Kelowna 
Nestled in the rolling hills of the North Okanagan, the city of Vernon is surrounded by three lakes and scenic beauty. There is plenty to draw visitors to this area during all seasons of the year, especially those loving outdoor activities. Along with the plethora of things to keep visitors busy both indoors and outdoors, there is one more fantastic reason to pass some time in Vernon during the winter season, and that is the one-of-a-kind Vernon Winter Carnival.
Credit: Vernon Winter Carnival
Running almost continuously since 1961, the Winter Carnival is something you need to experience. With an event schedule running from February 3 to 12, 2023, the calendar for these days holds more than 100 activities and events for the whole family, so be prepared to get into the festivities during this time. From the legendary parade and events such as the ice sculpture competition to a multitude of dining opportunities, dancing, games, and loads of fun for all ages.
Each year has a theme attached to it, and this year the theme is CarnivalTV, which will celebrate any and all TV shows from past and present. Local businesses and organizations are encouraged to host an event, hence the plethora of activities available for everyone’s enjoyment.
There are so many things going on in the town during this fantastic festival, that it is difficult to pinpoint which activities may be the best, but here are our thoughts on what are must-sees or must-dos during winter carnival days in Vernon.
The Balloon Glow
There is something magical about watching a balloon float across the sky, but there is nothing quite like viewing a multitude of them lighting up the beautiful night sky. This incredible sight is held in the dark of the evening, with the balloons lit up casting a warm glow of light. Taking place on February 3rd at Polson Park, between 5 and 6:30 pm, this is something you won’t want to miss out on.
The Polar Bear Swim
The first Polar Bear Swim was way back in 1976 and is a crazy fun tradition that lives on to this day. This is the opportunity to race into the lake for a refreshingly cold dip. You can join this year’s Polar Bear Swim on February 11th at Paddlewheel Hall. Registration starts at noon and the swim takes place at 1 pm, with a small fee to participate. For those who just want to view the brave swimmers, there will be a concession to enjoy goodies, a fire pit to keep you warm, and even a silent auction and a market in the hall to pick up some great items. Money raised by this activity goes to the Zimbabwe Project Society.
62nd Annual Vernon Winter Carnival Parade
There are very few people who don’t love a good parade, and this is one that is well worth taking the time to enjoy. Themed floats and entries will delight and entertain each viewer, so settle in with your hot drink and get ready to vote for your favourite. This year the Overall Parade Spirit Award will be voted for by the public – the winner will receive a trophy and a $500 cash prize. Taking place on February 4th, the parade starts at noon and ends at approximately 1:30 pm.
Jam Can Curling
One of the most creative sports to come along in a long time, this unique curling game was created to encourage youth to participate in the Carnival and in sports in general. This outdoor curling event involved teams from the local schools, with grades 4 to 6 classes participating. This is a great chance to cheer on the kids as they compete in this entertaining version of curling.
Taking place at the Centennial Outdoor Rink, you can attend between February 6th and February 10th from 9:45 am to 11:45 am.
The Snowmobile Scavenger Hunt
Sometimes you need to participate in order to have a good time, so if you are a person who likes to compete rather than watch, this is a perfect event to take part in. Get your machine ready to explore over 160 kilometres of groomed trails, then warm up with some yummy hot chocolate, a BBQ and a bonfire. Of course, prizes are waiting for those who get out to find the scavenger items.
Taking place on February 5th between 10 am and 3 pm, this is fun for anyone who likes to spend time on their snowmobile.
Sip & Savour
An adult’s only event, this is a chance to partake of the showcased domestic beers, craft beers, wines and ciders from the Okanagan area, British Columbia and across Canada. There will be a whopping 25 vendors in attendance offering tastings, along with a live entertainer and a DJ to complete the evening.
Tickets are sold on-site for tastings, and the food bar will have savoury goodies to pair with your favourite drinks throughout the night. This is one of the most popular activities during this festival, so you may want to book your tickets early to avoid disappointment.
Join the event on February 3rd from 6:30 pm to 10:30 pm.
The Chocolate Express
Everyone deserves some sweetness in their lives, so this popular activity is held over several days, for as many participants as possible to savour the gorgeous chocolate delights created during this food experience.
This is the chance to learn the art of chocolatier from a local master. Of course, you get to taste and take home what you make and enjoy chocolate truffle wine pairings and plenty of opportunities to win some prizes. Partial proceeds of this event go to the Sweet Smiles Society. You can join in the fun on February 3rd, 4th, 8th, or 9th, from 5:45 pm to 8:45 pm. Advance bookings are required.
“Rookie Blue” Behind the Scenes
Getting into the spirit of the theme of TV shows, the Historic O’Keefe Ranch is opening up its doors for visitors to view the behind-the-scenes of the ranch. Take the chance to dive into the areas of this historic site that are not open to the public, and have your questions answered by a knowledgeable guide.
Book in advance to join in with this activity on February 9th, from 6 pm to 9 pm. Please note that this event takes place out of town and transportation is not included.
The VWC Snow Sculpture Competition
The Silver Star Mountain is home to this fierce competition of incredibly beautiful sculptures made of only water and snow. Talented artists from all over come to take part in the sculpting action, with an opportunity to be named B.C.’s best. Taking place over the first weekend of Carnival, you can watch artists put their creative talents to work beginning at 10 am on February 3rd, until 10 am on February 5th. Then, visitors can help determine the “People’s Choice Award” from 10 am to 12 pm on February 5th.
Don’t worry if you can’t make it up during the weekend, the sculptures will be left for viewing for as long as possible (weather dependent). This activity takes place out of town, so you will require transportation to get there.
The Celebration of Culture – Reconnecting in the North Okanagan
Featuring live performances and interactive experiences, this celebration will allow participants and visitors to discover and explore the interesting varied cultures that are within the North Okanagan area. It is a fantastic opportunity to learn about some of the different cultural groups through song, dance, food and other activities. These varied cultures make this area one of the best places to live. This is just one of the events of a series – 7 Celebrations – Reconnect in the Thompson Okanagan. Held in the Vernon Recreation Centre Auditorium, there is no charge for this event. Join in on February 4th from 2 pm to 8 pm.
Trip Planning:
A full list of events running from February 3 to 12, 2023 are available on the Winter Carnival website to help you plan your time in Vernon and the surrounding areas.
It’s pretty easy to get to the region if you are wanting to experience all of the wonderful events for yourself. If you are travelling on your own vehicle, Vernon is conveniently located in the Thompson Okanagan region of British Columbia, just 54 kilometres north of Kelowna and 119 kilometres southeast of Kamloops on Hwy 97. Of course, travellers from further afield can fly into either Kelowna or Kamloops and rent a vehicle to explore the region.
Accommodations are plentiful, but best booked ahead of time, as the town attracts many tourists during these fun-filled days. The famous Kur Spa at Sparkling Hill Resort overlooks the Okanagan Lake is perfect if you are looking for a couple’s celebration ahead of Valentine’s day weekend.
