Festival weekend planner
Okanagan Winter Wine Festival — a 3-day weekend in Okanagan Valley
15–25 January. Kelowna, Canada.
The weekend, day by day
- Day 1
Arrive in Kelowna
Land at Kelowna International Airport (YLW), settle in and walk the old town in the afternoon. Light dinner near your accommodation — save your appetite for the festival day.
- Day 2
Okanagan Winter Wine Festival
Festival day — arrive early to avoid the lunchtime crowd. Insider tip: This is the best time to visit Okanagan wineries without crowds — many offer private barrel tasting appointments usually unavailable in summer. Big White Ski Resort events combine ski passes with winery dinners at valley prices.
- Day 3
Wine country day in Okanagan Valley
Use the third day for a single winery visit (booked ahead) and a long lunch at one of the regional addresses below before heading home.
Where to stay
Three angles for the festival window. Festival hotels book out 6+ months in advance — apartments are the contingency when the main shortlist is sold out.
- Hotels in Kelowna
Live inventory around the festival window — 2 adults, all star ratings.
- 4–5 star options near Kelowna
Higher-end shortlist when you want the milestone weekend treatment.
- Apartments in Kelowna
Self-catering option — useful when festival hotels sell out 6+ months ahead.
Booking.com links — we may earn a commission. We never recommend hotels we wouldn't use ourselves.
One winery worth a detour
Mission Hill Family Estate
Canada's most architecturally impressive winery with stunning lake views, making wines that prove the Okanagan belongs in the global fine wine conversation.
- Address
- 1730 Mission Hill Rd, West Kelowna, BC V4T 2E4, Canada
- Appointment
- walk-in
- Tasting price
- CAD 15 · Flight of 4 wines
- Website
- Visit
Practical
- Nearest airport
- Kelowna International Airport (YLW)
- Festival site
- Visit official site
Insider tip
This is the best time to visit Okanagan wineries without crowds — many offer private barrel tasting appointments usually unavailable in summer. Big White Ski Resort events combine ski passes with winery dinners at valley prices.
Want a longer trip than the festival weekend?
The milestone-trip planner builds a 3–10 day Okanagan Valley itinerary with accommodation, tours, and pacing options.
Plan a Okanagan Valley trip →