Okanagan Military Tattoo forges on to Vancouver<\/p>\n
Published 4:00 pm Friday, February 20, 2026<\/p>\n
A decade-long Vernon summertime attraction is marching south.<\/p>\n
The Okanagan Military Tattoo, after 11 years at Kal Tire Place, is relocating to Vancouver, citing financial sustainability challenges.<\/p>\n
The event will now be known as the British Columbia Tattoo and is partnering with the Pacific National Exhibition (PNE) to run the event on the opening weekend of the PNE, Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 22 and 23.<\/p>\n
\u201cRising operational costs made continuation in Vernon unsustainable,\u201d said Tattoo founder Norm Crerar. \u201cThe increased venue rental fees at Kal Tire Place and insufficient ticket sales revenues to cover expenses caused us to look elsewhere.\u201d<\/p>\n
The relocation, said Crerar, comes after 20 months of exploring alternative options.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe partnership with the PNE represents a strategic move to a larger market with greater audience potential and an established entertainment infrastructure,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Crerar added that the move from the Okanagan Valley to Metro Vancouver \u201csignificantly expands the event\u2019s potential reach, positioning it within Canada\u2019s third-largest metropolitan area.\u201d<\/p>\n
The PNE partnership provides:<\/p>\n
\u2022 Access to established venue facilities;<\/p>\n
\u2022 Integration with a major annual fair attracting over one million visitors;<\/p>\n
\u2022 Enhanced visibility and promotional opportunities;<\/p>\n
\u2022 Opening weekend prominence at a beloved B.C. institution.<\/p>\n
The British Columbia Tattoo will be held at the PNE Agrodome for one show, 6:30 p.m., Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 22 and 23. There will be four appearances at an outdoor stage between 12 and 5 p.m., with a variety of the performing groups making a short, very public performance.<\/p>\n
Crerar said there will also be a parade of the brass and reed bands, pipes and drums, plus dancers and other performers through the fair grounds leading up to the main show.<\/p>\n