It's a Tuesday morning in October. The beach across the road is empty, the lake is flat calm, and the vineyards above Naramata are turning gold. The summer crowds have gone home. The sun hasn't.
If you're looking for things to do in Penticton in the fall, this is the season when the wineries are harvesting, the trails are quiet and you can still sit outside on a warm afternoon. Visit Penticton calls fall "a quieter season, with fewer crowds than summer." We think it's one of the best times of year to be here. Here's why.
Penticton sits between Okanagan Lake and Skaha Lake in one of the driest parts of Canada. In September, the average high is 22.6 °C, so a lake swim is still possible on a good day. By October, afternoons average about 14 °C and nights drop to around 3.5 °C.
Think cool mornings and mild, sunny afternoons in a light jacket. October averages less than 30 mm of precipitation for the whole month, which makes it a reliable time for hiking, cycling and walking between tasting rooms.
Fall is harvest season in the South Okanagan. Grapes come off the vines through September and October, and tasting rooms are calmer than they were in July. With more than 80 wineries within about a 20-minute drive of Penticton, you can fill a day without spending it in the car. Browse the full list of Penticton wineries to plan your route.
The road north along the east side of Okanagan Lake passes one tasting room after another, most with a view of the water. Pick up a Naramata wineries map, choose three or four stops, and book a driver or a guided tour if you plan to taste at all of them. Our Penticton vacation guide lists a few favourites.
About 20 minutes south of town, the wineries around Okanagan Falls overlook Skaha Lake. It makes an easy half-day loop.
North of Penticton, Bottleneck Drive groups about 20 wineries, cideries, breweries and distilleries. It works well if not everyone in your group drinks wine.
Every year from late September to early October, the Okanagan Fall Wine Festival fills the valley with tastings, dinners and winery events. The 2026 festival ran from September 25 to October 4, so keep an eye out for next year's dates.
Tip: Some wineries shorten their hours or close for the season as fall goes on. Check hours or call ahead before you head out.
Cool air makes the climbs easier, and you'll share the trails with far fewer people.
The old railway bed climbs gently above Okanagan Lake through the Naramata vineyards. From Penticton, it's about 16 km one way to the Little Tunnel, with lake views most of the way. For a shorter outing, park at the Smethurst Road lot in Naramata; the tunnel is about 4.4 km from there. Our cycling guide to Penticton has more routes.
This is the hill with the big PENTICTON letters, which date back to 1937. The walk is easy, about 1 km return, and the top looks out over the city, the lake and the orchards. Leashed dogs are welcome.
Skaha Bluffs Provincial Park has hundreds of climbing routes, and the climbing season runs through October. Hikers can follow the trails between the cliffs. Keep an eye out for bighorn sheep.
The Okanagan River Channel links Penticton's two lakes. A flat path runs about 7 km from lake to lake, starting at the Rose Garden on Riverside Drive. In summer it's full of people floating on tubes. In fall you'll have it mostly to yourself.
Penticton has four golf courses, and the season runs into late fall, weather permitting. The Rotary Marina View and Three Blind Mice disc golf courses are open year-round.
The outdoor market runs every Saturday from 8:30 am to 1 pm on the 100 block of Main Street until October 31. After that it moves indoors to Cherry Lane Shopping Centre on November 7 and 21, from 9:30 am to 3 pm. Bring a bag. If your room has a kitchen, you'll want to cook with what you find.
Seven craft breweries make up the Penticton Ale Trail: Abandoned Rail, Cannery, Highway 97, Neighbourhood, Yellow Dog, Tin Whistle and the Barley Mill Brew Pub. A cool evening is a good excuse to try the darker beers on tap.
Apples are in season into October. Drive Upper Bench Road or the road to Naramata and stop at the roadside stands. Stands close for the season at different times, so check before you drive out.
The Penticton Art Gallery sits on Marina Way at the end of Front Street, a short walk from the lake. It's an easy stop on a grey day.
Okanagan Lakefront Resort is across the street from Okanagan Lake and within walking distance of downtown restaurants and coffee shops. Every room has a kitchenette or a full kitchen, so your farmers' market haul can become dinner. After a day on the trails, the lakeshore is right across the road for an evening walk. See our rooms or browse more things to do in Penticton.
Penticton is about a 4.5-hour drive from Vancouver, 1 hour from Kelowna and 8 hours from Calgary. Penticton Regional Airport (YYF) has had flights from Vancouver and Calgary, so check current schedules before you book. In fall, check DriveBC for mountain pass conditions before you leave.
Yes. Fall is harvest season at the wineries, the weather is mild and dry, and there are fewer crowds than in summer. It's a good time for hiking, cycling and wine tasting.
Average highs are about 14 °C and lows are near 3.5 °C. October is fairly dry, with under 30 mm of precipitation on average. Pack layers for cool mornings and milder afternoons.
Many stay open year-round, and fall is harvest season. Some shorten their hours or close for the season later in the fall, so check hours or call ahead.
It runs every year from late September into early October. In 2026 it ran from September 25 to October 4. Check thewinefestivals.com for next year's dates.
About 395 km, or roughly 4.5 hours by car. You can also fly into Penticton Regional Airport (YYF). Check current schedules before you book.
Ready for a quiet fall weekend on the lake? Book your stay at Okanagan Lakefront Resort.
