December in Kelowna

While winter doesn’t officially arrive until late December, the holiday cheer and snowy mountaintops mean it's time to say goodbye to fall and embrace all that winter in Kelowna has to offer. Read on to learn more about what you can discover and what to expect in and around Kelowna when visiting this time of year.

Have Snow Much Fun Outdoors

^{Kelowna Nordic Centre. Photo by: David Vassiliev}

Kelowna’s four-season playground turns into a winter wonderland come December, with the snow-covered mountains surrounding the city home to all sorts of outdoor adventures.

Less than an hour from downtown sits Big White Ski Resort, which offers various winter activities, including Alpine and Nordic skiing, fat biking, snowshoeing, and ice skating on Canada’s highest outdoor skating rink. Those new to skiing and snowboarding can take advantage of the resort’s beginner lessons, while experienced skiers and boarders can set out on 118 designated Alpine trails. The resort also offers Adaptive Ski Programs for guests with physical, cognitive, and sensory challenges, thanks to its partnership with People in Motion.

Outside of Vernon, just over an hour from Kelowna, is SilverStar Mountain Resort, with its European-inspired village where you’ll find several dining and shopping options. Along with 132 marked Alpine runs, SilverStar is also home to a vast network of groomed Nordic trails. For a unique experience, check out the resort’s Snow Cat Tours, including a trip to Paradise Camp, located on the backside of the mountain, to enjoy a 3-course, lantern-lit dinner.

Other uniquely Kelowna winter activities include skating alongside Okanagan Lake on the ice rink in Stuart Park, hiking or snowshoeing along the Myra Canyon Trestles Trail, and winter wine touring, where you’ll get to admire area vineyards blanketed in snow.

Soak up the Holiday Cheer

^{Quails' Gate Winery. Photo credit: Wines of British Columbia}

The holiday season kicks off in mid-to-late November and is in full swing throughout December.

Craft Culture’s Holiday Market, the largest in the Okanagan, will be held at Prospera Place from December 6 to 8, 2024. More than 200 local crafters and artisans will sell an array of goods, including handmade, one-of-a-kind pieces. 

Other markets announced for December 2024 include:

• A Christkindl Market | December 6 - 8
• Christmas in the Country Market | December 8
• A Reel Christmas Market | December 14 & 15

The end of the month means it’s time to usher in a new year. Kelowna’s annual family-friendly celebration, New York New Years, is back with indoor and outdoor activities at the Kelowna Community Theatre and Stuart Park, including fireworks over Okanagan Lake, which take place at 9 p.m. to align with New York’s time zone so the little ones can take part, too.

Another celebration option is the Sandman Hotel & Suites 2025 New Year's Eve Dance Party, which features live music, a buffet dinner, a champagne toast, and more!

Stay tuned to our events calendar for more holiday and NYE events in and around Kelowna.

Local Events

^{Photo credit: Darren Hull Studios}

Sports

• Get revved up at the Big White Winter Rally, December 6 - 8, 2024.
• Celebrate mountain sports and culture through film with Mountains on Stage on December 10 and the Banff Mountain Film Festival World Tour on December 27 & 28, 2024.
• Stars on Ice is bringing its 2024 Holiday Show to Prospera Place on December 12, 2024. 
• Cheer on the Kelowna Rockets at their December 2024 home games on the 14, 17, and 28. 

Theatre and Performing Arts

• Have some holiday fun at New Vintage Theatre's presentation of A Kelowna Christmas Carol, which runs from November 27 to December 7, 2024.
• Kelowna Actors Studio and Dinner Theatre will present Roald Dahl's Matilda the Musical on select dates between December 4 and 22, 2024. 
• Globally acclaimed spoken word artist, poet, and author Shayne Koyczan will perform at the Rotary Centre for the Arts on December 6, 2024.
• The Canadian School of Ballet once again presents The Nutcracker, a family favourite for the holiday season. Performances will occur December 13–15, 2024, at the Kelowna Community Theatre.
• On Friday, December 20, 2024, the Okanagan Symphony Orchestra is bringing back Handel’s timeless oratorio, Messiah, to the Kelowna Community Theatre stage for the first time since 2019. 

Comedy and Live Music

• American actor and comedian Todd Barry brings the laughs to the Revelry Food + Music Hub stage on December 10, 2024.
• Get ready for laughs courtesy of Holiday Comedy Rumble: Every Elf for Themself on December 13, 2024, at the Rotary Centre for the Arts.  
• The Anna Jacyszyn Quarter will perform holiday favourites and original music at Christmas Presence on December 22, 2024.
• On December 21 and 22, 2024, Canadian drag icon Brooke Lynn Hytes will host “A Drag Queen Christmas” 10th Anniversary Tour, presented by Murray & Peter. 

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

Weather

While the snow accumulates quickly in the mountains surrounding Kelowna, there tends to be less snow on the ground right in the city. When the snow does fall, it typically doesn’t stick around long, thanks to Kelowna’s milder winter climate. December and January are typically the coldest months of the year in Kelowna, with average temperatures for both months at 1°C / 34°F on the high end and -6°C / 21°F on the low end. You’ll want to pack appropriately if you plan on spending a lot of time outdoors, especially near the lake and at higher elevations with cooler temperatures. December is one of the year's more overcast and cloudier months, though you can often get above the clouds up at the ski hills thanks to inversion. You can monitor current conditions through the live webcam at the Kelowna Visitor Centre. 

Helpful Planning Resources

^{Hotel Eldorado at Eldorado Resort} 

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 plan your schedule.
• Learn more about Kelowna’s array of accommodation options.
• Discover more about winter 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.