Kelowna

Around Kelowna

Photo: Murray Foubister · CC BY-SA 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Metro area · British Columbia · 222k people

Kelowna

Locals say Okanagan · “Orchard City”

Sun-soaked shores and vineyard rows.

Okanagan BlueOrchard GreenWine Red

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Welcome to Kelowna, where the lake is your backyard and the orchards are your pantry. Whether you're here for the wineries, the beaches, or the mountain trails, you'll find your rhythm in the Okanagan.

Clubs for Kelowna

No clubs for Kelowna yet.

The room

One room for everyone around Kelowna. It never closes; when it's busy it splits into tables. Once you're in, you stay until you leave.

Ask the neighbours

All

A good plumber, the best tacos, a lost cat: nobody has asked yet. Be the first.

Coming up

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Marketplace

Things for sale, free and wanted, and rooms for rent, from people around Kelowna. Sign in to sell something.

Things to do

  • Knox Mountain Park Hiking trails and panoramic views over the city.
  • The Sails Iconic waterfront sculpture at Stuart Park.
  • Kelowna Art Gallery Contemporary art in the cultural district.
  • Mission Creek Regional Park Greenway with trails and a nature house.
  • William R. Bennett Bridge Connects Kelowna to West Kelowna over the lake.
  • Prospera Place Arena home of the Kelowna Rockets.
  • Outdoors Hike Knox Mountain
  • Outdoors Cycle the Myra Canyon trestles
  • With kids Swim and play at City Park beach
  • With kids Walk the trails at Mission Creek Regional Park
  • Evenings Brewery hopping downtown
  • Evenings Wine bar hopping on Bernard Avenue
  • Locals love Lake beaches
  • Locals love Winery patios

Through the year

  • Okanagan Spring Wine Festival May Wine and food pairings across the valley in May.
  • Okanagan Fall Wine Festival October Harvest season wine events in October.
  • Kelowna Dragon Boat Festival June Paddling races on Okanagan Lake in June.
  • Kelowna Marathon October Road race through the city and along the lake in October.
  • Kelowna International Regatta July Sailing and watersports competition on the lake in July.

Semi-arid climate with hot dry summers and mild winters. Best time to be out is summer for the lake and fall for the harvest. Best: Summer (June–August) is prime for lake activities and wineries.

Getaways

  • Penticton Two lakes and a charming downtown.
  • Vernon Historic village and Silver Star mountain.
  • Salmon Arm The longest wooden wharf in North America.
  • Kamloops Rivers, canyons, and a wild west vibe.

Local flavour

Teams

  • Kelowna Rockets WHL
  • West Kelowna Warriors BCHL
  • Kelowna Falcons WCBL
  • UBC Okanagan Heat U Sports

Also rooting for Vancouver Canucks (NHL), Vancouver Whitecaps FC (MLS), BC Lions (CFL), Toronto Blue Jays (MLB)

Eat and drink

  • Okanagan wine Especially ice wine and Pinot Noir
  • Tree fruits Peaches, cherries, and apples from local orchards
  • Fruit stands Roadside stands selling fresh seasonal produce

Where people go

  • Wineries Over 200 wineries in the region, many with tasting rooms
  • Orchards Family-run orchards and u-pick farms
  • Lake beaches Public beaches along Okanagan Lake and smaller lakes
  • Farmers markets Weekly markets featuring local produce and crafts

Heritage and traditions

Kelowna is proud of its stunning lake-and-orchard setting, a lifestyle that blends outdoor adventure with a vibrant wine and food scene.

This time of year in Kelowna

  • Grape harvest Fall Wineries harvest grapes for wine production.

Say it like a local: “The valley” — The Okanagan Valley.

Festivals

  • Okanagan Pride August Celebrates the LGBTQ+ community with a parade and events.
  • Kelowna Ribfest August A barbecue festival with live music and family activities.
  • Okanagan Fest of Ale April Showcases local craft beers and ciders.
  • Kelowna International Children's Festival May Interactive performances and activities for kids.
  • Canada Day at Waterfront Park July 1 Fireworks and celebrations by the lake.
  • Kelowna Art Walk June Local artists display work in downtown venues.

Landmarks with a story

  • Father Pandosy Mission Founded in 1859, the first European settlement in the Okanagan.
  • Laurel Packinghouse A restored fruit packinghouse now housing museums and event spaces.
  • Gellatly Heritage Farm A heritage farm in West Kelowna showcasing early orchard life.
  • Kelowna Cenotaph War memorial in City Park honouring local veterans.

Food traditions

  • Okanagan peach pie Made with local peaches, a summer staple at family gatherings.
  • Ice wine harvest Frozen grapes are picked at night in January for ice wine.
  • U-pick berries Families pick strawberries, cherries, and raspberries at local farms.
  • Winemaker's dinner Chef-prepared meals paired with local wines, often in the fall.
  • Farmers' market brunch Weekend tradition of buying fresh produce and baked goods at the market.

Music and arts

  • Okanagan Symphony Orchestra Classical music performances throughout the region.
  • Kelowna Art Walk Annual event showcasing local artists in downtown venues.
  • Syilx Indigenous art Traditional crafts and storytelling from the Okanagan Nation.
  • Kelowna Community Theatre Hosts plays, concerts, and community events.

A little history

  • Father Pandosy establishes the first mission in the Okanagan. 1859
  • Kelowna is founded as a settlement. 1892
  • Kettle Valley Railway arrives, boosting fruit trade. 1914
  • Okanagan Lake Floating Bridge opens, connecting Kelowna to Westbank. 1958
  • UBC Okanagan opens as a new university campus. 2005

Rivalries

  • Kelowna Rockets vs. Kamloops Blazers WHL rivalry that gets heated.
  • West Kelowna Warriors vs. Penticton Vees BCHL battle for Okanagan bragging rights.
  • Game day Kelowna Rockets game nights
  • Game day Kelowna Falcons baseball
  • Outdoors Golf at one of the many courses
  • Outdoors Fish for rainbow trout on Okanagan Lake
  • With kids Visit the Okanagan Heritage Museum
  • With kids Play at the Waterfront Park

Locals speak with a relaxed Canadian accent, often referring to 'the lake' and 'the valley' without needing to specify Okanagan. Common phrases include 'going to the lake' and 'the bridge is busy'.

Only here

  • Ogopogo, the legendary lake monster, is said to live in Okanagan Lake.
  • The William R. Bennett Bridge is a floating bridge.
  • The region has a semi-arid climate with cactus and sagebrush.
  • Myra Canyon Trestles are a unique cycling destination on the Kettle Valley Rail Trail.
New here? A few tips
  • Learn to pronounce 'Kelowna' as 'kuh-LOW-nuh'.
  • A car is essential; public transit is limited.
  • Expect hot, dry summers and cold winters.
  • Explore the wineries and orchards to appreciate the local culture.
  • Use the lake for recreation; it's the heart of the city.

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Nearby

Every area
South OkanaganBritish ColumbiaOrchards, vineyards, and warm desert lakes.PentictonBritish ColumbiaWhere sun-soaked orchards meet the lake's edgeVernonBritish ColumbiaLakeside living, orchard charmNorth OkanaganBritish ColumbiaWhere the Okanagan gets down to earth.Salmon ArmBritish ColumbiaA lake-lover's paradise in the heart of BCThompson-NicolaBritish ColumbiaWhere the rivers meet the rangeKamloopsBritish ColumbiaWhere rivers meet and champions play.TrailBritish ColumbiaSmall-town heart, big-mountain soul.

Kelowna. Areas from the US Census Bureau and Statistics Canada; places from GeoNames. Local flavour was written with a model and may have mistakes. Team names identify teams; no endorsement.

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