June in Kelowna

Summer officially arrives towards the end of June, bringing with it lots of fun and sun. Things start to pick up as the month progresses, with summer being the busiest season for visitors in Kelowna and the Okanagan—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.

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.

Get Outside

^{Okanagan Rail Trail}

The opportunity for outdoor adventure is abundant in June, with all sorts of attractions and activities to get the adrenaline pumping like parasailing, ziplining, flyboarding, and more. Those who prefer their adventure at a slower pace can go paddleboarding, biking, or hiking…or simply enjoy the best of the Okanagan at one of the area's many patios, especially those with sweeping views of the surrounding landscape, Okanagan Lake, or local vineyards.

Rentals, activities, and tours can book up quickly during the summer months, so give yourself as much time as possible when making your plans. Our Community Specialists at the Kelowna Visitor Centre can recommend activities and assist with bookings if needed.

Celebrate Pride

^{Kelowna Pride March. Photo by: Brandon Dodds & Kelowna Pride}

After two years of scaled-back events and shifted timing, Kelowna Pride Week is back from June 6 – 12, aligning with Pride Month, which recognizes and furthers the LGBT2Q+ rights movement.

The week-long celebration is Interior BC’s largest Pride festival and this year's theme, Together in Pride, will encourage attendees to celebrate Kelowna's resilience and come together to recognize what can be achieved when communities work together. Details for marquee events like the Kelowna Pride March and Festival and the Trans March and Social have already been announced, with more programming to be announced in the coming weeks.

On June 1, LGBT2Q+ community members and allies can kick off Pride Month by joining Rebellious Unicorns for MX., an evening of networking and socializing at Friends of Dorothy Lounge (FOD), the Okanagan’s first LGBT2Q+ cocktail lounge. Every Sunday during the month, you can also gather at FOD for their weekly Drag Brunch, hosted by local drag queen, Ella Lamoureux.

Discover Indigenous Culture

^{Guided Tour with Moccasin Trails}

June is also National Indigenous History Month, recognizing the “rich history, heritage, resilience, and diversity of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis Peoples across Canada.”

The Ki-Low-Na Friendship Centre will host the Turtle Island Festival again this year on June 21, in celebration of National Indigenous Peoples Day. The family-friendly day-long event includes goods from Indigenous artists and artisans, live performances, and lots of activities for the kids.

Throughout the month, and beyond, you can also:

• Visit the Sncewips Heritage Museum in West Kelowna to learn more about the culture and heritage of the syilx people.
• Take a guided tour with Moccasin Trails to connect with the land, taste Indigenous-inspired flavours at Kekuli Cafe, and visit award-winning Indigenous World Winery.
• Participate in the events at the Okanagan Heritage Museum focused on local Indigenous knowledge, language, and culture. 

Local Events

^{Forbidden Spirits Distilling Co. Photo by: Shawn Talboy Photography} 

Entertaining Performances

• Head back 100 years to the 1920s with New Vintage Theatre’s production of Cabaret, which takes place at the Rotary Centre for the Arts (RCA) from June 3 to June 12. Find more information and purchase tickets through the RCA website.
• Cirque de Soleil is bringing its high-flying adventures to Kelowna from June 9 – 12 with its production, OVO, which follows a day in the life of insects. Visit the Prospera Place website to learn more and to purchase tickets.
• Get ready for some laughs as award-winning Canadian comedian, Russell Peters, brings his Act Your Age World Tour to Prospera Place on June 25, 2022. Tickets for the show are available online through Select Your Tickets.

Family Fun

• After a two-year hiatus, the Boyd Autobody & Glass Father’s Day Charity Car Show returns bigger and better than ever. Celebrate Dad as you wander amongst the amazing vehicles on display, enjoy live entertainment, and dine on tasty eats offered in Food Truck Alley. The event takes place on June 19 in City Park. Learn more.
• Take the family out to the ball game to cheer on the Kelowna Falcons, one of two Canadian teams in the West Coast League (WCL). The team is celebrating its 20^th playing season in 2022, with several home games taking place throughout June. View the full schedule on the Kelowna Falcons website.

Live Music & Local Sips

• Wineries, distilleries, and breweries throughout Kelowna and the Central Okanagan have an amazing line-up of live music taking place during the month of June and throughout the summer. Here are a few options to fill up your calendar:
  • Sperling Vineyards is hosting live music in its labyrinth every Thursday from 6 – 8 p.m.
  • Grizzli Winery’s summer-long series, Golden Hour: Music in the Vineyards, will take place on June 10 and 24 at 6:30 – 9:30 p.m.
  • Forbidden Spirits Distilling Co. will welcome local musicians to its outdoor stage on June 3, 4, 10, and 11 from 5 – 8 p.m.
• Other venues where you’ll find live music include Camelot Vineyards, Crown & Thieves, Jackknife Brewing, Peak Cellars Winery, Red Bird Brewing, and The Vibrant Vine.

Weather

^{Photo by: Nic Collar Film}

The average high in June is 24°C / 75°F, with temperatures getting warmer towards the end of the month. The evenings and nights cool down, with average lows of 9°C / 48°F, so make sure you pack a sweatshirt or light jacket, especially if you are going to be on or near the water where the breeze from the lake makes it feel cooler.

May and June are the wettest months of the year in Kelowna, with June having an average rainfall of 36 mm / 1.42 inches for the entire month. While the beginning of the month typically sees some cloudy days, mid-month brings clearer skies, which carry on into July.

Helpful Planning Resources

^{Kelowna Visitor Centre. Photo by: Shawn Talbot Photography}

Plan a purposeful and rewarding trip to Kelowna by connecting with our team at the Kelowna Visitor Centre or 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 summer in Kelowna.

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