It's no secret that Kelowna is a four-season destination, but each season offers its own unique charms and activities. So with spring in the air, here are some noteworthy art and culture events for your calendar.
Indigenous Resilience Festival
Where: Rotary Centre for the Arts
When: Sunday, March 26, 2023. 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Admission: Free
Celebrate Indigenous cultures with performances by more than 40 artists representing communities across British Columbia! This free day-long celebration will feature storytelling, dance, fashion, plant medicine, music and more.
More info and reserve your spot
Festival de l’érable / MapleFest
Where: Stuart Park
When: Saturday, April 29, 2023. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Admission: Free
Presented by the Centre Culturel Francophone de l’Okanagan (CCFO), MapleFest is a celebration suitable for the whole family. Enjoy live music, artistic workshops, dancers, jugglers and tasty traditional cuisine such as maple taffy at the 44th Kelowna MapleFest.
6th Annual Student Okanagan Film Festival
Where: Mary Irwin Theatre at Rotary Centre for the Arts
When: Monday, May 8, 2023. Starts at 7 p.m.
Admission: Pay what you can / donate at the door
Enjoy the work of emerging student filmmakers at the 6th annual Student Okanagan Film Festival. Organized by UBCO Visual Arts and the Faculty of Creative and Critical Studies, it “showcases short films from a wide range of genres including mini-documentary, experimental, music videos, animation, short narrative & more.”
Matt Andersen and The Big Bottle of Joy
Where: Kelowna Community Theatre
When: Sunday, April 2, 2023. Starts at 8 p.m.
Admission: $45 + taxes and fees
Canadian Bluesman Matt Andersen and his band (The Big Bottle of Joy) will take to the stage at the Kelowna Community Theatre in April. Andersen is known for his powerful vocals, skill on the guitar and stage presence.
AltiTunes Music Festival
Where: Big White Ski Resort
When: Friday, March 31 to Saturday, April 1, 2023. Music starts at 6 p.m. on March 31.
Admission: $59 to $275
AltiTunes is Canada’s biggest mountain music festival. Taking place over two days at Big White Ski Resort, this year’s festival will feature Peach Pit, Felix Cartal, Billy Raffoul, Moontricks and many others.
Megadeth: Crush the World Tour
Where: Prospera Place
When: Saturday, April 29, 2023. Starts at 7 p.m.
Admission: $49.50 to $499.50 + fees
Thrash metal icons Megadeth are coming to Kelowna this spring. Considered one of the ‘big four’ American thrash metal groups alongside Slayer, Anthrax and Metallica, the Californian band will perform at Prospera Place.
Ballet Kelowna: 20th Anniversary Season Performances
Where: Kelowna Community Theatre
When: Friday, May 5 to Saturday, May 6, 2023. Starts at 7:30 p.m. on both evenings.
Admission: $34.10 to $74.65
Ballet Kelowna is celebrating its 20th season. The season has already featured Aspirations and Reflections. The season will come to a close with Transformations on May 5 and 6, 2023. “The Transformations program features the in-person premiere of Kirsten Wicklund’s hauntingly beautiful Disembark and the world premiere of Cameron Fraser-Monroe’s evening-length reimagining of Wild West archetypes.”
Okanagan Symphony Orchestra: Northern Lights
Where: Kelowna Community Theatre
When: Friday, May 12, 2023. Starts at 7:30 p.m.
Admission: $34.60 to $75.50
The Okanagan Symphony Orchestra brings its 2022-23 season to a close with Northern Lights. “Drawing inspiration from their surroundings, Scandinavian and Canadian composers bring a breathless sense of grandeur and space to this program.” Guest artist Ariel Barnes (cello) will perform two concertos written for him.
Jimmy Carr: Terribly Funny
Where: Prospera Place
When: Sunday, June 25, 2023. Starts at 7:30 p.m.
Admission: $45.50 to $55.40 + fees
Award-winning British funnyman Jimmy Carr visits Kelowna for the first time. Known for his distinctive laugh and controversial one-liners, Carr will bring his special brand of humour to Prospera Place in June.
To see even more Kelowna events, visit the Tourism Kelowna events calendar. See you out and about!
