May in Kelowna

While May is the peak of spring, with rainy days scattered through the month, the atmosphere towards the end of the month has summer written all over it. Temperatures rise and sunny days multiply as the month goes on, making it perfect for outdoor adventure and for savouring the best of Kelowna. 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.

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, which is 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, as well as families with strollers or small adventurers. You’ll bike across 18 trestles bridges and go through 2 tunnels if you complete the trail one-way. If you don’t have bikes with you, there are a few options for rentals, including Myra Canyon Bike Rentals, who operate at the trailhead and open for the season on May 6.

Lake activities start for the season on May long weekend, which arrives towards the end of the month. Adventurers can take part in all sorts of 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.

Sip on the Best of the Okanagan

^{Volcanic Hills Estate Winery. Photo by: Shawn Talbot Photography} 

Following BC Wine Month in April, the month of May brings with it the Spring Okanagan Wine Festival, which is returning in 2022 after a two-year pause. This year’s event, which takes place from May 5 – 15, will see more than 70 events take place throughout the Okanagan Valley. The ever-popular Valley First Spring Wine Tastings return to the Rotary Centre for the Arts on May 7, with guests having the opportunity to taste over 130 BC wines while enjoying appetizers, live music, and art exhibits. Attendees of the event can take advantage of the Okanagan Wine Festival Society’s (OWFS) Get Home Safe program. 

Through a partnership with Okanagan Chamberfest, OWFS is launching a new signature event in Kelowna, From Cellars to Classics. Held on May 12 at the historic Laurel Heritage Packinghouse, this event will include an hour-long reception, where guests will savour small bites and wine from more than 35 area wineries, followed by two, 45-minute performances from some of Canada’s best classical chamber musicians.

Browse the virtual Festival Guidebook to find out more about these and other events happening as part of the 10-day event.

Local Events

Along with the Spring Okanagan Wine Festival, May offers a variety of events that can be enjoyed by both visitors and locals alike.

Knox Mountain Hill Climb

Get set to watch as drivers navigate the course when the Leavitt Machinery Knox Mountain Hill Climb returns to Kelowna on May 21 and 22. Racers will compete, taking on the turns and vertical climb of the paved mountain roadway, to be named King of the Hill. Proceeds from the event will support local charities, JoeAnna’s House and Westbank Museum. 

Live Shows

• JUNO Award-winning Canadian musician, Dan Mangan, known for his poignant and affecting songwriting, is bringing his All Together Now tour to the Kelowna Community Theatre stage on May 9. On top of experiencing an evening of exceptional music, attendees will also be helping Mother Earth, as Mangan has partnered with TreeEra to plant one tree for every concert ticket sold. Visit the Kelowna Community Theatre website for more information and to purchase tickets.
• Some of the world’s most decorated and beloved figure skaters—Piper Gilles and Paul Poirier, Kurt Browning, Elvis Stojko, Kaetlyn Osmond, and more—will be performing at Prospera Place on May 18 as part of the 2022 Stars on Ice tour. Click here for more information and to buy tickets.

Yoga

• Every Sunday through May (and June), you can centre yourself and savour a delicious brunch at Gray Monk Estate Winery’s Yoga and Brunch event. The class is open to yoga practitioners of all levels, including beginners. Find out more and book your spot.
• Happy Day Yoga and Kitsch Wine will be hosting a Yoga Nature Retreat on May 7, which is also Mother’s Day weekend. The retreat will include two yoga classes along with a vegetarian lunch prepared by renowned local Chef, Ross Derrick, and a wine tasting. Check out Eventbrite for all the details and to purchase your tickets. 

Arts & Culture

• Choreographed by Canadian dance luminary, Alysa Pires, Ballet Kelowna’s first commissioned full-length ballet, Macbeth, is being presented on May 6 and 7 of this year. Visit the Ballet Kelowna website for full details.
• Spanish-speaking visitors or locals can join Los Tours del Museo at the Okanagan Heritage Museum on May 7 to learn more about the region’s natural and human history. Find out more on the Kelowna Museums website.

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 the second wettest month in Kelowna, though the average amount of precipitation is 42 mm / 1.65 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 Instagram and Facebook for more inspiration and share your adventures using #exploreKelowna.