Festivals & Events
No matter the season, there are events for everyone in the Columbia Valley.Take a look at our featured events including winter festivals, summer art features, and more!
Upcoming Events
Holly Jolly Market
December 1 - 2, 2023 Columbia Valley Centre Website Pick up a festive local treat at the Holly Jolly Market! Friday evening and Saturday December 1-2, 2023.
Fairmont Hot Springs Torchlight Parade
December 24th 5:30 pm - 7:00 pm Fairmont Hot Springs Resort Website Located at the Fairmont Hot Springs Resort Family Ski Area on Christmas Eve, dozens of skiers and their blazing torches wind down the slopes through the darkness during this annual event – a cherished tradition that kicks off the holiday season at the resort. “This is a special time of year for everyone at the ski hill,” says Peter Harding, Ski Hill Manager at Fairmont Hot Springs Resort. “The Christmas Eve Torchlight Parade and Fireworks have been a tradition for families and friends for 30 years.” After the parade, stick around for the finale of fireworks, a fantastic finale to beloved event. Keep an eye out for Santa too! Be sure to arrive early to ensure parking. This free event takes place on December 24th every year.
Village Sleigh Rides
Dec 26, 2023 - Dec 30, 2023 Radium Hot Springs, BC Website Experience the magic of a Sleigh Ride in the Village! Your group will cozy up in a horse-drawn sleigh for a tour of the Village of Radium. Rides will be available for booking December 26-30, from 11 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. daily. Rides must be booked in advance by contacting [email protected] or calling (250) 347-9331. Sleigh Rides are approximately 30 minutes long.
Winter Wonderland Market
Dec 29, 2023 - Dec 30, 2023 Radium Hot Springs Centre Website Join us at the Radium Hot Springs Centre for a festival winter market.December 29, 11:00am - 3:00pmDecember 30, 11:00am - 3:00pm
Snowflake Festival & Taste of the Valley
January 2024 Kinsmen Beach, Invermere BC Website A local tradition, the Snowflake Festival is a “must-do” event of the winter season. Join the celebration of winter at Kinsmen Beach in Invermere for an evening of food, entertainment, outdoor bonspiel curling, and fireworks. Events include: Taste of the Valley; Tour the participating local restaurants serving appetizer-sized portions of culinary delights. $10 passport book purchase required. Kick-off to the annual Bonspiel on the Lake weekend curling eventFamily skating and outdoor bonfires start at 5 pm Live entertainmentSnowflake Lounge (cash bar) for winter warm-up drinks Fireworks at 8 pm This is one of the most popular events year-round and the fireworks are always very impressive! More info
Wings over the Rockies Festival
May 6, 2024 - May 12, 2024 Website Inspired By Nature Bird. Hike. Experience. Learn. 2023 Wings Over the Rockies Nature Festival May 6-12, 2024Our Festival is located in the beautiful upper Columbia River Valley centred around the mountain town of Invermere, British Columbia. Our schedule of events will be published online, March 30, 2023 and online tickets will be available for purchase on April 11, 2023. We plan to have over 100 events over 7 days, many new ones too! Please plan to come and join us in 2023!
Movies in the Mountains
Mondays, July - August Pothole Park Website One of Invermere’s great summertime traditions is Movies in the Mountains at Pothole Park. Running every Monday at dusk in July & August, this family-friendly, free event is quite popular and fills up fast. Bring your blanket or lawn chair and visit with neighbours until the movie starts. Cash concession onsite for theatre treats.
Radium MARKET ON MAIN
Fridays in July & August, 4-7pm 7556 Main St E Radium Hot Springs, BC V0A 1M0 Attend Radium’s annual Market on Main this summer. The market takes place every Friday from 4-7pm through July & August at the Radium Visitor Centre. The market has a variety of products from art, jewelry, knitwear, spices, woodwork and so much more! Find a treat (or two) when visiting Market on Main.
Radium MUSIC ON MAIN
Fridays in July & August, 6-8pm 7556 Main St E Radium Hot Springs, BC V0A 1M0 Website It’s time to groove the summer away! Located at Radium Hot Springs Visitor Centre, stop by Friday evenings to listen to music, shop at Market on Main and maybe even dance. Music on Main will run on Fridays in conjunction with the Market on Main from 6- 8 p.m. June 30: RivertownJuly 7: L8July 14: Waltzing Matilda’sJuly 21: Morgan ThomasJuly 28: Usual SuspectsAugust 4: jorb.coAugust 11: RockinomixAugust 18: Travis BoaAugust 25: The CorazonesSeptember 1: Strictly Recreational
Canada Day Celebrations
July 1, 2024 Parade. Food Trucks. Live Music. Fireworks. With celebrations taking place all day long, the Columbia Valley sure knows how to throw a Canada Day party! Invermere Canada Day morning kick-offs around 11am with Parade down Main Street. The celebrations continue at Kinsmen Beach with the Mountain Mosiac Festival of the Arts, Face Painting and Food Trucks. Finish of the evening with Fireworks near Eddie Mountain Arena. Fairmont Hot Springs ResortWhat is more Canadiana than an East Coast Kitchen party. This Canada Day, Fairmont Hot Springs Resort will be hosting an epic Lobster Dinner with live music by Maritime Kitchen Party, Fireworks, Family Activities, Free Birthday Cake and more!Book your Family's Canada Day Long Weekend today!
Canada Day Celebrations - Invermere
July 1st 2024 Celebrations in Invermere, BCGather in downtown Invermere for the biggest parade of the year. The fun starts at 11:00 am starting downtown Invermere and ending at Kinsmen Beach where the Mountain Mosaic Festival of the Arts gets underway.This is a free Festival for the whole family at Kinsmen Beach. Enjoy the Festival Stage featuring live entertainment. Art Tents, Build a Boat & Float Contest, live music, dance performances, food tents and more. Participate in the Transformation Station with face painting.Fireworks at 12 midnight, June 30th in Invermere at Kinsmen Beach.
Locals Live Concert Series
July - August 2024 Pothole Park, Invermere Website Live music returns to Pothole Park on WEDNESDAY evenings this summer! The District of Invermere presents a free concert series “Locals Live” featuring nine bands who are ready to take the stage! Join us every WEDNESDAY in July & August in Pothole Park from 6:30pm-8:00pm for a rocking good time!
Bull Riding in the Rockies
The Columbia Valley Rockies are proud to present the 23rd Annual Bull Riding in the Rockies and Family Dance! Food truck dinner (Peppis Pizza) from 4:00 pm; live music 4-6pm followed by Bull Riding, Rodeo Clowns and Mexican Poker from 6.30pm.
Valley Appreciation Day, Invermere
July 2024 Invermere, BC Website Valley Appreciation Day has been one of the summer’s highlights in Invermere and the Columbia Valley BC each year for more than 30 years ~ always familiar yet always evolving into a bigger and better festival. The huge celebration takes place on Main Street in Invermere BC on a Saturday to coincide with the regular Farmers’ Market, making for a whole lot of fun for the whole family. Several blocks will be closed to traffic so there’s lots of room for the crowds of happy folks.
Loop the Lake
August 2024 Website The Loop the Lake race event is located in the Columbia Valley, and the unparalleled scenery makes this event something special. We offer participants) a course through some of the most beautiful country in BC. The magnificent Purcell and Rocky mountain ranges flank the valley, and good weather and sunshine are the norm. You will fall in love with this event because of its fresh, peaceful, and rejuvenating surroundings. Bring your family and make the ‘Loop’ weekend into a short summer trip. There is something for everyone before and after the event!
Flats Fest
August 2024 Canal Flats Website Enjoy a full weekend of live music in the friendly town of Canal Flats! This year we have a full weekend of entertainment on 2 separate stages...you won't miss a beat! The main stage is refered to as the COLUMBIA Stage and then the KOOTENAY Stage will host a variety of music entertainment in between the Columbia Stage acts. No downtime in between artists, so get your dancing shoes...or boots...ready to enjoy this fantastic lineup of talented artists! Headliners will take to the main stage, and the incredible local talent on a side stage will entertain guests between main stage sets. During the show, families will also find entertainment in the children's section with face-painting and other fun-filled activities for all ages. As well, a market is located onsite with local vendors selling food, clothing, jewelry and many other unique crafts and wares.
Salmon Run
Fall View the spectacular bright red Kokanee Salmon on their annual run! The fish can be viewed at several locations throughout the Columbia Valley; a great spot is the Columbia River take out in Fairmont Hot Springs.
Four Seasons of Events
Winter
Summer
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