Tourism

The South Okanagan generates about 350,000 visitors and an estimated $59 million annually in direct visitor expenditures. Marketable products in Osoyoos include wineries, agri-tourism activities, Indigenous cultural experiences, museums and art galleries, golfing, skiing, hiking & biking, as well as festivals and events.
Osoyoos is designated a resort municipality (one of only 14 in British Columbia) in accordance with the Province’s Resort Municipality Initiative. As a resort municipality, the community receives provincial funding to develop infrastructure and programming.

There is significant new investment occurring in Osoyoos that will have implications directly and indirectly for tourism. New wineries, recreational condominiums, hotel expansions and resort developments have created a positive business climate and more opportunities for market and product development for a four-season destination resort.

For more information on the Osoyoos Tourism industry, visit destinationosoyoos.com
 

Festivals and Events

If you would like to create a festival or event, contact the Town of Osoyoos Community Services department. If you would like to promote your event, contact Destination Osoyoos.
 

Spring

Easter Eggstravaganza
Osoyoos Oyster Festival
Okanagan Spring Wine Festival
Meadowlark Nature Festival
Market on Main (May – Sept)
Pig Out (Oliver)
Half Corked Marathon (Oliver)
Tinhorn Creek Concert Series
Wine Country Drag Racing

Summer

Market on Main
Cactus Jalopies Show & Sine
National Aboriginal Day Celebrations
Osoyoos RibFest
Half Iron Triathalon (Oliver)
Cherry Fiesta, Parade & Fireworks (Canada Day)
Music in the Park
Art About Town
Mt. Kobau Star Party

Autumn

Market on Main
Osoyoos Dragon Boat Flag Race
Freak’n Farmer Obstacle Race (Oliver)
Sailing Regatta
Lobster on the Beach
Okanagan Fall Wine Festival
Cask & Keg Festival (Oliver)
Festival of the Grape (Oliver)
Halloween Howl

Winter

Winter in Wine Country
Winter Concert Series
Festival Treasures
Festival of Trees
Christmas Parade & Lite-Up
Christmas Artisan Market
Baldy Mountain Chair Festival
 

Area Attractions

Anarchist Mountain Scenic Lookout (Hwy 3, east of town)
Sonora Community Centre
Coyotes Sports Simulation
Desert Park Equine Facility & Racetrack
Dominion Radio Astrophysical Observatory (Kaleden)
Irrigation Canal Walkway Trail
Lakeshore Trail
Nk’Mip Desert Cultural Centre
Osoyoos Desert Centre
Osoyoos Art Gallery
Osoyoos Desert Model Railroad
Osoyoos Lake
Osoyoos Museum & Archives
Rattlesnake Canyon Amusement Park
Richter Pass Scenic Lookout (Hwy 3, west of town)
Skate Board Park
Splash Park
Spotted Lake
Sẁiẁs (Haynes Point) Wetland Trail
West Bench Recreation Complex
15 area Golf Courses
42 Wineries in Oliver Osoyoos Wine Region
 

Tourism in the Thompson-Okanagan Region

In 2012, overnight tourism in British Columbia generated 17.9 million person-visits and $8.6 billion in related spending. The Thompson Okanagan, one of six tourism regions in the province, represents 20% of provincial overnight visitation and 14% of related spending.*

Same-day travelers accounted for 46% of visitor volume and 18% of visitor expenditures in the Thompson Okanagan region.

 

 

The Thompson Okanagan received 3.8 million overnight person visits in 2012 and generated $1.1 billion in related spending. Domestic overnight travellers accounted for 87% of visitation and 81% of related spending. International travellers accounted for 13% and 19%, respectively. On average, domestic travel parties in the Thompson Okanagan stayed 3.3 nights and spent $119 per night during their trip. US travel parties stayed 3.5 nights and spent $193 per night during their trip, and Other international travel parties stayed 6.3 nights and spent $125 per night during their trip in the Thompson Okanagan region.*

*Data provided by Destination BC.