Major Events

Penticton is home to some of the longest-running and most iconic events in the province. Many of these are led entirely by volunteers and require hundreds of hours of planning, and their passion for our community shines through. Penticton is also known as the endurance sports capital of B.C., attracting athletes from around the world for events such as IRONMAN Canada and the Okanagan Granfondo.

Here is a snapshot of Penticton's premier events so you can plan your action-packed year ahead.

Premier Events

In 1983, the first North American IRONMAN event was hosted right here in Penticton. With the herculean effort from local volunteers and community leaders, unmatched hospitality of local residents, and overwhelming support from businesses, individuals, and the City, the event quickly grew into an iconic IRONMAN experience. Penticton is now recognized as one of the world’s premier triathlon host communities – and a bucket list destination for IRONMAN Canada athletes all over the world.
Visit the City's IRONMAN webpage
Penticton is home to premier cycling routes and terrain, and few events showcase its beauty as well as the Okanagan Granfondo event. With four different race distances, there’s something for everyone, from the recreational to the elite and pro cyclists, and even a Piccolo Fondo race for the kids. All races start and finish along Okanagan Lake, with routes through the beautiful Okanagan wine country.
This mass cycling event sold out in 2022, with more than 3,000 cyclists from around the world. It’s incredible to see the international contingent descend on Penticton.
Visit the event website
An iconic event in Penticton, we challenge you to find one local who doesn’t have a favourite memory of this five-day festival. Since it first began in 1947, a volunteer organization has grown Peach Festival to one of the largest, FREE, family festivals in Canada – and certainly one of the most fun weeks of the summer in Penticton.
From the annual downtown Peach Bin races, to the Shooting Star Amusements midway, to sport and dance competitions and shows, to the iconic Peters Brothers Grand Parade – this festival gets bigger and better every year. Peach Festival is a signature event in Penticton and a family-friendly activity for all.
Visit the event website
The Peach City Beach Cruise is Canada's premier Rod, Antique and Classic Car Show. For three days, hundreds of beautiful show cars line up along Penticton’s prime beachfront street, Lakeshore Drive, and activities for the whole family surround the event. Live entertainment, an outdoor beverage garden, food and retail vendors, and novelty souvenirs add to the festival atmosphere, transforming the entire downtown core. The Peach City Beach Cruise began in 2001 and has become a signature event in Penticton, attracting thousands of visitors from across North America each year.
Visit the event website
“Thank you, thank you very much” to the Penticton Elvis Festival, a three-day festival where dozens of Elvis Tribute Artists perform and compete to celebrate the life and music of Elvis Presley. As the only Elvis Presley Enterprises (E.P.E)-sanctioned Canadian festival west of Ontario, and a qualifier for the world-wide E.P.E. Ultimate Festival in Memphis, this event attracts artists and true fans from all over the world. A food and beverage garden, and of course, room for dancing, creates a lively and vibrant festival atmosphere where attendees can show off their blue suede shoes.
Visit the event website
The Penticton Dragon Boat Festival is a highlight of our Septembers and the perfect way to cap off major events season. From its beginnings on Okanagan Lake in 2000, the festival has since found its home at Skaha Lake Park, which not only offers the perfect beach site for racers, but also features plenty of space for the most vibrant beverage garden in town. More than 2,500 racers and teams from across North America meet in Penticton for a weekend of racing on the water, and soaking up the sun on the sandy beach.
Visit the event website
As one of the biggest markets in the Okanagan, the Downtown Community Market showcases local vendors and artisans while creating a fun atmosphere for tourists and locals alike. The market features vendors of homemade goods, such as clothing and jewelry, and antiques and furniture, as well as live music and entertainment to get the whole family excited about supporting local. Located on Penticton’s Main Street and adjacent to the Penticton Farmers’ Market, together these two events transform Penticton’s downtown core on Saturday mornings.
Visit the event website
Penticton Farmers’ Market has come a long way from its humble beginnings in Gyro Park in 1991. It sets up on Main Street on Saturday mornings, and together with the Downtown Community Market takes over the downtown core of Penticton and creates a social, vibrant atmosphere for locals and tourists. Widely known as one of the largest and best markets in the Okanagan and B.C., the Penticton Farmers’ Market provides an excellent opportunity for local agricultural producers and craftspeople to sell their products directly to public.
Visit the event website
Sláinte Mhath, ye Scots!
What began as the Highland Games is now the Penticton Scottish Festival, a tribute to Scottish and Celtic culture, sport, and entertainment – and a heck of a party! The Scottish Festival features bagpipers, drummers, and pipe bands, heavy events (such as caber toss and hammer throw), Highland Dancing, and of course, a site-wide beer garden and cèilidh.
Visit the event website
The Four Seasons Cultural Society has announced that the return of the Pow Wow Between the Lakes in 2023 will be held at the South Okanagan Events Centre in SnPink’tn (Penticton). The theme of the event is Healing the Nation and is intended to bring together the eight bands of the Okanagan Nation Alliance in celebration of Syilx culture and resilience.
South Okanagan Events Centre
June 23-25, 2023
Visit the City's webpage for details
The Vancouver Canucks will return to Penticton this year for the Young Stars Classic. Witness the future of the NHL at the 10th annual Young Stars Classic, hosted by the Vancouver Canucks and the City of Penticton. Immerse yourself in a thrilling four-team tournament featuring the top prospects from the Vancouver Canucks, Calgary Flames, Edmonton Oilers and Winnipeg Jets organizations.
Visit the City's Young Stars webpage
The Peach Classic Triathlon is said to be the longest held triathlon event in the province of B.C. Showcasing Okanagan Lake, the renowned Kettle Valley Rail Trail, and the best of Penticton and Naramata, this event is Penticton’s premier short-course triathlon event. It features sprint and standard triathlon races, an aqua-bike event, and in some years has offered qualifiers for world championship slots for age group winners. The history of triathlon is strong in Penticton, and the Peach Classic Triathlon is an important part of that history.
Visit the event website

Major Events Planned for 2023

This list provides an overview of the major events taking place in Penticton this year. For a full list of events, view the City's Events Calendar and also don't forget to check the upcoming events at the South Okanagan Events Centre (SOEC).

Jan. 10-11: BCHL 60th Anniversary Event
March 8-20: Canadian Sport School Hockey League (CSSHL) Championship
March 24-April 2: Ignite the Arts Festival
April 14-15: Okanagan Fest of Ale
April 15 - Oct. 28: Penticton Farmers’ Market
May 20-Sept. 9: Downtown Community Market
May 19-22: Meadowlark Nature Festival
May 23-29: Expedition Canada
June 8-10: Ha Ha Ha Kidz Festival
June 11: Wildstone's Colour4Kids
June 21: National Indigenous Peoples Day
June 22-25: Elvis Festival
June 23-25: Peach City Beach Cruise
June 23-25: Pow Wow between the Lakes
July 1: Canada Day (organized by Downtown Penticton Business Improvement Association)
June 30-July 2: Ribfest
July 1: Penticton Scottish Festival
July 2: Okanagan Trestle Tour
July 9: Okanagan Granfondo
July 16: Peach Classic
July 28-30: Ultraman Canada
Aug. 6: B.C. Day (details to come, organized by Downtown Penticton Business Improvement Association)
Aug. 9-13: Peach Festival
Aug. 26-27: IRONMAN Canada (CANCELLED)
Sept. 8-10: Pentastic Hot Jazz & Music Festival
Sept. 9-10: Dragon Boat Festival
Sept. 15-18: Vancouver Canucks Young Stars Classic
Sept. 30: National Day for Truth and Reconciliation (details to come)
Oct. 14: Penticton Beer Run
Dates TBC: Nufloors Penticton Curling Classic
Dates TBC: Penti-Con
Dates TBC: Light Up Festival
Dates TBC: Santa Claus Parade

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Major Events Planned for 2023