July in Kelowna

July means summer is in full swing in the Okanagan! Visitors flock to sunny Kelowna all summer, ready to get out on the lake, lounge on sandy beaches, and sip some of the region’s award-winning wines.

July and August typically see the highest number of overnight visitors travelling to Kelowna, making them the busiest months of the year. Walk-ins are welcome as space permits, but if there are specific accommodations, restaurants, activities, or events you want to visit or take part in, be sure to make reservations or book them as early as possible to guarantee your spot and avoid disappointment.

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

Get Set for Fun in the Sun

^{Kayaking on Kalamalka Lake. Photo by: Ken Hagen}

July is the perfect time to take advantage of the more than 30 beaches in and around Kelowna and to spend lots of time in Okanagan Lake, Kalamalka Lake, or one of the area’s smaller lakes.

In addition to boating, parasailing, kayaking, and stand-up paddleboarding, you can also take a Tiki-themed lake tour with Tiki Time Tours, peddle around Okanagan Lake with Kelowna Water Bikes, or test your skills on one of HydroFly Kelowna's flyboards. Find boat rental options and explore more lake activities here.

If you’re looking for local expertise and lots of fun, why not take a guided tour? There are options for food and wine lovers, adrenaline junkies, nature explorers, and more. You can even hop on Smile Cycle Tours’ 15-passenger big bike for a beverage tour of downtown Kelowna.

Celebrate Summer in Kelowna

^{Meet me on Bernard. Photo by: Nic Collar Film}

Festival season kicks off on July 1 with free Canada Day celebrations hosted by Festivals Kelowna, with interactive and drop-in activities. Canada Day celebrations are also held in Central Okanagan’s other communities, West Kelowna, Lake Country, and Peachland.

From May 19 to September 4, the 200 and 300 blocks of Bernard Avenue in downtown Kelowna will be transformed to pedestrian-only for Meet Me on Bernard, with extended patios and a pop-up program, as well as the annual Downtown Kelowna Block Party on July 22. 

Throughout the summer, Parks Alive! brings free, family-friendly concerts to parks in and around Kelowna.

Savour Local Flavours

^{Photo by: Destination BC and Kari Medig}

Fruit from the Okanagan Valley is world-renowned, especially the cherries that are ripe for the picking at the beginning of the summer. Kids and adults alike will have fun gathering their own bucket of delectable fruit at one of Kelowna’s u-pick orchards—check out tips for picking fruit.

Summer also means that you can find the freshest local flavours at area farmers’ markets on several days of the week:

• On Wednesdays and Saturdays, discover the best of the region at the Kelowna Farmers’ & Crafters’ Market.
• On Fridays, 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 or visit the Peachland Famers’ & Crafters’ Market.

Local Events

^{Across the Lake Swim} 

Special Events

• Across the Lake Swim is celebrating its 75th Anniversary in 2023, with swimmers of all abilities taking on the challenge of crossing Okanagan Lake on July 15. If you’re not ready to make the swim yourself yet, cheer on the participants from shore.
• Kids of all ages can get in on the cosplay at Kelowna’s pop culture festival, KFX (Kelowna Fan Experience), which returns from July 14 – 16, 2023.
• At the end of the month, gather at the start line and along the route through downtown Kelowna to watch 200 dream cars, co-piloted by local children and youth, participate in the Okanagan Dream Rally.

Entertaining Performances

• Mission Hill's Summer Concert Series kicks off on July 7 with a performance by Canadian Jazz legend, Diana Krall. Award-winning Canadian Country artist, Dean Brody, will perform with his full band on July 17, while renowned singer, composer, and actor Lyle Lovett & His Large Band will take the stage July 18. 
• Music lovers can take in live performances as part of the Okanagan Guitar Festival, where musicians can also register for various classes.
• Caravan Farm Theatre's outdoor summer show, Every Brilliant Thing, will run from July 18 to August 20.

Outdoor Extravaganzas

• On July 6, don your fanciest white summer garb and get ready to travel to a secret location where you’ll dine under the Okanagan sun at Diner en Blanc Okanagan.
• Arts on the Avenue returns to downtown Kelowna on July 7, with interactive demonstrations, live music, and more than 25 artisans in the marketplace. 
• Wine lovers will delight in Kitsch Wines’ Splendor in the Grass event, with live music, on-site food trucks, and unbelievable Valley views.  

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

Weather

July is the clearest month of the year, with the sun typically shining bright all month long and few clouds in the sky. Temperatures reach an average high of 28°C / 80°F and an average low of 11°C / 52°F.  July and August are the hottest months of the year, so be sure to pack lots of sunscreen, beach umbrellas, and water to make the most of Kelowna’s sunny days. And if you need to cool off quickly, Okanagan Lake is ready and waiting.

Helpful Planning Resources

^{Photo by: Ken Hagen}

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 summer 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, and Facebook for more inspiration and share your adventures using #exploreKelowna.