Explore Nature’s Playground
Myra Canyon Trestles. Photo by: Scott Bakken Productions
May is the unofficial kick-off to summer, which means many seasonal outdoor activities are back in full swing. In the spring, you can take advantage of all Kelowna’s outdoor playground has to offer but with fewer crowds.
The biking season at Myra Canyon Trestles Trail kicks off in early May. The scenic trail, part of an old railway system now known as the Kettle Valley Railway, is a 24 km (15 miles) round trip. The virtually flat trail makes it accessible to adventurers of all abilities and families with strollers or small adventurers. If you complete the trail one way, you’ll bike across 18 trestle bridges and go through 2 tunnels. If you don’t have bikes with you, there are a few rental options, including Myra Canyon Bike Rentals, which operates at the trailhead and opens for the 2025 season on Friday, May 9.
Lake activities start on the May long weekend, which arrives towards the end of the month. Adventurers can participate in fun activities, including parasailing, stand-up paddleboarding, kayaking, and more. Boat rentals are also available so you can take your friends or family out on the water for a day of exploration on Okanagan Lake or one of the other lakes in the area. Visit the Lake Activities page on our website for more information.
Celebrate Kelowna's Craft Brews
Kelowna Beer Institute. Photo by: Nathaniel Atakora Martin (@nathanielatakora)
Local craft brews will take centre stage at the second annual Kelowna Beerfest in City Park on Saturday, May 10, 2025. Featuring up to 50 breweries and cideries from British Columbia, Kelowna Beerfest is a collaboration between Central Okanagan Brewers Association and Thick as Thieves Entertainment, who also produce local events Denim on the Diamond and AltiTunes.
If you can't make it to Kelowna Beerfest, find details about breweries in and around Kelowna here.
Attend Local Events
Okanagan Symphony Orchestra performing at the Kelowna Community Theatre, Spring 2025. Photo by: Kirsten Taylor
Asian Heritage Month
- Stay tuned to Asian Heritage Okanagan's website for details on Asian Heritage Month events and celebrations in and around Kelowna.
Knox Mountain Hill Climb
- Get set to watch as drivers navigate the course when the 2025 Leavitt Machinery Knox Mountain Hill Climb returns to Kelowna on May 17 and 18. Racers will compete to be named King of the Hill, taking on the turns and vertical climb of the paved mountain roadway. Proceeds from the event will support charities, including Central Okanagan Bursary and Scholarship Society, Westbank Museum, and Heart & Stroke Foundation.
Live Performances
- Canadian comedian and frequent guest on CBC's 'The Debaters,' Erica Sigurdson, will bring the laughs to the Rotary Centre for the Arts on Friday, May 2, with special guest, Kelowna comedian Kate Belton. Learn more and purchase tickets here.
- Prospera Place is welcoming several acts in May, including Nitty Gritty Dirt Band on May 8, Machine Head on May 10, and Jason Isbell on May 12. Visit the Prospera Place website for more details and to purchase tickets.
- Ballet Kelowna's final production for its 2024/25 season, Vividus: Full of Life, takes place at the Kelowna Community Theatre on May 2 and 3. Following this performance, the company will perform a couple of touring shows of MacBeth in Lake Country on May 7 and in Chilliwack on May 10.
- The Okanagan Symphony Orchestra will also conclude its 65th season in May 2025, with one of its Celebration Series performancs, Lara St. John Plays Piazzolla on Friday, May 9.
Browse our online calendar of events to see what else is happening in and around Kelowna this May.
Weather
The average high in May is 20°C / 68°F, though temperatures can be warmer towards the end of the month. The evenings and nights will cool down, with average lows of 5°C / 41°F, so depending on where you’re visiting from, you may want to have a jacket or sweater on hand to stay warm.
May is one of the wettest months of the year in Kelowna, though the average amount of rainfall is 28 mm / 1.1 inches for the entire month. Showers tend to be light, and the hiking areas around the city will have started to dry out thanks to the rising temperatures and sunshine.
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 things to do and to plan out your schedule.
- Learn more about Kelowna’s array of accommodation options and browse available packages and promotions.
- Discover more about spring 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.
