The holiday season in Kamloops is about to get a little brighter. The Kamloops Sports Council, in partnership with several local organizations, is launching the city’s first-ever Kamloops Christmas Market, a 10-day celebration set to light up Riverside Park beginning November 21.
The event is a collaborative effort between the City of Kamloops, Tourism Kamloops, Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc, Schwenwen Development Corp., the Downtown Business Improvement Association, and the Kamloops Sports Council. While the Sports Council is best known for organizing major sporting events, Executive Director Duncan Olthius says the team was eager to branch out into community programming. “We view all events kind of the same,” Olthius explained. “Behind the scenes, the structure is similar—it’s just the end product that changes. We wanted to jump in on this and help create something that could become a staple in Kamloops for years to come.”
A Winter Wonderland in Riverside Park
Visitors to the Christmas Market can expect a European-style holiday experience, complete with over 30 local vendors selling artisan goods, crafts, jewelry, and festive treats from wooden chalets. The park will be adorned with twinkling lights, a 40-foot live Christmas tree, a walk-through tree installation, and a light bridge with a canopy of glowing displays.
Entertainment will be a major draw as well, with nightly live performances under a heated tent and special themed evenings—including Pride Night, Krampus Night, Indigenous Night, and BCLC Night. “Every day you come, it’s going to be something different,” said Olthius. “You could visit all 10 days and never have the same experience twice.”
Supporting Kidsport and Building for the Future
Proceeds from the Kamloops Christmas Market will benefit Kidsport Kamloops, a charity that helps remove financial barriers for children participating in organized sports. Some funds will also be reinvested into expanding the market in future years.
Olthius emphasized the importance of community involvement and is calling on residents to help bring the event to life. “We do need quite a few more volunteers,” he said. “Kamloops has always been a great city for volunteerism, and we’d love to have people come out and help us make this event a success.”
Those interested in volunteering or learning more can visit KamloopsChristmasMarket.ca.
With its lights, music, and festive spirit, organizers hope the Kamloops Christmas Market will become a new holiday tradition for the city—one that brings warmth and connection to the winter season.
