January in Kelowna

In January, the Kelowna views are pristine and magical, thanks to mountaintops and vineyards blanketed with snow and the still, glassy waters of Okanagan Lake. 

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

Discover Local Flavours

^{The Lookout Restaurant at Gray Monk Winery. Photo by: Shawn Talbot Photography}

While you can indulge in Kelowna’s culinary scene at any time of the year, January brings unique opportunities to discover some of the best local eats and sips.

The annual Dine Around - Sip, Savour & Save festival sees restaurants in and around Kelowna offering three-course menus ranging from $25 to $65 per person. The 2024 launch party is taking place on January 16 at Metro Hub, with guests getting to sample food, wine, and beer at 10 stations set up by participating restaurants. The festival then runs from January 17 to February 11, 2024, offering plenty of opportunities to get out and enjoy your favourite restaurants or discover new favourites. Stay tuned to the Dine Around website for menus from participating restaurants, and check out the Dine and Stay packages available from local accommodators.

In addition to Dine Around, January also marks the third annual Okanagan Hot Chocolate Festival. The flavour map is still in the works, so mark your calendars for January 19 to February 19 and watch the event website or social media for all the delicious details!

If you prefer to get more hands-on with your culinary adventures, why not take a cooking class? In January, Lakehouse Kitchens Cooking School is offering hands-on classes where you'll learn to make dishes like Fresh Egg Pasta, Seafood Paella, French Macarons, and so much more. On January 12, don't miss the demonstration class and dinner party with Kelowna Forager, Scott Moran, and Chef Bernard Casavant, where you'll learn about sustainable foraging and the world of wild edibles.

The Okanagan Table will also offer an array of demonstration classes throughout the year—stay tuned to their website for more information as classes are announced. 

Adventure in the Snow

^{Knox Mountain Park. Photo by: Darren Hull Studios}

The winter fun and outdoor adventures continue in January as more snow accumulates in the mountains surrounding Kelowna.

Snowshoeing and Nordic skiing are fantastic options for those who prefer less adrenaline with their outdoor adventures. Telemark Nordic Club in West Kelowna and Kelowna Nordic, about 30 and 60 minutes from downtown Kelowna, respectively, offer groomed trails that will take you through the peaceful, treed landscape. By January, there is typically lots of snow on the trails, with generally mild temperatures making for a fun day out in nature. Telemark has onsite equipment snowshoe rentals for adults and youth, while Play It Again Sports in Kelowna also offers rentals. Both Big White Ski Resort and SilverStar Mountain Resort also have Nordic and snowshoe trails and numerous other outdoor activities if Alpine skiing or boarding is not your thing.

Find more info about outdoor activities (or indoor attractions if snow isn’t your thing) here.

Sip Kelowna

^{Home Block at CedarCreek Estate Winery. Photo by: Darren Hull Studios}

With more than 40 wineries in and around Kelowna, many of which are open year-round, winter wine touring is one activity you can add to your list for a January visit. You’ll witness the beauty of the snow-covered vineyards and have a better chance of meeting the winemaker. You can also combine your love of the outdoors and wine at The View Winery’s Slip & Sip, where you’ll snowshoe through the orchard and vineyard and finish off with a tasting. Ice Wine grapes are also harvested once the temperature drops, so you may get to see that firsthand—if not, you can always find Ice Wine in the tasting room.  

If you prefer beer, spirits, or cider, the Central Okanagan has you covered. Beer lovers can discover the 20 breweries in and around Kelowna, half of which are located downtown and in the North End brewery district. There are also several distilleries and close to ten cideries should you wish to branch out further from wine and beer.

Book a guided wine tour to leave the driving to the professionals and learn more about the region while driving between wineries.

Local Events

^{Photo by: Marshall Lu}

• Kick off the new year by plunging into icy Okanagan Lake at the Kelowna Polar Bear Dip, which takes place at Tugboat Bay Beach on January 1 or in Peachland at the New Year’s Day Polar Bear Swim.
• Hockey action is in full swing throughout the month, so you’ll have plenty of opportunity to cheer on the Kelowna Rockets on home ice. They will take on the Edmonton Oil Kings in the first home game of the year on January 5, 2024.
• Enjoy a wine experience at Okanagan Winter Wine Festival North at Revelry Food + Music Hub on January 27, 2024. Enjoy the best in Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Riesling along with several other varietals paired with live performances and culinary delights. 
• The Kelowna Fringe Festival's postponed 2023 event will occur from January 28 to February 4, 2024, at venues throughout the Central Okanagan. The Living Things International Arts Festival also traditionally takes place around the same time, so stay tuned to their website for details on the 2024 event.

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

Weather

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. When the weather sticks to these mild averages, most of the snow right in the city will melt quickly. If you’re going to be adventuring outdoors, be sure to pack appropriately and keep in mind that it will be cooler near the lake and at higher elevations. January is usually the most overcast, cloudy month of the year. You can monitor current conditions through the live webcam at the Kelowna Visitor Centre. 

Helpful Planning Resources

^{Photo by: Darren Hull Studios}

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 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.