Entire Okanagan going Wild for annual Christmas lights festivals
Christmas kickoffs begin this Friday
The Celtic musicians in Cod Gone Wild will be busy spreading Christmas cheer around the Okanagan in the next 10 days.
The band is scheduled to play at Christmas light-up events in Summerland and West Kelowna.
Summerland’s 31st annual Festival of Lights takes place this Friday, with events like the Santa parade beginning at 5 p.m. There are kids’ games, pony rides, a train made out of ATVs, live entertainment, and the flipping of the switch at 7 p.m.
Cod Gone Wild will perform from 7:15-8:15 p.m., followed by fireworks at 8:30 p.m.
Kelowna’s downtown light-up on Saturday is preceded by a day-long winter market with dozens of vendors setting up inside tents along a closed-off stretch of Water Street between City Hall and Stuart Park.
The rink will be open for skating, weather permitting, and the lighting of the 70-foot artificial Christmas tree occurs at 6 p.m.
The Lake Country light-up also takes place this Saturday, from 3-5 p.m. at Memorial Park. There’s craft-making for kids and a big bonfire to keep everyone warm.
West Kelowna’s Christmas lightup is on Friday, Dec. 7, from 5-8 p.m. along Brown Road between Main Street and Gosset Road. Along with free hot drinks, a children’s choir, a visit from Santa and more kids’ games, Cod Gone Wild will perform beginning at 7 p.m., right after the turning-on of the festive lights.
In Peachland, the light-up is also set for Dec. 7, and includes activities and events at venues such as the historic schoolhouse, the Boys and Girls Club, Heritage Park, and the art gallery.
Families can gather at the community centre before 6 p.m. for the popular glow walk to Heritage Park, with everyone following Santa aboard a fire truck. The light-up is at 6:30 p.m. Silver Star ski resort’s Christmas lightup starts at 5 p.m. on Friday.