Major Events

Featured Events 2024

Premier Events

• IRONMAN Canada

  

  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

• Okanagan Granfondo

  
  
  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. 

  Visit the event website

• Frost Fest Winter Carnival

  

  Frost Fest Winter Carnival is set to be the next big outdoor event of the season. We have partnered with some major players to present this high-energy festival in the heart of downtown Penticton.

  Get ready for this

  • BCHL hockey on the outdoor ice rink 
  • Downtown Throwdown Ski & Board Rail Jam
  • Kids activities and stations presented by HaHaHa Kidzfest
  • Snow sledding hill (with snow courtesy of Apex Mountain Resort)
  • DJ 
  • Food trucks 
  • Beverage garden
  • Warming stations

  It takes place the same weekend as the BCHL All-Star Weekend, which attracts hockey players and NHL alumni to the Activate Penticton outdoor rink at Gyro Park. All the events are free to watch on the Saturday. Spectators can walk between each of the activities and events throughout the day.

  Visit the Frost Fest webpage

• Penticton Peach Festival

  

  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

• Peach City Beach Cruise

  

  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

• Penticton Elvis Festival

  

  “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

• Ha Ha Ha Kidzfest

  

  This high-spirited event brings families together for live performances, workshops and activities. Stay tuned to their website for details about the event. 

  Visit the event website

• Penticton Dragon Boat Festival

  

  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 

• Downtown Community Market

  

  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

  

  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

• Penticton Scottish Festival

  

  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

• Canucks Young Stars Classic

  

  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

• Penticton Ribfest

  
  
  Penticton Ribfest is three days of food, music and positive summer cheer, organized by Rotary Club of Penticton. Champion barbecue teams from across Canada compete for best ribs - and you get to eat them. This event also includes an outdoor beverage garden and entertainment for the whole family. 

  Visit the event website

• Peach Classic Triathlon

  

  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

• 'Magic on Main Street' - Santa Claus Parade & Light Up

  

  Ho, ho, ho! This family-friendly event is an extra-special evening to ring in the festive season. The City has partnered with the Downtown Penticton Business Improvement Association to present the Santa Claus Parade and downtown Light Up as one major attraction.

  Visit the webpage