2023 has officially arrived!
While the immediate future will consist of trying to forget about all the holiday sweets and treats we indulged in or attempting to make our New Year’s resolutions last longer than a week, it doesn’t hurt to look further down the calendar as to what else is coming this year!
2023 in Osoyoos already promises new opportunities and endless excitement for both locals and visitors and we thought we would give you a little teaser of what is to come, so you can be as excited as us!
Here is one thing you can look forward to each month of this calendar year in the Osoyoos region.
January
Winterfest at District Wine Village
District Wine Village is set to be the host site for Winterfest — part of a grape-centric celebration during the inaugural Okanagan Winter Wine Festival.
The event, scheduled for January 28th, will pilot a new TASTE Passport. Each passport provides guests with 6 vouchers, which can be redeemed for carefully curated pairings and elevated wine & beverage experiences in Canada’s first Wine Village.
The Okanagan Winter Wine Festival will also feature an event called ‘An Eve For the Senses,’ which will take place at the Penticton Trade and Convention Centre on January 27.
More information can be found online here.
February
Romance of the South Okanagan
With February being known as the month of love, it is the perfect time to look forward to the wintery romance and charm surrounding the Osoyoos area at this time of year.
Snow covers the rolling hills and the vineyards, while large portions of Osoyoos Lake freeze over, giving the landscape a touch of vibrant, rich and icy blue.
Grab your boots and take a walk along the International Hike & Bike trail to see the rows and rows of leafless vineyards creating a sharp orange-brown contrast against the blanket of snow that lies beneath them.
Of course, the wineries and restaurants around the area are the perfect places to celebrate with loved ones, whether it is a Valentine’s Day special or a Family Day outing.
March
Slush Cup at Baldy Mountain Resort
For the mountain junkies out there, saying goodbye to ski season can be sad, but this year, the last day up at Baldy Mountain Resort will certainly be made a lot more fun and epic with the return of the Slush Cup.
In March 2023, it will be time to get a little bit silly and a little bit wet.
Keeping up with tradition, for closing day Baldy Mountain Resort will dig out the Slush Cup pit and fill it up with some surely cold water for skiers and boarders alike to brave the aqua-Neige as they try and skim across it, complete with some great costumes.
If you can’t quite picture it, not a problem, this video should give you a good idea of the action!
April
Chasing Blossoms in the Orchards
With our desert climate, spring always comes early in Osoyoos with a spectacular spectacle of blooming fruit trees. The best time to see spring blossoms spans from late March through the month of April.
During this time of year, you can bask in the valley’s orchard palate of peach and nectarine petals, pink bouquets of apricot blossoms, and white flashes of apple trees.
Drivers, bicyclists, and photographers can all revel in the floral glory of this colourful spectacle throughout the South Okanagan and Similkameen valleys year after year.
If you want more information on where to find the best blossoms, click here!
May
Osoyoos Spring Music Festival & Half Corked Marathon
Two great events, one jam-packed month. May is a must in Osoyoos in 2023.
First, the Osoyoos Spring Music Festival will be returning, spanning multiple days in early May and features both free and ticketed musical performances at various venues around town.
Also in May, the Half Corked Marathon — an event that has become one of the most highly anticipated events in Canada year after year — will return in full force.
The Half Corked Marathon brings racers and wine enthusiasts together — many of them donning ridiculous and wild costumes — and sends participants weaving along a 19km route through South Okanagan vineyards, offering samples of select local wines at one of the 20 winery stations on the way.
Registration for the race (being held over the weekend of May 26-28) is now open and more information can be found here.
June
National Indigenous Peoples Day with the Osoyoos Indian Band
Osoyoos is rich in Indigenous culture and history. Even the name “Osoyoos” originates from sẁiẁs (pronounced “soo-yoos”) meaning “narrowing of the waters” in the local Okanagan language (Syilx’tsn).
National Indigenous Peoples Day, which occurs annually on June 21st, is a day recognizing and celebrating the cultures and contributions of the First Nations, Inuit and Métis Indigenous peoples of Canada.
In June, we look forward to celebrating this day with the Osoyoos Indian Band at the Nk’Mip Desert Cultural Centre, where there will be guided walking tours, food, Indigenous art, dancing and music!
July
73rd Annual Cherry Fiesta & Canada Day Parade
2023 will mark the 73rd Annual Cherry Fiesta and Canada Day Parade — one of the big events that stole the show last year.
If Osoyoos’ iconic Canada Day fireworks show and a July 1st full of great weather and exciting festivities don’t excite you…maybe the most epic water fight in British Columbia will?
August
The Dog Days of Summer
While Osoyoos has grown into a four-season destination, summer is hard to beat.
We look forward to the long days of August, sitting on the beach and enjoying a cold beverage in the hot temperature.
We can’t wait for days filled with boating, watersports, golfing, winery visits, swimming, tanning, cycling, hiking and ice cream.
Add in Osoyoos’ incredible sunsets and it feels like August can’t come soon enough.
September
Rally the Globe vintage car race passes through town
Car lovers should get their calendars out and circle September 6th-7th as Rally The Globe will be passing through Osoyoos for the first time ever.
Rally The Globe will be running a 30-day vintage and classic car rally that has drivers racing from Alaska to Mexico, landing in Osoyoos on the night of September 6th.
Over 50 vintage cars — the oldest so far being from 1927 — will be making the trek and will be parked in town on display in the Gyro Park area during their time in Osoyoos. It will be a car-enthusiasts dream!
October
The Return of All Hallows Festival
A new spooktacular Halloween event dazzled Osoyoos in 2022 and the event is slated to make a triumphant once again this October.
The spellbinding scene — hosted by the Wide Arts National Association — saw aerial acrobatics, hauntingly happy live music, witches and warlocks, a magical marketplace, fantastic fire dancing and much more.
When it comes time to make your Halloween plans, it is a must to slot in the All Hallows Festival!
November
South Okanagan Fire & Ice Carnival
Another first-time event in 2022, the inaugural South Okanagan Fire & Ice Carnival — held at Spirit Ridge — was a smash hit.
The success of the sold-out event means it is pencilled in to return once again this November, with even more excitement for attendees!
This formal winter gala will bring wine lovers, foodies, and festival goers together with a night full of drinking, mingling, ice luges, fire spinners, circus performers and live music.
December
Osoyoos Holiday Festivities
It feels weird to already be looking forward to December, having just moved on from the holidays, however, give it a month and you will be longing for Santa to come back.
Don’t worry, the Jolly ‘Ol Fellow will come back to Osoyoos at a time of year that is jam-packed with things to look forward to.
Whether it is the Osoyoos Town Lite-Up, Artisan Christmas Markets, Christmas Carolling, Visits with Santa, Winter Open Houses, Wine Celebrations, the start of ski season or special festive dinners, the holidays in Osoyoos are unlike any other time of the year and we already can’t wait!
