The Okanagan Valley is always the perfect place to spend your summer. But what are the best things to do this summer in the Okanagan Valley? You’re going to love what’s going on in 2016:

June

Looking for some funky “new” stuff for your place? Check out the Okanagan Vintage Fair happening June 4 and 5 all day in Kelowna. If you love retro, kitsch, antiques, and just weird, interesting stuff, this is your event. Keeping to the spirit of everything old being new again, check out the Summerland Bluegrass Festival happening daily from June 10 through June 12. This fun festival features all kinds of bluegrass and other traditional acoustic music, and it’s fun for all ages.

Is doing something sporty more your speed? Check out Hockey Night in Canada’s Play On! presented by Choices Markets on June 18 and 19, 2016 from 8:00am to 6:00pm in Kelowna. This is an incredible outdoor hockey festival and street hockey tournament and a ton of fun for your whole family. Players of all ages 7 and up can compete, so put together a team and sign up on their website now.

Maybe you’d rather attend something akin to a tremendous city-wide party?

Penticton in June has you covered with the Peach City Beach Cruise. This amazing event is happening from June 24 through June 26 between 7:00am to 11:00pm each day, and you won’t believe how many events take place all day long. Some highlights of the weekend include the Friday Afternoon Wine Tour, the Friday evening Main Street Parade of Show Cars, and the outdoor concerts that will happen all weekend. Finally, speaking of concerts, the Penticton Elvis Festival also happens June 24 – 26, and if you’re a fan of The King or rock and roll, you’ll love this incredible weekend.

July

July is always a great month in the Okanagan Valley. Start it out right with the Canada Day celebration of your choice; Penticton, Kelowna, Vernon, Kamloops, and other towns in the region have excellent celebrations planned this year. Then, on July 2 head to Penticton for Slide the City, a ridiculously fun day when 1,000 feet of slick vinyl adorn the city streets, turning the place into a gigantic water slide.

If you’re a wine aficionado, don’t miss the 5th Annual Party in the Park on Friday, July 8 in Okanagan Falls. At this event 14 premier wineries join together to present a tasting festival and BBQ buffet dinner catered by Chef Jordan Ash. You’ll love picnicking on the shore of Skaha Lake, dancing, and listening to “My Kind of Karma,” a local band. Leave the kids home for this one, because it’s for ages 19 and older with ID.

If you’d rather challenge yourself physically, train for the Prospera Granfondo Axel Merckx Okanagan cycling race taking place on July 10 in Penticton. More than 2,800 cyclists rode the course in 2015, and there will be even more trying the three routes in 2016: the Cortofondo (55 km), Mediofondo (92 km), and Granfondo (160 km) offer varying levels for all different riders.

Finish out the month of July in Kamloops taking in the Kamloopa Pow Wow daily from July 29 to 31. This is the 37th Annual Kamloopa Powwow, and it is among the largest and most significant celebrations of First Nations’ heritage and culture in the nation. Come enjoy the stunning music, dance, storytelling, and culinary offerings.

August

As summer comes to a close, don’t miss the 5th Annual Ribfest happening daily from August 5 through 7 in Kamloops. This is a lot of fun, and of course great eating.

You’ll also love the rib cook-off which is seriously entertaining and the live entertainment and music throughout the event. And for more old western family fun, check out Canada’s Famous Cowboy Dinner Show Fridays from July 1 through August 26 in Vernon.

Now in its 7th season, this show gives you everything from a stagecoach robber to authentic cowboy steak with all the fixins’. You’ll be getting the real deal from author and historian Ken Mather as you learn to rope, ride a stagecoach, and otherwise master your cowboy skills around he campfire.

Summary

2016 is going to be a busy summer here in the Okanagan Valley. Are you ready for an amazing few months? We hope you enjoyed our lineup of the best things to do this summer in the Okanagan Valley, and we will see you there!

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