Spring Comes Alive in Downtown Kamloops
From May 8 to 11, Downtown Kamloops shifts into full motion for SpringFest 2025, a street-level celebration of music, food, art, and community connection. Hosted by the Kamloops Central Business Improvement Association (KCBIA), the event draws people outdoors to explore local businesses, hear live music, and take part in a range of neighbourhood activities.
Instead of focusing on a single venue, SpringFest spans multiple blocks, encouraging attendees to move between stages, shops, patios, and activity areas. With no gates or ticketing, the event invites spontaneous exploration as much as it offers a planned schedule.
Music, Food, and Family Activities
Live music is a constant feature throughout the weekend. Several stages are set up across downtown, where local musicians and DJs perform during the day and into the early evening. Some shops also host their own sidewalk performances or collaborate with artists to create impromptu shows that draw attention and invite passersby to stop and listen.
The downtown area is also transformed into a space for play and learning. Families will find activity zones with games, craft stations, and workshops that welcome kids to engage with creative materials. Roaming entertainers and face painters move through the crowd, while chalk art and interactive exhibits turn sidewalks into collaborative spaces. The design of the event naturally leads people to explore, making each block feel connected to the next.
Food and drink vendors are positioned throughout the area, and many restaurants extend their services to the street and their patios. Spring menus focus on fresh ingredients and smaller, portable items that work well for people walking and eating. Local breweries and coffee shops join in with tasting flights and limited-time offerings, creating a casual way for visitors to sample what the city has to offer.
Several food vendors also highlight ingredients sourced from local farms. It's common to see signage noting where produce or meat comes from, or to meet the chefs behind the dishes. These added details help strengthen the sense of connection between food, place, and community.
SpringFest Business Promotions
Businesses in Downtown Kamloops use SpringFest as a way to connect more directly with both regulars and new customers. Many stores run exclusive sales, special events, and extended hours throughout the weekend to make the most of increased foot traffic.
For many shop owners, the weekend is a chance to launch new products, test ideas, or collaborate with others. Giveaways, prize draws, and street-side displays are common. These efforts help blur the lines between business and celebration, making the festival feel embedded in the day-to-day life of the city.
To create a more interactive environment, many shops run festival-themed contests or set up photo stations. Staff members often wear SpringFest gear, and businesses may partner with performers or artists to enhance their storefront presence. These additions create moments that go beyond shopping and enhance the lively atmosphere that surrounds Springfest.
Cultural Events and Local Collaboration
Art and culture are woven into the very structure of SpringFest. Visual installations, gallery pop-ups, and live mural paintings bring colour and expression to the event’s landscape. The Kamloops Art Gallery and Kamloops Arts Council typically contribute programming and exhibits, with many local artists invited to create work onsite.
The festival also recognizes the land it occupies by acknowledging the Tk̓emlúps te Secwépemc within Secwepemcúl'ecw. Indigenous artists, musicians, and storytellers are part of the event, contributing through spoken word, live performance, and visual displays. Their work adds depth to the programming and offers opportunities to connect with history and place.
Beyond established artists, SpringFest provides space for emerging talent. Open mic events and temporary gallery spaces offer a platform for those building their creative voice. Youth groups, dance crews, school bands, and nonprofit organizations contribute through performances, demonstrations, and information booths, adding variety to the festival’s offerings and giving it a collaborative shape.
Planning a Visit to SpringFest
Reaching SpringFest is straightforward, with the walkability of Downtown Kamloops making it easy to navigate. Public transit routes are adjusted to keep buses moving efficiently around street closures. The city also provides updates on road changes, parking access, and loading zones to help attendees plan ahead.
Once downtown, visitors are free to wander. There’s no central entrance, and the open structure encourages people to explore different corners at their own pace. Maps are available online and posted throughout the area, and info tents offer guidance and event materials. Festival staff and volunteers are stationed in key spots to provide help when needed.
Nearby accommodations make it easy for out-of-town visitors to stay close to the action. Hotels such as the Sandman Signature and Delta Hotels by Marriott are within walking distance and often offer SpringFest packages or perks. Local restaurants—Brownstone and Hello Toast—frequently see high demand during the event and often introduce festival features or flexible hours.
Visitors are encouraged to check the official schedule in advance. Performance times, activity zones, and business promotions are listed to help with planning. With a bit of preparation, attendees can make sure they catch performances, participate in workshops, and take advantage of business specials without missing out.
SpringFest's Role in the City
SpringFest acts as a seasonal starting point, bringing the community together to celebrate warmer weather and renewed activity in the downtown core. The structure of the event—decentralized, inclusive, and built around local participation—makes it adaptable and authentic.
It creates an economic boost for local businesses while offering low-barrier opportunities for artistic and cultural engagement. Every corner of the downtown area contributes in its own way, from storefronts and sidewalks to stages and studios. This shared momentum builds a sense of ownership and pride across the city.
The event has also become a model for how Kamloops can design community-based festivals. The feedback loop between organizers, participants, and attendees plays a large role in shaping future years. After each edition, local stakeholders meet to review what worked, what changed, and what to improve.
Organizers invite people to share their experiences through social media using #ExploreKamloops. That shared online presence extends the life of the event, builds anticipation for the next one, and helps refine ideas based on real-time feedback.
Whether returning after years of attendance or walking through for the first time, people find something personal in SpringFest. Its success comes from how it reflects Kamloops itself—a place where creative energy, everyday life, and local effort intersect through shared public space.
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