This fall, Kelowna will welcome athletes, coaching staff, family and friends, and curling fans for the second edition of the Pan Continental Curling Championships. Taking place in downtown Kelowna—which is located on the traditional, ancestral, and unceded territory of the syilx/Okanagan people—at the Kelowna Curling Club from October 29 to November 4, the championships will see teams compete in an A- and B-Division.
With so many visitors travelling to Kelowna, some for the first time, we have compiled some helpful information and ideas of things to see and do for those attendees looking to fill downtime or those who have extended their stays.
Savour Kelowna Sips and Bites
Sandhill Winery. Photo Credit: Ken Hagen
The Kelowna Curling Club is a short walk from numerous choice spots to eat and drink. In the nearby North End, you'll find many of Kelowna's craft breweries, Sandhill Winery, and one of the city's newest restaurants, Pretty Not Bad, which dubs itself an "unconventional sports hub." Downtown, you'll also find Okanagan Spirits Craft Distillery, BC's original craft distillery.
A short walk south-west from the Curling Club will offer up the following options:
- Casual dining at Double J Hong Kong Fusion, Soul de Cuba Cafe, and Tiffin India's Fresh Kitchen.
- Elevated pub fare at BNA Brewing, Central Kitchen & Bar, and The Train Station Pub.
- Fine dining at Bouchons Bistro, Erica Jane Restaurant, and Waterfront Wines Restaurant.
- Find more restaurant options in downtown Kelowna here.
October is also BC Wine Harvest Month, so wine lovers can celebrate the season by visiting area wineries on a guided tour or attending events as part of the Fall Okanagan Wine Festival.
Explore Kelowna's Outdoor Playground
Dilworth Mountain Park. Photo Credit: Vince Jones
In less than 15 minutes, you can walk from the Kelowna Curling Club to the base of Knox Mountain Park, which sits on the edge of downtown at the end of Ellis Street and provides exceptional views of downtown, Okanagan Lake, and the Valley. The park is just one of the many outdoor spaces you can explore in and around Kelowna.
Dilworth Mountain Park offers short, easy hikes and stunning views and is a 10-minute drive from the Curling Club. Nearby Mission Creek Regional Park has a flat pathway alongside the creek and other trails offering more moderate terrain.
Biking is another excellent way to explore the outdoors. Downtown, you can rent e-bikes from Kelowna E-Kruise or Lakeside Eco-Sports, which provides self-guided tour options (they also have some guided tour options until the end of October).
Visit our Outdoor Recreation page for more information and inspiration.
Explore Kelowna’s Cultural District
Okanagan Heritage Museum. Photo Credit: Kelowna Museums
Kelowna’s Cultural District, where you'll find museums, art galleries, public art, and more, is also close to the Curling Club. Here are a few ideas of things to do in the District at the end of October:
- Elevation Outdoors will present the Vancouver International Mountain Film Festival at the Kelowna Community Theatre on October 28.
- The Okanagan Heritage Museum's latest exhibit, La Nostra Famiglia Italiana: Our Legacy in Kelowna, highlights the history of Italians in Kelowna. The museum is also home to an Indigenous gallery, where visitors can explore the exhibits dedicated to the history and culture of the syilx/Okanagan people, which include a qwćiʔ (winter home) and numerous artifacts.
- One of the Kelowna Art Gallery's upcoming exhibitions, Wolves: The Art of Dempsey Bob, will launch on October 14, offering "a personal encounter with one of the leading carvers of British Columbia’s Northwest Coast, and an immersive experience of the Tahltan and Tlingit mainland cultures."
- Kelowna's arts and culture hub, the Rotary Centre for the Arts, is home to several gallery spaces that can be visited free of charge. Several events will also occur at the RCA in and around the Championships—find out more on the RCA website.
Click here for a digital Cultural District map, or use the mobile-friendly walking tour.
Stop by the Kelowna Visitor Centre
At the Kelowna Visitor Centre, located along the waterfront boardwalk at 238 Queensway Avenue and open daily from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., you’ll find an array of curated local goods and art. There, you can connect with our Community & Visitor Engagement for dining recommendations or more ideas of things to see and do in and around Kelowna.
Helpful Planning Resources
- Use our itinerary-builder to keep track of things to do and plan your schedule.
- Access our Neighbourhood Guides:
- Learn more about Kelowna’s array of accommodation options.
- Discover more about fall in Kelowna.
Frequently Asked Questions
What transportation options are available in Kelowna?
- Kelowna Concierge operates a shuttle from the Kelowna International Airport to/from local hotels; click here for more information.
- There are several cab companies in Kelowna, including Checkmate Cabs, Current Taxi, Kelowna Cabs, West Cabs, and ridesharing companies Uber and URide.
- The Kelowna Regional Transit System offers public transportation in the region. Schedules can be viewed online; physical copies can be picked up at the Kelowna Visitor Centre or on the bus. Click here for fare information.
- Click here for more information on getting around Kelowna.
What is the weather like in October?
- Temperatures start to cool down through October, with averages for the month being a high of 13°C / 56°F and a low of 1°C / 34°F.
- Pack lots of layers and a decent jacket, and keep in mind that temperatures will be cooler near the lake and at higher elevations, so prepare accordingly if you’re exploring outdoors.
What amenities and shops are available near the venue?
- Sports Equipment: Chevy's Source for Sports, Play It Again Sports
- Groceries/Markets: BC Tree Fruits Market, Canada Safeway (including pharmacy)
- Medical Clinic: Capri Medical Centre, Kelowna Urgent and Primary Care Centre, Spall Medical Clinic & Walk-in
- Pharmacies: Pharmasave, Shoppers Drug Mart
- Post Office: Canada Post at Towne Centre Card Shop
- Souvenirs/Postcards: Ogopogo Giftland, Souvenirs Kelowna/Towne Centre Card Shop, Kelowna Visitor Centre