We are a holiday-loving family and I’m excited to share a list of local Kelowna family Christmas events and activities to enjoy! From brunch with Santa, to visiting a Christmas tree farm, or checking out some live theatre, there is so much local holiday fun to take in! I’ve categorized this generally under “types” of activities, and will continue to add to the list as details become available, so keep checking back! I hope you enjoy this holiday fun as much as we do!

PS- Don’t miss my advent calendar giveaway at the end of this post!

Visit a Christmas Tree Farm

First item off the list is decorating the house! While we have a large (obnoxious) Costco sized Christmas tree, I love the idea of a real tree! The experience and the smell over the holidays are surely worth the needle clean up, yes? Grumpy’s Tree Farm is by far the most recommended farm in Kelowna. You can help saw down your own tree, and enjoy a campfire with hot chocolate, apple cider, and cookies with your family. Pure magic I tell ya. This farm is located off June Springs Rd.

Okanagan Christmas Tree Farms:

• Coldstream Creek Farm 
• Grumpy’s Christmas Tree Farm 
• Holiday Timber (Hot chocolate, Christmas carols, and a bonfire to enjoy!)
• K & J Pacific Peaches
• Turner Family Tree Farm (Oyama)
• Woodhaven Tree Farm (you can ride in a cart behind an ATV on the farm and they have a fire, hot chocolate)

Go for a Skate

Is there anything more Canadian than skating outdoors? The outdoor skating rink at at Stuart Park is not to be missed. Sure it can be busy, but it’s a beautiful setting and a whole lot of fun. Enjoy the fire to warm up, or buy some hot chocolate and food from the on-site vendors. Skate and helmet rentals are available on-site.

Kelowna Skating:

• Public Skating Schedule 
• City of Kelowna Annual Family Holiday Skate
  Sunday December 16, 3:00 – 5:15 pm
  Rutland Memorial Arena
  Free skating, face painting, and refreshments are provided. Please bring a donation to the Central Okanagan Food Bank.
• (Not skating… but along the lines of physical activities) City of Kelowna Annual Swim with Santa
  December 9, 9:00 am – 12 pm
  Parkinson Rec Centre
  Kids can have an underwater photo taken with Santa!

Look at Lights

Candy Cane Lane is a popular place for a holiday light tour. Many houses on this road decorate for Christmas and you can drive or walk the street. If it’s snowing out we like pulling the kids in a sleigh! Parking  is generally easy, and don’t forget to take your donation to the Kelowna Food Bank (drop bin is located on the corner).

Kelowna Light Displays:

• Castanet Parade of Lights for listings of light displays
• Gellatly Nut Farm Christmas Light and Hot Chocolate Walk (*Date not announced yet for 2018*)

See a Christmas Play

Living Nativity
Includes an outdoor tented “street in Bethleham” with animals, Christmas scenes, actors, and hot drinks and cookies to enjoy.
December 7-9, daily show times range from 3:30 pm – 7:30 pm. This is a free family event!
Church@33 439 Hwy 33

A Charlie Brown Christmas 
Presented by New Vintage Theatre and Rotary Centre for the Arts
December 6-16, 2018
Evening and matinee (on weekends) show times
$25 adults; $15 child (12 and under)

A Seussified Christmas Carol 
November 23 – December 2, 2018
Evening and matinee (weekends) show times
Tickets: $25 adults, $10 children, $60 family

Elf the Musical
December 5-23,
Evening 7:30 and matinee 1:00 (on weekends) show times
Kelowna Actors Studio, 1379 Ellis St.
See website for ticket information and pricing

Winter Sleigh Ride Show: Sedna 
Caravan Farm Theatre
December 11-31, show times range from 4:00 – 8:00 pm
Visit the website for ticket pricing info as it varies per sleigh and show time.

Enjoy a Christmas Festival or Light-Up

Summerland Festival of Lights
November 30, 5:00 pm (Santa Parade); 7:00pm (Light up); 8:30 (Fireworks)
This is well worth the drive from Kelowna! Enjoy children’s crafts and activities, live music, food vendors, shopping, a Santa parade and end the night with an amazing fireworks display.

Silver Star Mountain Christmas Light Up 
November 30, 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm
A fun filled night of activities, local crafts and talent, food and drink, and performances.
Silver Star Mountain Resort

Home for the Holidays in Gingerbread Village Light Up (Armstrong)
November 30, 5 – 7:00 pm
Entertainment and activities for the whole family. Official light up with Santa’s arrival at 5:45

Light up Big White 
December 1, 5:00 – 6:30
Enjoy a laser light show, carollers, a kids carnival, and a great fireworks show at 6:30!
Big White Ski Resort

Downtown Kelowna Light-up 
December 1, 11:00 am – 5:00 pm
A full day of family friendly activities around Kelowna’s downtown! Arts and crafts, live entertainment, holiday movies, and more!

Enchanted Forest Family Day
December 8, 1:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Camp Dunlop 5325 Lakeshore Road
$10 per person; 3 & under free *All proceeds go to Thrive Out of School Care program.
Bring your family to enjoy a bonfire, Christmas crafts, face painting, a walk through Enchanted forest and a scavenger hunt.

Uptown Rutland Light-up 
December 9, 2018 3:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Roxby Plaza, 2350 Hwy 33 West

Winter Magic
December 15 & 16, 4:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Gellatly Nut Farm, 2375 Whitworth Road, West Kelowna
Carolers, a fire pit, light display and tours of the Heritage House.

Big White Christmas Eve Festival
December 24, 2018 4:30 pm – 7:00 pm
Christmas Eve service, holiday booths, activities and photos. The night ends with a fireworks display!
The Village, Big White Ski Resort

Catch a Christmas Train

The Summerland Christmas Express Train
See the lights along the rail line, sing carols with Santa and Mrs. Clause, look at beautiful decorations, and some cookies and candy canes too!
December 13-23rd, departures at 4:30 & 6:30 pm

CP Holiday Train
Although a bit of a drive, catch the decorated CP Holiday Train in Sicamous featuring live entertainment from the Sam Roberts Band.
December 15, 4:50 – 5:30 pm

Spirit of Christmas Train 
A whimsical one-hour ride through Kamloops aboard a beautiful heritage train with lights and decorations.
December 8-16, 4:00 pm

Have Brunch with Santa

 

Predator Ridge Sunday Brunch with Santa
December 2, 9 & 16, 9 am – 2pm
Gourmet buffet style brunch, photos with Santa & Mrs. Clause (although our family shot from last year goes down in history as one of those awkward family photos!) and colouring and toys for the kids to play while they wait to meet Santa.
$36.95 adults; $33.95 seniors; $18.95 children (6-12); $5.00 children (5 and under)

Kelowna Yacht Club Santa Brunch
December 2 & 9, 10 am – 2pm
Holiday brunch buffet, kids cookie decorating & Santa photos.
Adults $36.95; Children (5-12) $15.95; 5 & under (free)

The Eldorado Breakfast with Santa
December 8th & 15th, 10 am – 2pm
Breakfast buffet, Christmas colouring, cookie decorating and photos with Santa.
Adults $19.95; Children $12.95; 4& under $6.95

Big White Breakfast Buffet with Santa
December 23, 2018 8:00 am – 11:00 am
Happy Valley Day Lodge, Big White Ski Resort
$16.95 adults; $7.95 kids (age 10 and under)

Shop at a Christmas Market

Earth to Table Vegan Market: A Very Merry Vegan Christmas
November 4, 10:00 am – 3:00 pm
The Laural Packing House

5th Annual Winter Fair
November 9, 3:00 pm – 8:30 pm
2466 Main Street, West Kelowna

Manteo Resort Holiday Market 
November 10 & 11, 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
Manteo Resort, 3762 Lakeshore Road

Glenmore Artisan Fair 
November 17, 9 am – 3pm
Glenmore Elementary School, Organized by Blaze events!

Ellison Artisan Fair 
November 18, 10 am – 4pm
Ellison Community Hall, 4411 Old Vernon Road

West Coast Mama Collective 
November 17  & 18, 10 am – 3pm
The Laural Packing House, 1304 Ellis Street

East Kelowna Community Christmas Market 
November 18 & 25, 10 am – 3pm

Tree of Hope Christmas Market
November 23-25, (hours: 5 pm – 9 pm; 12 pm – 7 pm; 12 pm – 6 pm)
Landmark Centre

St Joseph’s 3rd Annual Christmas Market 
November 24, 10 am – 3 pm
Admission by food bank donation
St. Joseph’s Elementary School, 839 Sutherland Avenue

Sugar Plum Fair
November 24 &25, 11 am – 4pm
Quail’s Gate Winery, 3303 Boucherie Road, West Kelowna

Christmas in the Village
November 24, 11-2. Santa, hot chocolate, carolers, in-store discounts!
Pandosy Village

A Heartfelt Christmas Market 
November 25, 10 am – 3pm
German Harmonie Club, 1696 Cary Road

Lakeside Independent School Christmas Faire
November 25
429 Collett Rd
Candle Dipping, kids’ activities, music & food

Annual Holiday Market at Grizzli Winery
November 30, Dec 1 & 2, 10 am – 6pm
2550 Boucherie Road, West Kelowna
Live music, wine tastings, shopping

December Christmas Markets

Touch of Christmas Crafters and Vendors Fair 2018 
December 1, 2018
New Life Centre, 2041 Harvey Avenue
$2/adult

Packing District Winter Market Series
December 1&2, 8&9, 15&16, 10 am – 4pm
Sandhill Winery
Wine tasting, food, music, and a kids zone!

Downtown Kelowna Winter Street Market 
December 1, 2018
Stuart Park & Water Street
Live music, food vendors, shopping, bonfire, ice skating and Santa!

Arrowleaf Cellars Holiday Market 
December 1 &2, 10 am -4pm

Kelowna Christian School Christmas Fair
December 7, 10 am – 4pm
Kelowna Christian School, 2870 Benvoulin Road
Free admission, live music, specialty coffees & more!

Craft Culture Holiday Market 
December 8-9, 2018 (10:30 am – 7:30 pm; 10:00 am – 5:00 pm)
Prospera Place, 1223 Water Street
$5; kids 12 & under free (Cash only!)

Immaculata Christmas Craft Fair 
December 15, 2018 10:00 am – 3:00 pm
14963 K.L.O Road

Give and Share

Last, but certainly not least, there are many organizations looking for contributions to help families and individuals during the holiday season. Here are a few ideas:

• All Are Family Outreach Christmas Sponsor Families
• Kelowna Community Resources Christmas Hampers
• London Drugs Sponsor a Senior. (We do this every year!)
• Mamas for Mamas Christmas for Mamas
• Salvation Army Christmas Hampers
• Save the Kindness Society Christmas Eve Kindness Kits
• 18th Annual Tiny Tim Charity Breakfast Coast Capri Hotel

Are you ready to count down to Christmas? Scroll to the bottom of this post to enter our giveaway to win a Playmobil Advent Calendar (Valued at $35)!

From our family to yours, happy holidays! xo

Please keep in mind:

*Is there something missing from this list? Please contact me and I’ll be happy to add it! The more the merrier.
**Please note this blog is a compilation of local events & activities. We love to celebrate the holidays and are sharing a guide for our hometown. This post is not sponsored by any of the listed events, nor are we responsible for any of the events or activities listed here.

PS…
Looking for something for adults only? Check out Light up the Vines where the Bottleneck Drive (Summerland) wineries decorate their vineyards with Christmas lights and host tastings! Yes. Please. And, if you love holidays as much as me, be sure to check out my other Christmas posts, I write about everything from children’s holiday books to gift guides for kids, and for others!  Thank you for stopping by. xo

Advent Calendar Giveaway

Click here to enter to win a Playmobil Advent Calendar! **Winner must be able to pick up the calendar locally in Kelowna, BC. Winner will be drawn at random on November 25, 2018. WINNER selected by random rafflecopter draw: Instagram follower @daniellekrista! Thanks to all who entered and follow along!