Community Events

From the glow of the Festival of Lights to the challenge of the Giants Head Run, community events are at the heart of life in Summerland. This page highlights annual events happening in our community and provides guidance for organizers who want to plan a festival, run, parade or other special event on District property.

Festival of Lights

The Festival of Lights is an annual community event held on the last Friday of November. In 2026, the event will take place on Friday, November 27.

For more information about the event, please contact Sally Pierce, Executive Director of Destination Summerland, at spierce@summerlandchamber.com or 250-494-2686.

Giants Head Run

Information about the annual Giants Head Run, including race day details, is on the Giants Head Run page. 

Hosting a special event in Summerland

Community events bring Summerland together, and the District is happy to help organizers create safe, enjoyable events for residents and visitors. Whether you are planning a festival, parade, walk or run, rally, ticketed event in a park or on District property, or a filming activity, this page explains what you need to apply and what to expect.

Completing an application does not guarantee a booking. Please contact Community Services early in your planning to confirm availability.

Download the 2026 Event Application Form (PDF)

Community events safety requirement

The Province of British Columbia’s Report of the Study Commission of Inquiry into Community Events Safety emphasizes the importance of event risk assessments and improved safety planning for all community events.

All event organizers in Summerland are required to review the Report, assess the risks associated with their event and develop an event-specific safety plan. The District’s Community Events Safety Checklists will help you meet these requirements.

Report of the Study Commission of Inquiry into Community Events Safety (Province of BC)

How to apply

1. Contact us early. Reach out to Community Services to discuss your event and check site availability. Submit your Event Application at least 3 weeks before your event.
2. Submit your Event Application Form. The site details section will tell you which additional permits and forms you need.
3. Submit any additional forms. If your event needs a road, sidewalk or parking closure, or access to electrical power, complete the Temporary Closure Application and/or the Electrical Use Agreement.
4. Finalize your booking. Sign the booking contract, pay fees and the damage deposit, and provide your certificate of insurance and any required permits.
5. Submit your Event Safety Plan. Send Checklist 1 – Event Safety Plan to Community Services at least three weeks before the event. For larger events (over 500 people), a site meeting will be scheduled about two weeks before the event.
6. On event day and after. Complete Checklist 2 – Pre-Event Site Walk-Through on the day of the event, and Checklist 3 – Event Clean-Up and Review afterwards. Report any incidents or damage to the District.

Forms and documents

Insurance

Events that use District property, including parks and roads, must provide proof of liability insurance of at least $2,000,000 for every occurrence of the event, with the District of Summerland named as additional insured. Different types of events have different suggested minimums. Contact Community Services for advice on the coverage your event needs.

Road, sidewalk and parking closures

Temporary closures for special events are considered only for community events sponsored by a recognized organization. Key points:

• First-time events require Council approval. Recurring events do not need a new Council resolution each year but must still submit proof of insurance and other relevant permits.
• All businesses and residents within the closure, and within one block of it, must be notified by a letter reviewed and approved by the District. Letters of support from neighbours are encouraged.
• A Traffic Management Plan is required when closing roads or holding activities on roads. Sample traffic plans are available on request.
• There is no fee to close a road for a community event. Use of a public parking space is $100 per year and use of a portion of public sidewalk is $50 per year.
• Road closure equipment (barricades, delineators, cones, vests, paddles) can be borrowed free of charge from Works & Infrastructure, subject to availability. The District of Summerland banner must be displayed at all free road closures.

Policy 400.5 – Temporary Road, Sidewalk or Parking Stall Closure

Electrical access

• Keys for District power pedestals and kiosks are picked up at the Aquatic Centre, with a $100 refundable key deposit. Keys must be returned the next working day.
• A Field Safety Representative (FSR) and a Technical Safety BC electrical operating permit are required if you need access to an electrical room or breaker panels, use temporary distribution panels, need more power than the pedestals provide (or a single supply of 30 A or more), or use generators of 5 kW or larger.
• Only outdoor-rated, hard-usage cords in good repair may be used, and cords must be protected wherever people or vehicles pass.

Other permits you may need

Bylaws to review

Parks Regulation Bylaw · Good Neighbour Bylaw · Noise Bylaw No. 96-047 · Fees and Charges Bylaw · Sign Bylaw · Business Licensing Bylaw · Building Bylaw · Zoning Bylaw

Contact

Community Services
13205 Kelly Avenue, Box 159, Summerland, BC V0H 1Z0
250-494-0447 or events@summerland.ca