June is a big month. From Pride to National Indigenous Peoples Day to the official start of summer, it’s a month for getting out and about to explore Kelowna. Here are three upcoming events that caught my eye.
Kelowna Pride March and Festival 2024
Where: Stuart Park (1430 Water St.) to City Park (1600 Abbot St.)
When: Saturday, June 8, 2024. Starts at 10 a.m.
Admission: Free
Now through June 9 is Kelowna Pride Week! June is also recognized as Pride Month around the globe, with many celebrations and marches taking place worldwide. Pride happens in June as a result of the Stonewall riots that took place in New York City in June 1969.
Kelowna’s first-ever Pride March was in 1996. Since then, the Kelowna Pride March and Festival has grown to become one of the most significant events on the city’s cultural calendar. Thousands of people descend upon downtown Kelowna to celebrate love, diversity, and inclusion and to support and affirm the rights of 2SLGTBQIA+ people. The theme for Kelowna Pride 2024 is “Stand Together.”
This year’s Pride lineup features more than 30 events, but the March and Festival is sure to be one of the highlights. The march will take place on Saturday, June 8, with participants marching (or rolling) from Stuart Park to City Park. Marshalling begins at 10:00 a.m. with entertainment from local drag queen Freida Whales. The march will begin at 11 a.m. Attendees are encouraged to bring flags and banners and to wear colourful outfits. Everyone is welcome! The space is also accessible for mobility devices, and ASL will be provided.
Following the march, the annual Kelowna Pride Festival will run from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. in City Park. There will be live music and performances, vendors, fun activities for all ages, food and beverages for purchase, and so much more.
The festival will be one giant celebration, and all are welcome to attend this day of fun, entertainment and pride!
2024 Siyaten Festival
Where: Pine Stadium Ball Park (1900 Quail Lane, Westbank)
When: Saturday, June 15, 2024. Starts at 9 a.m.
Admission: Free
The syilx people have lived in the Okanagan since time immemorial. The place we know as Kelowna was part of their homeland for an inconceivably long time before settlers arrived. Locals and visitors can learn about the rich, vibrant and ongoing history of the syilx people by visiting the Sncəwips Heritage Museum (Unit 260 at 525 Highway 97 South, West Kelowna).
With friendly, knowledgeable staff and engaging exhibits, Sncəwips is worth a visit at any time of year. The museum also has a gift shop that stocks art and products made by local indigenous artists.
On Saturday, June 15, the Sncəwips team is also running the 2024 siyaten Festival. The festival is a public display of community, culture and collaboration. There will be vendors, live stage performances, including comedy, ballet and hoop dancing, as well as food trucks, giveaways and so much more.
All are welcome and encouraged to stop by to help support local Indigenous art and culture. This all-ages festival is free to attend and promises fun for the whole family.
And here’s a fun fact for you that I learned in a nsyilxcən for Everyone class with the Kelowna Museums Society: in nsyilxcən, the language spoken by the syilx people, “siya?” means “Saskatoon berry.” Saskatoon berries have long been an important food source for the syilx people.
If you’d like to learn more about the syilx people, I have also previously written this article for Tourism Kelowna.
Turtle Island Festival/50th Anniversary 2024
Where: 400 Block of Leon Ave. in downtown Kelowna
When: Friday, June 21, 2024. Starts at 10 a.m.
Admission: Free
More Info
In honour of National Indigenous Peoples Day on June 21, the Ki-Low-Na Friendship Society will hold its popular Turtle Island Festival. The society is also celebrating its 50th anniversary!
The Turtle Island Festival is a giant celebration with entertainment, a mini pow-wow, and many amazing Indigenous vendors, food, cake, crafts, and more. Everyone is welcome to join in on the fun and party it up on the 400 block of Leon Avenue in downtown Kelowna. The event runs from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., but if you want bannock, you may want to go earlier in the day (trust me – I’ve missed out before).
National Indigenous Peoples Day was first celebrated in 1996. It is a day to honour and recognize the rich history, heritage, diversity, and resilience of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis people. June 21 was chosen as National Indigenous Peoples Day for a variety of reasons, one of which is its cultural significance as the Summer solstice, which is typically a time of celebration and community for many Indigenous people.
To see even more Kelowna events, visit the Tourism Kelowna events calendar here. See you around town!
