Lifestyle
Art, Music & Culture in Kelowna
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Kelowna's arts and culture scene centres on the downtown Cultural District, home to the Kelowna Art Gallery, the Rotary Centre for the Arts and the Alternator Centre for Contemporary Art. Theatres, live music and festivals have grown with the city, and there's more on than its size suggests. It isn't Vancouver or Toronto for the arts, but a small arts community has an upside: events are easy to get into and artists are easy to meet.
Arts & Cultural Venues
The main arts venues are the Kelowna Art Gallery, the Rotary Centre for the Arts, the Kelowna Community Theatre and the Okanagan Heritage Museum, with the galleries and studios of the downtown Cultural District rounding out the list.
Kelowna Art Gallery
The gallery on Water Street downtown runs changing shows of modern Canadian and international art, plus talks, workshops and art programs for kids.
Rotary Centre for the Arts
The heart of the Cultural District is this arts centre, with studios, galleries, a theatre and the Alternator Centre for Contemporary Art. Expect dance, theatre and music shows, exhibits, workshops and community events all year.
Kelowna Community Theatre
A large venue owned and run by the City of Kelowna, hosting touring shows, concerts, comedy and community performances. It draws national and international acts.
Cultural District
The downtown area between Water Street and Ellis Street is packed with galleries, studios, murals and public art, including the Kelowna Art Gallery, the Alternator Centre and many independent galleries and studios. On first Fridays, gallery walks open it all up, so you can browse studios, meet artists and have a glass of wine.
Okanagan Heritage Museum
The regional history museum, in a historic building downtown, tells the story of the Okanagan's land, its Indigenous peoples and its settlers. It also runs changing exhibits, school programs and community events.
Live Music & Performing Arts
Live music and theatre here range from summer brewery and winery concerts to touring acts at Prospera Place, along with local theatre from Kelowna Actors Studio and the Okanagan Symphony Orchestra.
Brewery & Winery Concerts
All summer, BNA Brewing, Red Bird Brewing, Mission Hill Estate and other spots host live music, from a jazz trio on a winery patio to full bands at a brewery festival. It's a regular part of Okanagan social life.
Prospera Place
The city's 6,886-seat arena is home to WHL Kelowna Rockets hockey, big touring concerts and community events. Past acts have ranged from classic rock to hip-hop to country. The lineup is more varied than you might expect, so check the schedule.
Kelowna Actors Studio
A local theatre company that puts on about six shows a season in a small, cozy space. You'll see musicals, dramas and comedies with local actors. Season tickets are affordable, and the company has strong community support.
Okanagan Symphony Orchestra
A professional orchestra that plays a full season of classical concerts at the Kelowna Community Theatre, with guest soloists, themed shows and family concerts. Tickets are fairly priced.
What festivals happen in Kelowna?
The big yearly festivals include Canada Day at City Park, the Okanagan Wine Festivals, the Kelowna Fringe Festival and Kelowna Pride, and nearby towns add events like the Penticton Peach Festival.
Okanagan Wine Festivals
Spring and fall festivals built around the region's wine and food, with tastings, winemaker dinners, talks and special events.
Canada Day at City Park
The city's biggest yearly party, every July 1st. Tens of thousands of people come for live music, food vendors, activities and fireworks over Okanagan Lake.
Kelowna Fringe Festival
A yearly festival of theatre, comedy, spoken word and experimental shows in venues across downtown. Tickets are cheap and the lineup leans experimental.
Penticton Peach Festival / Peachland World of Wheels
Small-town festivals that celebrate the Okanagan's farming roots, with parades, car shows and food vendors.
Kelowna Pride
A week of events capped by a parade and festival. The local LGBTQ+ community is active and growing, and Pride events get wide support.
Cultural Tip: A Kelowna Art Gallery membership gets you free entry, early looks at exhibits and event invites. For an up-to-date calendar of arts events, follow Kelowna Creates on social media.