Local Community Advertising
There’s something unique and nostalgic about a snow-covered village at Christmas time. The holiday cheer is infectious and it can feel like you've been transported to the North Pole.
The epitome of a snow-covered Christmas destination, Banff and Lake Louise capture the beauty of winter within the Rocky Mountains and offer locals and tourists numerous activities and events to ignite their Christmas spirit.
You don’t have to wait until Christmas Day to experience the spirit of the holidays. In Banff and Lake Louise, the joy of Christmas and the imaginative holiday spirit begins in November and continues through to the New Year.
How can you discover the spirit and joy of the holidays? Let us help you discover Banff and Lake Louise like never before, with our guide to the ultimate Christmas holiday.
November
November 18th & 19th: Indulge in the charm of Christmas by watching Banff and Lake Louise burst with colours as they light up the town.
We hope that you've thought long and hard what to ask Santa for this year. He will be making his first appearance on November 19th at the Train Station to hear what all the kids on the nice list hope to find under their tree.
If you miss him then, keep your eyes peeled later that evening for his horse drawn carriage during the Parade of Lights down Banff Avenue!
November 25-27: After hiking or skiing in the white, crisp forests, make sure to stop in at the Banff Christmas Market. Stop to listen to the carolers as you pick out perfect gifts for your loved ones, and taste your favorite locally made Christmas treats!
While under the spell of Christmas cheer, escape into the romantic spirit by enjoying a horse drawn sleigh ride through your very own winter wonderland. While the scent of peppermint candy canes may be your favorite Christmas smell, the aromas of fresh cut cedar and garlands in the village are sure to please as well.
December
December 3 & 4: The winter wonderland towns of Banff and Lake Louise offer experiences of a lifetime, and you are guaranteed to feel like you’ve been transported into a fairytale.
Glide on the freshly frozen lakes, ponds, and outdoor rinks beneath a white blanket of snow-covered mountains. When the cool air gets to be a bit much, warm up inside the Whyte Museum at the performance of 'A Whyte Christmas' with hot chocolate, cookies, carolers and a visit from Santa.
The following evening, enjoy an outdoor concert on a historic pool deck with warm drinks, wine and beer, and sing along to the songs of the season at the Cave & Basin National Historic Site.
Ongoing Throughout December
The days leading up to Christmas are the most anticipated days of the year. We know that sharing warm, mulled wine with friends and family while being serenaded in snow sounds like a dream, but the reality can be experienced in these quintessential Christmas towns.
Experiencing the joys of winter are not limited to one week only. Events and activities are constantly going on for your enjoyment! Downtown Banff is full of entertainment, including live music, festive performances, roaming carolers, horse drawn carriage rides and much more.
While downtown, make sure to wait for the brightly lit CP Holiday Train! It will be rolling into town on December 12th at 7pm, with live music entertainment and fun for the whole family.
December 17-18, 23-25: Celebrate Christmas Eve with the family and Santa Claus! You can take a picture with the jolly old man at the local ski resorts while the snow falls gently around you, like you're living in a snow globe. He’ll be at Sunshine Village Ski and Snowboard Resort on Dec. 17, 18, 24 and 25 and Lake Louise Ski Resort on Dec. 23 and 24. You’ll see many different Santas on Dec. 25, when all folks dressed like Santa shred the mountain for free!
December 25: After all the fun and festivities from the morning, keep the family in the Christmas spirit with ice skating on a frozen lake in Lake Louise or on one of the ponds in the Town of Banff. Once you glide across the ice with your family in the crisp outdoors, warm up by basking in an open outdoor campfire. This Christmas is one the family won’t soon forget.
December 31: Ring in the New Year with great family fun! You can begin the celebratory evening enjoying what is left of 2016 with a family skating party in downtown Banff at the High School Rink. Then, join the party and enjoy street entertainment, games and food along Banff Avenue, which is closed to traffic on New Year’s Eve.
Next up, bang your pots and pans and make some noise while watching the magical colours pop through the sky during the New Year's Eve fireworks show.
Experience the spirit of Christmas like never before! Book a trip to Banff and Lake Louise for a one-of-a-kind holiday vacation. Capture the aromas of gingerbread and hot chocolate while being curled up by the fire, sit among an enclave of snow-covered mountains and enjoy the essence of the holiday, because Christmas shines brighter here. Come ignite your spirit.
KelownaNow sponsored content is written and posted in partnership with participating businesses. While KelownaNow retains editorial control of sponsored content, the content is created in collaboration with the sponsor.
Local Community Advertising