Valley First Frost Fest Winter Carnival

Valley First Frost Fest returns to Penticton from Friday, Jan. 17 to Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025. Watch for these highlights:

Hot Air Balloon Glow Up at Okanagan Lake Park
Frostbite Film Night featuring Cool Runnings at the Cleland Theatre
Kidzfest Gala fundraising event
Hockey and skating with the Penticton Vees
Family-friendly activities in the free FortisBC Family Zone
Pro snowboarders from around the region competing in the Peach City Rail Jam
Food trucks, a DJ and beverage garden
Frosty Toes Polar Bear Swim

... and more!

Schedule of Events

Activities will begin on Friday evening and continue throughout the weekend. Click the links below for scheduling information. For a quick look at the weekend schedule, click here.

Friday, Jan. 17

Schedule of Events for Friday, Jan. 17

For general inquiries and information, email events@penticton.ca.

Friday, January 17
4:30-7 pm at Okanagan Lake Park	Hot Air Balloon Glow Up
4:30-7 pm at Okanagan Lake Park	Join us as we light up the event with hot air balloons in Okanagan Lake Park. 4:30-5:30pm: watch as the balloons are inflated. 5:30-6:30pm: wander among the balloons for incredible photo opportunities, and take time to chat with the balloon pilots. 6:30pm: balloons are lowered and deflated. Location: Okanagan Lake Park
5:30-9 pm at Poplar Grove Winery	Frost Fest Gala
5:30-9 pm at Poplar Grove Winery	Come enjoy the first-ever Frost Fest Gala at the scenic Poplar Grove Winery. A formal event, giving you a reason to get out on a frosty evening. This experience will include a full course dinner served by a Penticton Vees player dressed in his finest attire. Delicious cocktails, great wine, entertainment, and an intimate hot air balloon light up right at the doorstep of the winery. Tickets are limited and go on sale at the end of November. For more information, visit the Ha Ha Ha Kidzfest website. Proceeds from the Gala will go towards the Charity Organization Ha Ha Ha Kidzfest.
6:30-9 pm at the Cleland Theatre	Frostbite Film Night
6:30-9 pm at the Cleland Theatre	Warm up after the hot air balloons and enjoy a viewing of Cool Runnings. The Dry Grad Committees will be on site to sell you all kinds of go-to theatre treats, all by donation. Tickets are $5.00 per person or $20.00 for families (five or more people) and will be sold both in advance at the Community Centre and at the door. Limited seating - first come, first served. Proceeds will go towards the Dry Grad Committees. Doors open at 6:30pm, movie to begin promptly at 7:15pm. Door prizes to be given away at the beginning of the movie - don't miss out!

Saturday, Jan. 18

Schedule of Events for Saturday, Jan. 18

The Activate Penticton Outdoor Rink will have various games & activities happening throughout the day on Saturday, Jan. 18, all presented by the Penticton Vees. Be sure to pop by to check out the numerous games & clinics as listed below.

Saturday, Jan. 18 - Outdoor Rink Activities with the Penticton Vees
8:30-9:30am	Public Skate with Harvee
9:30am	Stick & Puck
10:30-11:30am	Vees vs Minor Hockey
12:00pm	Intro to Figure Skating
1:15-2:15pm	UpperDek Vees vs First Responders
3:00-4:00pm	Vees vs Alumni

Saturday, Jan. 18 - Outdoor Activities at Gyro Park
11 am-5 pm at Gyro Park & Main Street	Kidzfest Family Fun Zone Presented by FortisBC
11 am-5 pm at Gyro Park & Main Street	Nordic obstacle course Inflatable curling, presented by CurlBC Winter science activities presented by Okanagan Science Centre Beeswax candle making with Penticton Youth Council Maple taffy by Maple Roch Zorb balls with Amuzing Fun Rentals Miniature snowman building Hot chocolate village Photo booth and warming tent including cooking decorating by Costco Drumming and stories with Ooknakane Friendship Centre Winter button making with Valley First Family-friendly activities with FortisBC
12-8 pm at Gyro Park & Main Street	Beverage Garden
4-7 pm at Gyro Park & Main Street	Peach City Rail Jam
4-7 pm at Gyro Park & Main Street	Presented and run by Freeride Boardshop, the rail jam returns in a bigger & better set-up that will ramp up the excitement on Main Street. Registration and information can be found at Freeride Boardshop up until the day of the competition.

Sunday, Jan. 19

Schedule of Events for Sunday, Jan. 19

Sunday, January 19
9-11 am at the Barking Parrot at the Lakeside Resort	Pancake Breakfast with Penticton Fire Fighters
9-11 am at the Barking Parrot at the Lakeside Resort	Enjoy a warm pancake breakfast provided by the Penticton Fire Fighters. Purchase your ticket by donation at the door. All ages welcome.
10-10:30 am Penticton Lakeside Resort Beach (in front of the Barking Parrot)	Frosty Toes Winter Swim Presented by KISU Swim Club & Skaha Physio
	Take part as an individual or as a team to complete the Okanagan Winter Beach challenges, including fun on both land and in the water. PENSAR will be on the water to ensure all is safe while we have fun jumping in the brisk waters.

Get Your Tickets to these Special Events

Tickets are available now for the following two fundraiser events, both taking place indoors and with proceeds raised supporting our local community.

Tickets are available now for the formal Frost Fest Gala Dinner at Poplar Grove Winery on Friday, Jan. 17, featuring a three-course dinner, wine, live entertainment and a front-row look at the hot air balloon. This event is also hosted by the Penticton Vees, with players dressed in their finest attire. Funds raised will support the programming of Ha Ha Ha Kidzfest childrens’ events in Penticton.
Get your tickets!
Frostbite Film Night, featuring Cool Runnings
This fundraising event will collect proceeds for the Dry Grad Committees, supporting local high school graduates. Tickets are $5 per person or $20 for a family, with theatre treats by donation.
Tickets: $5 each or $20 per family, available at the Penticton Community Centre in advance or at the door
Where: Cleland Theatre, 325 Power Street, Penticton
When: Doors open at 6:30 p.m., draw prizes at 7 p.m., movie begins at 7:15 p.m.

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Peach City Rail Jam

The Peach City Rail Jam will take place at Gyro Park in downtown Penticton on Saturday, Jan. 18 from 5-7:30 p.m., with cash prizes plus $10,000 in sponsored giveaways up for grabs. Spectators can watch from any viewing areas around the park, with a large digital screen on display, or from the beverage garden (age 19+). A DJ and multiple food trucks will also be on-site.

The Peach City Rail Jam will take place at Gyro Park in downtown Penticton on Saturday, Jan. 18 from 5-7:30 p.m., with cash prizes plus $10,000 in sponsored giveaways up for grabs.
“Now in its second year, the rail jam has new rails and an even bigger prize pool, with pro riders coming here from all over the Thompson-Okanagan,” says Jeff Plant, sport and event supervisor. “Our custom rail jam build is now wider and has an awesome new two-part mega rail. This is definitely one of the events you won’t want to miss during Valley First Frost Fest.”
Spectators can watch from any viewing areas around the park, with a large digital screen on display, or from the beverage garden (age 19+). A DJ and multiple food trucks will also be on-site.
The City of Penticton would like to thank its sponsors and partners who have helped make this rail jam possible, including Freeride Boardshop, Apex Mountain Resort, Apex Freestyle Club, Wildstone Construction, Big Steel Box, Home Hardware, Superior Septic Services Inc., Trademark Industries and KDL Scaffold.
Valley First Frost Fest sponsors and community partners also include Valley First, Ha Ha Ha Kidzfest, the Penticton Vees, KISU Swim Club, FortisBC, Penticton Lakeside Resort, Penticton Skaha Physiotherapy, Costco Wholesale and the Province of BC.

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Frosty Toes Polar Swim

Start your day on Sunday, Jan. 19 with a brisk dip in Okanagan Lake! This polar swim is presented by KISU Swim Club & Skaha Physio, starting with a pancake breakfast by donation care of the Penticton Firefighters.

Sign the online waiver here

When: Sunday, Jan. 19 from 10-10:30am
Where: Penticton Lakeside Resort Beach (in front of the Barking Parrot)
Presented by: KISU Swim Club & Skaha Physio
If you're planning to participate in this event, you will be asked to fill out a waiver form. Save yourself some time by filling it out here online in advance!
Before taking the plunge into Okanagan Lake for the Frosty Toes Polar Swim on Sunday, Jan. 19, visit the Barking Parrot for a pancake breakfast by donation. The Penticton Firefighters will be cooking up a feast from 9-11 a.m. to raise money for the Penticton Firefighters Charitable Society.

Cocktail/Mocktail Competition

Visit our participating restaurants and have a taste of Frost Fest! Barley Mill Pub, Kin & Folk, The Hub, Sociale, Joos Box, and The Barking Parrot have all designed a special cocktail and/or mocktail to celebrate winter and the fun of Frost Fest. Order the feature cocktail or mocktail at any of the locations and then vote for your favourite.

These featured beverages and voting will only be available for a limited time, so grab your friends and head out during Frost Fest week.

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Cozy up with this Apple Spritz from The Barking Parrot Bar: Vanilla Vodka, prosecco, soma cider, apple juice, soda, and cinnamon simple syrup.

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The Barley Mill Brew Pub & Sports Bistro cocktail entry is the FrostbiteFrosty : a mix of Galliano, Blue Curacao, Crème de Cacao and Peppermint liqueur.

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Joos Box is Penticton's first mocktail bar and they are serving up a break from the Winter Blues with their Frost Fest Mocktail, the Coconut Tiki Rita.

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Kin & Folk is offering both an alcoholic and non-alcoholic version of their entry into the competition. The Rail Jam Sour (alcoholic version) combines Pisco, lillet, licor 43, lychee calpico, green tea, mint, egg white, lemon.

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The "Dolce Inverno" (meaning Sweet Winter) at Socialē Ristorante is a twist on an espresso martini: Espresso, frangelico, crème de cacao, chocolate hazelnut grappa, and crema.

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Malibu Rum, White Cranberry Juice, & Lemon Squeeze. Shaken and poured over a frozen Blue Curacao cube and rimmed with toasted coconut.

Tag the following so we can see you enjoying Frost Fest in style and stay tuned to see who will be crowned the winner of the 2025 Valley First Frost Fest Cocktail and Mocktail Competition.
#frostfestpenticton
#frostfestcocktailcompetition
#frostedsips
#frostedsipschallenge
#frostfest2025