos: Romancing the Desert | |
| When: August 8 | |
| Info: www.desert.org; 250-495-2470 | |
| Penticton: Naramata Farmer’s Market | |
| When: August 12, 4 – 7 pm | |
| Where: Warf Park, Naramata | |
| Info: | |
| Fresh local produce and artisan market with entertainment | |
| Penticton: Skaha Lake Artisans Market | |
| When: August 13, 4 – 8 pm | |
| Where: Skaha Park | |
| Info: www.artisanmarket.ca; email: artisan220@hotmail.com | |
| Oliver: Public Fly-In Breakfast | |
| When: August 15 | |
| Where: Oliver Airport | |
| Info: 250-535-0395 | |
| Summerland: RCMP Musical Ride | |
| When: August 26 | |
| Where: Summerland Rodeo Grounds | |
| Representing a colourful tradition and ceremony through the horse and the scarlet uniform, the RCMP created a spectacle known around the world as the Musical Ride. The Musical Ride provides Canadians, from coast to coast, with the opportunity to experience part of our heritage and national identity. Don’t miss out. Tickets available at the Summerland Visitors Centre beginning in July. | |
| Penticton: Skaha Lake Artisans Market | |
| When: August 27, 4 – 8 pm | |
| Where: | |
| Info: www.artisanmarket.ca; email: artisan220@hotmail.com | |
| Oliver: Annual Y.A.K. Fly-In | |
| When: August 28 – 31 | |
| Where: Oliver Airport | |
| Info: 250-535-0395 | |
| Penticton: Naramata Farmer’s Market | |
| When: August 29, 4 – 7 pm | |
| Where: Warf Park, Naramata | |
| Info: | |
| Fresh local produce and artisan market with entertainment | |
| Penticton: Ironman Canada Triathlon | |
| When: Aug 30 @ 7:00am – Midnight | |
| Info: 250.490-8787 www.ironman.ca | |
| Over 2,000 triathletes compete in a gruelling swimming, biking & running race. | |
| Penticton: Jazz on the Boat | |
| When: Tuesday, September 8 at 8:00pm | |
| Info: SS Sicamous 250 492-0405; www.sssicamous.ca | |
| Where: S.S. Sicamous, Lakeshore Drive, Penticton | |
| Featuring Gillian Russel, Brian Russell, Stefan Bienz and Curtis Parry. This group of truly outstanding musicians will be together LIVE in the intimate and acoustically brilliant S.S. Sicamous Ballroom. Last year, this concert was completely sold out. Tickets are $20 Regular Admission & $17 for Students and Seniors. | |
| Osoyoos: Rock Creek Fair | |
| When: September 12 – 13 | |
| Where: Rock Creek | |
| Info: www.rockcreekfallfair.ca | |
| Penticton: Pentastic Jazz Festival | |
| When: Sep 11 – Sep 13; various times & locations | |
| Info: Michael Campbell; 250-770-3494 jazzsociety@shaw.ca www.pentasticjazz.com | |
| Three days of great entertainment & fabulous jazz. | |
| Summerland: Show & Shine | |
| When: Saturday, September 12th; 7:30 am to 3:30 pm | |
| Info: 250.404.0447; email twisterspecialgt@shaw.ca | |
| Registration begins at 8:00 am. Food & Refreshments, open to all makes & models. Vehicle registration is $10 which includes goodie bags for the first 150 cars, chances to win GIVE AWAYS & awards for unique categories. | |
| Summerland: Kettle Valley Steam Railway – Great Train Robbery & BBQ | |
| When: Sept. 13, 4:00 PM | |
| Where: Kettle Valley Steam Railway Station | |
| Info: Toll free 1-877-494-8424 ; www.kettlevalleyrail.org | |
| RESERVATIONS REQUIRED. | |
| Okanagan Falls: Ok Falls Days & Outhouse Race | |
| When: September 18-20 | |
| Where: Okanagan Falls | |
| Info: 250-497-8338 | |
| Penticton: Naramata Unfiltered | |
| When: Sept 26 – Sept 27 (2 full days) | |
| Info: Naramata Bench Wineries; 250.490.8339 www.naramatabench.com | |
| Where: Naramata Bench Wineries | |
| Designed to be a completely comprehensive retreat, the ticket price includes two lunches and two gourmet dinners, all four of which will build on the theme of the exploring wine and food parings. The event finishes with an UnFiltered ‘Graduation Dinner’ where participants will have an opportunity to challenge their palates alongside the winemakers during a blind tasting. The Unfiltered Wine Education retreat includes transportation between seminars and meals, first class accommodation, custom gum boots and a culinary and wine experience to remember.
The Naramata Bench wineries plan to offer the Naramata UnFiltered Wine Education Retreat three times a year with subsequent |
|
| Osoyoos: Dessert Festival | |
| When: September 26 | |
| Info: 250-495-5070 | |
| Osoyoos: Oktoberfest | |
| When: September 28 | |
| Info: 250- 495-4186 | |
| All Communities: Okanagan Fall Wine Festival | |
| When: Oct 1 – Oct 10 | |
| Info:250-861-6654 info@TheWineFestivals.com www.owfs.com | |
| Our biggest events are the Consumer Tastings at the Trade and Convention Centre Oct 9 & 10 There are many events going on right throughout the Okanagan Valley from Vernon to Osoyoos….This celebration is an experience for all who love fabulous wine and great food. | |
| Oliver: Festival of the Grape | |
| When: October 4 | |
| Where: Oliver Community Park 12:00 PM to 6:00 PM | |
| Info: South Okanagan Chamber of Commerce | |
| FUN FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY!! Wine tasting, face painting, live entertainment, food vendors, trade show, games and of course… the Grape Stomp! Eight teams are ready to go, plus there will be a Celebrity Stomp…one heat, winner take all!! | |
| Summerland: Annual Festival of Lights | |
| When: Nov. 27 – 22nd | |
| Details TBA | |
