Shop Local This Holiday Season in the North Okanagan 

The North Okanagan is one of BC’s best places to shop local for the holidays. This holiday season, Vernon, Silver Star, Predator Ridge, Armstrong Spallumcheen and Enderby host Christmas markets, artisan fairs and festive events. Highlights include Farmstrong’s Christmas Markets (Nov 21 and 28), Frostival in downtown Vernon (Nov 27), SantaCon at Predator Ridge (Nov 27), Artsolutely (Nov 28 to Dec 24) and SilverStar’s Light Up (Dec 5). 

Why shop local in the North Okanagan this holiday season 

Hello holiday shoppers! The best gifts in the North Okanagan come with a story. A chocolatier who has hand-dipped truffles in downtown Vernon since 1996. A potter you meet across a market table at a cidery in Armstrong. A shopkeeper in Enderby who remembers your name and says hi. 

This season, skip the mall rush and follow the festivities to five communities: Vernon, Silver Star, Predator Ridge, Armstrong Spallumcheen and Enderby. Each one has its own mix of indie shops, makers and festive traditions, all within about a 35-minute drive of downtown Vernon. Below you’ll find shops to visit, Christmas markets to put on the calendar and the key holiday events of the season. 

Every dollar you spend close to home stays in the community. It supports the local people and families who live, work and play here, and helps keep our communities thriving for generations to come. Visit for the gifts. Stay for the community. 

In this guide 

• Holiday shopping in Vernon, BC 

• Holiday shopping at Silver Star 

• Christmas markets in Armstrong and Spallumcheen 

• Holiday shopping in Enderby, BC 

• FAQs: shopping local for the holidays in the North Okanagan 

Holiday shopping in Vernon, BC 

Downtown Vernon is the North Okanagan’s biggest shop-local district, with roughly 150 independently owned retail stores along and around tree-lined 30th Avenue. Start there, branch out to markets and outdoor events, then head just south of downtown to Predator Ridge for some of the season’s merriest events. 

Local shops in Vernon to check off your list 

• Cotton’s Chocolates: A family-run chocolatier, founded in 1996, that makes every chocolate by hand on-site in small batches. Grab salted caramel peanut butter cups for stockings or gift a monthly chocolate subscription. 

• Wedge Cheesery: A fine cheese shop at 3026 30th Avenue with cheeses from around the world and across Canada. Pick up a catered platter for holiday hosting or a gift card for the cheese lover on your list. 

• Hot Bread Shoppe: A small-batch artisan bakery, voted Best Bakery for 2025 in Vernon’s Best of the Best awards. Known for cinnamon buns, scones, sourdough and butter tarts made with organic flour. 

• Olive Us Oil & Vinegar Tasting Room: Sample and gift olive oils and balsamic vinegars at 3003A 30th Avenue, an easy win for the home cook on your list. 
  
• Planet Bee Honey Farm: Locally made honey, mead and bee-inspired gifts. Shop gifts for all ages.  

• Coffee breaks: Refuel at Triumph Coffee or Ratio, or follow the Hot Sips Stroll, a 10-stop walkable tour of local cafés. 

Christmas markets in Vernon 

• Sleigh All Day Christmas Market (November 28 – 29): Handmade goods, live music and food at the Vernon Recreation Centre.

• Artsolutely Holiday Market (November 28 to December 24): More than 35 Okanagan artists and about 12,500 handmade items, from ceramics to fine art, at the Vernon Community Arts Centre. Open daily, tax-free and restocked throughout the season.

• Shoparama Holiday Gift Sale (early December): Artisans and home-based businesses at the Vernon Recreation Centre. Admission is free, with donations to the Salvation Army Food Bank welcome.

Holiday events in Vernon and at Predator Ridge 

• Frostival, (November 27): The Downtown Vernon Association’s winter street festival fills 30th Avenue with free music, artisan vendors, holiday characters and family activities from 4- 8pm.

• SantaCon at Predator Ridge, (November 27): Hundreds of Santas take over RANGE at Predator Ridge for one very merry night with live music, great food, and fireworks to kick off the holiday season.

• Holiday lights and skating at Predator Ridge: Stroll through more than 70,000 holiday lights strung around the community, then lace up at the outdoor rink, which is open to residents and resort guests. 

• Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve fireworks at Predator Ridge: Look up on Thursday, December 24 and Thursday, December 31 for the resort’s annual fireworks show. See the Predator Ridge events calendar for festive dining at RANGE. 

Local Tip: This is just a highlight, there are so many more amazing events happening, make sure to check out the full Vernon events calendar.

Holiday shopping at Silver Star

Silver Star’s colourful, Victorian-style village sits about 22 km northeast of Vernon, and most of its shops and cafés are run by longtime locals. Pair a day of turns with après shopping, and time your visit for the annual Light Up on Saturday, December 5. 

Local shops at Silver Star to check off your list 

• Gallery Artiva: Visit Silver Star’s newest art space and gift shop, in the Lord Aberdeen Building right on the main village stroll. Pick up local artwork from Vaz Art and one-of-a-kind gifts inspired by the mountain. 

• Village Ski Shop: Shop the latest nordic and alpine ski wear, gear and accessories. It’s the perfect place to shop for the skiers on your list.   

• Evolve: Browse their large selection of ski and snowboard gear, the latest mountain fashions and SilverStar logo wear. 

• Bugaboos Bakery Café: Stop in for house-roasted coffee, pastries, cream puffs and soups. Warm up here with a hot chocolate between shops. 

Holiday events at Silver Star 

• SilverStar Annual Light Up, (December 5): The season’s big kickoff, with vibrant light displays, fire spinners, roaming entertainers, a Christmas market and fireworks. Discover the magic of the holidays at Silver Star. 

• 12 Days of Holidays on the mountain: Plan a festive day visit or stay in the village through Christmas and New Year’s. Find lodging and member businesses at destinationsilverstar.com  

• New Years Ever at Silver Star (December 31): Celebrate a magical evening at Silver Star with an artisan market, torchlight parade, fireworks and NYE party at The Red Antler. 

Local Tip: Dress warmly and arrive early for the Light Up, as the village parking fills quickly. 

Holiday Shopping in Armstrong and Spallumcheen 

Armstrong, the “Heart of Country” in the Spallumcheen Valley, is home to the North Okanagan’s most talked-about Christmas market: two Saturdays of makers, fire pits and wagon rides at Farmstrong Cider Company. Add a stroll through the heritage downtown and you’ve got a full day of small-town holiday cheer. 

Local shops in Armstrong Spallumcheen to check off your list 

• Village Dairy : Find artisan cheese, fruit ice cream and coffee under one roof, perfect for gift boxes and charcuterie fixings. 

• Fieldnotes Market: A nature-inspired general store with European-inspired home goods, local arts and crafts, houseware and specialty local and European pantry foods. Ideal for stocking stuffers and hostess gifts. 

• Frugal Frocks: A modern and vintage women’s consignment shop, serving historic downtown Armstrong since 1992.  

• Monashee Outdoors: A family-owned outdoor store stocked with winter-ready gifts like merino base layers, cozy toques, wool socks, headlamps and the shop’s own Armstrong swag. 

• PV BLVD Coffee: A spacious, antique-filled café serving coffee, wraps and baked goods. Refuel here between stops. 

• Armstrong Spallumcheen Chamber of Commerce & Visitor Centre: Pick up local gifts and get shopping tips from the friendly staff at 3005 Wood Avenue.

Christmas markets in Armstrong Spallumcheen 

Farmstrong Christmas Markets (November 21 and November 28): Over 60 vendors, festive food and drink and free wagon rides at Farmstrong Cider Company, 4300 Maw Road. There’s no parking on site, so park at the IPE Grounds (3315 Pleasant Valley Road) and take the shuttle. Bring cash for the shuttle and for easy shopping, and dress for the weather, since the market is outdoors.

Holiday events in Armstrong Spallumcheen 

• Downtown Armstrong Light Up (November 28): The Armstrong Spallumcheen Chamber of Commerce hosts an annual evening light up downtown with local vendors, shops staying open late with a little Christmas magic.  

• Shop and sip downtown: Armstrong’s heritage downtown makes a cozy, walkable stop for holiday shopping with great local cafes and coffee shops. 

 
Local Tip: Make time for a visit to Caravan Farm Theatre to check out their winter sleigh ride show, The Hockey Sweater.

Holiday shopping in Enderby, BC 

Tucked between the Enderby Cliffs and the winding Shuswap River, Enderby packs a whole lot of heart into a few walkable blocks, where shop owners greet you like a neighbour and the pace slows down just enough to enjoy it. Wander downtown with a warm drink in hand, find a gift with real history behind it and stay for an evening of small-town Christmas magic.  

Local shops in Enderby to check off your list 

• Roots & Rascals Boutique: Enderby’s downtown children’s boutique, filled with clothing and gifts for the little ones on your list. 

• The Frayed Page: This family-owned independent bookstore is a must-stop for the bookworms on your shopping list. 

• Fleur Seasons Designs: Local florist with beautiful creations to decorate the table and house for the holiday season. 

• The Courtyard Gallery: a non-profit, co-operative gallery of local artists, open since 2013. 

• Enderby & District Arts Council: Check out the Enderby Arts Centre and Artisans Emporium. 

• Enderby Jewellers: A main-street jewelry store serving the community since 1947. A classic stop for a meaningful gift. 

• Enderby & District Museum gift shop: Local history books on Armstrong, Enderby, Mara, Mabel Lake and the Shuswap, plus work by local writers and artists.  

Christmas markets and holiday events in Enderby 

• Enderby Christmas Light Up & Parade (December 4): Enderby celebrates the season with a festive Friday evening parade and light up downtown.  

• Christmas Tractor Parade (December 23): An annual convoy of lit-up tractors, trucks and trailers that departs the IPE Grounds in Armstrong and rolls north to Enderby, usually arriving around 6 pm. A true small-town tradition the whole family will love. 

• Shop downtown all season: Plan an afternoon of browsing George Street and Cliff Avenue, then warm up at Enderbeans Cafe or Sweet Iron Cafe for amazing coffee and treats. 

Local Tip: Enderby has a small selection of accommodations, so book early if you plan to stay overnight during the holidays. 

FAQs: shopping local for the holidays in the North Okanagan  

What are the best Christmas markets in the North Okanagan in 2026? 

• Farmstrong Christmas Markets in Armstrong (Saturdays, Nov 21 and Nov 28), with over 60 vendors and free wagon rides. 

• Artsolutely Holiday Market in Vernon (Nov 28 to Dec 24), with more than 35 Okanagan artists, open daily and tax-free. 

• Sleigh All Day Christmas Market at the Vernon Recreation Centre (Nov 28 and 29). 

• The Light Up Christmas Market at SilverStar Mountain Resort (Dec 5). 

Where can I park for the Farmstrong Christmas Market? 

• There is no parking at Farmstrong Cider Company. 

• Park at the IPE Grounds, 3315 Pleasant Valley Road, Armstrong, and take the shuttle. 

• Bring cash for the shuttle and for vendors. 

When is Frostival in downtown Vernon? 

• Friday, November 27, 2026, from 4 to 8 pm on 30th Avenue. 

• Expect free music, artisan vendors, holiday characters and family activities. 

When is the SilverStar Light Up in 2026? 

• Saturday, December 5, 2026, in Silver Star village. 

• It includes a Christmas market, torchlight parade, fire spinners and fireworks. 

• Arrive early, since parking fills quickly. 

Where can I see holiday fireworks in the North Okanagan?

• SilverStar Mountain Resort during the Light Up on December 5 and on New Years Eve (Dec 31). 

• Predator Ridge on Christmas Eve (Dec 24) and New Year’s Eve (Dec 31). 

How far apart are the North Okanagan communities? 

• Silver Star village is about 22 km northeast of Vernon. 

• Predator Ridge sits just south of Vernon. 

• Armstrong and Enderby lie north of Vernon along Highway 97A, about a 35-minute drive from downtown Vernon to Enderby. 

What are good local gift ideas from the North Okanagan? 

• Handmade chocolates from Cotton’s Chocolates in Vernon. 

• Local cheese from Wedge Cheesery in Vernon or Village Dairy + Table in Armstrong. 

• Original art from Artsolutely in Vernon or Gallery Artiva at Silver Star. 

• Vintage and consignment finds from Frugal Frocks or pantry treats from Fieldnotes Market in Armstrong. 

• Experience gifts such as lift tickets at SilverStar or a spa vacation at Sparkling Hill Resort. 

Do I need to check road conditions before driving in December? 

• Yes. Winter driving conditions change quickly, especially on the road to SilverStar. 

• Check DriveBC before you head out and use winter tires. 

Thank you for shopping local! Every gift you buy close to home keeps our communities thriving. Come for the gifts. Stay for the community. Book your holiday shopping vacation now.