By Times Chronicle Staff
The 2026 Oliver Sunshine Festival is set to return June 12–21, offering 10 days of events and activities for all ages in the annual celebration of the best of life in the Oliver & District.
Key to the entire event is the kick-off “Smokeshow” event – celebrating smoked food and local flavours – that acts not only as a premier event in and of itself, but funds the free Oliver Family Days on Sunday, June 14, along with all of the remaining events throughout the week.
The tagline says it all: “Sunday is free…because Friday knows how to party!”
This year, Oliver & District Recreation has partnered with Firehall Brewery and the Smokeshow Food Collective with Oliver Eats to present a long-table, fire-cooked communal dining experience featuring local craft beer, wine, and cider, lawn games, and live music from Vancouver’s 9-piece Big Easy Funk Ensemble.
Building on the success of 2025, organizers have refined the event based on community feedback. Last year was a reincarnation of sorts, with a name change of what was a harvest festival in the fall (Roots and Fruits), to this spring/early summer event before families head off for summer activities and also as a way of averting the potential for wildfire smoke.
This year, instead of a tasting format, each ticket now includes a chef-curated, live-fire smoked dinner (drinks extra), served in a shared long-table setting. “I’m excited about the whole meal experience,” says Derek Uhlemann of Oliver Eats and the Smokeshow Food Collective.
“I think the community will be happy with the menu the Collective has put together and surprised by the portions,” he added.
In a novel twist, to reduce waste, attendees are encouraged to bring their own plates and cutlery (dishwashing stations will be provided), or reusable dishware will be available for purchase.
“Ticket holders can experience the pride of being a sponsor of the Sunshine Festival,” urged the organizer of the event – Oliver & District Recreation. Also new in 2026: a discounted family ticket (up to six people), making it easier for everyone to join the celebration. Advance tickets are available until June 11 at firehallbrewery.com/events.
The festival’s signature event, Oliver Family Days, runs from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. on June 14, featuring activity stations, live performances, and food and market vendors and is free for all ages. Throughout the festival, local organizations and businesses host heritage, sports, arts, and entertainment events across the community under the Sunshine Festival banner.
For full event listings visit: oliver.ca/sunshinefestival .
