NEW YEARS 2020 EVENTS
By Monique Tamminga.
This New Year’s is a big deal. We aren’t just celebrating a new year, we are celebrating the start of a new decade. So how are you going to party like it’s 1999?!
Luckily for you, Gonzo Okanagan has rounded up the best and most unique ways to bring in the new decade from partying with hundreds of like minded revelers to wintery fine dining in a remote mountain lodge to curing that hang over by taking an icy dip in Okanagan Lake.
Here’s where to find the fun and local musicians:
PENTICTON
Brew Year’s Eve
Party at Penticton’s newest and biggest brew house for Brew Year’s Eve at Slackwater Brewing. The rockin’ gents of Midnight Special Revival will be providing the live music for an evening of great food, beers, bubbles, rock n’ roll, dancing and saying farewell to 2019! Tickets can be with or without dinner and available from the taproom at the Growler bar.
Celebrate in Mountain Lodge
Why not celebrate at Chute Lake Lodge in Naramata? This is a unique chance to do something truly special for a select few. How many of your friends will bring in the New Year in a historic log building at 4,000 feet next to a frozen mountain lake? They are going to celebrate in style with an exquisite meal in the Waterstop Restaurant. Later we’ll party together to see the New Year in. Accommodation options are limited. To secure your NYE evening contact Lodge Manager Clayton at 250 496 5262.
Black of Hearts play Mile Zero Wine Bar at 10 p.m.
Fireworks at Lakeside Resort
Taking place in the resort’s new East Ballroom, guests of Carnivale New Year’s Eve Party will enjoy a dynamic evening of food, music and dancing. The night features live entertainment by Latin band Mazacote, Dj Shakes, and The Darlings Cabaret. Enjoy their annual midnight fireworks show over Okanagan Lake!
Hillside Outlaws at the Barley Mill
Take part in the Prohibition Protest with the Hillside Outlaws at the Barley Mill Pub. 1920s themed dress encouraged but not required for this fun evening. Hillside had the dance floor packed last year, so don’t miss out.
KELOWNA
New Year’s at Stuart Park and Kelowna Community Theatre
Now into its eighth year, Valley First “New York New Years” is one of the only all age appropriate events happening in Kelowna on New Year’s Eve. Join more than 6,000 people in Stuart Park and the Kelowna Community Theatre for this free party that includes kidz zone, fireworks and skating. Live musical performances starting at 6:00 p.m. from Kelowna favourite Jeff Piatelli and Jupiter Beach performing high energy pop covers. Continuing the fun will be classic rock quintet Heatwave at 7:00, followed by Vernon’s own Andrew Allen and his new band Via Barcelonia.
There will be the Kid’s “Snow Zone,” free hot chocolate and food trucks will be onsite so come hungry. The “Valley First Warm Up Zone” in the Kelowna Community Theatre will have games, photo booth, craft & colouring stations and face painting. Pop into the Black Box Theatre for inflatables courtesy of the City of Kelowna’s Park & Play program. The spectacular fireworks show is at 9 p.m.
O’Flannigans Gets Lucky
Kelowna based band Lucky Monkey will be rocking the New Year in at O’Flannigan’s Pub. Concert starts at 8 p.m. Last year, Lucky Monkey rocked out Apex Mountain’s famous Gun Barrell Saloon.
POLAR BEAR DIPS
And if freezing your bits off is the way you like to welcome the New Year, there are two epic Polar Bear Swims to attend.
CRIS Adaptive Adventures will host Kelowna’s Freezin’ For A Reason polar bear dip at Tugboat Beach in Kelowna.
Summerland
The largest and longest running Polar Bear Swim celebrates 35 years of craziness at Sun-Oka Beach in Summerland. Join hundreds at noon sharp who don crazy costumes to run into the frigid waters of Okanagan Lake.
