September in Kelowna, BC | Fall Activities & Events

September in Kelowna feels like a love letter to the seasons. The month opens with swims in the lake and afternoons stretched out in the sun, then eases into crisp mornings and soft amber light spilling across the hillsides. It is the sweet spot, where summer’s energy meets autumn’s calm.

With slightly fewer crowds and more room to roam, you’ll find yourself lingering longer on trails, greens, and beaches, wrapped in the valley’s glow.

Read on to find out more about what you can discover and what to expect in and around Kelowna when visiting at this time of year.

Keep the Summer Fun Going

Part of Spring 2022 Shoot with Andrea & Cara ^{Kayaking on Kalamalka Lake. Photo by: Ken Hagen}

After soaking up the summer sun, Okanagan Lake stays warm well into September, making it a great time to swim, paddle, cruise, or simply spend a little longer by the water. Many lake activities and attractions operate seasonally, typically from the May long weekend through Thanksgiving in early October, weather permitting, so there’s still plenty of time to make a splash.

Beyond the shoreline, September brings even more ways to get outside. Zip through the trees, explore by ATV, hike sunlit trails, or climb your way to a new view. With warm afternoons, crisp mornings, and adventure in every direction, September gives you plenty of reasons to stay outside a little longer.

Be sure to soak up the last of the Meet Me on Bernard summer activations, which wrap up on September 7, 2026.

Get Festival Ready

Okanagan Chefs Association Presentaion ^{Feast of Fields, Okanagan Chefs Association.}

September in Kelowna brings the best of summer and fall together, with warm days, harvest flavours, and an abundance of arts and culture events.

Food and drink lovers can soak up the sun while tasting the best of Kelowna at Okanagan Feast of Fields, which this year brings its three-hour gourmet harvest festival to Summerhill Pyramid Winery on September 13, 2026.

September is also a prime time for arts and culture fiends. Kicking things off is Denim on the Diamond, one of Kelowna's largest and longest-running music festivals, which returns to City Park from September 11 to 13. Lake Country Artwalk takes place on the same weekend, showcasing original art from hundreds of artists, along with live music, workshops, and hands-on activities for the entire family on September 12 and 13.

The creativity continues later in the month with Culture Days BC, kicking off September 18 and running for just over two weeks. Explore events and activities happening in and around Kelowna on the Culture Days website.

Honour Indigenous History and Culture

Part of Spring 2022 Shoot with Andrea & Cara
^{Chief Sw'kn'cut Sculpture at Kelowna Visitor Centre. Photo by: Ken Hagen}

Visitors and residents in and around Kelowna—situated on the traditional, ancestral, and unceded tm̓xʷúlaʔxʷ (land) of the syilx/Okanagan people, who have resided here since time immemorial—can take part in events throughout the year to honour Indigenous history and culture.

On September 30, National Day for Truth and Reconciliation (NDTR), we collectively reflect on the tragic history and legacy of residential schools, honour the First Nation, Métis, and Inuit survivors of residential schools, and commemorate those children who did not return home.

The commemorative date of September 30 aligns with Orange Shirt Day, a legacy of the St. Joseph Mission Residential School Commemoration Project and Reunion events, which took place in 2013 and were designed to "commemorate the residential school experience, to witness and honour the healing journey of the survivors and their families, and to commit to the ongoing process of reconciliation." Those looking to support the day and the ‘Every Child Matters’ movement are encouraged to wear official Orange Shirt Day merchandise.

Here are some of the NDTR events you can attend in and around Kelowna:

On September 14, the Okanagan Heritage Museum will launch a four-part series, k’west’lap ee stethtatht (Truth Shows Itself), led by syilx Elders Grouse and Pamela Barnes, who will help attendees understand and progress on the Truth and Reconciliation journey. You can also visit the museum between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. on September 30 to take part in its Truth and Reconciliation: (Un)learn with Kelowna Museums event.
The Ki-Low-Na Friendship Society and Métis Community Services Society of BC typically host gatherings on September 30; stay tuned for more details as they are announced.

On Truth and Reconciliation Day and beyond, we encourage visitors to:

Read the various reports available from the National Centre for Truth & Reconciliation, including the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's Calls to Action.
Visit Sncewips for a guided or self-guided tour to learn more about syilx culture and heritage.
Discover the public art in Westbank First Nation, taste Indigenous-inspired flavours at Kekuli Cafe, and support Indigenous businesses in the area.
Explore the Okanagan Heritage Museum's permanent gallery, which was transformed with guidance and support from Sncewips and contains Indigenous artifacts, including a traditional qʷćiʔ (Okanagan winter home).

Attend Local Events

People walking in front of artwork outside of the Rotary Centre for the Arts
^{People walking outside the Rotary Centre for the Arts.}

Art, Live Music & Comedy

Several of the Kelowna Art Gallery’s current exhibits wrap up in September, so make a plan to explore them before they're gone. For budget-conscious travellers, visit on Thursdays for half off admission.
A trio of Opera Kelowna singers, joined by a string quartet, will deliver an end-of-summer outdoor performance at Hotel Eldorado at Eldorado Resort on September 18. Tickets include a welcome glass of sparkling wine and a post-concert dessert experience.
Comedy will take centre stage at Prospera Place thanks to "Weird Al" Yankovic's "Bigger & Weird Tour" on September 2 and Jimmy Carr's "Laughs Funny" tour stop on September 19.
Canadian comedian, Steve Paterson, will also deliver the laughs when he performs at the Rotary Centre for the Arts on September 18.
Head to the Black Box Theatre on September 12 for "Bolly Groove House," where you can dance the night away to Bollywood / Indian / UK / Punjabi music blended with tech and house.

Food & Drink

Fall means harvest time for the last of the area’s fruit and produce. Indulge in the freshest local flavours at area farmers’ markets:
- At the Kelowna Farmers’ & Crafters’ Market on Wednesdays and Saturdays in the Landmark District and Sundays in Kerry Park.
- At the Lake Country Farmers’ Market, every Friday until September 18.
- At the Westbank Farmers’ Market on Saturdays until September 26.
- At the Peachland Farmers’ & Crafters’ Market on Sundays until September 27.

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

Weather

September brings some of the valley’s most inviting weather. Warm afternoons average around 22°C (71°F), with evenings cool enough to call for a sweater but never enough to slow you down. Clear skies and dry days make it perfect for lakeside paddles, golden-hour hikes, or long patio lunches. It is a season that gives you space to do it all and still pause long enough to take it in.

Helpful Planning Resources

Kelowna Visitor Centre - from the Water (22) ^{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 things to do and to plan out 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.