Fall in Kelowna is a feast for the senses, overflowing with delicious abundance. Vineyards are full of plump wine grapes ready for harvest. Crisp apples hang from the trees, waiting to be picked. Market stalls are brimming with the season’s freshest produce. Get set to taste the harvest for yourself using this guide to the best farmers’ markets and orchard stops in and around the city.

Markets: Fresh Flavours and Local Finds

^{Gatzke Farm Market. Image credit: Mirae Campbell} 

Fall is the final season of the year to meander through the outdoor farmers' markets that operate throughout the region. The last of the year's peaches are typically harvested in early September, while plums, apples, and pears get ready to take centre stage alongside crops like root vegetables, leafy greens, brussels sprouts, garlic, tomatoes, and more. Pumpkins and winter squash are piled high during the season, too. 

When planning your midweek trip or weekend getaway during the fall, be sure to include a visit to one (or all) of the following farmers' markets:

• On Wednesdays and Saturdays, discover the best of the region at the Kelowna Farmers’ & Crafters’ Market in the Landmark District.
• On Fridays, until September 19, travel north of Kelowna to the Lake Country Farmers’ Market.
• Every Saturday until the end of September, head to the Westbank Farmers’ Market.
• On Sundays, check out the Kelowna Farmers’ & Crafters’ Market satellite location in Kerry Park (running until mid-September) or visit the Peachland Farmers’ & Crafters’ Market, which runs until the end of September. 

PRO TIP: Have some cash on hand when visiting the markets listed above, as not all vendors are equipped to accept card transactions. 

Other not-to-miss markets in and around Kelowna include:

• Gatzke's Farm Market, which has been operating in Lake Country for four generations, proudly produces the freshest produce for both visitors and locals. 
• KLO Farm Market, family-owned and operated since 2019, offers farm-fresh, locally grown produce in Kelowna. They also have u-pick flowers onsite.
• Don-O-Ray Farms, where its welcoming owners and staff will tell you all about the freshest produce to hit the stands. Don't miss Don-O-Ray Farm Adventure if you have kids in tow!

You'll also find an array of delectable products made from local ingredients—think jams, pickles, baked goods, and more—at all of the markets above, ready to enjoy while visiting the Okanagan or to take home with you. 

Farms & Orchards: Memorable Harvest Tastes and Experiences

^{Paynter's Fruit Market. Image credit: Wines of British Columbia}

While many of the area farms and orchards are vendors at the local farmers' markets, you can also plan to visit them directly to experience the bounty and beauty for yourself. A fun, treasured Okanagan experience is traipsing through orchards to pick fresh fruit from the trees. In the fall, you can make your u-pick dreams come true at the following orchards:

• Davison Orchards, a family-owned and operated farm near Vernon established in the 1930s, runs orchard train tours throughout the season, with u-pick apples in September and u-pick pumpkins in October.  
• Gambell Farms, a fourth-generation family farm, offers a u-pick selection of fruits and vegetables on its 30-acre property.
• Paynter's Fruit Market, a West Kelowna staple since the early 1950s, offers u-pick options for select fruits and vegetables until mid-October, along with u-pick flowers in early September. 
• Twin Oaks Certified Organic Orchard, a quaint family-owned and operated farm, operating since 1921, has apples, pears, and crabapples for u-pick in the fall. 

PRO TIP: Call ahead of your visit to find out what crops are ready for u-pick, as produce can go quickly and availability can change from day to day. 

Discover More: A Glimpse of Kelowna's Culinary Scene at Harvest

Tasting Kelowna is made even easier in the fall, thanks to the array of chefs and farm-to-table restaurants incorporating local produce into their dishes. Seasonal menus will change regularly to incorporate the freshest flavours available in the region. 

There are also several fall events where you can celebrate harvest, like Okanagan Feast of Fields, an annual wandering gourmet harvest festival, and VegFest Kelowna, an all-day celebration to savour the best of the Okanagan’s plant-based bounty. 

Browse Tourism Kelowna's events calendar or follow along on its social media channels to stay up-to-date about other harvest-related events you can plan to attend as you #exploreKelowna this fall.