Kelowna 
Credit: Davison Orchards
Things to do this Thanksgiving Weekend in Kelowna
Friday, October 9 – Monday, October 12, 2020
Thanksgiving weekend events & activities including free, fun family & kids’ activities, live music, theatre & performing arts, exhibitions, and more. A few weekday and online events are also listed.
I. Family & Kids Activities this weekend
Family Pumpkin Picking
The Pumpkin Patch is ripe and ready in October! Take a Johnny Popper Tour to the Pumpkin Patch, find your perfect pumpkin, and take in the fall fun!
Pumpkins come in an endless variety of sizes, shapes, weights, and colors; there are so many to choose from! Make a fall tradition and create lasting memories for your kids. Details
October 1 – 31, 2020
Davison Orchards, 3111 Davison Road, Vernon
Free admission; Pumpkin tours cost $10 per person which includes one pumpkin of any size and a Johnny Popper Ride to the Pumpkin Patch. If you don’t wish to pick a pumpkin, ride only prices are: adults $7 and children $4.
October Family Fun Days
Come find your way through our Corn Maze, visit us in the General Store, meet our Goats from 12-2, pick a Pumpkin, play Our Pumpkin Scavenger Hunt and More… Details
Saturdays & Sundays, October 3 – 31, 2020 | 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Historic O’Keefe Ranch, 9380 BC-97, Vernon
By Donation
Kangaroo Creek Farm
See a variety of exotic and domestic animals and birds in natural surroundings. Learn more about the animals at the farm here. A guide will be available to help you get up close to a joey and give it a gentle pet and get a picture. Details
Daily | 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Kangaroo Creek Farm, 5932 Old Vernon Road, Kelowna
Adults $12, Children and youth $6, Seniors 65 yrs + $6, children 4 and under, Free
Myra Canyon Adventure Park
Kids will definitely enjoy this site, with its challenging rope courses, netted climbing course, disc golf, zip lines, balance boards, swings and so much more. Courses are of different levels and children from ages 3 and above are welcome. Details
Daily | 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Weekdays: last admission at 5pm
Weekends: last admission at 6pm
Myra Canyon Adventure Park, 4429 June Springs Road, Kelowna
Kinder Course (3 and over) $23, Tree + zip: $44 – $59
Fun Things to Do with Kids in Kelowna
There are plenty of family-friendly outdoor and indoor activities that will keep your kids busy every moment of every day. Details
Things to Do with Kids in the Okanagan Valley
Adult travellers may think that the Okanagan Valley is just for wine lovers or outdoor adventure seekers, but in reality, the area is an excellent destination for families with children of all ages. There are so many wonderful places to be explored that are kid-friendly that you should be able to spend many days or even weeks in the area with no problems of finding activities to keep them occupied. Details
Most of the Parks will have Covid-19 protocols in place. Do be mindful of them while visiting.
Family Getaways in BC
The dynamic landscape of beautiful British Columbia makes it the perfect spot for the perfect family trip. Whether your family enjoys exploring the mountain ranges, big cities or beach front destinations, BC has something for every family, young and old. Build memories exploring the numerous west coast destinations that BC has to offer. Details
II. Live Music
Two Bobs and A Mule
Victoria’s Two Bobs and A Mule have been pay tribute to the songs of Bob Dylan for over 20 years. They’re very excited to perform Bob’s classic early 70’s masterpiece Blood On The Tracks in it’s entirety! Expect a few well-known songs and of course deep-dives into the extensive back catalog. Details
Friday, October 9, 2020 | 7:30 PM – 10:30 PM
Online
Donation
Paul Pigat & The Smoking Jackets
Paul Pigat is an in-demand and much-revered guitarist. He has worked with many notable artists including Jacob Dylan, Jim Byrnes, The Sojourners, Michael Kaeshammer as well as fronting his Rock-a-billy juggernaut Cousin Harley.
The Smoking Jackets were a hard-working club act in Victoria’s vibrant music scene of the late 90’s. Showcasing the velvet voice of Pigat and the dulcet tones of Al Pease on Reeds. Details
Saturday, October 10, 2020 | 6:00 PM & 8:45 PM
Online
Donation
The Emily Carr String Quartet
The Emily Carr String Quartet, now in its 15th Season, will present such musical masterpieces as Schubert’s Death and the Maiden, Shostakovich 8th Quartet, Brahms Clarinet Quintet and contemporary works by Caroline Shaw and Jared Miller. DetailsSaturday, October 10, 2020 | 4:00 PM & 7:30 PM
Online
$32.84
Writers in the Round
This year’s Writers in the Round hosts some of Canada’s greatest songwriters sharing songs and stories in the round! Details
Sunday, October 11, 2020 | 7:30 PM – 9:00 PM
Online
Donation
Enjoy a Quarantine Concert
There are many free concerts live-streamed every day. Check them out.
III. Theatre/Performing Arts
NO CHILD…
For these overlooked Teens, Theatre is an expression of hope. Details
September 24–November 8, 2020
Online
$19- $59
Play Reading – Two Rooms
Online Play Reading – Two Rooms by Mansel Robinson. Performed by Sarah Afful and Brian Markinson / directed by Michael Shamata. Details
Wednesday, October 7, 2020 | 7:00 PM
Online
East Meets West
Join Leona and her troupe for a belly dance demo followed by a discussion about the importance of AWE (Arts, Wellness and Education) and how that all works together. Details
Saturday, October 10, 2020 | 1:00 PM
Mary Irwin Theatre, Rotary Centre for the Arts, 421 Cawston Ave, Kelowna
Free
Enjoy Live Theatre from around the World
With COVID-19 pandemic forcing theatres to shut their doors, many performing art centres have taken to being open virtually. Check out theatre performance online from around the world. Details
IV. Exhibitions, Festivals & Other Events
BC Culture Days
Culture Days features free participatory and interactive arts and cultural activities presented by individual artists, groups, organizations, municipalities and festivals. The event will feature free, hands-on, interactive activities that invite the public to participate “behind the scenes”—and to discover the world of artists, creators, historians, architects, curators, and designers at work in their community. Details
September 25 to October 25, 2020
Various Locations, BC
Free
Go Hiking or Visit Nature Areas
Parks and pathways, Provincial parks and conservation reserves are open for people to enjoy some time with nature.
Enjoy a leisurely walk with the family at any of these locations:
Downtown Kelowna Scavenger Hunt
This is a free, family-friendly, fully-accessible activity that allows you to experience art and culture on your own time PLUS a chance to win exciting prize packages from great vendors from around Kelowna! Details
October 3 – 25, 2020
Downtown Kelowna
Free
Latin Dance Night
Join us in the Mary Irwin Theatre at the Rotary Centre for the Arts to celebrate Latin dance, featuring performances by Somos Colombia and the Mexican Dance Company of Viviana Sanchez. Details
Saturday, October 10, 2020 | 7:00 PM
Mary Irwin Theatre, Rotary Centre for the Arts, 421 Cawston Ave Kelowna
Free
Explore Okanagan Valley
Okanagen Valley is a favourite for outdoor-loving travellers who want to spend time in the year-round warmer climates, along with those who love the easygoing culture and history of these parts. Vineyards and orchards dot the landscape, offering unique culinary aspects to days spent here. Details
Uniquely Canadian Food and Wine Pairing
THREE tastings and pairings with a uniquely Canadian flavour. Let’s make it special, eh! Details
October 3 – 4 & 10 – 11, 2020 | 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM
House of Rose Winery, 2270 Garner Rd, Kelowna
A minimum $5.00 / person cash donation for the Central Okanagan Food Bank
Go on Scenic Drives
British Columbia has some of the most scenic vistas in the entire country. With a mixture of ocean, mountains, valleys, lakes, vineyards, waterfalls, orchards and farmland, the highways and byways of the province will take you past some amazing views. A road trip through the province will allow you to experience a little bit of everything. Details
Public & Farmers’ Markets
- Kelowna Farmers’ & Crafters’ Market on Saturdays, thru till October | 8 AM-1 PM @ Corner of Dilworth Dr. & Springfield Rd., Kelowna
- Mission Market on through October 18 | 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM @ Okanagan Mission Hall, 4409 Lakeshore Drive
- Rutland Community Market on Sundays | 8:00 AM – 1:00 PM @ Roxby Square Parking Lot, Roxby Rd, Kelowna
- Vernon Farmers Market on Mondays & Thursdays, until October 29, 2020 | 8 AM – 1 PM @ Kal Tire Place, 3445 43 Avenue, Vernon. Details
Weekend Getaways
- Girls Weekend Getaways. Details
- Cheap Weekend Getaways for Couples. Details
- Wilderness & Off the Grid Getaways. Details
- Yoga Retreats & Getaways. Details
- Must-Visit Nature Parks. Details
Rediscover Kelowna
Rediscover this exciting city you live in! Details
Explore Canada or the World From Home
Explore Canada’s arctic, Winnipeg, National Parks and many more places from Home. Travel to international or outer space destinations like the international space station, discover Egypt’s Heritage Sites from tombs to monasteries or take a trip on scenic trains in Europe virtually.
V. Thanksgiving Dinner/Events
Thanksgiving Turkey Take-Out
Thanksgiving Dinner Dine-In
- Earls Kitchen + Bar
- Eldorado Resort on October 10-12
- West Coast Grill and Oyster Bar on October 10 – 12
- Predator Ridge – Brunch on October 11; Dinner on October 12
- Hillside Winery & Bistro on October 11
- Open Table listing
VI. Virtual Events & Activities
Vancouver International Film Festival
The Vancouver International Film Festival welcomes the world to Vancouver as it showcases the top international, Canadian and BC films and plays host to industry professionals from around the globe. Details
September 24 – October 7, 2020
X AVANT XV: Transmissions
This festival deliberately centers queer, Indigenous, black and POC artists, focusing on individual journeys into musical experimentation. Details
October 8 – 9 & 11, 2020
Performance and XR Virtual Reality Symposium
PXR2020 is a series of presentations and showcases from national and international industry leaders, and innovative discussions between artists, developers, and passionate innovators, over four sessions in a Virtual Reality environment.Details
October 2, 3, 9, 10, 2020
Artists for Conservation Festival
Join us for the 10th annual Artists for Conservation Festival. An online and live event for four-days featuring a world-class conservation-themed art exhibit and sale, live painting demos, birds of prey, live music and cultural performances. Details
October 1 – 17, 2020
Discover Dance! Shot of Scotch Vancouver
The Dance Centre’s popular Discover Dance! series features the skill and precision of Highland dance with an online presentation by Shot of Scotch Vancouver. Details
September 24 – October 8, 2020
#DanceForth: Feasting on Famine
Feasting on Famine looks to explore themes on obsession, addiction, commodification and corporatization. Using health-fitness and bodybuilding culture as a lens, Feasting on Famine explores how corporations have altered, created and monetized the industries of “success” and “health”. Details
Thursday, October 8, 2020 | 7:00 PM
We do try to make the listings as accurate as possible, but there may be typographical/oversight errors or events may be cancelled or postponed without any notice. Verify all details from concerned event Websites/officials.