Penticton ready to rock with long-running Elvis Presley tribute festival<\/p>\n
Published 11:22 am Tuesday, June 16, 2026<\/p>\n
Canada\u2019s largest and longest-running Elvis Presley tribute festival is set to make its annual return to B.C.<\/p>\n
The 24th Penticton Elvis Festival honours the King of Rock and Roll from June 26 to 28, both inside Okanagan Lake Park and the Penticton Trade and Convention Centre (PTCC).<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have 36 Elvis tribute artists coming from all over the world,\u201d festival president Mike Schell said.<\/p>\n
The winner of the competition will head to the Ultimate Elvis Championships in August in Memphis, Tenn.<\/p>\n
Come on over to Okanagan Lake Park on Friday, June 26, as the festival holds its opening ceremony at 1 p.m. It will feature Penticton Mayor Julius Bloomfield and Penticton-Summerland MLA Amelia Boultbee, Schell said.<\/p>\n
Round No. 1 of the competition kicks off at 1:30 p.m., with performers vying for gold in three different divisions: Little Kings (ages four to 14), non-professional, and professional.<\/p>\n
The second round of competition starts Saturday, June 27, also inside Okanagan Lake Park. Gates open at 8 a.m. before the tribute artists take the stage at 9 a.m.<\/p>\n
Entry to the park for the competition is $35 per day, or $50 for both Friday and Saturday. Cash and card is accepted at the front gate of the venue.<\/p>\n
Also on deck for the weekend is a headliner show featuring Moses Snow, Emilio Santoro, Bruno Nesci and Schell\u2019s 12-piece band, the Cadillac Kings & Queens Show Band, inside the PTCC on Saturday at 8 p.m.<\/p>\n
The final day of the festival, Sunday, June 28, will kick off with the event\u2019s annual Gospel Show & Pancake Breakfast at Okanagan Lake Park.<\/p>\n
Breakfast starts at 7:30 a.m., with the show set for 9 a.m. This year, the Sunday morning event is being held in honour of Penticton Elvis Festival co-founder Terry Michaels, who died in October 2025.<\/p>\n
\u201c$3 from every ticket will be donated to Moog\u2019s and Friends Hospice House in Terry Michaels\u2019 memory,\u201d Schell said, adding that local favourite Corny Rempel will host the gospel show.<\/p>\n
The competition\u2019s finals will start at 2 p.m. inside the PTCC on Sunday.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe seven pros will perform two songs live with my band,\u201d Schell explained. \u201cThe seven non-pros and the three Little Kings will sing two songs to track, and then we will crown our 2026 grand champion.\u201d<\/p>\n
An after-party is also scheduled at PTCC that night, with festivities starting at 6 p.m.<\/p>\n