Cherries, rattlesnakes and oysters, only in Osoyoos
Osoyoos, BC / Syilx Nation What do cherries, rattlesnakes and oysters have in common? Find out with a visit to Canada’s only town in a desert, in Osoyoos, BC, where the spring and summer events calendar is full of exotic and surprising adventures to rouse your senses.
Here's your ticket to get a jump start on summer. For those seeking sun and heat, and who are up for a road trip that's not far away, Osoyoos has an awesome roster of fun festivals from April through July.
On why to be here this spring, Osoyoos Oyster Festival producer Sherani Theophilus explains it this way, “there are still rooms to book, the weather is hot and kids are still in school.”
Here are a few other reasons for an Osoyoos visit.
Osoyoos Oyster Festival
April 17- 18, 2026
“April and May are the best times to visit Osoyoos,” it's why Theophilus, newspaper publisher of Times Chronicle Osoyoos, took over the Osoyoos Oyster Fest in 2023.
It’s so odd to have oysters in the desert—and that’s why it works, she explained to me at the Osoyoos Golf Club, home to the only event left with tickets.
The fest’s Sip and Shuck event Friday, April 17, is perfectly paired with a weekend of biking and trying local wines. Book yourself in via https://osoyoosoysterfestival.ca/.
Pig Out Festival
May 1 to 3, 2026, Oliver
“Why wait 'til May Long, just come here now,” invites Jennifer Busmann, lead for the Oliver Osoyoos Wine Association (OOWA) and producer of Pig Out and Half Corked Marathon, both in May.
The Pig Out Festival makes this simple, pay one price and shuffle about Cellar Door & More (next to the Wine Village) as you feast on tasty BBQ bites and entertainment while savouring local Okanagan wines.
For this eighth annual Pig Out main event on Saturday, May 2, expect 15 different culinary partners including the current World Champion Pit Master, the BBQ god Brian Misko.
“This year we have expanded the festival even more,” explains Busmann, encouraging you to head for an experience by bus across four wineries on Sunday, May 3, each with a signature experience waiting.
The food-and-wine crawl is called the Pig Out Trail, a four- to five- hour wine seekers experience open to anyone who buys tickets now.
Half Corked Marathon
May 28-31, 2026, Oliver
Now into its 18th season, this annual run-fun-wine fest combo is an experience on more than a few festival seekers’ bucket lists.
When asked why she’s put this hard work into producing Half Corked for 18 years running, Bussman says, “it's the magic of the day and seeing people so stoked on what you’ve brought together. Some people have waited 10 years to get into the event and are really having the best time.”
With thousands in town for the event, OOWA and its winemakers are adding new events in 2026, like Thursday's tailgater at Lakeside Cellars or Friday’s block party at the boutique Nostalgia Winery.
These events welcome everyone, not just running participants. You’ll find the full Half Corked Marathon event menu here, be sure to arrive thirsty. And for all events, click into Destination Osoyoos’s website here.
Cherry Fiesta & Canada Day Fireworks
July 1, 2026, Downtown Osoyoos
With your hands tied behind your back and a sweet cherry pie on the table before you, it's time to GO—you're the next contestant in the Cherry Fiesta Cherry Pie Eating Contest!
“A few years back we had a kid who went into it with so much gusto, the pie ended up in the grass and came up with cherry filling and grass pieces all over his face for the win,’ laughs Ken Baker, President of the Osoyoos Festivals Society.
Did you know that 95% of Canada’s sweet cherry harvest comes out of the South Okanagan…so why wouldn’t you want to celebrate this?!
Only in Osoyoos
find unique events to sweeten your getaway
Next to the pie eating, expect a gigantic parade and six different bands, including for the third year returning “Alive and KISSING." You guessed it, a KISS cover band live from the beer gardens.
Then stay for the mega fireworks show over the lake celebrating Canada Day. You’ll want to book accommodations now - the top of July is a busy time; Destination Osoyoos will help you with that here.
Meet the rattlesnakes
While in town, visit the Nk’mip Desert Cultural Centre, an impressive experience by the Osoyoos Indian Band. Take the short loop trail out to the replicated village site and make a connection to the land.
Top tip: time your Cultural Centre visit with the Meadowlark Nature Festival, May 14-18, 2026, ”we have our “Snakes Alive!” presentation, educating on rattlesnakes that make their home here with a private tour of the biology lab,” explains Shelby LePage, the centre’s event expert.
Since the centre opened in 2006, it has been tracking and researching rattlesnakes in the area and as a result, numbers are rising and rattlesnakes are no longer endangered here because of Osoyoos Indian Band’s conservation efforts.
Now you know, cherries, rattlesnakes and oysters and their connection to Canada’s desert community of Osoyoos, BC.
When you Go
Say hello know the word 'way - its how you greet people in Syilx, the Nation you are within while visiting Osoyoos. Way’ means “hello, or welcome.”
Getting to Osoyoos
From Calgary, Edmonton or Vancouver, the nearest flights are through Penticton.
Driving to Osoyoos
under 1h from Penticton or 1h 40min from Kelowna via Hwy 97 - BC 97S
4h 40 min from Vancouver via Hwy 1 to Crowsnest Hwy
Where to stay check in with Destination Osoyoos for a host of accommodation options.
More events read more in this story and check out the Destination Osoyoos event calendar for more.
Get social let us know what you discover, tag @destinationosoyoos or @festivalseekers in your social posts so we might be able to feature you.