In Kelowna, you can easily transition from a day on the lake into an afternoon or evening spent walking around Kelowna’s Cultural District. Between classic activities like fruit picking and wine touring, Kelowna’s galleries, museums, performing arts venues, public art, and community festivals will add another layer to your Okanagan experience.

​​Here are some ways to experience Kelowna’s arts and culture scene during your visit.

Museums in Kelowna

While Kelowna was incorporated just over a century ago, its history stretches much further back. Kelowna museums help tell the story of a region shaped by the culture and traditions of the syilx/Okanagan people, orchard farming, and Okanagan Lake.

At the Okanagan Heritage Museum, exhibits explore the region’s past and present, including the geological forces that shaped the Okanagan Valley, the history of the syilx/Okanagan people, and what happened to Kelowna’s Chinatown. 

For a deeper look at military history, there’s The Okanagan Military Museum, which highlights the contributions of Okanagan residents during major conflicts through artifacts and exhibits. 

And housed in the historic Laurel Packinghouse is the Okanagan Wine and Orchard Museum. It tells the story of the people and innovations that helped shape the Okanagan’s tree fruit and wine industries.

Aviation enthusiasts can visit the KF Centre for Excellence, where historic aircraft and interactive exhibits explore Canada’s aviation history and the future of aerospace innovation.

Museums in Kelowna also offer hands-on events and workshops throughout the year. For example, the na’ʔk’ʷulamən (what we do) Indigenous learning series features experiences like a syilx Traditional Plant Use Walking Tour and a Wild Tea Blends workshop at the Okanagan Heritage Museum.

History and art go hand in hand, so to get a more complete sense of the city, you’ll also want to see some visual art in Kelowna.

Galleries and Public Art

The Kelowna art scene is spread throughout the city. Downtown Kelowna, Landmark District, and Uptown Rutland are all great places to spot murals, or seek them out using the Kelowna mural map. 

Fun fact: Rutland is home to one of the city’s largest collections through the Uptown Mural Project.

Kelowna also has over 70 public artworks, and the Cultural District is home to one-third of that collection. Go for a self-guided walking tour through Kelowna’s Cultural District to learn about the area’s public art, parks, galleries, museums and venues. 

Also in the Cultural District is the Kelowna Art Gallery, which showcases historical and contemporary Canadian art and hosts programs like Family Sundays, where visitors of all ages can take part in hands-on art activities.

To tour one of the largest collections of Bronze sculptures in Canada, and see other works from internationally acclaimed artist Geert Maas, visit the Geert Maas Sculpture Gardens and Gallery.

If you’d prefer to see a show during your visit, Kelowna has all sorts of theatre, music, and other live events.

Performing Arts and Live Experiences

There’s always a performance or production happening in Kelowna.

Rotary Centre for the Arts has it all: performances, workshops, and events spanning theatre, music, dance, and visual arts. There’s also the Kelowna Community Theatre, where Ballet Kelowna and the Okanagan Symphony Orchestra regularly perform. It’s also a frequent venue for comedy shows, concerts and professional theatre productions, like those of New Vintage Theatre. 

Both of the venues mentioned above, as well as Revelry, the Actors Studio and Dinner Theatre, are all located in Kelowna’s Cultural District. Check our Kelowna events calendar to see what's on during your visit. 

Many performances take place on Kelowna’s stages, but the city’s arts scene also comes alive through festivals and community events throughout the year.
 

Seasonal Festivals and Community Culture

Festivals and markets very much follow the seasons in Kelowna.

In the summer, Parks Alive! fills parks and stages across Kelowna with live music and performances, and the Kelowna Farmers’ and Crafters’ Market pops up twice a week on Wednesdays and Saturdays with over 30 booths of farm products, organic produce and local art.

As for community events, Kelowna Made is a family-friendly celebration that brings rides, live music, local vendors, and food trucks each summer at City Park. There are even basketball, volleyball, and Cornhole Tournaments you can sign up for.

You can also catch the Kelowna Pride Festival every June during Pride Month. It brings the community together for a pride march and festival, live entertainment, local vendors, and other events that celebrate 2SLGBTQIA+ pride and inclusion.

Creative initiatives like Light Up Kelowna turn downtown Kelowna into a living gallery with immersive projections along the Artwalk, a layered audio installation, and a three-channel video displayed on the Kelowna Community Theatre. 

January also brings the Living Things International Arts Festival, an annual ten-day celebration of contemporary live performance, animated films, visual art, and music, accompanied by workshops, artist talks, and public forums.

Another way to experience the local creative community is at the Rutland Flea Market, which runs through fall and winter and features local vendors and artisans selling vintage finds, handmade goods and other one-of-a-kind items.
 

Make Kelowna Arts and Culture Part of Your Itinerary

Kelowna’s arts and culture scene offers new perspectives on the city and the community behind it. You might even find it deepens your appreciation for the landscapes, flavours, and experiences that make the Okanagan special.

Explore our Kelowna Arts & Culture Guide to help plan your visit.