Street buskers provide entertainment at a past Summerland Christmas Light Up event. Communities around the South Okanagan are getting ready for the Christmas season in preparation for various light-up events. SUBMITTED

South Okanagan community Christmas light-up events

PENTICTON – Christmas is coming and many South Okanagan communities are kicking off the season with light-up festivities.

Penticton holds its Artwalk and Christmas tree Light Up on Thursday, Nov. 22 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. The second annual artwalk includes a tour of eight art galleries in downtown Penticton.

The city’s Santa Claus Parade is Saturday, Dec. 1 at 4 p.m.

Naramata's Christmas Faire and Light Up takes place Dec. 2 starting at 6 p.m. There will be a Whoville with a Grinch theme for the kids and prizes for best costumes. The Naramata Playschool will be selling baked goods and hot chocolate and Naramata Community Church will be operating their Christmas hamper program. Santa will also be on hand.

The Oliver Christmas Light up is Friday Nov. 23 in an all day, family-friendly event. The event continues with breakfast with Santa on Saturday, and a free matinee movie at 2 p.m.

A bonfire and fireworks takes place in Oliver Community Park on Friday evening.

The Osoyoos Festival Society presents that community’s 30th Christmas Light up on Friday, Nov. 30 and Saturday, Dec. 1 with events including a merchant’s open house, a Santa parade, a live radio play and a Christmas Craft Fair.

Summerland’s 31st annual Festival of Lights starts at 5 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 30 with a list of events including the Santa Claus procession, live entertainment, fireworks, ice sculptures and more. Activities continue on Saturday, Dec. 1.

The Keremeos Christmas Light up takes place Dec. 7 and Dec. 8 with a weekend full of festive activities. Tour local wineries, stop at the Grist Mill and Gardens and support local artists and artisans.

To contact a reporter for this story, email Steve Arstad or call 250-488-3065 or email the editor. You can also submit photos, videos or news tips to the newsroom and be entered to win a monthly prize draw.

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Steve Arstad

I have been looking for news in the South Okanagan - SImilkameen for 20 years, having turned a part time lifelong interest into a full time profession. After five years publishing a local newsletter, several years working as a correspondent / stringer for several local newspapers and seven years as editor of a Similkameen weekly newspaper, I joined iNFOnews.ca in 2014. My goal in the news industry has always been to deliver accurate and interesting articles about local people and places. My interest in the profession is life long - from my earliest memories of grade school, I have enjoyed writing.
As an airborne geophysical surveyor I travelled extensively around the globe, conducting helicopter borne mineral surveys.
I also spent several years at an Okanagan Falls based lumber mill, producing glued-wood laminated products.
As a member of the Kaleden community, I have been involved in the Kaleden Volunteer Fire Department for 22 years, and also serve as a trustee on the Kaleden Irrigation District board.
I am currently married to my wife Judy, of 26 years. We are empty-nesters who enjoy living in Kaleden with our Welsh Terrier, Angus, and cat, Tibbs.
Our two daughters, Meagan and Hayley, reside in Richmond and Victoria, respectively.

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