The Kamloops Santa Claus Parade has a new time this year. The fun gets underway at 4 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 17, 2019.

Image Credit: Tourism Kamloops

There are all kinds of festive events from Kamloops to Penticton to lift your holiday spirits this weekend.

KAMLOOPS

The Annual Santa Claus Parade, presented by Thompson Rivers University, returns Sunday, November 17, and Downtown Kamloops would like to invite everyone to join the biggest outdoor Christmas celebration of the year. This year, things are being done a little differently by having a parade at dusk, beginning at 4 p.m.

The parade theme, Power of Community, starts in Downtown Kamloops at 2 Avenue and St. Paul Street, runs down 2 Avenue to Victoria Street and along Victoria Street ending at 6 Avenue.

For more details visit the website here.

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The darkness of night comes to light during a celebration of Thompson Rivers University’s new Intercultural Club and Festival of Lights Friday, November 15 from 5 to 9 p.m. at the House of Learning on College Drive.

The evening is free and no alcohol or outside food is allowed. Complimentary food and drinks are available and traditional dress is encouraged. RSVP here. 

VERNON

This is the annual craft fair you don’t want to let pass you by.

The 19th Festival of Crafts and Gifts runs Friday, November 15 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday, November 16 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Kal Tire Place.

Throughout the past 19 years, Vernon Presents has earned a reputation as being one of the premier Christmas craft shows in the Okanagan. The event typically attracts over 100 vendors with crafts ranging from paintings, artisan pottery, hand-crafted candles and jewelry, table linens, creative crib boards, homemade salsa and much, much more. It truly can be said that there is something at the show for everyone.

Admission is only $4 per person and kids 12 and under are free. Parking is free and a portion of the proceeds go to Vernon Hospice House.

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This is nuts.

The annual Harvest Sale with Rancho Vignola returns to the Vernon Recreation Centre Friday, November 15 from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturday, November 16 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Come out and taste the new crop nuts, seeds and dried fruit, and stock up for the season.

Wondering what "New Crop" means? It is Rancho Vignola’s commitment to bringing you the freshest possible products, grown and harvested this year. While many people are familiar with the benefits of buying in-season produce, the benefits of fresh, new crop nuts are less well known because grocery stores stock them on the shelf year-round. But these new crop nuts, seeds and dried fruit taste different. 

Come and sample before you buy.

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Capture the magic of winter under glass in this Winter Terrarium Make N' Take Workshop at Nicholas Alexander Home and Garden Landscaping on Friday, November 15 at 5:30 p.m.

Create your own winter scene featuring a living mini evergreen tree, faux snow and LED twinkle lights.

This workshop includes everything you need to create and customize your own wintery scene. Including a quality glass terrarium kit, living evergreen tree, soil, lights, snacks and a beverage.

Customize your creation further with your choice of Holiday Ornament, for an additional fee.

For more info and to reserve your spot, call 250-542-8881.

KELOWNA

A Perfect Match Events is hosting our first annual Christmas Shopping Fair at the West Kelowna Lions Community Centre on Sunday, November 17 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Your one-stop shopping destination for Christmas including gift baskets, skincare, makeup, essential oils, clothing, knitting, baking, jewelry, wine accessories, ornaments, Christmas signs, tea, spices, hot sauces, romantic products, Italian foods, light up balloons and much more. Tickets are $5 and include a glass of Christmas Cheer while shopping. Buy your ticket here.

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This is going to be a tasty kitchen party.

Canada’s Great Kitchen Party Kelowna, a regional qualifier for the Canadian Culinary Championships, takes place Friday, November 15 at the Delta Grand Okanagan Resort from 6 to 10 p.m.

This prestigious evening will celebrate Canadian excellence and provide young Canadians with the opportunity to be extraordinary through sport, music and food.

The evening begins with the culinary competition where seven talented chefs from the Okanagan serve their chosen dish, paired with a Canadian beverage, to a panel of judges. They will choose one chef to be the first regional Kelowna chef to be named the gold medalist and move on to represent Kelowna in the finals in Ottawa on January 31 and February 1, 2020.

For info and tickets visit the website here. 

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Quails’ Gate Winery in West Kelowna will be hosting the Sugar Plum Fair once again this year Saturday, November 16 and Sunday, November 17 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Activities will include an array of local vendors and crafters, holiday carolers, selfie opportunities with the Grinch and Sugar Plum Fairy, children’s craft centre and photos with Santa, book your photo time in advance.

The wine shop will offer 15 per cent off wine and merchandise, Old Vines Restaurant will be selling hot chocolate, mulled wine and snacks and there will be on-site babysitting.

The family-friendly event raises funds for the Food Bank and Inn from the Cold. Please bring a donation of an unwrapped gift, non-perishable food item or gently used clothes, coats and footwear.

PENTICTON

It's the most wonderful time of the year: the 2019 Okanagan Falls Winery Association Holiday Cheer Open House weekend at Noble Ridge Vineyard and Winery in Okanagan Falls.

Gather with them in the warmth of the winery Saturday, November 16 and Sunday, November 17 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. for live music, a display of gift ideas and as special seasonal pairing with their 2014 port-style wine The Crown.

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On Sunday, November 17 the Penticton United Church comes alive during the Eighth Annual Choral Extravaganza.

Come spend time enjoying seven Okanagan Choirs perform a wide range of compositions performed by the Penticton Tune-Agers, Musaic Vocal Ensemble, Sage Valley Voices, Naramata Community Choir, Penticton Secondary Concert Choir, Jubilation

Singers and the Penticton United Church Sanctuary Choir and Friends.

The concert concludes with three mass choir numbers. Tickets available at the door for this family-friendly event. Children under 12 are $5 and adults are $15.

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.

We welcome your comments and opinions on our stories but play nice. We won't censor or delete comments unless they contain off-topic statements or links, unnecessary vulgarity, false facts, spam or obviously fake profiles. If you have any concerns about what you see in comments, email the editor in the link above. 

News from © iNFOnews, 2019