Special Events in Banff

Celebrate with the local residents in all four seasons and join in on any number of unique festivals and fun events in Banff National Park. Get an overview of what's on during your visit right from the Calendar of Events.

The Banff Summer Arts Festival
The Banff Summer Arts Festival is The Banff Centre's annual feast of performing arts, fine arts, literary arts, mountain culture, and leadership exploration - it's our opportunity to share in abundance; to dazzle the world with the diversity and depth, entertainment and experiment, beauty and meaning.

Banff Culture Weekend
On the weekend of August 9 and 10, the streets of Banff will come alive with art and culture. Banff Culture Weekend combines two heritage events: Banff Culture Walk and Doors Open Banff. This annual event will provide an opportunity for visitors and locals to visit the area's most interesting art galleries, museums, heritage buildings and cultural attractions while also providing opportunities to participate in special cultural activities taking place at various sites around town.

WinterStart Festival
Two weeks of entertaining events kick off the annual Winterstart Festival, with World Cup ski racing, Christmas in the Rockies, the colourful Santa Claus Parade, and the CP Rail Jam.

Ice Magic Festival and International Ice Sculpture Competition
Enjoy Lake Louise during Ice Magic January 23 -25 as internationally renowned teams will compete in the International Ice Sculpture competition. Be there to witness the meticulous work the carvers put into their elaborate designs. Prize-winning sculptures are selected by a panel of NICA-certified ice carving judges and will be announced at the awards ceremony to be held at The Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise. Ice carving demonstrations, ice mazes, dogsledding demonstration, and kids' ice carving - fun for the entire family!

Banff Winter Festival
The 92nd Banff Winter Festival will feature six days of winter fun running the last week of January. Tackle the cross country ski loppet or cardboard sled derby - there's even an Iron Chef cooking competition and the famous Spelling Bee! Dates will be confirmed as the event approaches.

The Fairmont Banff Springs Sport Invitational
Hollywood's top stars gather in January to protect North American waterways while skiing the spectacular Canadian Rocky Mountains at Sunshine Village and enjoying the luxurious hospitality of the majestic Fairmont Banff Springs. The Fairmont Banff Springs Sports Invitational -- in support of Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s Waterkeeper Alliance.

Banff Winter Arts Festival
The Banff Winter Arts Festival features a stellar line-up of artists, musicians, exhibitions, dance companies, films, and Mountain Culture events. Seventy-five midwinter events celebrating 75 years of inspiring creativity in the glorious Canadian Rocky Mountains.
The Banff Winter Arts Festival features the coolest shows and hottest tickets in the Bow Valley, including the Playbill Series, the classical music concert series, a trio of Walter Phillips Gallery contemporary art exhibitions, Mountain Culture events, and much more.

The Rocky Mountain Wine & Food Festival
The May 30 and 31 Festival offers visitors a chance to sample from international wineries, along with single malt scotch, port, premium spirits, import beer, and mouth watering food samples prepared by Banff's best local restaurants and hotels. Book your Banff getaway today, and get ready to sip, swirl, and sample at the Rocky Mountain Wine & Food Festival!

Bike Fest
The Town of Banff comes alive with pedal power during Banff National Park Bike Fest June 21 - 22. Sanctioned by the Alberta Bicycling Association (ABA), Banff will host an individual time trial (ITT), a one kilometre criterium road race, and an elite/pro road race.

Canada Day
The middle of the majestic Rockies is the perfect place to celebrate Canada's birthday on July 1. There are lots of activities the whole family can enjoy including live music and entertainment, games and activities for the kids, fabulous local cuisine, and the acclaimed Canada Day Parade.