Okanagan Heritage Museum
Making Waves: Kelowna Regatta
April 23, 2026 to November 9, 2026
Okanagan Heritage Museum
For over 80 years, the Kelowna Regatta stood as a cornerstone of Okanagan summer culture. Making its debut in 1906 as a traditional British-style sporting event, it quickly grew into an internationally recognized spectacle that helped define Kelowna’s identity.
This exhibition invites visitors to jump into the history of the Regatta. What began as a single day of swimming, diving, rowing, and sailing evolved into a multi-day, multi-event festival. At its peak, the Regatta was THE Okanagan summer event, drawing thousands to the area.
Designed to be accessible and engaging for all ages, the exhibition includes a rich collection of archival photographs, artifacts, interactive elements, and stories that highlight the serious competition, the ‘serious fun,’ and the many faces that gave the event its unique character.
Whether you grew up attending the Regatta or are discovering it for the first time, this exhibition offers a nostalgic look back at the joy, the rivalry, and the eventual sinking of this lost community stalwart.
Photo republished with the express permission of: Vancouver Sun, a division of Postmedia Network Inc.
Dive in and explore the fun, the competition – and the eventual demise – of this significant chapter of our city’s history.
Hours
| Monday | 10:00am - 5:00pm |
| Tuesday | 10:00am - 5:00pm |
| Wednesday | 10:00am - 5:00pm |
| Thursday | 10:00am - 5:00pm |
| Friday | 10:00am - 5:00pm |
| Saturday | 10:00am - 5:00pm |
| Sunday | 11:00am - 4:00pm |
Special Hours
| Wednesday, July 1st | 11:00am - 4:00pm |
ADMISSION
Adult - $10
Student/Senior - $8
Youth (5-17) - $7
Family - $25
5 & Under - Free
Every second Sunday of the month - pay-what-you-wish
Self-guided school visits to the OHM
$50 for 10 students, $2 per each additional student. Maximum 30 students.
Those who self-identify as Indigenous visit the Okanagan Heritage Museum free of charge.
