October in Kelowna

Cheer on Top Athletes

^{Lia Pereira & Trennt Michaud. Image credit: ​Skate Canada}

From October 31 to November 1, 2026 Skate Canada International will bring world-class figure skating back to Kelowna! 

As part of the prestigious ISU Grand Prix series, the event will showcase top athletes from Canada and around the globe competing in men’s, women’s, pairs, and ice dance disciplines, all vying for crucial points toward qualification for the Grand Prix Final.

Whether you're a lifelong figure skating fan or simply curious about catching world-class competition close to home, we've created a helpful guide with everything you need to know to plan your visit, from where to sit and eat to what else the Okanagan Valley has going on that weekend.
 

Celebrate all Things Fall

^{Myra Canyon Trestles Trail. Image credit: Ken Hagen}

Fall in Kelowna comes alive with experiences you’ll only find this time of year. In September and early October, the Kokanee salmon make their upstream journey—a powerful sight best viewed at Hardy Falls Regional Park and Mission Creek Regional Park, where the rushing water glows with flashes of red. Framing the scene, the trees shift through amber and crimson, amplifying the drama of the season.

By mid- to late October, the valley’s larch trees steal the spotlight. Their needles blaze gold against evergreen backdrops, creating trails and viewpoints you’ll want to linger on. Find out more about where you can discover the golden larches here.

Harvest season also fills the air with abundance. At Gellatly Nut Farm Regional Park, delight in the sights and scents of chestnuts, hazelnuts, and walnuts fresh from the orchard. At Davison Orchards, climb aboard a tractor for a tour through rows of pumpkins and apple-laden trees, or stock up on gourds and produce at local markets. Add a playful twist with a wander through one of the region’s corn mazes—Kelowna Corn Maze, McMillan Farms (which also has a pumpkin patch), and Kelowna Fruit n Veggies—where the crunch of leaves underfoot and the laughter of discovery complete the season’s soundtrack.

Savour Seasonal Eats and Sips

^{Home Block at CedarCreek Estate Winery. Image credit: Darren Hull Studios}

Fall in Kelowna is made for savouring. Cozy corners and comfort foods meet their match in seasonal menus, where chefs showcase the valley’s harvest with dishes built around just-picked produce, rich autumn flavours, and newly released reds and stouts.

Beer lovers can raise a glass during BC Craft Beer Month, with local breweries in and around Kelowna coming together to celebrate and share their craft. The 3rd Annual Central Okanagan Brewers Association (COBrA) Open is the flagship event running for the entire month, where you can visit breweries across the region to try their putting holes, track your progress on a scorecard, and enter to win prizes, including the Grand Prize of a round for you and a friend at The Harvest Golf Club and Tower Ranch Golf Club. 

October is also BC Wine Harvest Month. The vineyards hum with activity as grapes are gathered, and the season’s energy flows straight into the glass. Visitors can join guided tours, taste new releases, and participate in fall celebrations, such as the Okanagan Fall Wine Festival, where events like the Sunset Drive Fall Outdoor Wine Tasting pair comfortable afternoons with unforgettable pours.

Discover the Spooky Side of Kelowna

^{Image credit: Bler Rusha}

In October, Kelowna offers spooktacular experiences for Halloween lovers. Kelowna Actors Studio will present Little Shop of Horrors, with shows taking place from October 7 to 25, 2026. 

Around the same time, New Vintage Theatre will have two shows running:

• Gaslight, running October 22-30 at the Rotary Centre for the Arts' Mary Irwin Theatre. 
• Stage Fright, taking place in the Black Box Theatre on October 22, 23, and 24.

You’ll find fun for all ages at:

• Don-O-Ray Farm Adventure’s family-friendly Haunted Farm
• The Black Mountain Haunted House, with separate family-fun, kid-friendly hours
• The Haunted House at the Westbank Museum & Visitors Centre
• The Family Monster Bash at the MNP Centre. 

Plus, don't miss Caravan Farm Theatre's 2026 events taking place throughout the month in nearby Armstrong:

• The Fall of the House of Usher: From September 22 to October 11, take part in this immersive adaptation of Edgar Allan Poe’s short story The Fall of the House of Usher.
• Horse-Drawn Halloween: A Halloween-inspired wagon ride adventure on October 17 and 18.
• The Walk of Terror Spectacular: Spanning fifty acres and concluding in the great Timber Barn, this year’s event on October 24 features multitudes of community performers, the fire spinning, stilt-walking wizardry of KINSHIRA, Kelowna’s Circus ensemble, and FREAK MOTIF, the Calgary-based, nine-piece funk sensations.

Stay tuned to our online events calendar to find out what other spooky fun is happening throughout the month.

Local Events

^{Photo by: BreakOut West & Matt Lucas}

Arts & Culture

• The Okanagan International Film Festival will debut in 2026, taking place October 15 to 18, with events and screenings happening at venues throughout the region. 
• The annual Culture Days BC celebration promotes arts and culture in communities across Canada, with free events happening between September 18 and October 4, 2026.
• Nuit Blanche, a multidisciplinary art event organized by the Centre Culturel Francophone de l’Okanagan (CCFO), returns to the heart of Kelowna on October 11, 2026.
• Okanagan Heritage Museum will host its popular na’ʔk’ʷulamən (what we do) syilx Traditional Plant Use Walking Tour on October 4.

Concerts

• The Okanagan Symphony Orchestra will kick off the 2026/27 season on October 2 with Music That Shimmers, including internationally celebrated harpist Joy Yeh in Glière’s sparkling harp concerto. 
• The Grammy-winning John Reischman and the Jaybirds will bring their take on bluegrass to the stage at the Rotary Centre for the Arts (RCA) on October 2
• Creekside Theatre in Lake Country has 10 shows, including live music, happening throughout October; more info is available here.

Live Comedy, Theatre, and Dance

• On October 9, catch Molly McDermott and Error 404 Dance Found Collective for their show Urge / Detour at the RCA. 
• There are several comedy shows taking place at the Kelowna Community Theatre during the month, including the Hungry for Laughs Comedy Tour on October 24 and God is a Scottish Drag Queen Halloween Spectacular on October 28,

For more events in and around Kelowna, visit our online Calendar of Events.

Weather

October in Kelowna is classic sweater weather. Days can remain surprisingly mild through Thanksgiving, with crisp mornings and cooler evenings inviting you to add a layer or two. On average, temperatures reach highs of 13°C (55°F) and dip to lows around 1°C (34°F). While most of the month is dry, late October can bring more cloud cover and the season’s first rains. Layers are your best friend—pack sweaters, a good jacket, and be ready for cooler air along the lake or higher up on the trails. With the right gear, you’ll be perfectly prepared to make the most of the season outdoors.

Helpful Planning Resources

^{Photo by: Shawn Talbot Photography}

Plan a purposeful and rewarding trip to Kelowna by using the resources available on our website:

• Use our itinerary builder to keep track of your activities and plan your schedule.
• Learn more about Kelowna’s array of accommodation options.
• Discover more about fall in Kelowna.

Have more questions about your trip to Kelowna? Connect with our team at the Kelowna Visitor Centre.

Be sure to follow us on TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube for more inspiration and share your adventures using #exploreKelowna.