If you celebrate the holidays, spending an evening viewing the festive lights across the city should be at the top of your to-do list this winter season. Not only is this a wonderful way to spend time with family and friends, but you will also have the opportunity to support very charitable causes along the way.
Downtown Kelowna
This year the Annual Downtown Kelowna Light-Up & Winter Street Market takes place on Saturday, November 30th from 12-6 pm. It is a free community event at Stuart Park that features a ton of vendors for all your Christmas shopping needs, family-friendly activities, live entertainment, outdoor skating, food trucks, hot chocolate by donation to the Central Okanagan Food Bank, and photos with Santa. The tree will light up for the first time this season at 5 pm.
Downtown Kelowna transforms into a magical winter wonderland during the holiday season, glowing with twinkling lights and festive charm. Stroll along Bernard Avenue, where dazzling displays illuminate the heart of the city, marvel at the sparkling Christmas tree at Stuart Park, or lace up your skates and glide beneath the enchanting canopy of winter lights. It's a picture-perfect way to soak in the holiday spirit!
Tree of Hope
On Saturday, November 23rd from noon until 6 pm the Landmark District will be transformed into a winter wonderland for a half-day holiday festival. There will be a vendor market, outdoor skating rink, food trucks with seasonal treats, hot chocolate and s’more station, and photos with Santa. At 5 pm the tree will be lit, and local country star Dawson Gray will cap off the night with a special Christmas concert beneath the tree. This year's proceeds will support the Central Okanagan Search and Rescue. The 120-foot-tall tree (boasting 25,000 energy-efficient LED bulbs) draws thousands of people annually, and millions of dollars to date have been contributed to charities across Canada.
If you can’t make it to the light-up, take a stroll through the Landmark District to admire the stunning Tree of Hope up close—it’s pure holiday magic!
Festival of Trees (Mission Hill and Delta Grand)
Festival of Trees at Mission Hill Family Estate Winery. Photo: Mission Hill Family Estate Winery.
Every year The Delta Hotels Grand Okanagan Resort and Mission Hill Family Estate Winery put on a beautiful display of trees, each decorated and donated by local businesses or sponsors. This is the eighth annual event and it’s all in support of the BC Children’s Hospital Foundation. At The Delta, from now until January 3rd, donations as well as $1 from each burger sale at OAK + CRU Social Kitchen & Wine Bar, and silent auction proceeds from Kelowna’s largest office Christmas Party on December 20th, will all go towards this charitable cause. Guests are encouraged to enjoy the atmosphere, vote for their favourite tree, and contribute if they are able.
Until January 5th at Mission Hill Family Estate Winery, the Festival of Trees event is a $65 ticket for adults 19+. It gets you a tour of the beautifully decorated winery and cellar followed by a seated tasting of their wines paired with small bites from the culinary team. Kids tickets are $30 and include kid-friendly beverages and small bites. A reservation is required for this event.
Candy Cane Lane
For four weeks each holiday season (this will be the 14th year!) about 50 homes on Collison Rd, Graniuk Rd, and Mary Court in Rutland all come together to create Candy Cane Lane – one of Kelowna’s most magical lighting displays. The lights are free for viewing, but a donation of a nonperishable food item or toiletries is encouraged (a donation bin will be on-site). Viewers are asked to be respectful and not to touch the displays or trespass, and if you are driving be sure to take your time and do not block any driveways.
Cheers! Okanagan Light Tour
If you are wanting to see some of the best holiday lights in Kelowna without the hassle of planning or driving, let Cheers! Okanagan Wine Tours & Transportation take care of all the details. For the fifth year in a row on Dec. 4th, 11th, and 18th you can jump aboard their tour bus (weather permitting) which leaves from Prospera Place at 5:30 pm and takes you on a two-hour drive through the city. Admittance is by donation and this year the proceeds will go to Freedom’s Door, an addiction recovery program for men. No food or open drinks are permitted on the tour bus and pre-registration is required. You can book by calling 250-717-8452.
Lights on Fitzpatrick
385 Fitzpatrick Road in Rutland highlights a stunning display of over 12,000 lights that dance coordinated with music every night from 6 to 9 pm. You can visit the Lights on Fitzpatrick's Facebook page to learn more.
The efforts our neighbourhoods’ put into their holiday light displays each year shows such a heartwarming sense of community. Let us show them our support by visiting each location and embracing in the festive season! For more holiday events, visit Tourism Kelowna's events calendar!
