Christmas Events for Kids in West Kelowna (2026)

Christmas Events for Kids
Written by Kelsey Cecil

Updated 4 min read

Rally the corgi has sniffed out the Christmas events for kids in West Kelowna for 2026, and all three are free. Light Up fills Brown Road in Westbank Centre on Friday, December 4 with a tree lighting countdown, Santa photos and fireworks, Winterfest brings Storytime with Santa and Skate with Santa to Mount Boucherie Community Centre on December 5 and 6, and the Twinkle Tour map leads you to the best-lit homes in the city. We check every date on the City of West Kelowna’s own pages and link straight there. For more across the country, see our Canada Christmas events for kids guide.

What Rally found in West Kelowna

  • 3 free Christmas events for kids in West Kelowna
  • Light Up: Friday, December 4, 6 to 9 pm, Brown Road
  • Fireworks: 8:45 pm at Light Up
  • Winterfest: December 5 and 6, Skate with Santa at Mount Boucherie
  • Twinkle Tour: holiday lights map through December 19

Free Christmas events for kids in West Kelowna

Tree lighting and fireworksFree

Light Up on Brown Road

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West Kelowna turns Brown Road in Westbank Centre into a holiday street party, with the Mayor, Council and CNB leadership students leading the countdown to the tree lighting at 6:30 pm.

Kids get giant inflatable games and school choirs on the main stage, Santa poses for pictures at the Heritage, and the night closes with a high-altitude fireworks show at 8:45 pm.

Parent tip: Do Santa photos first, right after 6 pm, then claim a spot on Brown Road before the 6:30 countdown and stay put for the 8:45 fireworks.

Host
City of West Kelowna (opens in a new tab)
Address
Brown Road, Westbank Centre, West Kelowna, BC (opens in maps)
Confirmed
On the host’s page, checked
See dates and detailsfrom City of West Kelowna (opens in a new tab)

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Rally’s Christmas research

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Skate with SantaFree

Winterfest: Storytime and Skate with Santa

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The weekend after Light Up, the City of West Kelowna runs Winterfest at Mount Boucherie Community Centre, using both the arena and the courtyard.

The headline activities for families are Storytime with Santa and a Skate with Santa, and the whole weekend is free.

Parent tip: Bring helmets and mitts for the little skaters, and check the city page after November 20 for the storytime and skate times.

Host
City of West Kelowna Recreation (opens in a new tab)
Address
Mount Boucherie Community Centre arena and courtyard, West Kelowna, BC (opens in maps)
Confirmed
On the host’s page, checked
See dates and detailsfrom City of West Kelowna Recreation (opens in a new tab)

New West Kelowna events every week

Rally researches Christmas events in West Kelowna daily and updates this page with new events. Enter your email to get a weekly update with new events in West Kelowna.

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Self-guided lights tourFree

Twinkle Tour Holiday Lights Map

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The Twinkle Tour is West Kelowna’s citywide holiday lights contest, with decorated homes and businesses added to an online map instead of packed onto one street.

Families can use the Twinkle Tour Map to plan an evening drive past the brightest displays, and nominations stay open until December 16 before judging on December 18.

Parent tip: Pull up the map before you leave, pick a cluster of nearby homes, and go after dark on a weeknight when the streets are quieter.

Host
City of West Kelowna (opens in a new tab)
Address
Homes and businesses across West Kelowna (Twinkle Tour Map), West Kelowna, BC (opens in maps)
Confirmed
On the host’s page, checked
See dates and detailsfrom City of West Kelowna (opens in a new tab)

New West Kelowna events every week

Rally researches Christmas events in West Kelowna daily and updates this page with new events. Enter your email to get a weekly update with new events in West Kelowna.

Free. Unsubscribe anytime. Privacy policy (opens in a new tab)

We check every event above on the host’s own page for the date, time and cost, plus the things parents ask about, like sign-ups and ages. Looking for a Santa train instead? Our Canada Christmas events for kids guide lists Santa trains and holiday rides across the country.

See every event on a December calendar

Plan your December

When each West Kelowna Christmas event for kids happens

Make it one big weekend: Light Up on Friday night, December 4, then Skate with Santa at Winterfest on Saturday or Sunday, and save a Twinkle Tour drive for any dark evening before December 19.

Looking further afield? Our Canada Christmas events for kids guide lists every confirmed event in the country, and we have city guides for Kelowna, Kamloops, Abbotsford and Vancouver. The national search sorts every event by distance from your town.

A story for the drive home

A morning with Santa or an evening of holiday stories tends to end the same way: tired kids, a long drive and one more book before bed. Our picture book follows Rally the corgi on his first train ride to see his grand-paw-rents, and every page is painted by hand. If your family is spending December missing someone, it was written for that too. For the car, print our free corgi and train coloring pages.

Rally Takes the Train book cover: a watercolor corgi peeking from a red train

A bedtime story after seeing SantaRally Takes the Train is a five-minute rhyming picture book about a corgi’s first ride on a California train, hand-painted in watercolor. $16.99 on Amazon, ages 0 to 8.

Buy on Amazon (opens in a new tab)

The story of Christmas in West Kelowna

West Kelowna's Christmas season starts the moment Santa and the mayor flip the switch on Brown Road in Westbank Centre, followed by fireworks fired high over the city. Since 2020 the city has also mapped its brightest decorated homes on the Twinkle Tour, so families can plan a lights drive street by street.

Santa and the mayor flip the switch on Brown Road, from group stations in 2021 to a street party

Light Up, which the City of West Kelowna calls its brightest event of the year, takes over Brown Road in Westbank Centre between Main Street and Gossett Road. In 2021, the Kelowna Capital News reported that families moved along the street in their own groups past activity stations such as a Treat Station and a Letters to Santa table, community groups handed out warm drinks, the lights came on at 6 pm sharp and fireworks were launched from Westbank Centre at 8:30 pm.

In 2022 the event, held on December 2, added kids' activity stations, entertainment on stage and food vendors, and Santa and Mayor Gord Milsom flipped the switch at 6 pm. High-altitude fireworks followed at 8:30 pm, visible from around Westbank Centre and Gellatly Bay. That year the city also tried a Polar Pancake Pajama Party for children 12 and younger on the Sunday morning after Light Up.

An earlier 5:30 pm lighting and fireworks from City Hall on December 5, 2025

For 2025, Light Up was on Friday, December 5, from 5 to 8 pm, and the tree lighting moved to a new, earlier time of 5:30 pm, with Santa joining Mayor Gord Milsom for the traditional ceremony. Brown Road closed from 2 to 9 pm so city crews, community groups and volunteers could set up. Live music played on an event stage presented by FortisBC, food trucks lined the street and the Market at Light Up filled the Westbank Lions Community Centre.

The high-altitude fireworks started at 7:45 pm, launched from Memorial Park and City Hall so they could be seen from many parts of the community. The city also launched Family Flicks that December, a $5 movie afternoon with popcorn at the Westbank Lions Community Centre on December 7. In 2026, Light Up on Brown Road is on Friday, December 4, with the countdown at 6:30 pm and fireworks at 8:45 pm.

The Twinkle Tour map, from its second year in 2021 to a four-category lights contest

The Twinkle Tour is West Kelowna's citywide holiday lights map. In 2021 the Capital News called it the city's second annual Twinkle Tour, running from December 1 to January 3, and in 2022 it was the third, with a downloadable scavenger hunt to do along the way. The city decorates its own buildings for the tour too, including Mt. Boucherie Recreation Complex, the four fire halls, Municipal Hall and the Elliott Road operations building.

Residents nominate a display with a photo, and every entry appears on the self-guided map and goes into the Most Festive contest. In 2025 the categories were most festive residence, business, street or cul-de-sac and other, and the map opened on November 21. For 2026, the Twinkle Tour map runs from November 20, with judging on December 18 and winners named on December 19.

Firefighters collecting food door to door and trees for BC Children's Hospital at Mission Hill

There is no Santa train in West Kelowna, so the city's other big Christmas customs are about giving. Each December, West Kelowna Fire Rescue leads its annual holiday food drive with the Central Okanagan Food Bank. In 2025, firefighters visited neighbourhoods on December 2 and 3 from 5 to 8 pm collecting non-perishable food and cash, and families could drop donations at any of the city's four fire stations until January 4, 2026.

Up the hill, the Festival of Trees at Mission Hill Family Estate fills the winery with trees decorated by local businesses, organizations and residents in support of BC Children's Hospital, and visitors vote for a favourite. In 2025 it ran from November 22 to January 4. Back in town, holiday skates at Mt. Boucherie have been part of December since at least 2021, and in 2026 they lead into Winterfest with Storytime and Skate with Santa on December 5 and 6.

Traditions today

  • Light Up on Brown Road: Santa and the mayor light Westbank Centre's holiday lights, with a street party, a market and high-altitude fireworks.
  • Twinkle Tour: A self-guided map of nominated light displays, with a Most Festive contest in four categories.
  • Firefighters' food drive: West Kelowna Fire Rescue goes door to door in early December collecting food and cash for the Central Okanagan Food Bank.
  • Decorated city buildings: Mt. Boucherie Recreation Complex, the four fire halls and Municipal Hall are decorated and added to the Twinkle Tour.
  • Holiday skates at Mt. Boucherie: Holiday-themed public and parent and tot skates run through December, and Skate with Santa joins them at Winterfest.
  • Mission Hill Festival of Trees: Decorated trees at the winery raise support for BC Children's Hospital, and visitors vote for their favourite.

A fact for kids

In West Kelowna, the fire trucks go out on Christmas food patrols. Firefighters knock on doors in early December to collect food for families who need it, and you can also drop food at any of the four fire halls.

Questions about Christmas in West Kelowna

Who lights the Christmas lights at West Kelowna's Light Up?

Santa and the mayor flip the switch together. In 2022 and 2025, Mayor Gord Milsom joined Santa for the traditional tree lighting on Brown Road. In 2025 the lights came on at 5:30 pm, a new, earlier time, and in 2026 the countdown led by the Mayor, Council and CNB leadership students is at 6:30 pm on December 4.

When was West Kelowna Light Up in 2025?

It was on Friday, December 5, 2025, from 5 to 8 pm along Brown Road in Westbank Centre. The lights came on at 5:30 pm with Santa and Mayor Gord Milsom, live music played on a FortisBC stage, the Market at Light Up filled the Westbank Lions Community Centre and fireworks started at 7:45 pm.

Where are the Christmas Light Up fireworks launched in West Kelowna?

In 2025, the high-altitude fireworks were launched from Memorial Park and City Hall so they could be seen from many parts of the community, and the City Hall parking lot closed as a safety area. In 2022 they could be seen from around Westbank Centre and Gellatly Bay. In 2026 the fireworks start at 8:45 pm.

Which part of Brown Road closes for the holiday Light Up in West Kelowna?

Brown Road closes between Gossett Road and Main Street. In 2025 it closed from 2 to 9 pm so crews, community groups and volunteers could set up and clean up, while businesses and side streets stayed open. Visitors can park on the side streets around Westbank Centre.

Is there a Christmas market at West Kelowna Light Up?

Yes. The Market at Light Up is held inside the Westbank Lions Community Centre, next to Brown Road, during the evening. In 2025 it ran alongside the street festival on December 5, and for 2026 Tourism West Kelowna lists a holiday craft market from 6 to 9 pm on December 4, with free hot chocolate and activity stations outside.

Could kids mail letters to Santa at West Kelowna Light Up?

In 2021, Light Up had a Letters to Santa station among its activity stations on Brown Road, along with a Treat Station, and community groups handed out warm drinks. Families moved along the street in their own groups that year. Bring a letter in 2026 and look for Santa near the tree lighting.

When did the West Kelowna Twinkle Tour of holiday lights start?

The Kelowna Capital News called the 2021 Twinkle Tour the city's second annual, and AM 1150 called the 2022 tour the third annual, so the tradition began in 2020. It started as a self-guided map of decorated homes and businesses, with a scavenger hunt families could download and do along the route.

What are the Twinkle Tour holiday lights contest categories in West Kelowna?

In 2025 the Most Festive contest had four categories: most festive residence, business, street or cul-de-sac, and other. Anyone can nominate a display with a photo through the online form. For 2026, nominations run until December 16, judging is on December 18 and winners are announced on December 19.

Which city buildings get Christmas decorations for the West Kelowna Twinkle Tour?

In 2021 and 2022, the city decorated Mt. Boucherie Recreation Complex, the four fire halls, Municipal Hall and the Elliott Road operations building and added them to the Twinkle Tour map. A fire hall stop is a hit with small kids, especially after hearing about the firefighters' food drive.

Does West Kelowna Fire Rescue run a Christmas food drive?

Yes. West Kelowna Fire Rescue leads an annual holiday food drive with the Central Okanagan Food Bank. In 2025, firefighters visited neighbourhoods on December 2 and 3 from 5 to 8 pm to collect non-perishable food and cash, and residents could drop donations at any of the four fire stations until January 4, 2026.

What is the Festival of Trees at Mission Hill in West Kelowna?

Each holiday season, businesses, organizations and residents decorate trees displayed through Mission Hill Family Estate winery in support of BC Children's Hospital, and guests vote for a favourite. In 2025 it ran from November 22 to January 4. Tourism West Kelowna lists it with the city's holiday light displays.

Where can kids skate with Santa in West Kelowna?

At Winterfest, held at Mount Boucherie Community Centre on December 5 and 6, 2026, using both the arena and the courtyard. Storytime with Santa and Skate with Santa are the headline family activities, and the weekend is free. Holiday-themed public and parent and tot skates at Mt. Boucherie have been part of December since at least 2021.

What was the Polar Pancake Pajama Party in West Kelowna?

It was a new holiday event in 2022 for families with children 12 and younger, held on Sunday, December 4 from 9 to 11 am, two days after Light Up. Families pre-registered through the Recreation and Culture Department. Check the city's winter recreation guide for current holiday programs.

Is there a Christmas movie for families in West Kelowna?

In 2025 the city started Family Flicks, a family movie series that opened with a holiday screening on Sunday, December 7 from 2 to 4:30 pm at the Westbank Lions Community Centre. Admission was $5 a person with popcorn, candy and a drink, and children had to come with an adult and pre-register.

What time do the holiday Light Up fireworks start in West Kelowna in 2026?

The fireworks are scheduled for 8:45 pm on Friday, December 4, 2026, weather permitting, after an evening of inflatable games, school choirs on the main stage and Santa photos at the Heritage. The tree lighting countdown is at 6:30 pm, and the whole event on Brown Road runs from 6 to 9 pm.

How has the Light Up tree lighting time changed in West Kelowna?

In 2021 and 2022 the lights came on at 6 pm, with fireworks at 8:30 pm. In 2025 the city moved the lighting to 5:30 pm as a new time and the fireworks to 7:45 pm. For 2026, the countdown is at 6:30 pm and the fireworks are at 8:45 pm on December 4.

Where is the best place to see Christmas lights in West Kelowna?

Start with Brown Road in Westbank Centre, where the Light Up display shines through the holidays, then use the Twinkle Tour map to find nominated homes, businesses and festive cul-de-sacs. Tourism West Kelowna also points families to the Festival of Trees at Mission Hill Family Estate.

Are there free Christmas events in West Kelowna for toddlers?

Light Up, the Twinkle Tour and Winterfest are all free. Little ones enjoy the inflatable games, choirs and Santa photos at Light Up on December 4, 2026, and Storytime with Santa at Winterfest on December 5 and 6. Parent and tot holiday skates at Mt. Boucherie have been offered in past Decembers.

Can we nominate our Christmas lights for the West Kelowna Twinkle Tour?

Yes. Take a photo of the holiday light display and fill in the city's online nomination form, for your own home or a neighbour's. Entries appear on the self-guided Twinkle Tour map and are entered in the Most Festive contest. In 2026 nominations close December 16, ahead of judging on December 18.

What do families bring to West Kelowna Light Up?

Dress warmly for an evening outdoors on Brown Road in December, and bring a letter for Santa and some cash for the food trucks. If you want to give, the firefighters' holiday food drive collects non-perishable food in early December, and donations can be dropped at any of West Kelowna's four fire stations.

Sources

  1. Brown Road closed on Dec. 5 for the annual Light Up event, City of West Kelowna
  2. Save these festive dates and celebrate the holiday season with the West Kelowna community, City of West Kelowna
  3. Council Highlights, Nov. 25, 2025, City of West Kelowna
  4. West Kelowna hosting handful of festive events for the holidays, AM 1150
  5. West Kelowna Christmas events returning for the holidays, Kelowna Capital News
  6. West Kelowna Holiday Light Displays, Tourism West Kelowna
  7. Light Up in West Kelowna, Tourism West Kelowna

Keep the Christmas magic going: track Rally the corgi on Christmas Eve, print free Christmas coloring pages, learn how to say Merry Christmas in 100+ languages, find train museums to visit with kids, or browse Christmas events in every Canada city.

West Kelowna Christmas events for kids: questions parents ask

What are the best Christmas events for kids in West Kelowna this year?

Rally Takes the Train has confirmed 3 free Christmas events for kids in West Kelowna for 2026, all run by the City of West Kelowna: Light Up on Brown Road on December 4, Winterfest with Storytime and Skate with Santa on December 5 and 6, and the Twinkle Tour holiday lights map.

When is the West Kelowna Light Up in 2026?

Friday, December 4, 2026, from 6 to 9 pm on Brown Road in Westbank Centre. The tree lighting countdown is at 6:30 pm and fireworks start at 8:45 pm. It is free.

Where can kids skate with Santa in West Kelowna?

At Winterfest, held Saturday and Sunday, December 5 and 6, 2026, in the arena and courtyard at Mount Boucherie Community Centre. It is free, and the city posts the full schedule on November 20.

How does the West Kelowna Twinkle Tour work?

Homes and businesses are nominated to an online Twinkle Tour Map from November 20 to December 16, judging is on December 18 and winners are announced on December 19, 2026. Families use the map to drive or walk past the displays for free.

Who do I contact about West Kelowna holiday events?

The City of West Kelowna: events@westkelownacity.ca for Light Up and the Twinkle Tour, and recreation@westkelownacity.ca for Winterfest. The main line is 778-797-1000.

Are there more Christmas events near West Kelowna?

Yes. Our Canada Christmas events for kids guide lists every confirmed event across Canada, and the national search sorts events by distance from your town.

How do you confirm these events?

We list an event only after we find this season’s date on the host’s own website or an official city or tourism calendar. We last checked West Kelowna on November 11, 2026. Rally is also contacting each organizer to confirm details like parking, washrooms and bad-weather plans.

Event names belong to their hosts. Rally Takes the Train is a family picture book and is not affiliated with, sponsored by or endorsed by any host listed here. Confirm dates, times and prices on each host’s own site before you go.

Kelsey Cecil
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