Municipalities in British Columbia invest more per capita on culture than in any other province or territory. The Okanagan Valley is rich in culture -- accountable in part for this area's expanding population and growing tourism industry.

MUSIC
Kelowna is home to the Okanagan Symphony which performs seven to eight concerts per year at the Kelowna Community Theatre. The Okanagan Symphony has served the Okanagan for more than 40 years and also performs in Vernon and Penticton. The Kelowna Philharmonic Festival Society, which has been in existence for more than two decades, specializes in the music of Mozart. This group is best known for its annual Mozart Festival and special performance on Canada Day. There is also a Lake Country Orchestra which performs at the Creekside Theatre. Between May and Sept., local talent is showcased at 52 free "Parks Alive" concerts in Kelowna city parks.

WESTBANK FIRST NATION
Located in south central British Columbia, Canada, the Okanagan Valley is home to Westbank First Nation, one of seven native communities that belong to the Okanagan Nation. The Okanagan (syilx) traditional territories extend from the south central interior of B.C. to north central Washington State. The syilx are a division of the Interior Salish and speak the nsyilxcən language. They have inhabited the valley for thousands of years.

For more information, please visit www.wfn.ca

DANCE
There are two primary dance companies in the area: Ballet Kelowna and Mission Dance Company which also has a Flamenco Troupe. Both perform at the Kelowna Community Theatre.

GALLERIES & ARTIST STUDIOS
British Columbia has more artists per capita than any other province or territory in Canada and the Okanagan is a hub of visual art activity. There are more than 25 art galleries in the area as well as open studios that allow visitors to browse the artwork and view the artist at work. The Rotary Centre for the Arts, located in Kelowna's Cultural District, has galleries and open studios featuring pottery, sculpture, textiles and jewelry.

PUBLIC ART
Kelowna City Council established the Public Art Reserve Fund in 1997. This fund was to be used to provide public art that would add to the livability and artistic richness of the community. There are 35 pieces of public art in Kelowna. The majority is located in the downtown area. For a guide to the Public Art in Kelowna, visit the City of Kelowna’s website.

FESTIVALS
Okanagan Wine Festivals
There are two annual wine festivals held once in the spring and again in the fall. The spring festival is held each year on the first four days of May. The fall wine festival takes place in the first 10 days of October during grape harvest. Festivities include grape stomping and other harvest activities, vineyard tours, lunches, dinners and other events focused on wine, food and the arts.

Kelowna Music & Arts Festival
Takes place in July in the Kelowna's Cultural District. This is an event that includes three stages of entertainment, music, live theatre, street performances, and an artisan market place.

Fat Cat Children's Festival
Volunteer run, this event offers a wide range of fun free activities and entertainment. This festival attracts more than 15,000 children, parents and grandparents.

Ogopogo Arts Festival
Organized by the Peachland Arts Council, the highlight of this event is the Ogopogo contest. Participants must construct a boat resembling the legendary Ogopogo Lake Monster. This festival takes place every year on the August long weekend.

ART WALK
A great kick-off to fall, Art Walk provides an opportunity for more than 250 artists including painters, sculptors, photographers, quilters and jewellery designers, to display and sell their work. This event takes place the first weekend of September.

The Kelowna Museum also brings in regional and international collections. Admission to all museums is by donation. This wealth of heritage is augmented by numerous historic sites that have been lovingly restored and are open to the public:

Gibson Heritage House - Lake Country
An orchard homestead built in 1912. Contains artifacts from the 1910 to 1930 era.

Father Pandosy Mission - Kelowna
Father Charles Pandosy and Father Pierre Richard established the Immaculate Conception Mission in 1859, the first permanent non-native settlement in the interior of BC. The Fathers developed their mission into a religious, social and cultural centre and opened the interior's first school.

Benvoulin Heritage Church - Kelowna
Built in 1892, this was originally a Gothic Revival style Presbyterian church.

The Fintry Manor House - Fintry Provincial Park
A stately home of the Okanagan and British Columbia's only known octagonal barn.

The Little School House - Peachland
This is Peachland's oldest heritage building. Built in 1898.