From Frights to Sleigh Rides: Okanagan Family Activities Weekend

Visiting at the end of the year? You’re in for Okanagan family activities that feel easy and actually fun. In Armstrong & Spallumcheen, your weekend can start with giggles at a daylight “haunted” house and end under a blanket on a horse-drawn sleigh, stars winking overhead. It’s small-town simple here—friendly people, short drive times, and that rare combo of low-stress logistics and high-memory moments. Tourism Armstrong Spallumcheen is your sign to pack the mittens and come up.

Credit: O’Keefe Ranch

Why Armstrong & Spallumcheen for family weekends

Armstrong & Spallumcheen sit at the heart of the North Okanagan: close to Vernon, easy from Kelowna, and an accessible escape for Kamloops and Salmon Arm. What do families love most? Low-stress logistics and that “everyone knows your name” welcome. As of 2025, families are choosing nearby getaways, outdoor time, and community events—and this place delivers all three, every season.

Saturday: Little frights, warm cups, big grins

You roll into town mid-morning, hills in a late-fall glow, and head straight for O’Keefe Ranch. By day, the family-friendly Haunted House is more “boo!” than “Boo!”, perfect for kids who like the idea of spooky, not the nightmares. Between heritage buildings and pumpkin-lined paths, you’ll get photos you’ll actually print.

After a round of “that wasn’t scary—I just jumped because you jumped,” it’s time for a warm-up at PV Blvd Coffee, the cozy spot where steamers and hot chocolates arrive fast and friendly.

If you’re here in late November, the day practically steers you toward the Farmstrong Cider Company Christmas Markets (Nov 22 & 29): wagon rides, fires, and more than sixty makers and food vendors. Shuttle from the IPE Grounds keeps hands free for gift browsing. Not market day? Downtown scratching-the-itch stops include Fieldnotes Market for stationery and gifts, and Bargain Bin or Canadian Royal Antiques Post for treasure-hunting finds. 

Lunch is easy—no reservations, no pressure. Settle into The Wild Oak Cafe for soups and sandwiches, Country Manor Kitchen or Jonnie & Lily’s Diner for hearty classics and a relaxed, family-friendly vibe. The point is to keep the day moving and the moods high.

Afternoon brings options. If your crew loves making things, check dates for Scrap n’ Chat—a bring-your-own-project weekend where cards and scrapbooks come together and conversation hums. Prefer to roam? Window-shop along Pleasant Valley Blvd and let the day meander.

Dinner stays uncomplicated and local at The Overlander Restaurant. Back at your stay—Armstrong Inn for in-town convenience or Blue Grass Farm for countryside calm—you’re already hearing it: “Can we do sleigh rides tomorrow?”

Credit: Farmstrong Cider Company

Sunday: Slow morning, cheese stop, sleigh-ride magic

Sunday leans outdoors — small-town Sunday hours mean it’s the perfect day for strolls and viewpoints. Start with an easy forest walk on the Mt. Rose Swanson network and aim for one of the bluffs for big valley views (Overview, Turner’s Terrace, or Miller’s Bluff are local favourites).

If you want flatter terrain, loop Thomas Hayes Ecological Park on the Coyote Loop and pop up to the small lookout — gentle grades, kid-friendly, and close to town.

Prefer an in-town amble? Try the Chip Trail behind Pleasant Valley Secondary School — an easy stroll to stretch legs before the evening show.

As the afternoon slides toward evening, follow Salmon River Road to Caravan Farm Theatre. Note the timing: Caravan presents a fall show earlier in the season, and the Winter Sleigh Ride Show begins in December—book accordingly. Horses, breathe in the cold air, story scenes in pools of light, and a sky that feels bigger than whatever you left in your inbox. Fires crackle. Music drifts. You tuck the kids (and your hands) under blankets and decide—quietly, happily—that this is your new December ritual.

Bring: layers, boots, hats, and a blanket for each pair of knees.

Book ahead: sleigh-ride shows sell out quickly.

Credit: Caravan Farm Theatre

Why this weekend works (and why families love it)

Because everything is close together, you spend more time doing and less time driving. Because people are kind, last-minute pivots are easy. And because Armstrong & Spallumcheen keep things grounded—markets that feel like community, theatre that feels like wonder—you go home with memories that stick.

If you’re planning with grandparents, mixed ages, or short attention spans, this area shines:

• Short stints, high payoff: Daylight “haunted” fun, one-hour theatre, and markets with lots to see in little time.

• Flexible food stops: Cozy cafés and pubs without the “hangry gap.”

• Weather-smart: Indoor/covered options if the forecast flips.

Quick planning cues

• Driving time: ~25 minutes from Vernon; ~1 hour from Kelowna or Salmon Arm (weather dependent).

• What to pack: mittens, toques, warm layers, waterproof boots, and a blanket for sleigh rides.

• Accessibility: many venues can assist—call ahead for mobility support.

• Road-trip smarts: check Destination BC’s Know Before You Go for seasonal tips.

Want help lining up dates and tickets? Tourism Armstrong Spallumcheen keeps an updated Events and See & Do hub so you can set it and forget it.

More ways to sprinkle in local love

• Say hi to local history at the Armstrong Spallumcheen Museum & Archives.

• Browse the Armstrong Spallumcheen Chamber business directory for shops you might’ve missed.

In season, check the Armstrong Farmers’ Market for produce and artisan goods.

FAQs

What are the best Okanagan family activities near Vernon in winter?
Caravan Farm Theatre’s sleigh-ride show, holiday markets (Farmstrong, Len Wood), the Armstrong Museum, and easy family dining downtown.

Is O’Keefe Ranch’s Haunted House okay for young kids?
Yes. Daytime hours are designed to be family-friendly with low-scare fun. Always confirm current-year details.

Do I need to book Caravan Farm Theatre in advance?
Yes—shows often sell out. Book early and dress warmly with blankets for the ride.

Where should we eat with kids?
Look for family-friendly cafés and pubs in downtown Armstrong with quick service and simple menus.

Plan it with Tourism Armstrong Spallumcheen

At Tourism Armstrong Spallumcheen, we help families turn a simple weekend into the best stories of the season. Check our Events and See & Do pages to time your visit with markets and showtimes, then choose a place to Stay that fits your crew.

Start your Armstrong & Spallumcheen weekend plan—line up tickets, pick your cafés, and save our packing list so all that’s left is the fun.