The 24th annual Penticton Elvis Festival is set to take place from June 26 to 28, promising a celebration filled with electrifying performances by some of the world’s best Elvis tribute artists. Known as Canada’s longest-running Elvis festival, the event will be held both indoors at the Penticton Trade & Convention Centre and outdoors at Okanagan Lake Park. This festival is officially licensed by Elvis Presley Enterprises in Memphis, Tennessee, making it one of the elite global events dedicated to honoring the legacy of Elvis Presley, often referred to as the King of Rock.
This year’s festival features a highly competitive professional category with three standout performers: Moses Snow from the United States, Emilio Santoro representing Great Britain, and Bruno Nesci from Canada. These artists have gained international recognition for their outstanding tribute performances. Santoro, the reigning Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist champion from 2024, will make his debut appearance at Penticton. Snow, who won the Penticton festival in 2024 and ranked among the top five finalists at Memphis’ Ultimate contest, and Nesci, last year’s Penticton champion who placed in the top ten worldwide, will also be competing.
In total, fifteen professional tribute artists from around the globe will compete alongside non-professional performers and a crowd-favorite category known as Little Kings. All performers will be backed by the Cadillac Kings & Queens Show Band, a group of ten skilled musicians from the Okanagan region who regularly tour with various tribute acts.
The festival kicks off early with a free pre-party on June 24 at Bar One in Penticton’s Sandman Hotel to get fans into the Elvis spirit. Although the official kickoff party on June 25 has sold out, attendees can join the opening ceremony at 1 p.m. on June 26 at Okanagan Lake Park, followed by competition rounds starting shortly after. The second round of contests will begin early on June 27 at Okanagan Lake Park, while the finals are scheduled for June 28 at 2 p.m. inside the convention centre.
One of the highlights is the Saturday Night Tribute show where all professional competitors perform memorable sets that pay homage to Elvis Presley’s timeless music. This event is nearly sold out due to high demand. Additionally, a pancake breakfast paired with a gospel music show on Sunday morning offers a heartfelt experience for attendees before the final competitions conclude.
After crowning this year’s champions in both professional and non-professional divisions on Sunday afternoon, festival-goers are invited to an after-party celebration at the convention centre to wrap up the weekend festivities. The Penticton Elvis Festival continues to be a cherished event that brings fans together to celebrate and keep alive the spirit of Elvis Presley, recognized worldwide as the King of Rock.
