Wondering what to do in the Kootenays this Spring? You’re not the only one. Between the different towns in the area there’s plenty to do at this time of year. Make sure you subscribe to get our recommendations straight to your inbox!
Check out these five Spring events for something fun to do, arranged by date. By the way these are all recurring annual events, so if you can’t get to them all this year you’ll have another opportunity next Spring 🌸
14 Days of Poutine (April 22-May 5th, 2024)
📍Nelson, BC
The 2024 Poutine Menu, Contestants, and Categories have been unveiled!
This one is happening a bit later than usual this year, but you can look forward to Nelson’s 14 days of Poutine April 22nd! Typically this runs mid-late April, but due to scheduling convenience is starting April 22, and ending May 5th for 2024.
If you need your poutine fix today, you can visit reigning champion Chez Serge in Kaslo who won the awards for Best Tasting, Best Presentation, and Most Original poutine in both 2022 and 2023! They were also winners of two categories for 2024! Visiting Chez Serge is one of our favourite things to do in Kaslo.
It was a fierce competition this year, check out the 2024 winners here!
Tulip Festival (May 11-12)
📍Winlaw, Slocan Valley
The 3rd Annual Tulip Festival at Hummingbird Farm returns bigger and better than ever! This free, two-day event (May 11th & 12th, 10am-3pm) offers a rare opportunity to for members of the public to explore one of the Kootenays’ beautiful flower farms. 🌷🌷🌷
A Floral Celebration Awaits
The festival features a self-guided walking tour. Guests can wander through vibrant annual and perennial flower fields, peek into the ranunculus hoop house, and learn about the importance of natural pollinators in the gardens.
While the farm is generally closed to the public, serving as a working flower farm, it is available for private weddings, so this is a great opportunity to tour their stunning wedding venue.
Capture Memories & Find Treasures To-Go
A vintage furniture photo booth provides a charming backdrop for capturing family memories (bring your camera or phone). Delicious food and refreshments will be available, along with unique offerings from artisan vendors. Take home a piece of Hummingbird Farm with a selection of cut flower seeds, dried flower creations, flower and vegetable plant starts, and of course, fresh-cut tulips – a perfect gift for Mother’s Day!
Kaslo May Days (May 18-20)
📍Kaslo, BC
If you’ve been feeling cooped up and isolated this Winter, May Days is just what you need. A celebration of the return of Summer, Kaslo’s May Days celebration is a vibrant tradition dating all the way back to 1892! Held over three fun-filled days around Victoria Day long weekend, it’s a chance for the community to come together and kick Summer off with music, food, and friends.
May Days is an event that runs throughout the Kootenays. Some events have grown into their own thing, and are titled differently, but ALL are super fun events for all ages, and well worth visiting! Get out and explore some other communities in the Kootenays, they’re really not that far away!
- Trail Silver City Days: May 4-6
- Kaslo May Days: May 18-20
- New Denver’s May Days: Sunday May 19th
- Beaver Valley May Days: May 24-26
- Castlegar’s Sunfest (see below): May 31-June 2
These music and food-filled events all feature a community pageant where the May Queen is crowned, and contestants participate in the parade. It’s a special small town tradition that’s filled with charm and brings the community together in celebration.
You can find the full Kaslo May Days schedule here!
Timberrrr! Competitive Logger Sports
A crowd favourite, Kaslo’s May Days wouldn’t be complete without logger sports. This exciting competition features events that test various lumberjack skills, including log rolling, tree climbing, axe throwing, and the internet famous springboard chopping!
It’s something a little different, and the whole crowd gets into it. With participants from all corners of the continent, it’s always a pretty impressive showing!
Show & Shine
Polishing up their prized rides both old and new, car enthusiasts come together at the Show and Shine. It’s a fantastic opportunity to admire polished classic vehicles and chat with fellow car lovers. If that won’t get your dad out of the house, throw in a drink at the historic Kaslo Hotel to seal the deal.
Must-Sees at Kaslo May Days
Longest Maypole Dance: Kaslo holds the title for the longest consecutive Maypole dance in North America, performed by local children. The dancers weave an intricate pattern, decorating the Maypole – symbolizing fertility and rebirth as the land awakens from Winter.
Arts and Crafts Marketplace: Stroll through a vibrant marketplace filled with local artisans showcasing their work, from paintings to pottery.
A Culinary Adventure: Enjoy delicious treats and refreshing craft beers while listening to live music throughout the festivities.
Old-School Parade: A classic downtown parade, complete with candy-throwing. This really ought to be the only kind of parade, if we’re honest.
Family Fun: There’s something for the whole family at May Days! Aside from the competition and live music, there’s also a softball tournament, skate park demos, a rubber duck race, shopping, and a garden show.
Sunfest (May 31-June 2)
📍Castlegar, BC
As Summer beckons, Castlegar comes alive with the three-day Castlegar Sun Fest. Similar to the May Days celebrations that take place in Kaslo and New Denver, Sun Fest is a fun-filled way to kick off the warmer months with the whole community.
A Celebration for All Ages
Sun Fest has a program packed with activities that cater to people with different interests. Car enthusiasts can marvel at gleaming vehicles displayed at the Show and Shine. Music lovers will be treated to live performances by talented musicians throughout the weekend, filling the air with joyful melodies. Stay for the fireworks to cap off your Sun Fest experience with a dazzling display of colours!
Family Focused Fun
Sun Fest isn’t just a good time for the adults – kids will have a blast at the different activities that run throughout the event. The rubber duck race promises a splash of fun for little ones, and the garden show can be interesting to kids curious about the natural world. The athletic ones in the family can test their skills at the softball tournament, creating friendly rivalries and memories with friends and family.
Shop Local
No festival is complete without delicious food and some casual shopping. Sun Fest brings in an impressive selection of vendors offering treats that range from classic fairground fare to local specialties. Explore vendors’ booths for a handcrafted souvenir or a one-of-a-kind gift.
Grapes and Grains (Cancelled)
📍Nelson, BC
Held annually at the Hume Hotel in Nelson, the Grapes and Grains Festival celebrates the area’s craft breweries, distilleries, and wineries, all with a fun, prohibition-era theme.
The festival usually takes place in June, but was recently cancelled for 2024. We’re sad to see it go!
A Roaring Good Time
The festival transforms the historic Hume Hotel into a scene straight out of the 1920s. Dress up in your best Gatsby-esque attire and enjoy some incredible food and drinks while local bands play period-authentic live music, with acts that rotate every half hour.
Sample Local Delights
Your ticket includes open bar access that allow you to try craft beers, spirits, and wines supplied by 40 vendors from the Kootenay region. The Hume goes all the food as well, with past events featuring amazing mac and cheese balls, steak samplers, and seafood – all included in your ticket price! Come out and find your new favourite local brew!
A Celebration of History
The Grapes and Grains Festival is more than just a chance to try some tasty beverages. It’s also a celebration of the Hume Hotel’s rich history. The hotel was built in 1908 and played a significant role in Nelson’s social scene during the prohibition era.
Fun fact: the Hume Hotel had a saloon that transitioned to a Tea Room during prohibition and had an early soda pop machine installed.
With this annual prohibition themed event, the Hume pays homage to this unique period in the hotel’s history. If you’re looking for a truly unique way to experience Nelson’s craft beverage scene, then the Grapes and Grains Festival is definitely worth checking out!
Spring in the Kootenays is a blast! From lively festivals to local food competitions, this is a season brimming with possibilities. So slip on your Blundstones, grab your camera, and get ready to experience the Kootenays at their most fun.
Bored this weekend? Here’s a list of other awesome things to do in the Kootenays!
