Kelowna City works together with its several community partners to assist and help the city's cultural needs. The city received an award of $500,000 in 2004, for being named the Cultural Capital of Canada in response to its dynamic and vibrant Cultural District. For the arts, the Kelowna Community Theatre is operated by the City and boasts of an 853-seat location within the Cultural District. The Theatre has been bringing people together since the year 1062, and it is home to Ballet Kelowna, Kelowna Community Concert Association, Okanagan Symphony Orchestra, Theatre Kelowna Society, and Viva Musica. Kelowna City also has Public Art pieces located all through the entire area. These pieces are created by the community's people or non-profit groups. Moreover, Kelowna City provides Arts Grants to non-profit arts and cultural groups that produce yearly arts-focused pursuits in the City. They work in partnership with the Kelowna Museum, Kelowna Art Gallery, Parks Alive, and Rotary Centre for the Arts.
The city of Kelowna boasts of cultural events and special festivals. Hardly a time passes by without anyone experiencing anything fun or new to do. Individuals who would like to experience its festivals will definitely have a great time at the Mardi Gras Street festival, Fat Cats Children's Festival, Okanagan Wine Festival, and Parks Alive. Fat Cat Children's Festival is funded locally and operated by volunteers. It attracts many kids and parents each and every year. Mardi Gras offers restaurants and pubs all throughout the evening. There are likewise stage performances and children's activity zone like climbing wall and dunk tank. Okanagan Wine Festivals are held three times within the Okanagan Valley. Everybody is invited to eat native cuisine, try award-winning wines and attend educational seminars. Parks Alive is a non-profit program which brings art and culture to Kelowna's parks and lakefront from June to September.
The city of Kelowna is considered the largest city within the tourist-oriented Okanagan Valley, and hires majority of its people in the service trade. The area in and around Kelowna produces a lot of wines that have garnered international recognition. There are numerous vineyards south of the city, where the nice weather allows for the cultivation and production of wine. Amongst the most popular ones is the Mission Hill Estate Winery, which is unique for its architectural design. The city of Kelowna is even recognized for Sun-Rype, a popular fruit juice and snack manufacturer. The City is the seat of the Regional District of the Central Okanagan, the third largest metropolitan area in British Columbia. It is even the third biggest in the British Columbia Interior. Kelowna has various scenic lakes and mild climates, that makes it one of the fastest growing cities within North America.