‘Tis the season for celebrating with festive family fun and in the Thompson Valley there are plenty of holiday-themed events to get everyone in the spirit of the season. Visit the wineries, discover events downtown, and hit up local trails to discover a winter wonderland for the whole family.
Stock up for the season with local wines
Start your festive adventure with a visit to one of wineries in BC’s newest wine region, the Thompson Valley, to stock up on sips for the season. If you can’t decide which wine to buy when you’re there, why not enjoy a diverse taste of the Thompson Valley with an exclusive holiday collaboration pack of six unique wines handpicked by each of three wineries ($161.99 plus tax).
Offering great value and great taste, each pack comes with a reusable wine tote and a bottle of
- Privato Collection 2021 Pinot Gris
- Privato Collection 2020 Merlot
- Monte Creek 2019 Chardonnay
- Monte Creek 2020 Living Land Sparkling
- Harper’s Trail 2020 Cabernet Franc
- and Harper’s Trail 2021 Silver Block Riesling
If you can’t make it out to the wineries, you can order online for delivery to your home instead.
Experience the Holiday Open House weekend
Head to Harper’s Trail, Monte Creek, and Privato on November 26th and 27th for the Holiday Open House weekend (11am-5pm). Visit all three wineries and collect a stamp from each winery to win a Holiday Six Pack of wine.
What can you expect at the Holiday Open House? It varies by winery but highlights include complimentary wine tastings, hot mulled wine, hay wagon rides and Christmas trees, toasting s’mores around the bonfire, festive cookie decorating, and special holiday pricing on select items. Events are free and you might even pick up some door prizes!
Warm your spirit with mulled wine
If you miss the open house you can still take a hay wagon ride and sip on hot apple cider or mulled wine around the bonfire at Privato Winery on weekends. Take the kids to pick out a Christmas tree along Candy Cane Lane at Woodward’s Christmas Trees or walk through the new Woodward Winter Wonderland ($5) to see the winery’s gardens dressed for winter and enjoy the perfect opportunity to capture unforgettable family memories.
Find festive thrills
Seeing snowflakes? If there’s been snowfall then head to Harper Mountain to try tubing for a festive family-friendly thrill. Day or night, you can warm up by the bonfire between rides. Purchase tickets at the lodge and ride up to bump your way down the hill this December.
Say hi to Santa
If you’re exploring the Valley on the weekend of the Holiday Open House, be sure to stop by downtown and say hi to Santa and friends at the Santa Parade on Sunday, November 27th. Dress up in your warmest festive pjs to join the pajama party theme and look out for jolly old Santa as he ‘wakes up’ at 4:10pm. The parade begins at 4:30pm, running along Victoria Street between 2nd Ave and 6th Ave.
Listen to classic Christmas music
Discover downtown events in December like Christmas at the KSO, which features festive hits for all the family with classic Christmas melodies such as Handel’s The Messiah, Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker, and Britten’s Ceremony of Carols. Catch the performance by the Kamloops Symphony Orchestra Chorus and harp soloist Naomi Cloutier on Saturday December 17th (2pm and 7.30pm) and Sunday December 18th at 2pm.
Ski under the stars
For something different after dark, little ski bunnies can explore Stake Lake under the stars. With 6.5km of lit trails for night time cross-country skiing, rentals, and a cozy warm lodge, the whole family will enjoy an evening under a twinkling night sky.
Go wild for the holidays
Finish your evening with a visit to BC Wildlife Park Wildlights to see one million twinkling lights illuminating the park and filling it with festive spirit. New for 2022, the Eco Gallery will be transformed into an enchanting winter wonderland, featuring a 10ft wide wreath. Make your own holiday card when you get a photo with one of the resident animals thanks to a clever green screen. Check out the Home Hardware Family Farm (nightly 4.30-8.30pm), Uncle Chris the Clown, or ride the Wildlife Express Train every night from 5-9pm ($1).
Capture those family memories when you met Santa, Mrs Claus, and his elves at the Discovery Centre between December 10-23 from 5-8pm. If your little elves need a sensory friendly night, head here on December 9th to experience the evening with no music and designated quiet spaces, as well as Canucks Autism Network trained staff on hand.
Plan your getaway
With so much going on, make a getaway of it and connect with loved ones this winter in Kamloops. Enjoy a night stay at the Delta Hotels by Marriott Kamloops with the Winter In the Vineyard Offer – rates start at $179 booking between November 20 – December 18 and include wine tasting at Privato and Monte Creek, a welcome gift holiday chocolate bundle, a complimentary appy with the purchase of two entrees at Cordo Resto Bar, and late check out (2pm). Book at Marriott.com/ykade with promo code EB5.
