May in Kelowna

While May is the peak of spring, with rainy days scattered throughout the month, the atmosphere towards the end of the month has summer written all over it. Temperatures rise, and sunny days multiply as the month progresses, making it perfect for outdoor adventure and savouring Kelowna's best. Read on to learn more about what you can discover and what to expect in and around Kelowna when visiting this time of year.

Explore Nature’s Playground

^{Myra Canyon Trestles. Photo by: Scott Bakken Productions}

May is the unofficial kick-off to summer, which means many seasonal outdoor activities are back in full swing. In the spring, you can take advantage of all Kelowna’s outdoor playground has to offer but with fewer crowds.  

The biking season at Myra Canyon Trestles Trail kicks off in early May. The scenic trail, part of an old railway system now known as the Kettle Valley Railway, is a 24 km (15 miles) round trip. The virtually flat trail makes it accessible to adventurers of all abilities and families with strollers or small adventurers. If you complete the trail one way, you’ll bike across 18 trestle bridges and go through 2 tunnels. If you don’t have bikes with you, there are a few rental options, including Myra Canyon Bike Rentals, which operates at the trailhead and opens for the season on May 3, 2024.

Lake activities start for the season on the May long weekend, which arrives towards the end of the month. Adventurers can participate in fun activities, including parasailing, stand-up paddleboarding, kayaking, and more. Boat rentals are also available so you can take your friends or family out on the water for a day of exploration on Okanagan Lake or one of the other lakes in the area. Visit the Lake Activities page on our website for more information.

Celebrate Kelowna's Craft Brews

^{Kelowna Beer Institute. Credit: Nathaniel Atakora Martin (@nathanielatakora)}

Local craft brews will take centre stage at the second annual Kelowna Beer Fest in City Park on Saturday, May 11, 2024. Forty Kelowna breweries and cideries will be featured at the event, produced by Thick as Thieves Entertainment, who also produce local events Denim on the Diamond and AltiTunes.

If you can't make it to Kelowna Beer Fest, find details about breweries in and around Kelowna here. 

Show off Your Love for Kelowna

The 5th annual Love for Kelowna Day will take place on Saturday, May 25, 2024. It will pay tribute to the local tourism industry and celebrate all that Kelowna and the Central Okanagan have to offer.

Stay tuned to the official event page for all the details as they are announced!

Local Events

Asian Heritage Month

• Asian Heritage Okanagan will host the following events:
  • A Celebration of Asian Canadian Histories and Contributions on Saturday, May 4, 2024, at the Rotary Centre for the Arts from 2 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
  • Asian Heritage Month Movie Week, which runs May 13 to 16 at the Kelowna Downtown Library, with an additional film being shown online on May 17.
• Join the Kelowna's Chinatown Tours at the Okanagan Heritage Museum to explore artifacts and archival materials. Tours will be held at the following times:
  • 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Saturday, May 18, and Sunday, May 19
  • 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, May 25
  • 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Sunday, May 26

Knox Mountain Hill Climb

• Get set to watch as drivers navigate the course when the 2024 Leavitt Machinery Knox Mountain Hill Climb returns to Kelowna on May 18 and 19. Racers will compete to be named King of the Hill, taking on the turns and vertical climb of the paved mountain roadway. Proceeds from the event will support charities, including Central Okanagan Bursary and Scholarship Society, Westbank Museum, and Heart & Stroke Foundation. 

Live Shows

• The Rotary Centre for the Arts has several shows taking place in May, including:
  • The Comic Strippers | May 4, 7:30 p.m.
  • TOKARA 20th Anniversary World Tour | May 5, 7 p.m.
  • Under the Rocks: Album Release | May 24, 7:30 p.m.
  • Yui, Connection | May 31, 7 p.m.

Arts & Culture

• Ballet Kelowna's final production for its 2023/34 season sees the Company's first commissioned full-length ballet, Macbeth, return to the stage on May 3 and 4. 
• The Okanagan Symphony Orchestra will also conclude its 2023/24 season in May, with its Bring on Beethoven show on Friday, May 10, featuring Canadian pianist/conductor, Ian Parker. 

Browse our online calendar of events to see what else is happening in and around Kelowna this May. 

Weather

The average high in May is 20°C / 68°F, though temperatures can be warmer towards the end of the month. The evenings and nights will cool down, with average lows of 5°C / 41°F, so depending on where you’re visiting from, you may want to have a jacket or sweater on hand to stay warm.

May is one of the wettest months of the year in Kelowna, though the average amount of rainfall is 28 mm / 1.1 inches for the entire month. Showers tend to be light, and the hiking areas around the city will have started to dry out thanks to the rising temperatures and sunshine.

Helpful Planning Resources

^{Photo by: Shawn Talbot Photography}

Plan a purposeful and rewarding trip to Kelowna by using the resources available on our website:

• Use our itinerary-builder to keep track of things to do and to plan out your schedule.
• Learn more about Kelowna’s array of accommodation options and browse available packages and promotions.
• Discover more about spring in Kelowna.

Have more questions about your trip to Kelowna? Connect with our team at the Kelowna Visitor Centre.

Be sure to follow us on TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube for more inspiration and share your adventures using #exploreKelowna.