Celebrate Canada Day in Kamloops and Sun Peaks
Canada Day is the ultimate summer kickoff—a chance to slow down, soak up the sunshine, and celebrate all the things that make this corner of the Thompson Okanagan so special. From the riverside festivities in Kamloops to the alpine celebrations at Sun Peaks, it’s a day when locals and visitors come together for live music, family-friendly fun, and a strong sense of community. It’s the perfect excuse to explore, relax, and raise a toast to summer in the Okanagan—and this year, both Kamloops and Sun Peaks have plenty in store to make it a Canada Day worth remembering.
Miguel Ports
Kamloops’ Art in the Park is a colourful explosion of creativity, featuring over 100 talented artists, while Sun Peaks’ Canada Day Celebration serves up a mountain-sized dose of family-friendly fun. Together, these two events make for the ultimate Canada Day itinerary — packed with music, dance, delicious bites, and a whole lot of hometown pride.
Why pick just one when you can experience both? Book your trip, tack on a couple of extra days, and soak up all the sights, sounds, and flavours these celebrations have to offer. Get ready to wave the flag, tap your toes, and make this Canada Day one for the books — because Kamloops and Sun Peaks are ready to show you how it’s done!
Celebrate Canada Day In Kamloops
From 9am to 4pm, Riverside Park is the heart of Kamloops’ Canada Day celebrations — a lively gathering spot where the whole family can soak up the sights, sounds, and flavours of the city. At the centre of it all is Art in the Park, an iconic event that has been a Kamloops tradition for over 40 years, filling the park with a colourful mix of local art, handcrafted goods, and creative energy. Meanwhile, over on the west end, the Kamloops Multicultural Society brings its own flair to the festivities, with delicious bites, lively performances, and interactive booths that spotlight the diverse cultures that make Kamloops such a special place to call home.
Miguel Ports
Kamloops Canada Day Highlights | 9am - 4pm
Art Exhibitions and Sales
Paintings, pottery, fashion, and jewellery bring the park to life with their beauty and craftsmanship. With over 100 artists displaying their handcrafted works, Art in the Park is a testament to Kamloops' commitment to the arts and culture. Each booth tells a unique story, and offers visitors the chance to view and support their favourite artists; purchasing one-of-a-kind local treasures.
Performances on the KAC's Performing Arts Stage
Talented musicians, dancers, and theatre acts will captivate audiences of all ages on the KAC’s Performing Arts Stage, adding an extra layer of excitement to the days’ festivities for the whole family.
Multicultural Booths
Embrace the multicultural fabric of Kamloops with the Kamloops Multicultural Society. Uncover the rich traditions, flavours, and performances that express the diverse cultures within the city. It's a chance to engage with different communities and celebrate Kamloops' multicultural identity.
Food, Music, Dancing, and Shopping
Indulge your senses with a tempting array of international culinary delights from local food vendors. Immerse yourself in the lively music, exciting dance performances, and interactive activities that create a festive atmosphere. Shop for unique, hand-made treasures and take home a piece of Kamloops' creative spirit.
Other Things Happening in Kamloops Canada Day Weekend
North Paws Game: Feel the crack of the bat, the roar of the crowd, and the electric energy of summer baseball as the Kamloops NorthPaws take on the Wenatchee AppleSox at Dearborn Field. Come cheer on the home team, soak up the stadium atmosphere, and be part of the action as the NorthPaws deliver another memorable night at the ballpark.
Kamloops Farmers Market: Kick off your celebrations with a stop at the Kamloops Farmers’ Market — the perfect place to stock up on fresh, locally grown produce, handcrafted goods, and tasty treats. With over 100 vendors to explore, it’s a one‑stop shop for unique gifts, delicious snacks, and all your weekly grocery essentials before celebrating on Tuesday!
Kamloopa Powwow: Join us June 27–29, 2025, for the 44th annual Kamloopa Powwow, hosted by the Kamloopa Powwow Society at the Tk̓emlúps te Secwépemc Arbour. This vibrant three-day celebration of Indigenous culture brings together around 500 dancers and drummers from across Canada and the U.S. to honour First Nations pride through drumming, dancing, colourful regalia, food, and artisan vendors. The event is drug- and alcohol-free, with parking onsite and tickets available at the gate. Everyone is welcome to experience this powerful gathering in Secwepemcúl’ecw.
Kamloops Tattoo Show: Get ready for Kamloops’ first-ever Tattoo Show in summer 2025! This weekend event will bring together top tattoo artists, art lovers, and creators for live tattooing, art displays, vendors, and more at Sandman Centre. Whether you want a fresh tattoo, unique merch, or to soak up the creative vibes, the Kamloops Tattoo Show has something for everyone.
Sunday Sessions at Privato: Sit back, relax, and unwind with a glass of wine or a chilled cider while enjoying the smooth sounds of local entertainers at Privato. On June 29th from 2:00 to 4:00 pm, catch the talented Matt Stanley live. Bring the whole family—including your leashed furry friends—and choose from a wide variety of picnic fare to perfectly complement your drinks. It’s the ideal way to wind down your weekend in style.
Get Outside: Kamloops offers an abundance of opportunities to embrace the warm weather. From paddleboarding on glass-smooth lakes and rivers to exploring dog-friendly parks and immersing yourself in our lush green spaces or some good ole patio sippin’, Kamloops presents a bold list of options to ensure your summer is full of unexpected delights.
Kamloops’ Canada Day in Riverside Park is a full day celebration of art, culture, diversity, music, and community spirit that you won’t want to miss.
Catheryne Bossé
Celebrate the July long weekend in Sun Peaks
Just 45 minutes from Kamloops, head up the hill and join the July Long Weekend celebrations in the charming village of Sun Peaks. Surrounded by breathtaking mountain views, the schedule for this weekend offers a delightful experience with free activities for families and visitors of all ages.
See the full Sun Peaks Canada Day Long Weekend Celebration Schedule.
Sun Peaks July Long Weekend highlights | June 27-July 1
A Weekend of Family Fun
The village will be bustling with family activities and entertainment all weekend long! Families can gather at the Sun Peaks Community Playground & Outdoor Games Areas and explore the free village activities at leisure.
To start, don’t miss the FREE Bounce House Party, Saturday June 28 from 12:00pm to 4:00pm.
The fun continues throughout the weekend with free magic shows, crafts, outdoor games, and even a family movie night on Sunday, June 29 (Double Feature: The Lego Movie – 5:00pm & Indiana Jones: Raiders of the Lost Ark – 7:00pm).
July 1 – Canada Day Celebration
The July 1 celebration begins with the Kids Bike Parade at 10:30am, where littles are invited to show off their creatively decorated bikes while biking through the upper village. Prizes await the best-decorated bikes, adding a dash of competition and fun.
Children can unleash their creativity with Face Painting and Balloon Twisting, where skilled artists transform little faces and vibrant balloons into colourful masterpieces. At the Village Stage and throughout the village, performers will juggle, blow bubbles, and walk on stilts for a mesmerizing spectacle.
Families can also explore the Sun Peaks pedestrian village through the afternoon with the annual Harry Bear Scavenger Hunt, with free prize bags available from Sneaky Scallywags while supplies last.
The Sun Peaks Centre Plaza will be the heart of the activities, hosting the community Flag Raising Celebration (1:15pm) and providing the best view of the skies for the Royal Canadian Air Force Flyover with a C295 Kingfisher aircraft (1:30pm)!
Sun Peaks Centre Stage will open at 2:00pm with vendors and entertainment. Registration as a Sun Peaks Insider is required, providing complimentary full-day access to the Vaudevillian, Maritime Kitchen Party, and Toque live concerts!
Catheryne Bossé
Live music
LIMITED TIME OFFER: Get two FREE tickets to live music on Canada Day ft. TOQUE when you sign up to be a Sun Peaks Insider.
As the sun sets and the stars come out, enjoy evening live music in unique outdoor locations around the village! From rock & roll to maritime folk, incredible acts from all over the country are bringing the very best Canadian music to the relaxed alpine oasis of Sun Peaks. The outdoor concert tradition is strong in this mountain village—grab your crew (and your camp chairs) and join the party!
The tunes kick off at the Village Stage with Okanagan favourite LINUS at 7:00pm on June 27 and continue with the return of SHRED KELLY to the Clock Tower Stage at 7:00pm on June 30.
Want to feel like a VIP for Shred Kelly? Enjoy reserved patio seating, guaranteed great views, and bar service at the Sun Peaks Grand Terrace Party –register now!
Canada Day ft. Toque
The Canada Day grand finale at the Sun Peaks Centre Stage starts with MARITIME KITCHEN PARTY — all the way from Nova Scotia — at 3:30pm, and culminates in Canadian Supergroup TOQUE rocking the house down starting at 6:00pm.
"If you love Canadian rock, and you want to be in a stellar location ... I assure you," says Todd Kerns, lead singer and guitarist of Toque, "you are going to have a good time! Toque's playlist is all your favorite Canadian songs."
P.S. Get two FREE tickets to live music on Canada Day ft. TOQUE when you sign up to be a Sun Peaks Insider.
Catheryne Bossé
Other things happening at Sun Peaks July long weekend
Sun Peaks Sunday Brunch: Enjoy Sunday brunch with a change of scenery this summer. Check out special mid-morning culinary creations from cafes and eateries throughout the Sun Peaks village.
Sun Peaks Market Day: Stroll through the village and browse products from local farmers, ranchers, and artisans. Shoppers are encouraged to bring their own reusable shopping bags to the market.
Sun Peaks Bike Park: Are you a thrill seeker looking to hurtle down a hill on your bike? The Sun Peaks Bike Park offers 2,000 feet of lift-access vertical on Tod Mountain and an additional 1,559 feet of lift-access vertical on Sundance Mountain!
Hiking & Trail Running in Sun Peaks: Explore the 17 designated hiking trails in Sun Peaks. Choose from low-grade, sightseeing strolls to a breathtaking summit and a stop at Tod Lake. Start in the village or take a ride up the Sunburst chairlift and start at mid-mountain, at 6,000' above sea level. Dedicated runners can register for the Run Like A Girl – Top of the World Ultra Marathon, an alpine trail run sure to take your breath away!
Sun Peaks Golf Course: This stunning 18-hole alpine course winds through the terrain below Tod, Sundance, and Morrisey mountains. Big views, cooler mountain temperatures, and longer shots—thanks to high elevation—make every round a breath of fresh (and fun) air.
The Canada Day Long Weekend Celebration in Sun Peaks is a joyful gathering where memories are made against the stunning backdrop of the Sun Peaks village and mountains. Join in the fun, soak up the festive atmosphere, and embrace the inclusive spirit of the July Long Weekend.
Miguel Ports
You don’t have to choose
There’s a lot going on this July Long Weekend, but one of the best parts of Kamloops and Sun Peaks is that they’re only 45 min apart, meaning you don't need to pick! Spending the morning in the valley and the afternoon on the mountain – or vice versa – means you get the best of both worlds.
So, let’s kick off summer with an unforgettable July Long Weekend in Kamloops and Sun Peaks – we can’t wait to see you here! Be sure to tag us @tourismkamloops & @sunpeaksresort and use the hashtags #explorekamloops and #sunpeaks to be featured on our feeds.
