By Times Chronicle Staff

The eagerly awaited Osoyoos Oyster Festival kicks off this April 17 & 18, 2026 with fresh, succulent BC oysters and the best of South Okanagan’s world-renowned wines. 

Fresh oysters supplied by the BC Shellfish Growers Association will be shucked on the spot, with organizers adding a variety of other seafood to round out the experience this year. 

The two-day festival features the Sip & Shuck event held on Friday, April 17 at the Osoyoos Golf and Country Club from 5–7:30 p.m. The Club’s culinary team will craft a variety of tasty morsels to accompany the shellfish, and local musician Don Brogan will provide acoustic music. 

Wineries featuring a selection from their collections include:

  • Kismet Estate Winery
  • Intersection Estate Winery
  • Nostalgia Wines 
  • Clos du Soleil Winery
  • River Stone Estate Winery
  • Domaine Artema Winery
  • Adega on 45th  Estate Winery

The second event under the Osoyoos Oyster Festival umbrella is the Pearl in the Desert Gala, held at Walnut Beach Resort’s Pointe 49 restaurant and lounge area on Saturday, April 18, 6–9:30 p.m. That event is now sold out, according to organizers.

Wineries taking part in the Pearl in the Desert Gala include: 

  • Burrowing Owl Estate Winery
  • Noble Ridge Vineyard and Winery
  • Nk’Mip Cellars
  • Gold Hill Winery
  • Clos du Soleil Winery 
  • Intersection Estate Winery
  • Phantom Creek Estates
  • Moon Curser Vineyards
  • La Stella Winery
  • Fairview Cellars 
  • Tumbleweed Spirits

“Fans of oysters, award-winning wine and sumptuous scenery will be returning to the Osoyoos Oyster Festival once again in April. We start the visitor season early with this fun event, and it promises to be a delicious time once again,” said Sherani Theophilus, organizer and Publisher of the Times Chronicle newspaper. 

“This is an event of collaborations,” she noted. “The South Okanagan Chamber of Commerce members participate in presenting the festival; we have 15 wineries and one distillery pouring some of the very best in libations, and BC shellfish producers will be supplying the oysters directly to the guests.”

“Given the success of the last two years after reestablishing the event as a must-attend on the annual events calendar, this event promises to grow in popularity every year,” she added.

Aside from delighting guests with a stellar culinary and wine experience, the event also serves to boost the local economy by bringing in visitors from far and wide during the shoulder season for tourism. 

Theophilus noted it’s also a perfect opportunity to support products and producers from British Columbia in the face of the ongoing tariff war being waged against Canada by the US. Oysters, wine and spirits are of course, but three of the products caught up in the blanket tariffs being arbitrarily imposed on Canada. 

“We encourage locals and visitors alike to make plans to attend,” Theophilus said, adding, “Get your tickets early so you aren’t disappointed and make it a weekend getaway as ticket holders have access to special hotel discounts. Enjoy a delectable getaway to Osoyoos!”

The event receives support from the BC Shellfish Growers Association, the Town of Osoyoos, Cascadia Credit Union, South Okanagan Chamber of Commerce, Destination Osoyoos, and the Times Chronicle. 

Tickets for the Sip & Shuck are $80 per guest plus tax, and the Pearl in Desert Gala are $125 per guest plus tax. Tickets for both events are selling fast and are available on the event website, osoyoosoysterfestival.ca . For more information, please email [email protected] .