Pride Festival & Pro Basketball hit Kelowna this Saturday 🌈🏀

The Memorial Cup is behind us and Kelowna is already onto its next big moment — Pride Week is in full swing, HOOPFEST tips off Saturday, the Best of Kelowna 2026 winners are out, and the community showed up in the best possible way for a local vet clinic this week. Kelowna never stops. Let's get into it.

☀ Good News Only

🏆 Best of Kelowna 2026 winners are here

The votes are in and the community has spoken — the official Best of Kelowna 2026 winners have been announced by KelownaNow. Thousands of votes were cast across hundreds of categories recognizing the incredible local businesses, people, and organizations that make this city such a vibrant place to live, work, and thrive. From favourite restaurants and beauty professionals to fitness studios, trades, and community leaders — the full list is now live at bestof.kelownanow.com. A great excuse to discover a local business you haven't tried yet.
Source: KelownaNow

🌿 MEC bringing Canada's first permanent Gear Swap store to Kelowna

Mountain Equipment Company is opening Canada's very first permanent Gear Swap resale and repair store right here in Kelowna. The 2,200-square-foot dedicated space, adjacent to the existing MEC location, will allow members to trade in used outdoor gear for credit, shop secondhand equipment, and access repair services — all in one spot. Kelowna was chosen because of its deeply engaged outdoor community. The refreshed store opens June 20–21 with a two-day anniversary celebration, and Gear Swap intake officially begins June 25. A well-deserved validation of how active our city truly is.
Source: Castanet · KelownaNow

🌸 Community rallies for local vet clinic

This one is pure Kelowna. When two charity flower baskets were stolen from Okanagan Veterinary Hospital on Sexsmith Road — baskets purchased to support the Paws It Forward dog rescue fundraiser — the community responded immediately. Within a day, The Greenery Garden Centre and a local resident named Norm stepped up with replacement baskets for the clinic entrance. The hospital took to social media to express gratitude, saying the bright new blooms have restored a welcoming touch for patients, visitors, and staff. It's a small story with a big heart — and a good reminder of what this community is made of.
Source: Castanet

🚌 Okanagan College Transit Exchange getting a major upgrade

Construction is underway this week on a significant upgrade to the Okanagan College Transit Exchange on KLO Road — part of a $16.5 million Kelowna Exchanges program funded by federal, provincial, and municipal investment. The improvements include expanded bay and passenger areas, two new weather-protected bus shelters, enhanced traffic flow on campus, and new wayfinding signage. The work is designed to support growing student enrolment and future transit service increases. Expected to be complete by October 2026.
Source: City of Kelowna · Kelowna Capital News

📊 88% of Kelowna residents rate their quality of life as good

The City of Kelowna's 2026 Citizen Survey is out — and the headline is a positive one. A full 88% of residents rate their quality of life as good, and 76% say they receive good value for their municipal tax dollars. The survey also found that satisfaction with city services remains high across parks, recreation, and community programs. While social issues and safety remain areas of concern for many residents, the overwhelming baseline of local pride and satisfaction is something to acknowledge and build on.
Source: Vernon Matters

📆 This Week in Kelowna

All Week - Pride Week
Kelowna Pride Week — May 31 to Saturday June 6
Various venues · Downtown Kelowna

Pride Week wraps up this Saturday with its biggest day yet. Tonight's highlights include the Pride Bike Ride starting at 5pm from RCA Commons to Railside Brewing. Friday June 5 brings the Grand Finale of Kelowna's Next Drag Superstar at Red Bird Brewing — doors at 7pm, show at 8pm, tickets $35, 19+. Saturday June 6 is the big one: opening ceremonies at Stuart Park at 9:30am, the Pride March to City Park at 11am, and the full Pride Festival at City Park from 11am–3pm with over 10,000 attendees expected. All ages, all welcome.
Source: Kelowna Pride · Kelowna Capital News

Free - Tonight
Aaron Wylder & Joshua Smith — Live at Red Bird Brewing
Red Bird Brewing, 1080 Richter St · Thursday June 4 · 8:00–10:00pm · Free

A free live music night at Red Bird Brewing featuring Aaron Wylder and Joshua Smith — two artists bringing indie folk, Americana, and heartfelt storytelling to one of Kelowna's most welcoming taprooms. No cover, no tickets, just show up. A great way to cap off your Night Market evening.

Tonight - Ticketed
Okanagan Angel Summit — Investor & Founder Forum + Finale
Kelowna Innovation Centre · Thursday June 4 · Forum all day · Finale evening · Tickets on Eventbrite

The 8th Annual Okanagan Angel Summit runs all day today with the Investor & Founder Forum at the Kelowna Innovation Centre — bringing together entrepreneurs, angel investors, and ecosystem leaders for conversations about early-stage venture investing. The evening Finale presented by ATB Wealth sees five top Canadian startups pitch for a $200,000+ investment. One of Kelowna's most exciting annual business events. Learn More

Saturday - Ticketed, 19+
Kelowna's Next Drag Superstar — Grand Finale
Red Bird Brewing, 1080 Richter St · Saturday June 6 · Doors 7pm · Show 8pm · $35

After a full season of fierce competition, the finalists of Kelowna's Next Drag Superstar take the stage at Red Bird Brewing for the grand finale — competing for the crown, the glory, and a cash prize. Presented by Rebellious Unicorns as part of Pride Week. A jaw-dropping night of performance art in an intimate venue.
Buy Tickets Here

Saturday Night - Ticketed
Shambhala Pre-Party — Revelry Food & Music Hub
Revelry Food & Music Hub, 1383 Ellis St · Saturday June 6 · 7:00pm

Shambhala season kicks off early with the official pre-party at Revelry — one of Kelowna's best live music venues. A high-energy electronic music night that's become a beloved annual tradition for the valley's music community. Check here for tickets.

Kelowna First - Saturday Night
🏀 Kelowna HOOPFEST — Vancouver Bandits vs. Saskatoon Mamba
Prospera Place · Saturday June 6 · Fan Zone 4pm · Tip-off 6pm PT

The first-ever professional Canadian Elite Basketball League game in Kelowna tips off this Saturday at Prospera Place. The Vancouver Bandits take on the Saskatoon Mamba in a historic moment for the city — back-to-back major pro sports events at Prospera Place within weeks of each other. The HOOPFEST Fan Zone outside opens at 4pm with free pre-game activities. Over 90 youth basketball teams from across BC are also in the city for a tournament running June 5–7. A dance workshop with the Bandits Dance Crew runs Friday June 5 at Village Dance Academy, and a free coaches clinic follows the game for ticket holders. More Info

Source: Vancouver Bandits · Kelowna Capital News

All Summer - ticketed
Kelowna Falcons Baseball — Home Schedule Underway
Elks Stadium, Gordon Drive · Various dates through August · kelownafalcons.com

The Falcons are into their 2026 home schedule at Elks Stadium — one of Kelowna's great summer traditions. West Coast League baseball, mountain views, cheap tickets, and a genuinely relaxed family atmosphere. Check kelownafalcons.com for this week's home game schedule and plan a weeknight outing.

Saturday - Jazz Brunch
Saturday Jazz Brunch — Old Vines Restaurant at Quails' Gate
Old Vines Restaurant, Quails' Gate Winery · Every Saturday · Reservations recommended

One of Kelowna's most celebrated weekend experiences — a classic wine country brunch alongside local jazz duo Anna Jacyszyn and Loni Moger. Old Vines was just named one of OpenTable's Top 100 Outdoor Dining restaurants in Canada. Pairing that patio with live jazz on a Saturday morning is about as good as it gets in this valley.

Free - Ongoing
Arlo's Honey Farm — Open for the Season
Arlo's Honey Farm, Kelowna · Open through September 6

Arlo's Honey Farm is open for the 2026 season — a beloved Kelowna spot for locally produced honey, mead, and a genuinely unhurried taste of Okanagan farm life. A unique stop that fits perfectly into what National Geographic called world-class about Kelowna's food culture. Worth making time for this summer.
Learn More

Only a Few Tickets Left!
Culinary Icons: Wolfgang Puck Chef's Theatre — Lakehouse Kitchens
510 Bernard Ave, Downtown Kelowna · Friday June 5 · $140 per person · lakehousehomestore.com/cooking-class/calendar

A chef's theatre demonstration inspired by the legendary Wolfgang Puck — the man who put California cuisine on the world map. Lakehouse Kitchens walks guests through a five-course menu including a smoked salmon pizzette, Chinois-style chicken salad, pan-seared scallops with sweet corn purée, a charcoal bone-in ribeye with truffle mac & cheese, and a Kaiserschmarrn dessert. Optional sommelier-selected wine pairings are available for an additional $40. Spots are limited to 16 guests — book now before it sells out. Buy tickets here

Saturday - Free - All Ages
One-on-One Streetball Tournament — City Park
City Park, Kelowna · Saturday June 6 · Following the Bandits game

As part of HOOPFEST, a free outdoor one-on-one streetball tournament takes over City Park on Saturday evening following the Bandits game. All skill levels, all ages welcome — a great way to keep the basketball energy going after tip-off. Admission is open to the public. More Info

Kettle Valley Rail Trail — Peak Season Hiking & Cycling
Multiple trailheads, Kelowna · Free · All summer

June is one of the best months to explore the Kettle Valley Rail Trail before summer heat peaks. The Myra Canyon section with its 18 historic wooden trestles is the jewel of the trail, but the full KVR stretches across the valley with countless entry points. Pack a lunch and take your time — this is Kelowna at its most scenic.

Hiking
Sunday Okanagan Hike Club — Knox Mountain Full Loop
Knox Mountain Park, base parking lot off Ellis St · Sunday June 7 · 9:00am sharp · Free

The Sunday Okanagan Hike Club kicks off its 2026 season this Sunday with a full loop of Knox Mountain — one of Kelowna's most beloved parks and honestly one of the best hikes in the entire valley. The route winds through Ponderosa pine forest and open grasslands, along a scenic lakeside path to the historic Paul's Tomb cove, then up the Apex Trail to the summit for breathtaking 360° views of Okanagan Lake, West Kelowna, and downtown Kelowna. 6.8 km, 351m elevation gain, moderate difficulty, estimated 2.5–3 hours. Dogs welcome on leash. Meet at the base parking lot on Ellis Street at 9am sharp and head up as a group. Drop a comment in the Facebook group to let them know you're coming — find them by searching Sunday Okanagan Hike Club on Facebook.

Free - Tonight
Downtown Kelowna Night Market
Kerry Park & 200–300 Block Bernard Ave · Every Thursday · 4:30–9:30pm

Week four of the Night Market — now a proper summer fixture. Local artisans, food vendors, and the pedestrian energy of Meet Me on Bernard all in one spot every Thursday evening. With Pride Week in full swing and HOOPFEST kicking off Saturday, downtown Kelowna has serious energy this week.

Coming Up - Mark Your Calendar!
Touchdown Kelowna - June 26 to July 4
Apple Bowl Stadium & Downtown Kelowna · Three weeks away

The next major event on Kelowna's Year of Sport calendar is three weeks away. Two CFL games at the Apple Bowl — BC Lions vs. Calgary Stampeders on Saturday June 27, and BC Lions vs. Edmonton Elks on Saturday July 4. The festival kicks off June 26 with a concert headlined by Allan Doyle of Great Big Sea. Tickets are available now. Source: Tourism Kelowna

📍 Elks Stadium — Gordon Drive, Kelowna

With HOOPFEST at Prospera Place getting all the attention this weekend, here's a reminder of another great live sports experience most Kelowna locals overlook — Elks Stadium and the Kelowna Falcons. Classic minor league baseball, mountain views in every direction, affordable tickets, and a genuinely relaxed atmosphere where you can actually hear the crack of the bat. The Falcons are one of only two Canadian teams in the West Coast League and their home schedule runs all summer. A perfect weeknight option for the whole family when you want something a little slower-paced than a sold-out arena. Check kelownafalcons.com for the schedule.

Reach a growing number of Kelowna locals every Thursday at 6am. Please contact us at [email protected] for more info.

🥸 Dad Joke of the Week

I asked the librarian if they had books about paranoia.

She whispered, "They're right behind you."

🏠 Home Tip of the Week

June is the ideal time to clean your dryer vent. Lint buildup is one of the leading causes of house fires — a quick clean-out with a vent brush kit (available at any hardware store, Amazon, etc.) takes about 20 minutes and is worth doing annually.