Summer fun for community togetherness: 10 free activities to enjoy this season

If you’ve ever spent a summer in Kelowna, you know how magical it feels. While the Okanagan is a four-season playground, summer is when we really shine. The streets fill with tourists, our parks and beaches explode with life and the sunshine never ends.

Summer is also the biggest season for our recreation staff, as we host over ten free events and activities for families across the city. We believe in fostering community and bringing residents together for social connection, staying active and good old fashioned summer fun. Some of these events have become Kelowna staples for many years, and we can’t wait for you to join us!

1. Customer Appreciation Day & Summer Kick Off
   June 14 | 7 a.m. – 6 p.m. | Parkinson Recreation Centre
   Join us for indoor and outdoor celebrations at PRC with free access to the pool and fitness centre all day long! You’ll also enjoy refreshments, games, prizes and more. Plus, learn more about City initiatives and upcoming events.
2. Dancing in the Park
   Wednesday nights from July 12-August 30 | 6:30 – 7:45 p.m. | Stuart Park
   Dance along with a qualified instructor at Stuart Park - try a different style of dance every week. No advance registration is required. Just show up! All ages, abilities and experiences are welcome.
3. Sunset Yoga
   Wednesday nights from July 12-August 30 | 8 – 9 p.m. | Stuart Park
   Enjoy the sunset with a yoga practice taught by a qualified instructor at Stuart Park. All ages, abilities and experiences are welcome. Please bring your own yoga mat. This event follows Dancing in the Park, which runs from 6:30-7:45 p.m. Join us for both events or just one. No advance registration is required.
4. Roller Nights
   Tuesday nights from July 11-August 29 | 7:30 – 9:30 p.m. | Stuart Park
   Come roll with us at Stuart Park! Bring your inline or roller skates (plus your helmet) for an evening of skating with friends. No advance registration is required. All ages, abilities and experiences are welcome. No skates? No problem! Skate rentals are available on-site.
5. Park & Play
   Weeknights throughout July & August | 5 – 8 p.m. | Various parks
   Wednesday mornings throughout July & August | 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. | Various parks
   Park & Play is a free, all-ages event that brings games and activities to parks across the city. Bring your family, friends and neighbours to Park & Play to enjoy recreational activities like soccer, running parachutes, disc slam, Spikeball, catch, bean bag toss, giant board games, relays, inflatables, and more. Festivals Kelowna’s ParksAlive! program will even be on-site six different times this summer with musical entertainment. Plus, Park & Play “pops-up” with even more opportunities for families to play on Wednesday mornings from 10 a.m. until noon!
6. Meet Me on Bernard
   July 1 – September 4 | all day | 200 & 300 blocks of Bernard Avenue
   Find your groove with live music, connect with friends on a sun-drenched patio, shop exciting retailers or just stroll through and soak up the good vibes on Kelowna’s main downtown street. Plus, there’s lots of free events happening to enjoy all season:
        - July 11 & August 3: Arts on the Avenue, hosted by Festivals Kelowna. On the 200 and 300 blocks.
        - July 22: Block Party, hosted by Downtown Kelowna Association. On blocks 200-500.
        - August 19: Show N Shine Auto Show, hosted by Downtown Kelowna Association. On blocks 200-500.
        - Fridays & Saturdays, starting July 7: ParksAlive! musical entertainment at Kerry Park, hosted by Festivals Kelowna.
        - Sundays, starting June 18: Kelowna Farmers & Crafters Market at Kerry Park.
7. Kelowna Made
   August 26 | all day | Downtown
   Kelowna Made is an all-ages community celebration created by Kelowna residents for Kelowna residents. Enjoy face painting, a pancake breakfast, sports and cultural activities, sandcastle building and belly flop contests, live performances and more!
8. Cultural District Walking Tours
   Saturdays from July 8 – September 30 | 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. | 238 Queensway Avenue
   Follow a historical route of approximately two kilometres, highlighting the past and present of Kelowna’s cultural core, starting and ending at the Kelowna Visitor Centre. You can also take self-guided tours at your own convenience using the online tour brochure or pick up a hard copy at the Kelowna Visitor Centre. You can even take the mobile tour from the comfort of your own home! Please note that there is no tour on August 5 or September 2.
9. Knox Mountain Park interactive challenges
   Anytime | 450 Knox Mountain Drive
   Knox Your Sox Off! And the Knox Challenge – two interactive and fun ways to enjoy your hike up Knox Mountain Park along the Apex Trail. You just need your phone (GPS on), water and some good shoes. Whether you want to explore the history of the park and the flora and fauna it’s home to or want a timed fitness test, these challenges have you covered! Learn more at kelowna.ca/activebynature or download the QuestUpon app on your iPhone or Android device.
10. Explore Kelowna’s Paddle Trail
    Anytime | Okanagan Lake
    Enjoy paddling our beautiful shoreline and explore new parks and beaches along the way with the Paddle Trail Map brochure. Our vast 28-kilometre paddle trail network can connect you to many fun summer experiences!

We hope you’ll join us at one of our events or try a new activity this summer. Everyone is welcome, whether you’re a new resident, a newcomer to Canada or have lived here for years. There is space for us all to enjoy everything our beautiful city has to offer.

Find more information, schedules and other City events at kelowna.ca/calendar. We can’t wait to see you this summer!