After a two-year hiatus, Fireside Festival returns to Kelowna this weekend

Photo: Fireside Festival

Kelowna's very own winter music festival kicks off Friday at Red Bird Brewing.

Fireside Festival returns to downtown Kelowna this weekend in a big way after a two-year hiatus due to the the pandemic.

The event, which began as a small gathering of local musicians in a house off Lakeshore Drive back in 2014, has grown to three days of music. Fireside's Friday evening, and all day Saturday, will be hosted outside at Red Bird Brewing, while Sunday will see the event return to BNA Brewing, where it's been held in years past.

After plenty of set-up work over the past week, Fireside's organizers and volunteers are ready to share their hard work with the community.

“It has been a busy last few days, but we've been working systematically, checking things off the list,” said Director of Operations Heather Leslie. “Everything's really come together, it looks incredible. It's going to be so awesome.”

Doors have already opened at Red Bird Friday, with music carrying on through the evening. Those who haven't got tickets yet should be able to grab them online or at the door while they're still available.

With the Red Bird events taking place outside, around the brewery's outdoor fire pits, Leslie recommends dressing warm and layering up.

Festivities kick off at 2 p.m. Saturday, but Leslie says online tickets have already sold out for that day, and there'll be very few tickets available at the door.

Music starts at 1 p.m. Sunday at BNA. For a full list of artists and set times, head here.

“Absolutely don't sleep on this, it's the best day in the winter in Kelowna,” Leslie said.

“It's totally amazing being able to get back in the game, just the energy of the community getting together and everything coming back full force.”