Kelowna, BC — The OCCA Communities Association successfully hosted its annual Spring Lantern Festival celebration on February 22 at the Kelowna Events Centre, celebrating the Lunar New Year and the Year of the Horse.
More than 1,000 people attended throughout the evening, making it one of the largest cultural events in the Central Okanagan. For over 15 years, OCCA has been hosting cultural celebrations that create space for connection, understanding, and shared community pride across the region.
Volunteers who contributed more than 100 hours in 2025 received a Recognition Certificate issued by MP Stephen Fuhr.
The Year of the Horse is one of the 12 animals in the Chinese zodiac cycle. The Horse symbolizes energy, resilience, determination, and forward momentum, qualities that resonate strongly in growing communities. Lunar New Year celebrations are an important cultural tradition observed across many Asian communities worldwide, marking renewal, family unity, and hope for prosperity in the year ahead. Hosting this festival locally ensures these traditions are both preserved and shared more broadly within the Central Okanagan.
“For more than 15 years, OCCA has brought Lunar New Year celebrations to the Central Okanagan as a way to bring people together, share cultures, and build understanding,” said Adrian Marr, Chair of OCCA’s Chinese Heritage Committee. “As we welcome the Year of the Horse, the Spring Lantern Festival reflects the unity and diversity of our community, with people from many cultural backgrounds celebrating side by side.”
The indoor, family-friendly festival started with a grounding Territoria Welcome by Elders Pamela & Grouse Barnes, and Elk Bugling Demonstration by Charles Kruger, to focus attention on the importance of tradition and land stewardship.
There were also culturally relevant performances like the Dragon and Lion Dances, multicultural stage performances, authentic Chinese New Year cuisine, cultural workshops, interactive STEM activities, expanded children’s programming, prize draws, and a 50/50 raffle.
The move to a larger venue this year allowed for expanded family zones and greater participation, reflecting the event’s continued growth and community support.
The organization was happy to welcome the support of local dignitaries who stopped by, gave words of encouragement and spent the evening celebrating with the community and their families. The dignitaries in attendance included:
“Each year, this festival reminds us how much our community has grown — not just in numbers, but in connection and understanding. Seeing families, seniors, youth, and leaders celebrating together shows the strength of our shared future. The Year of the Horse inspires us to keep moving forward with courage and determination as we continue building a welcoming and inclusive Central Okanagan.”– Fei Liu, Executive Director at OCCA
With record attendance and sustained community engagement, OCCA is already preparing for an even larger Spring Lantern Festival in 2027.
The 2026 Spring Lantern Festival stands as a powerful reflection of the Central Okanagan’s growing diversity, unity, and shared commitment to celebrating culture together.
About OCCA Communities Association
The OCCA Communities Association is a registered charity and non-profit umbrella organization serving multicultural communities across the Central Okanagan, including Kelowna, West Kelowna, Peachland, and Lake Country, with our region spanning nearly 100 kilometres, from Peachland to Vernon.
We offer services to everyone, and our virtual programs reach rural areas across the Okanagan, committing to fostering an inclusive, vibrant, and equitable society where immigrants, refugees, and equity-deserving groups can thrive and meaningfully contribute to building a sustainable community.
Photos and videos are authorized for publication by OCCA 2026 Media Release
>> OCCA 2026 Spring Lantern Festival
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.
