Join in on a weekend of holiday festivities and fun with Kamloops Wine Trail Holiday Open House.

(SUBMITTED WOODWARD CHRISTMAS TREES / iNFOnews.ca)

The tree farms are opening, the crafts are ready and there’s football on the big screens this weekend in Kamloops and throughout the Okanagan. Planning for the weekend starts now. 

KAMLOOPS

The festive season is upon us and that means it’s time for celebration with the much-anticipated Opening Weekend for Woodward Christmas Tree Farms and The Kamloops Wine Trail Holiday Open House at Privato Vineyard and Winery and Woodward Cider Co.

This Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. enjoy all the yuletide charms of their Winter Wonderland including hay wagon rides, crackling bonfire, food truck, hot chocolate, mulled wine, hot apple cider, wishing tree, Santa’s Elves and everyone’s favorite, photos with Santa.

Your complimentary Santa photos will be taken with your donation to the Gaby Davis Foundation and will be available to print. This annual welcome to the Christmas season is fun for the whole family and kids from one to ninety-two.

The fun doesn’t stop there. All three of our local wineries along the Kamloops Wine Trail are offering complimentary wine tastings as well as a selection of holiday entertainment, shopping prizes and more.

Enjoy the festivities at Privato with Woodward Cider Co. and Woodward Christmas Trees, a local artisan market at Harper's Trail and an incredible ice sculpture at Monte Creek Ranch. For more info. on this free event visit here. 

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Join the TRU Campus Activity Centre for the annual Christmas Craft Fair November 25 from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Find that perfect homemade happiness to complete your Christmas collections or to cross that special someone's gift from your to-do list. With over 100 vendors you won't be disappointed.

Your attendance will also be a Christmas gift to abandoned, abused and neglected animals from the community. Take part in 50/50 draws for a chance at some extra spending money. Visit here to find out more.

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Come join the Caribbean Cultural Society for a night of games and fun as they use this opportunity to connect people from all over the Caribbean.

If you would like to donate a treat from your Caribbean country feel free to do so.

Membership is open to all nationalities, colour and race that would typically make up the Caribbean.

Sign up and become a member and help the society create a warm and welcoming environment for fellow Caribbean people, who are new and want to call Kamloops home.

The fun begins at 2 p.m. Saturday, November 23 at the Holiday Inn and Suites on Tranquille Rd.

VERNON

The Debaters Live is coming live to Vernon on Saturday, November 23 at 7:30 p.m.

Host Steve Patterson and guests Graham Chittenden and DeAnne Smith will have you rolling with laughter.

This is the comedy stage show where the comics go mistletoe to toe in a battle of laughs and logic and the audience picks the winner.

This festive special features host Steve Patterson and two of Canada’s top headlining comics performing stand-up and two hilarious debates in everyone’s favourite comedy debate format.

But that’s not all. Before Steve launches into the debate portion, The Debaters Live on Tour gets the holiday hilarity rolling with razor-sharp stand-up comedy from all three of these world-class comics.

The Debaters Live on Tour Holiday Special features two debates in the format familiar to fans of the popular radio show The Debaters. Program creator and tour producer, Richard Side, is excited to present this extraordinary line-up that will deliver the festive fun and will leave audiences debating only one thing: which part of the evening made them laugh the hardest.

These all-new comedic clashes are for live audiences only and will not be recorded for broadcast. No two live shows are ever alike so get your tickets here for a once in a lifetime experience. 

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On Friday, November 22 from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. join the Okanagan Artisans Guild for the 40th Annual Sale at the Prestige Vernon Lodge showcasing the best artisans the Okanagan has to offer.

The next day, Saturday, November 23 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. continue your holiday shopping at Alexis Park Church featuring local crafters and small businesses with inventory.

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Kick off the holidays and plan your Christmas wine menu at a unique event in Okanagan wine country.

Commonage Market and the Predator Ridge Wine Club present the first annual Home for the Holidays, a holiday wine shopping event where you can taste and order wines direct from local and international wineries and have them delivered to you in time for Christmas.

Attendees will have access to advance purchases of many items in limited supply that will pair well for your home entertaining season. Order wines and spirits on the spot and have them arrive in time for the holiday season.

While you shop, enjoy light snacks made by an award-winning culinary team and live festive entertainment.

The event runs Friday, November 22 from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. in the Commonage Ballroom. Tickets are $25 per person and are available only online here. 

KELOWNA

The Rutland Centennial Hall is hosting its 11th Annual Christmas Extravaganza on Saturday, November 23 from 9 a.m.-3 p.m.

There will be awesome one stop shopping for all with 60 amazing exhibitors showcasing their wares for your shopping ease and enjoyment.

Door prizes, bake sale and refreshments will be available.

Admission is Free, but food and cash donations for the Kelowna Food Bank will gladly be accepted. More details can be found here. 

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The Grey Cup Party fun kicks off at the West Kelowna Yacht Club Sunday, November 24 from 2 to 7 p.m.

Bar opens at 2 p.m. with kick off at 3 p.m. with $2 pools to get in on. Half time drink and food specials add to the party. Call the club for tickets at 250-768-5472.

PENTICTON

Get Ready to Light Up Downtown Penticton.

Head to Nanaimo Square at the corner of Main St. and Nanaimo Ave. for the annual Tree Light Up Festival and Downtown Open House Friday, Nov. 22 from 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. to celebrate the arrival of the holiday season in Downtown Penticton.

The evening will include activities, live performances and music, free hot chocolate and apple cider, plus a special visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus.

Many Downtown businesses will extend their hours and offer unique in-store features so you can conveniently get a head-start on holiday shopping. Bring the whole family and enjoy the holiday magic as we light up Penticton’s favourite Christmas tree, right in the heart of Downtown. Check out the event webpage here.

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Sage Valley Voices ABBA's Greatest Hits kicks off Desert Valley Hospice's annual fundraiser.

The hospice society is pleased to announce that the 12th annual Celebration of Caring Hands promises to be an entertaining and lively event. Hosted in the foyer in the beautiful Venables Theatre in Oliver, the event will feature the Sage Valley Voices performing a medley of ABBA's greatest hits and songs from the smash hit musical, Mamma Mia.

This amazing evening will offer silent and live auction items as well as the infamous silent auction for baked goods. The auctions feature gift baskets, handmade quilts, a fine selection of local wines, and merchandise generously donated by merchants in the South Okanagan Valley. The wine bar is graciously hosted by Sonora Desert Winery. Proceeds of all auction and wine sales will benefit Desert Valley Hospice Society.

The event will also focus on raising awareness of Desert Valley Hospice Society and its important work, both in the past and the years ahead.

Tickets for the event on Saturday, November 23 from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. are only $25 which includes one complimentary glass of wine and appetizers. Tickets are on sale at Venables Theatre Box Office and Divine Ink Esthetics and Barbering in Oliver, Mills Office Pro in Osoyoos, online at Eventbrite and at the Society's office in Osoyoos.

Attendees are encouraged to dress up in fashions of the 1970s and early 1980s. Prizes for Best Dressed will be awarded. For more information or tickets, contact Desert Valley Hospice Society at 250-495-1590, or visit the web site here.

To contact our events coordinator, email Stacy Pavlov or email the editor. You can also submit photos, videos or news tips to the newsroom and be entered to win a monthly prize draw.

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