Photo: Contributed

Kelowna's third annual Okanagan ChristmasFest has been cancelled.

The event was to take place at Meadow Vista Honey Wines but with the recent public health order and directions from the Interior Health Authority, the team decided against hosting it this year. 

"We had hoped to bring a little Christmas cheer into the lives of the people of Kelowna,"  states the Okanagan Christmas Fest website. 

"However, in the best interest of our community, it is important for us to do our part in reducing gatherings of any kind to reduce the spread of COVID."

Despite the market primarily being outdoors the new order directs all Christmas Markets to close.

"Thank you to Meadow Vista Honey Wines, Secure-Rite Mobile Storage, Johnston Meier Insurance, Castanet, First General Okanagan, Kanata Hotel & Conference Centre, and Telus for their support."

You can still support their artisans through their websites and to support the local charities, click here.

To date, the Okanagan ChristmasFest has raised $18,000 for local charities.