The Ultimate Frugal Okanagan Summer Activity Guide

Jun 8 | Money Saving Tips, Frugal Living | 20 comments

This was such a big hit in past years, that I took the time to update it with this year’s dates! Hope you enjoy 🙂

Are you living in the Okanagan or planning on taking a trip there this summer? The Okanagan happens to be the place I call home, so I thought I’d create a guide full of fun, frugal activities that take place in the land of sun. The goal is for this to be The Ultimate Frugal Okanagan Summer Activity Guide. If you have an event or know of a really cool place to visit, let me know and I’ll add it to the list!

Farmer’s Markets:

Lake Country Farmer’s Market: Fridays from 3pm – 7pm. June – September.
Osoyoos Farmer’s Market: Saturdays from 9am – 1pm. May through September.
Armstrong Farmer’s Market: Saturdays from 8am – 12pm. End of April – middle of October.
Salmon Arm Farmers Market: Saturdays from 9am – 1pm. May – October.
Vernon Farmer’s Market: Mondays and Thursdays from 8am – 1pm. April – October.
Kelowna Farmer’s Market: Wednesdays and Saturdays from 8am – 1pm. April – October.
Naramata Community Market: Wednesdays from 4:00pm – 7:00pm. June – September.
Penticton Farmer’s Market: Saturdays from 8:30am – 1pm. April to October.
Westbank Farmer’s Market: Saturdays 9am – 1pm. July 2 – September 24.
Summerland Farmer’s Market: Sundays 9am – 1pm. June 26 – September 25.
Peachland Farmer’s Market: Sundays 10am – 2pm. May 29 – Last Sunday in September.
Sun Peaks & Region Farmers’ Market – Sundays 9:30am – 1:30pm. June 19 – October 9.

Food & Wine:

The Okanagan is well know for its award winning wines and wineries. Many of them offer free tours and wine tastings.

Vineyard and Winemaking Tour – in Oliver – Each weekend in July, 11am – 3pm.
Okanagan Wine Festivals – They have a great list of events that happen all year long.
Cider Tasting – at BX Press Cidery. Tastings are daily from 10am – 5pm.
Gasthaus on the Lake – in Peachland
Okanagan Feast of Fields – at Wiseacre Farm Distillery in Kelowna – September 18, 2022.
Okanagan Spirits Craft Distillery – Tastings available all day Monday – Saturday.
Diner en Blanc – in Kelowna at a secret location – July 7, 2022
Okanagan Grocery Artisan Breads Bakery – in Kelowna – Open Tuesday – Saturday 9:30am – 5:30pm
Okanagan Bakehouse: in Vernon – Open Tuesday – Saturday 8am – 5pm.
Carmelis Goat Cheese tours – in Kelowna – Friday – Monday from 11am to 5pm
Farmstrong Cider Company – In Armstrong – Open Thursday – Sunday 12pm – 8pm
Farm to Table Tours – in Kelowna

Canada Day:

Osoyoos Cherry Fiesta & Canada Day Celebration: in Osoyoos July 1.
Celebrate Canada Day – in Kelowna July 1
Music in the Park – “The Goods” – in Armstrong July 1, 7pm – 9pm
Canada Day Celebrations in Penticton: in Penticton July 1.
Peachland Canada Day events – in Peachland – July 1.

Arts:

Many Hat’s Theatre Company Presents: Off The Grid – in Penticton Thursdays – Sundays July 7 – 30, 2022.
Caravan Farm Theatre Presents: Blackhorse – in Armstrong July 12 – August 17, 2022.
11th Annual Retro Concert Weekend – at Sun Peaks August 26 – 28, 2022.
Parks Alive – in Kelowna at various parks
Salmon Arm Roots and Blues Festival – in Salmon Arm August 18 – 21, 2022.
Lake Country Art Walk – in Lake Country September 10 – 11, 2022.
Craft and Country, Beer and Music Mountain Festival – at Big White July 16, 2022.

Beaches:

We like to boast about all our amazing beaches here in the Okanagan. Take a look at this list of the Best Okanagan Beaches.

U-Pick Fruit & Fruit Stands:

See here for another great list of fruit stands and u-pick fruit places in the Okanagan.
Local Fruit Stands to watch for in Peachland: Buchanan Rd, Drought Hill, Elliot Drive, Turner Avenue, Hwy 97

Sports:

Rattlesnake Island Swim – in Peachland August 6, 2022.
Canada Cup DH Race – at Silver Star Mountain Resort, July 8 – 10, 2022.
Slay the Dragon – at Silver Star Mountain Resort, June 25, 2022.
Kelowna Across the Lake Swim – in Kelowna on Okanagan Lake July 16, 2022.
Peach Classic Triathlon – in Penticton July 17, 2022.
Spartan Race – at Big White Ski Resort, August 27 – 28, 2022.
Okanagan Granfondo – in Penticton July 10, 2022.
Funtastic Slo Pitch Tournament – in Vernon June 30 – July 3, 2022.

Golf Courses

The Okanagan has many amazing golf courses to play! Enjoy one round or make a vacation out of it! See this list of Okanagan Golf Courses.

Hiking Trails:

Festivals, Fairs & Community Events:

Lumby Days – in Lumby June 10 – 12, 2022.
Peach City Beach Cruise – in Penticton from June 24 – 26, 2022.
Penticton Elvis Festival – in Penticton from June 23 – 26, 2022.
Great Train Robbery & BBQ – in Summerland starting June 19. 1:30pm and 4pm.
Okanagan Military Tattoo – in Vernon July 23 – 24, 2022.
Penticton Peach Festival – in Penticton August 3 – 7, 2022.
Interior Provincial Exhibition & Stampede – in Armstrong August 31 – September 4, 2022.
Salmon Arm Fall Fair – in Salmon Arm September 9 – 11, 2022.
Sunshine Festival – in Vernon June 18, 2022.
Funtastic Music Festival & Ball Tournament – in Vernon June 30 – July 3, 2022.
Westside Daze– in West Kelowna July 8 – 10, 2022.
Summer Reading Club – at Okanagan libraries. Check your local branch for times and dates.
Craft & Country Mountain Fest – at Big White Ski Resort, July 16, 2022.

Father’s Day Events:

19th Annual Father’s Day Car Show: at Kelowna City Park, June 19, 2022 from 11am- 4pm

Places of interest:

Vernon & Area:

Kelowna & Area:

Penticton & Area:

Okanagan Tourism Websites:

Looking for deals?

Groupon has a ton of local discounted restaurants, spas, things to do and more! Check it out for great savings on the things you want to do in the Okanagan.

20 Comments

Brigitt J on June 11, 2019 at 5:30 am

Grindrod Garlic Festival Sunday, August 18 at Grindrod Recreation Park just north of Enderby. Garlic growers & events, vegetables and artisans from all over the North Okanagan. GrindrodGarlicFestival.ca
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Ilean Danby on July 28, 2016 at 8:41 am

Next year, the Vernon and District Kennel Club dog show at Lavington Community Park in Lavington. July 7, 8, 9th.
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Louise Lambert on June 26, 2016 at 3:31 pm

Art galleries which exhibit and sell wine and vineyard inspired by the vineyards in the Okanagan are worth a visit while touring the area’s beautiful wineries. The Okanagan is blessed with its very own colourful palette courtesy of vibrant, sunny blue skies, sparkling deep glacial lakes and gorgeous rows of vineyards in summer and fall splendour. Take home an original work of art to grace the walls of your home and as a keepsake of your time in the Okanagan Valley
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Don on May 19, 2016 at 11:54 pm

You forgot Okanagan Experiential Tourism
http://www.experientialtourism.ca/
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alex on May 19, 2016 at 7:52 am

Centre of gravity is a beach festival in kelowna. (July 17ish I think)
Its more rave music, but good for younger people and tourists, so I dont know if you want to add it or noy
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- Taya K on May 19, 2016 at 8:26 am
  
  Thanks! I will add it!
  Reply
Marjo Thompson on October 4, 2015 at 7:44 pm

Please know that The Lloyd Gallery in Penticton on Front Street welcomes all browsers, especially families with kids to come browse the gallery at no cost, to be inspired by the art and see what kinds of ways artists can see the landscape all around them. The gallery is hung floor to ceiling, French salon style and the art is truly incredible. There is also a Facebook page to view show announcements and new additions in the gallery: https://www.facebook.com/lloydgallery
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Carly Penfold on July 27, 2015 at 3:45 pm

The Holistic Market in Kelowna has free admission! Sundays, 11-4 on Sept 13, Oct 18, Nov 22, Dec 13, 2015.
Five reasons to join us at the Holistic Market:
1. Come see palm readers, astrologers, card readers and psychics!
2. Try Access Bars and Tesla energy healing, Shiatsu massage, Reiki, Forensic Healing or BodyTalk!
3. Browse crystals, jewelry, sound and archangel essences, bamboo clothing and art!
4. Talk to authors, holistic nutritionists, holistic health coaches and mindfulness experts!
5. Sample organic skin care products, aromatherapy blends, and detox teas!
Join us each month and discover the diversity of holistic products and services available in the Okanagan. Find unique, one-of-a-kind treasures at the Laurel Packinghouse, in downtown Kelowna. Try something new and have a chance to win lots of door prizes! Free admission! Donations accepted on behalf of the Central Okanagan Food Bank. For a list of vendors and how to register as an exhibitor visit http://www.holisticmarket.ca.
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kim on June 7, 2015 at 9:34 am

CANADIAN HANG GLIDING NATIONALS TO BE HELD IN LUMBY, BC, JUNE 27 TO JULY 4, 2015 -events
Water Park & Pool in Lumby – attraction
Museum and Art Gallary in Lumby
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Petrina McNeill on May 30, 2015 at 6:38 pm

Gallery open and free to the public wednesday through sunday each week. New exhibitions every 4-6 weeks. ArtHouse: visit artists working in their studios for free, Family art drop-in and Art Bazaar one saturday each month through the summer http://www.lakecountryartgallery.ca/arts-bazaar.html with live music and picnic area
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Caetani centre on May 30, 2015 at 6:25 pm

Thanks for including us under places of interest.
We also have a music series starting Sunday may 31, 2-4 pm, with Cod Gone Wild and the Okanagan Celtic Choir – admission by donation, so affordable for all! Rain or shine.
Continues the last Sunday of each month until the end of September with different local performers each time.
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Owen Dickie on May 30, 2015 at 9:59 am

You could add Oyama Fun Day. A family event with many free activities and the only parade in Lake Country and, like many small town parades, kids on decorated bicycles are welcome!

The first Sunday in June. This year it happens to be June 7th.

Following is a link to the activities for the day.

http://myemail.constantcontact.com/Oyama-Fun-Day-2015.html?soid=1108926844826&aid=qtQJIKPcCUQ
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Jenni on May 30, 2015 at 7:41 am

Big white has summer activities this year including beer & music festivals! Check out http://www.bigwhite.com 🙂
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Jan Stenseth on May 30, 2015 at 6:25 am

You forgot Summerland’s Action Festival! It’s been an annual event for years… check out http://www.summerlandactionfestival.com/
for information. Something for everyone that weekend.
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Wendy Sanderson on May 29, 2015 at 9:54 pm

Shakespeare at the Villa
July 15 to 25, 2015
Shakespeare Kelowna presents The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged) live on the open air stage at Okanagan Villa Estate Winery. Tickets available at http://www.kelownatickets.com.
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Claudette Martin on May 29, 2015 at 5:54 pm

Don’t forget Planet Bee! Go see the bees; you can also taste lots of different honeys and meads.
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Kelcie on June 25, 2014 at 7:40 pm

For best beaches you forgot Sunoka and Peach Orchard in Summerland! We live in Penticton but still visit these instead .
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Nadine Knibbs on June 12, 2014 at 1:43 pm

The kangaroo farm in Lake Country is a fun place for families to go!!

http://www.kangaroocreekfarm.com/
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- Taya K on June 12, 2014 at 3:49 pm
  
  Thanks! I added it to the list!
  Reply
Sharon on June 12, 2014 at 11:22 am

Simply amazing list !!! Thank you for the research and links…now to plan a vacation to beautiful BC.
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