Kelowna is home to the largest Pride Festival in the BC Interior, and this year's events are sure to be bigger and better than ever. Here’s everything you need to know to help plan your trip to Kelowna - including where to stay, eat, and activities you can do outside of Pride. Best of all, all of these businesses are 2SLGBTQIA+ friendly.
Events
The community events are my favourite part of Pride Week! I love when everyone comes together as a whole to celebrate love, diversity, and acceptance. The theme for Kelowna Pride 2024 is “Stand Together”.
This year Pride week runs from June 1st to 9th, with the official launch kicking off on Monday, June 3rd at BNA Brewing with the Kelowna Pride Week Official Launch. The Kelowna Pride Society will be upstairs (an elevator is available for those with accessibility needs) for you to meet the team and answer any questions you might have about Pride in Kelowna. Pride guides will be available for pick up, and you’ll have a chance to meet other 2SLGBTQIA+ members. The event runs between 5pm-7pm, and True Colours Pride Beer and Pride Mocktails will be available for purchase.
The Trans March and Celebration will be held on Wednesday, June 5th at the Bear in Stuart Park. The March will begin at 5pm, followed by an all ages Celebration at Revelry Food & Music Hub on Ellis Street. Vendor booths will be onsite at Revelry starting at 4:30, and will continue during the March for those who are unable to attend. There will be plenty of entertainment throughout the evening, including performances by local Drag artists, musical acts, and motivational speeches.
2019 Pride March. Photo: Brandon Dodds & Kelowna Pride
The 1st Annual Two Spirit PowWow will be hosted on Thursday, June 6th. There will be a grand entry at 5:30pm, and the event will run until 9:30pm at City Park. This special event is being hosted by The Kelowna Pride Society, and Aaron Mitchell (Syilx) of Four Feathers Spirit Society. This will be accessible for all mobility needs, and ALS will be provided for those who may need it. Information tables will be on site, and plenty of vendors as well. Attendees are encouraged to bring their own chairs and blankets. Keep in mind that some ceremonies and prayers should not be photographed, so be sure to ask before taking any pictures!
Stretch it out and get grounded for 45 minutes before the Pride March! Pride Yoga will be held on Saturday, June 8th from 8:45am-9:30am in Stuart Park. All skill levels and abilities are welcome. This event is free, but participants will need to register online and bring their own yoga mat.
The 2024 Pride March marshal starts at 10am with Frieda Whales leading as the MC for the morning! There will be an Elder welcome and speaker circuit beginning at 10:30am, and the March itself will kick off at 11am. Participants will walk from Stuart Park along the boardwalk to City Park. Everyone is welcome and are encouraged to wear their colours and bring their flags and banners!
The Festival runs in City Park from 11am-3pm. Talent and entertainment hasn’t been announced yet, but will be listed on the Kelowna Pride website as soon as it becomes available. There will be plenty of vendors and activities for those all ages.
Stay
Hotel Zed
Located directly across from City Park and overlooking the lake, you won’t be disappointed if you book your stay with Hotel Zed. Not only are they right in the heart of downtown, but they’re also just a block away from some of the hottest restaurants in town. They are extremely 2SLGBTQIA+ friendly (Rainbow Registered Business!), and dog-friendly as well! Their rooms are super cute and retro and they have great amenities - an outdoor pool, a rooftop patio, a ping pong lounge, and free bike and roller-skate rentals! If you're looking to stay out of the downtown, their sister hotel, Accent Inns Kelowna, located just off Gordon and Highway 97, is also 2SLGBTQIA+ friendly and Rainbow Registered! If you’re travelling for Pride between June 1st to July 10th, they are offering 20% off of bookings! Use promo code PRIDE when checking out.
The Cove Lakeside Resort
Photo by: Shawn Talbot Photography
The Cove Lakeside Resort is a great place to stay if you’re looking for more of a quiet and relaxed vibe, but they also have plenty to offer should you want to adventure out of their spacious suites. They have an outdoor pool as well as a waterslide for the kids - and basketball, tennis, and a fitness room onsite as well. You’ll also find LakeSurf Okanagan marina down at the lake where you can rent a variety of fun water toys such as boats, wave-runners, kayaks, and paddleboards. Head back inside to indulge in a massage or body treatment at their Spa, followed by a delicious dinner at their restaurant - The Landing Kitchen + Bar.
Hyatt Place Kelowna
Right in Central Kelowna, Hyatt Place offers great room options for people and families of all types. Their rooms are spacious, the beds are comfy, and they offer free breakfast! They have an indoor pool (with a lift), a fitness centre, and pet-friendly rooms as well. They also have a great restaurant onsite - The Placery, where you can enjoy artisan pizza and a variety of other menu items. I’ve stayed at Hyatt Place on a few occasions and I’ve never been disappointed. They have top-notch customer service and I always feel welcomed there. I really enjoyed their Breakfast Bar, and I’d recommend their turkey pesto sandwich from The Placery for lunch.
Eat
Friends of Dorothy
You can’t come to Kelowna for Pride without eating at Friends of Dorothy! The Okanagan’s very first 2SLGBTQIA+ lounge is a very special part of Kelowna’s downtown. It’s a space where you can enjoy some delicious cocktails and food, all while singing along to a drag show at the same time. Whether you come for the 2SLGBTQIA+ scene, the entertainment, or if you just want a place to have brunch with your friends, everyone is welcome at Friends of Dorothy (FOD). I visited FOD for their Drag Brunch a few weeks ago and I had so much fun! The Queens are hilarious and really engage with the audience during the show. The choice of songs and their fun dance moves are guaranteed to have you jumping out of your seat!
Jackknife Brewing
Photo by: BC Ale Trail
If freshly made pizza is what you’re looking for, you need to check out Jackknife Brewing! They have several gourmet pizza options available (I recommend adding a drizzle of their hot honey!) and of course a variety of beer to choose from. They have a cozy tasting room and a bright patio, and they really focus on creating a comfortable and safe space for everyone. They also support the Diversity in Brewing program, which offers scholarships to BIPOC or 2SLGBTQIA+ folks who are looking to get into the brewing industry. They are also a Rainbow Registered business!
Personally, my favourite thing about Jackknife is their efforts to make sure that everyone is treated equally while visiting their venue. They have a zero tolerance policy for racist, sexist, transphobic and/or homophobic language. All of their bathrooms are gender-neutral, and all of their staff use gender-neutral language when addressing customers. They really do go above and beyond to keep a safe space.
Explore
Kelowna really does have something for everyone, and there’s plenty to do here outside of Pride events.
You can explore several breathtaking hiking trails, sip award-winning wine at one of the many wineries, or relax on the sand at one of the beaches (there’s a great dog-friendly one right downtown) around the city.
Myra Canyon Trestles
Photo by: Destination BC
Spending a day at the Myra Canyon Trestles is a must-do when visiting Kelowna. It’s a 40-minute drive from downtown but well worth it. You’ll drive past orchards and vineyards so you’ll have plenty to see, but the best views will be on your hike or bike along the trestles. You can rent bikes from the rental shop at the start, or bring your own if you have them with you. They also offer guided or self-guided tours. There are two tunnels and eighteen trestles in total, whether you want to see a few or all of them depends on how far you want to go - this stretch of the KVR Trail is 12km one way. I biked along the trestles several times last summer and it never disappointed. It’s a great way to spend the day and get some exercise at the same time. I suggest packing a lunch and stopping to enjoying it at one of benches along the way. Bring plenty of water, and don’t forget your sunscreen!
Okanagan Heritage Museum
The Okanagan Heritage Museum is another cool spot to check out while you're visiting Kelowna. Their exhibits range from exploring how the Okanagan Valley was formed and why it supports a vast array of biodiversity to insight into the syilx/Okanagan history and connection to the land. Plus, they have fun activities for the kids and an incredible history of Pride display. When I first visited the Museum a few years ago I had no idea I would enjoy it so much! I learned so many interesting facts that I didn’t know about Kelowna, and the interactive trivia and puzzles were fun and engaging. I’ve been back several times since then! When I first visited the Museum a few years ago I had no idea I would enjoy it so much! I learned so many interesting facts that I didn’t know about Kelowna, and the interactive trivia and puzzles were fun and engaging. I’ve been back several times since then.
Kelowna Art Gallery
The Kelowna Art Gallery showcases historical and contemporary Canadian art through rotating exhibitions in its four gallery spaces, including an outdoor courtyard. Running until July 12th, The Kelowna Art Gallery's Members' Exhibition celebrates Pride with a vibrant display of art that explores diversity, love, and the quest for belonging. The Art Lab provides a space for self-guided artistic exploration. The Gallery is a hub for various events and partners with organizations like Kelowna Pride to foster a welcoming and inclusive cultural space. Plus, they are a Rainbow Registered business. I saw their showing of Grease last year, and I was absolutely blown away with the performance! The actors were all so talented and had everyone on their feet by the end of the show. Catch their rendition of The Producers from May 29th until June 16th.
Velo Volt Gravel Bike Rentals
Ditch the pavement and explore the Okanagan's hidden beauty on a bike with Velo Volt! These all-terrain machines are built for adventure, conquering everything from smooth roads to rugged trails. Get ready for an unforgettable ride. Velo Volt is also a Rainbow Registered business!
Kelowna Actors Studio
Do you love theatre? Book tickets with The Kelowna Actors Studio - a 230-seat theatre with full table service available so you can enjoy food and wine while you take in a rendition of some of the world’s most loved Broadway shows.I saw their showing of Grease last year, and I was absolutely blown away with the performance! The actors were all so talented and had everyone on their feet by the end of the show. Catch their rendition of The Producers from May 29th until June 16th.
The Kelowna Pride Festival started over 25 years ago and has since grown to attract over 12,000 people each year. You can find more information and a detailed event schedule about Kelowna Pride on their website - www.kelownapride.com
