Celebrations, Festivals, Events… Plenty of Ways to Play
There are always new and special events popping up in the Similkameen, so be sure to contact the local Visitor Centres they will have the latest information about events for their areas located in Keremeos, Hedley, Princeton and Manning Park.
Check out these event calendars Similkameen Country, the Old Grist Mill and Gardens, Manning Park Resort.
Spring at the Old Grist Mill & Gardens, Keremeos
Step into the enchanting past with a visit to The Grist Mill and Gardens, a captivating Provincial Heritage Site. Nestled in Keremeos, this site boasts the distinction of being the last operational waterwheel flour mill in British Columbia, dating back to 1877. Immerse yourself in history with your family while you camp, eat, or play at this creekside acreage.
- April 20, 2025 Easter – Easter egg hunt in the picturesque gardens, activities for all ages. Tickets $10
- April 25, 2025 – Opening Day – Celebrating 40 years!
- May 11, 2025 Mother’s Day Tea – Reservations Required $20 book by May 7th.
Spring is Rodeo Season in the Similkameen Valley
Rodeo Season Dust off your boots and prepare for the thrill of rodeo season in the Similkameen! From heart-pounding bronc riding to family-friendly festivities, these authentic, small-town rodeos are more than just competitions—they celebrate tradition, community, and the Western spirit.
- April 20, 2025 – Chopaka Rodeo | A must-see event where riders and ropers showcase their skills against the stunning backdrop of the Similkameen Valley.
- May 18 & 19, 2025 – Elk’s Rodeo, Keremeos | One of the region’s most anticipated rodeos, bringing together local cowboys, families, and visitors for a weekend of action-packed events and classic rodeo fun.
- June 7 & 8, 2025 – Stan Thompson Memorial, Princeton | A long-standing tradition honoring the legacy of rodeo in Princeton, complete with barrel racing, bull riding, and good old-fashioned cowboy competition.
Upcoming Events: Klippers Organic Acres | Row Fourteen Restaurant | Klippers Marketplace & Café | Untangled Cidery
- May 4 – 4th Annual MacKenzie Rd Art & Wine Crawl 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. – Klippers Marketplace & Cafe & Row Fourteen Restaurant 625 & 725 MacKenzie Rd Cawston“FREE ENTRY! Come celebrate the creativity and community of local artists! Bring a picnic blanket and stay awhile taking in the live music. Stock up on local handcrafted gifts for yourself or for someone special. Enjoy freshly baked pastries and delicious coffee. Taste some wines, beers, ciders, or spirits and take home a bottle or two to share with friends
- June 1 – 1st Annual Similkameen Cider & Music Festival – On the grounds of Row Fourteen Restaurant – 725 MacKenzie Rd Cawston “Enjoy a festive afternoon of revelry sampling the finest locally produced ciders and craft brews, perusing the community marketplace brimming with artisan goods, and treating your ears to exclusive live music that will set the mood as you mingle with fellow cider enthusiasts and discover your new favorite sips.” Tickets available at shopklippers.ca
- July 20 – 3rd Annual Sip & Savour – Taste what happens when 12+ renowned chefs from across BC come together with local craft beverage producers and live entertainment in this epic, one-of-a-kind culinary experience. Get your tickets here!
Special Events in the Similkameen Valley
May 16-20, 2025 Meadowlark Nature Festival – A must for nature lovers, photographers, and outdoor enthusiasts, the Meadowlark Nature Festival is a deep dive into the incredible biodiversity of the Similkameen and South Okanagan. Through guided nature walks, birdwatching excursions, Indigenous cultural experiences, and hands-on workshops, this festival connects people with the land in meaningful ways. Whether you’re learning about local ecosystems from expert naturalists or spotting rare bird species in their natural habitat, this festival is a celebration of the beauty that surrounds us
Aug 8-10th, 2025 – Fat Dog 150 Beginning near the town of Keremeos, in Cathedral Provincial Park and finishing in iconic E.C. Manning Provincial Park
Big Daddy’s Hot Rod Round Up & Charity Car Show – Returns in 2026 – held every two years)
Key Annual Events for the Keremeos/Cawston Area
- April 4-5 – Celebration of Traditions Pow Wow
- April 20, 2025 – Chopaka Rodeo
- May 18 & 19 – Elk’s Rodeo, Keremeos
- Pocket Park Market – weekly May-June to end of August, early Sept
- Mid-June & Sept – Keremeos Bluegrass Jamboree
- Multiple winery-held dinners and events throughout the Summer
- Good Vibes Music Festival
- August – Kars under the K
- Sept – Similkameen Sizzle Pepper Festival
- Sept – Similkameen Pow Wow
- Dec – Keremeos Light Up
- Dec – Enjoy the warmth of our wineries one weekend each December at the annual Holiday Open Houses
Key Annual Events for the Princeton Area
- February – Family Day Fun
- May – Mining Days
- May – Backcountry Horsemen of BC Rendezvous
- May 16-20 – Meadowlark Nature Festival
- May-Oct – Community Market every Saturday 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
- June 7 & 8th – Stan Thompson Memorial Rodeo
- July 1 – Canada Day Festivities
- August Long Weekend – Tulameen Family Fun Days
- August – Princeton Traditional Music Festival
- August – Princeton Arts Council Music Festival
- August – Princeton Show & Shine
- September – BC Highschool Rodeo & Harvest Festival
- October – Halloween Family Festival & Fireworks
- November 11 – Remembrance Day at Veteran’s Square
- November – Christmas Light-up at Veteran’s Square
Spring Celebration HIGHLIGHTS
Since 1998, the annual Meadowlark Nature Festival held in May has presented interactive, multi-disciplinary events that explore and celebrate the spectacular natural environment of the Okanagan Similkameen. It is a divine celebration of nature and wildlife that is sure to pique your interest.
You can tell spring is in the air when you can smell the scent of the new blossoms mixed with the musk of bulls and the aroma of freshly kicked-up dirt. Spring is rodeo season in the Similkameen. Kicking things off right in May is the Elk’s Rodeo in Keremeos and in June Princeton’s Stan Thompson Memorial Rodeo.
Oh! We can’t forget to mention that spring is the start of the wine season as tasting rooms start to open, which is a reason to celebrate unto itself. Sip your way through the valley and be among the first tasters of the Similkameen’s terroir. Winemakers dinners, vertical tastings in a cave, roaming expansive vineyards – horseback wine tours, bike riding through the valley, a new wine season is always a time to behold.
Summer EVENT HIGHLIGHTS
A Similkameen summer…
Rodeo season continues with the Chopaka Rodeo and the Stan Thompson Memorial Rodeo. If you are into fitness, why not sign up for the Fat Dog 120, be sure to take in the annual Princeton Show & Shine.
In Keremeos, there’s are summer events at the Old Grist Mill and Gardens including a Garden Tea Party, Wedding Fair, Sunday Dinners, and Concerts, Gardeners Gatherings, the popular Teddy Bear Picnic, Day Camps, Summer Night Market, and farewell to Summer special event Heritage Fall Fair.
In the Cawston and Keremeos agriculture belt – wineries, cideries, and our only distillery offer special tours and events, many with music, ar,t and farm-to-table food experiences.
Fall Harvest Celebration HIGHLIGHTS
If you haven’t gotten the idea yet, the fall harvest is kind of a big deal around these parts. As such, the locals know how to throw quite the fall celebrations! Some of the staples include getting spicy at the Similkameen Sizzle Pepper Festival in September, a Canadian celebration dedicated to the pepper harvest, and check out fall events at the Old Grist Mill and Gardens.
Winter Holiday Event HIGHLIGHTS
Yes, winter does get a little chilly. Manning Park Resort hosts winter events. We don’t necessarily think you should huddle inside, but if you’re not a fan of the cold, make sure you’re getting out to check out the annual Winery Open Houses held each December in concert with the annual Light up the Night parade. Also, we have junior hockey! Cheer on the Princeton Posse in an adrenaline-filled night of family fun!
