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Who else is ready for winter? Though the days are shorter and the air is colder, we are lucky to live in a place with no shortage of fun things to do when winter rolls into the valley. And December is where it all begins!
From whimsical holiday events to some of the best winter outdoor recreation around, there are so many ways you can keep you and your family busy this month! Need some ideas? Read on for our official guide to December in Kelowna!
Shop or stroll through a holiday market or craft fair
The days of outdoor farmer’s markets with stands full of peaches and cherries may be gone until next summer, but if you’re missing the market experience, be sure to check out one of the many markets and craft fairs around town this month!
If you’re looking for some extra holiday decor or a handmade gift for someone on your list, be sure to stop by the Craft Culture Holiday Market from Dec. 3-5 to enjoy a one-stop handmade shopping experience!
Don’t miss the quintessential Downtown Kelowna Winter Street Market in Stuart Park on Dec. 4 for a festive outdoor celebration featuring products from local artists and lots of good food and drink!
Say hello to your local artisans, food and farm producers at the free, family friendly Magical Christmas Market on Dec. 4 and 5.
Head over to Camelot Vineyards for an Outdoor European Style Christmas Market complete with unique artisan booths, plenty of hot Gluhwein and on-site food trucks!
On Dec. 12, you can catch the last of East Kelowna’s Country Christmas Markets for a selection of arts, crafts, food vendors and live music!
For indoor and outdoor holiday shopping, photos with Santa, mulled wine-by-the-glass, wine tastings, raffle draws, live music and more every weekend leading up to Christmas, check out the Grizzli Christmas Market on Dec. 4, 5, 11, 12, 18 at Grizzli Winery!
Enjoy a one-of-a-kind seasonal Kelowna experience
Whether you’re looking for a holiday date night, something to do with the in-laws when they come to visit, or somewhere fun to take the kids, you’re in luck—local businesses in Kelowna really go all out on their seasonal events!
Looking for a new fridge-worthy picture with Santa? Swing by Meadow Vista Honey Wines for their Selfies with Santa event during the first two weekends of December for photo opps, holiday snacks, prize draws and more! Or head over to the Kelowna Yacht Club on Dec. 5 or 12 for Santa Brunch to get your photo with the North Pole celebrity and delicious food!
Bring the whole family to Gellatly Nut Farm Regional Park for the annual Light Up in the Park event. For ten days, the orchard and heritage buildings will be lit up in festive fashion and will be open for free self-guided tours!
Enjoy festive decor and a sommelier-guided experience including mulled wine and roasted chestnuts at Mission Hill Family Estate’s Season of Trees event in support of the BC Children’s Hospital Foundation. Or, discover the magic of winter along the Westside Wine Trail with the Sip into the Season Passport event! From December 1 to 15, 2021, you’ll be able to collect stamps from participating winery tasting rooms. Collect a minimum of 6 stamps on your passport to be entered to win a Westside Wine Trail prize package including 6-bottles of wine from our members!
Have tea at Summerhill Pyramid Bistro on any Saturday or Sunday between Dec. 4 and 25 during their Jack Frost High Tea event for delicious treats and artisanal tea. Children under 12 can join you at a discounted price!
Get outdoors and keep moving!
We’re so lucky to live in a place with the perfect winter weather and temperatures for all kinds of outdoor recreation—both in the valley and up in the mountains!
Of course, a Kelowna winter wouldn’t be complete without a ski or snowboarding adventure! As the ski hills finally start to open up, it’s time to take a trip up to your favourite runs at Big White Ski Resort or SilverStar Mountain Resort. If you love to cross-country ski, you can enjoy that at Big White or at one of two cross-country ski clubs: Telemark Nordic Club and Kelowna Nordic Ski and Snowshoe Club.
If you’re looking for an easier and affordable way to explore the mountains, give snowshoeing a try! You can get rentals from Telemark Nordic Club and explore their 60 km of snowshoeing trails, or if you’ve got your own gear, bring it along and explore the trails at Kelowna Nordic Ski and Snowshoe Club.
Ring in the New Year with a community celebration
It wouldn’t be New Year’s Eve in Kelowna without the annual Valley First New York New Year celebration in Stuart Park! Postponed in 2020, the event is back, and it’s time to mark your calendar! Bring the whole family and enjoy live music, free hot chocolate, giveaways, and a 9:00 p.m. fireworks show!
Finish (or start) your holiday shopping at local shops
Anyone else find themselves shopping online a lot more over the last year and a half? This is your opportunity to remind yourself how nice it is to get out there, meet local business owners, browse products in three dimensions and find those perfect gifts for your loved ones.
Whether you’re the kind of person who shops ahead or waits until the mood strikes later in the season, be sure to support your local shops, boutiques and businesses when you look for gifts this year!
If you need some inspiration, check out our guide to shopping local this holiday season for some classic and unique gift ideas and where around town you can get them!
Exploring Kelowna this December? Tell us how and you could win some great prizes!
We want to see how you explore Kelowna in December. Show us your favourite things to do, by using the hashtag #ExploreKelownaToday for a chance at winning weekly prizes!
Learn how to enter the #ExploreKelownaToday contests.
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