The Balloon Glow at the Village Green Mall (Image Credit: Jason Armstrong / Beach Radio)

By Liam Verster

Vernon Winter Carnival

Winter Carnival kicked off with fan favourites: Balloon Glow, Parade

Feb 8, 2026 | 6:01 AM

The 66th annual Vernon Winter Carnival launched with the public’s favourite events.

The Balloon Glow went Friday, Feb. 6, at the Village Green Shopping Centre mall, followed by the Vernon Winter Carnival Parade down 27th Street Saturday, Feb. 6.

Both events were very well attended, with massive crowds at the mall parking lot and people lining blocks of 27th Street, but people who spoke with Vernon Matters confirmed that one of the events was their favourite.

“The balloons are usually our favourite, [my young son] and I usually get a picture every year, since he was a baby. It’s never as good as the first year, the picture we had together, but every year we go try,” Colin said.

“It’s nostalgic being here, I remember the hot air balloons probably when I was six, so like 2012, so it’s beautiful coming here as a young adult,” Chloe said.

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“We had one kid the last time we came, so we thought we’d bring them out and have a good time. It’s the second for [our daughter] and first for [our son],” Connor told Vernon Matters.

Crowds of people waiting for the balloons to be inflated at the Balloon Glow held at Village Green Mall (Image Credit: Liam Verster / Vernon Matters)

The Balloon Glow at the Village Green Mall (Image Credit: Jason Armstrong / Beach Radio)

The Balloon Glow at the Village Green Mall (Image Credit: Jason Armstrong / Beach Radio)

There were some exceptions, with people reporting that the parade was the top or one of their favourites part of the winter festivities.

“I always come to all the parades every year. Every parade in the Okanagan Valley, I’m a big parade fan” Ina, who came up from Kelowna specifically for the parade, said.

“We love Kal Cheer Lakers. We came out to see the cheer squad,” Jessica said, while her daughters said, Chloe and Cassidy, agreed their favourite part of the carnival was the parade, and they were happy to get some candies and see the floats and mascots as well.

Crowds lined 27th Street for the Vernon Winter Carnival Parade

Vernon Winter Carnival Parade (Image Credit: Liam Verster / Vernon Matters)

Vernon Winter Carnival Parade (Image Credit: Liam Verster / Vernon Matters)

Vernon Winter Carnival parade (Image Credit: Liam Verster / Vernon Matters)

Vernon Winter Carnival parade (Image Credit: Liam Verster / Vernon Matters)

The weather was also well received, with Colin saying it was “more like a Spring Carnival” and other parade goers saying they were happy with the mild and dry conditions.

People also had other events they were looking forward to, such as Steve who was excited about the Bed Races, Marina who wanted to take part in the chili cookoff, and Jessica who was eager to take part in the line dancing and lantern making events.

“Carnival’s a great event for a small town. It’s got lots of history here, there’s lots of interesting things to do and it really brings a lot of people together to get engaged in the community. I think it’s fantastic,” Steven added.

The Balloon Glow was held at the mall parking lot this year instead of behind Kal Tire Place, which received mostly positive but some mixed reviews.

“It was pretty well organized. It was quite good, quite good, and then you can pop in the mall and shop on your way home,” Mary Jean told Vernon Matters.

“I think [the mall] worked a little better than at Kal Tire Place,” Colin said.

“I prefer Kal Tire, it’s like a bigger space for people and for the parking lot. Starbucks is super busy right now, I feel bad for the mall people, but honestly overall I’m just glad that we have a space to do this,” Chloe told Vernon Matters.

“It’s better than the last time, last time was horrible [and freezing] at Kal Tire Place,” Sam said, with Connor adding it felt “cramped” at the previous year’s venue compared to at the mall.

“I actually liked it at [Kal Tire Place] better, I found it a bit more open,” Catie told Vernon Matters.

The theme for the 66th annual Vernon Winter Carnival was set as Team Carnival: Canada Goes for Gold, and people who spoke with Vernon Matters also said they liked the theme.

“I like that, I’m watching the Olympics right now, so I love the theme,” Ina said.

“I love it. We’re getting gold,” Connor said.

“[The theme’s] a good idea, let’s see how things go in Italy,” Steven said.

“I love it, [the theme] is very good,” Mary Jean stated.

The festivities continue through February 15, with the schedule available at the Vernon Winter Carnival website.