Group Photo, Photo Credit: Wax Pencil Imagery
West Kelowna, BC – September 27, 2026 – More than 1,000 people gathered at Grizzli Winery on Sunday for OCCA Communities Association’s 2026 Mid-Autumn Festival, marking the largest turnout in the event’s three-year history.
Dragon Dance, Photo Credit: Shawn Gu
The free, family-friendly celebration featured multicultural performances, hands-on cultural activities, mooncake making and tasting, food, children’s activities, community booths and opportunities for families and neighbours from many backgrounds to connect.
Lantern Decoration, Photo Credit: Shawn Gu
The festival opened with a Territory Welcome from Elder Rose Lube, with Elder Llana Teichroeb also joining the celebration. Representatives from Westbank First Nation participated in the event, including Sncəwips, Westbank First Nation’s cultural and heritage organization.
OCCA also encouraged the public to take the opportunity to learn more about the upcoming National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and to continue learning about the histories, cultures, and experiences of Indigenous Peoples in Canada as part of building greater understanding, respect, and reconciliation.
Elder Rose Lube made Territory Welcome, Photo Credit: Shawn Gu
MP Dan Albas, MLA Gavin Dew, MLA Kristina Loewen, MLA Macklin McCall, West Kelowna Mayor Gord Milsom, West Kelowna Councillor Carol Zanon, and former MLA Norm Letnick, along with representatives from municipal governments, nonprofit organizations, businesses, educational institutions and community groups, also joined the celebration.
“Seeing so many families and neighbours come together at the 2026 Mid-Autumn Festival was deeply moving,” said Fei Liu, Executive Director of OCCA Communities Association. “We were proud to share the traditions of the Mid-Autumn Festival with the wider community and bring together people of many cultures and generations. That spirit of connection and belonging is at the heart of OCCA’s work.”
ED of OCCA Fei Liu gave opening remarks, Photo Credit: Shawn Gu
This year’s stage program reflected the growing multicultural character of the festival.
Performances included the dragon and lion dance presented by the Chinese Freemasons, Binasuan dance by the Okanagan Filipino-Canadian Society (OFC), the Okanagan Mexican Folklore Dance Group, Banat AI Raks, an African fashion show, Sui Ryu Ren dance from Kelowna Japanese Language Society (KJLS), and Dragon Spirit Tai Chi’s umbrella dance and Baduanjin, as well as duet singers from the Korean Canadian Community Living Society (KCCL).
OCCA’s own community groups also took the stage, including children’s and youth performers, dance and guitar groups, a Chinese Peacock Dance, and the OCCA Golden Age Choir.
Mexican Folkore Dance, Photo Credit: Shawn Gu
Throughout the afternoon, festival-goers explored cultural and community activities including Chinese calligraphy, mooncake making and free mooncake tasting, complimentary tea tasting, origami, cultural displays and an artisan market.
Families also enjoyed a dedicated children’s activity area and a complimentary family photo station featuring a specially designed Mid-Autumn Festival backdrop. Food trucks and Grizzli Winery served food and beverages throughout the afternoon, while prize draws added to the festivities.
Caligraphy Booth, Photo Credit: Shawn Gu
The 2026 festival welcomed guests not only from Kelowna and West Kelowna, but also from communities including Peachland, Penticton, Vernon, Lake Country, Salmon Arm and Oliver, as well as visitors from Metro Vancouver. The expanding geographic reach reflects the festival’s evolution from a traditional cultural celebration into a broader gathering that brings together communities from across the Interior.
United Way BC Booth, Photo Credit: Shawn Gu
Sncəwips Heritage Museum Booth, Photo Credit: Shawn Gu
OCCA extends its heartfelt appreciation to the sponsors and partners whose support helped make the 2026 Mid-Autumn Festival possible, including United Way British Columbia, World Trade Center Okanagan, the City of West Kelowna, the City of Kelowna, Grizzli Winery, the Kelowna Chamber of Commerce, Jade Buffet, McDonald’s, La Quinta Hotel, Lisa Liang of Sun Life, and Dragon King.
OCCA also thanks the many volunteers, performers, cultural organizations, community partners and participating families whose time, talent and dedication brought the festival to life.
Photo Gallery
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Acknowledgment
Sponsors: United Way British Columbia, World Trade Center Okanagan, the City of West Kelowna, the City of Kelowna, Grizzli Winery, the Kelowna Chamber of Commerce, Jade Buffet, McDonald’s, La Quinta Hotel, Lisa Liang of Sun Life, and Dragon King Restaurant.
Supporting Organizations with booth: Korean Cultural Centre Association (KCCL), Okanagan Filipino Canadian Society (OFCS), Latin Voice Society, Dragon Spirit Taichi, Kelowna Chapter FCF, Central Okanagan Emergency Management (COEM).
About OCCA Communities Association:
OCCA Communities Association is a grassroots nonprofit organization serving immigrants, newcomers and equity-deserving communities in the Central Okanagan. Through employment and entrepreneurship programs, language and settlement supports, youth and seniors initiatives, anti-racism education, cultural programming and community partnerships, OCCA works to strengthen belonging, participation and opportunity across the region.
Media Contact:
Kevin Chu
OCCA Communities Association
heritage@occabc.ca
250-575-8561
We respectfully acknowledge that the OCCA is operating on the traditional, ancestral, and unceded territory of the Syilx Okanagan Nation.
Please note that we will have a photographer on site during the events. If you prefer not to be featured in any photographs, kindly contact OCCA at info@occabc.ca.
