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Compiled by the Street Journey Alberta workforce
Final up to date on November 19, 2022
With towering snow-capped mountain peaks, effervescent scorching springs, and idyllic winter scenes in all places you look, Banff Nationwide Park is a magical place to spend the vacations. Yearly, Banff townsite is reworked right into a winter wonderland full with all types of actions that the entire household can get pleasure from together with sleigh rides, Christmas markets, carol singers, Christmas crafts, and picture ops with Santa.
So why not mount these winter tires, head west, and uncover all that Christmas in Banff has to supply?
Celebrating Christmas in Banff Nationwide Park
Banff Nationwide Park is the crown jewel of the Canadian Rockies, and Banff at Christmas is a sight to behold. The ski resorts change into nearly unrecognizable when the Christmas decorations come out, and there’s a ton of additional particular vacation magic in each Banff and the close by hamlet of Lake Louise all through the vacation season. How about taking a horse-drawn sleigh experience in each Banff and Lake Louise with that particular somebody?
Strive ice skating and visiting the ice citadel on the enduring Lake Louise, or maybe wander round downtown Banff, admiring the colorful decorations that adorn Banff Ave. How about some winter climbing? Many hikes in Banff are much more stunning as soon as they’re lined in snow. And the proper technique to finish the day? Take a soak in Banff Higher Scorching Springs, or sip on a scorching chocolate in entrance of a fireplace discovered alongside the Banff festive scorching chocolate path.
No matter tickles your fancy, you gained’t be dissatisfied in case you select to spend this Christmas in Banff.
Discovering the Finest Christmas Lights in Banff Nationwide Park
Nothing screams Christmas extra loudly than twinkling lights. Banff’s Christmas lights might be loved at dozens of areas, however anybody visiting Banff at Christmas can let you know there are just a few locations that stand among the many relaxation. Listed here are just some the place locations you’ll be able to try stunning Christmas lights in Banff.
Cascade of Time Backyard
The Cascade of Time Backyard might be discovered alongside Cave Avenue in Banff city. In the course of the Christmas season, an interactive vacation expertise known as In Search of Christmas Spirit descends upon the backyard to inform a charming story of appreciation advised from the standpoint of the wildlife that calls Banff Nationwide Park house. Illuminated sculptures, rows of lights, and reasonable sound results full the expertise. In Search of Christmas Spirit runs on choose days from November 23 till the tip of December, and tickets might be bought on-line. Gown heat, because the occasion is totally outside.
Downtown Banff
Because the retailers, eating places, and inns that line the streets of downtown Banff gentle up, so you’ll absolutely discover your festive spirit as you wander up and down the lanes and avenues. Sip on a scorching drink as you admire the twinkling lights, or munch on a Beaver Tail, a real Canadian basic. Banff Avenue is a good place to begin.
Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise
Nothing screams Banff Christmas greater than the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise, it lights up inside and outside through the vacation season. On the garden, towering bushes sparkle in shades of blue, inexperienced, and crimson. In the principle foyer, a huge, totally decked-out Christmas tree sits beneath a surprising chandelier. Whereas spending the night time is usually a bit costly, it prices nothing to go to the Chateau merely to admire the lights and it’s a surefire technique to get into the Christmas spirit. Fairmont’s location proper on Lake Louise simply provides to its magnificence and surprise.
Fairmont Banff Springs Lodge
Much like the Fairmont Chateau, the Fairmont Banff Springs Lodge transforms into an enchanted Christmas citadel and contains a spectacular gentle show through the Christmas season. If staying on the resort breaks the financial institution, you’ll be able to nonetheless benefit from the lights on the resort’s winter occasion, Christmas At The Fortress.
The CP Vacation Prepare
Seeing the lit-up CP Vacation Prepare is magical because it makes its approach throughout Canada. The prepare departs Montreal on November 27 and heads west in direction of Vancouver, making dozens of stops alongside the best way. The decked-out prepare strives to unfold consciousness and garner help for meals banks throughout Canada. For 2022, the prepare stops in Banff on December thirteenth at 7:00pm on the Banff Prepare Station. Don’t miss out on the free reside leisure from MacKenzie Porter and Virginia to Vegas.
Visiting the Banff Christmas Markets
There are fairly just a few Banff Christmas markets to see through the festive season! When you’re planning to spend Christmas in Banff, you will discover that good last-minute vacation present at any of those markets.
Banff Christmas Market
The Banff Christmas Market runs each weekend from November 18th till December 4th and is loaded with over 100 artisanal distributors, reside leisure, and loads of Christmas treats to eat and drink across the out of doors hearth pit. Tickets should be pre-purchased however are solely $10 per particular person, and youngsters underneath 10 years outdated are free. The market grounds might be discovered at Warner Stables.
Bear Road Vacation Market
The Bear Road Vacation Market might be discovered proper within the coronary heart of Banff and is a vital slice of a Banff Christmas. Flick through the stalls and help native artisans and distributors to search out the proper presents, pattern signature Banff treats, after which high off your day by having fun with a scrumptious dinner at any of the eating places that dot Banff Avenue. The Bear Road Vacation Market runs from December 10 – 31 on choose dates, so verify the hyperlink above!
Christmas Carols, Performs, and Concert events in Banff
Carols on the Park
There’s nothing like Christmas carols to get you within the vacation spirit, and this further particular Christmas live performance, held in Banff Avenue Sq. on a number of Saturday nights from November by means of to January (see the schedule right here) guarantees to not disappoint.
Nation Christmas Dinner
The Brewster Nation Christmas Dinner is a brilliant enjoyable technique to expertise Christmas cheer and the country nation appeal Alberta is understood for. Visitors start on the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise and climb aboard a horse-drawn sleigh for a magical experience to the barn the place you may be greeted by a reside band enjoying nation Christmas music. Convey the entire household and revel in a home-cooked Christmas dinner, and possibly even discover ways to line dance. The dinner is being provided on December 23, 28 and thirtieth. Get your tickets earlier than they promote out!
The place to Discover Santa in Banff
Santa has been recognized to spend time at Lake Louise and Banff at Christmas. You will discover him on the Banff Springs or the Chateau Lake Louise, however listed below are just a few of his different favorite native hangouts the place you may simply be fortunate sufficient to see him.
Atop Sulphur Mountain
How a few go to to Santa atop a mountain? Expertise a Mountaintop Christmas by taking the Banff Gondola up Sulphur Mountain. A shocking hike through the summer time months, the ascent is way simpler through the cooler months because of the Banff Gondola. Take within the breathtaking surroundings as you experience the gondola to the mountain peak, the place you will discover Santa’s Bakeshop, picture ops, and lots extra for all ages to get pleasure from. The Banff Gondola to Sulphur Mountain runs on Saturdays and Sundays solely through the month of November, however begins each day runs on December nineteenth and goes till the thirtieth.
Tickets are really helpful upfront and might be booked on-line.
Santa’s Home and Reindeer Stables
A photograph op with Santa is a type of must-do Christmas actions, and households visiting Banff at Christmas time head to Santa’s Home and Reindeer Stables to just do that. You will discover him at Warner Stables through the Christmas Markets.
Santa Claus Parade
**Cancelled for 2022**
No Christmas in Banff Nationwide Park is full and not using a go to to Banff city to see the Santa Clause Parade. Santa and his elves can be tossing sweet canes down Banff Ave from Elk Road to Buffalo Road. Children will even get the possibility to take their image with Santa and inform him all their Christmas needs. It’s a type of good Banff Christmas actions.
Santa on the Slopes
When you’re planning to hit up a ski resort throughout your Banff Christmas, you may simply be fortunate sufficient to identify the Huge Man amongst a whole bunch of different Santas hitting the slopes on the times main as much as Christmas Day, even on Christmas Eve. You additionally could catch him and Mrs. Claus freely giving sweet canes close to the chairlifts or all through the resorts.
Santa on the Slopes is a conventional a part of a mountaintop Christmas, happening yearly at Sunshine Village.
Christmas Buying in Banff
It ought to be straightforward to search out that good present at Christmas at any of Banff’s picturesque vacation shops. Merely wander downtown and pop into all of the totally different retailers and markets.
Spirit of Christmas Retailer
Anybody seeking Christmas spirit and people good Christmas presents can discover them at Banff’s well-known Christmas retailer, The Spirit of Christmas. Positioned on Banff Avenue, right here you will discover these good festive dishes for Christmas dinner, lovely trinkets that invite the vacation spirit into your property, and that particular present for the one you love to unwrap on Christmas Day.
Different widespread retailers for Christmas buying in Banff are:
- Cool as a Moose – They’re Canada’s #1 Memento retailer and have distinctive clothes and presents for all ages.
- Branches – In search of the proper genuine handmade Banff memento? You’ll absolutely discover it right here. Branches have artwork, playing cards, stickers, mugs, present units, and the rest you’re in search of.
- Rocky Mountain Cleaning soap Firm – Strolling in you’ll love the scent. Right here you’ll discover pure soaps and different skincare merchandise made proper within the Canadian Rockies.
Different Christmas Occasions and Actions in Banff
There’s a lot to do in Banff through the Christmas season. Make sure to try these different solutions that may absolutely convey vacation cheer.
Sleigh Rides
A personal horse-drawn sleigh experience with the one you love is the final word technique to have a good time Christmas within the Canadian Rockies. Wrap your self in a heat blanket and take within the surroundings of the magical winter wonderland that’s on the Banff valley facet throughout a 40-minute tour.
Cross Nation and Downhill Snowboarding
There are 3 predominant ski resorts in Banff Nationwide Park that are a number of the finest for Alberta snowboarding and are famend world wide. But additionally the cross nation snowboarding is a type of Banff winter actions that simply don’t get sufficient credit score. What higher technique to get your coronary heart charge up than admiring the fantastic thing about your environment on a quiet forest path?
Skating
Do you know which you can ice skate on Lake Louise? Ice skating is the quintessential winter exercise, and through the winter months, the enduring blue Lake Louise, simply outdoors the Fairmont Chateau, freezes strong, permitting guests to spend Christmas day ice skating, surrounded by towering peaks. One other widespread skating alternative is Lake Minnewanka or Spray Lakes Provincial Park (20 minutes from Canmore).
Hike Tunnel Mountain
There’s no scarcity of climbing trails within the Canadian Rockies, and climbing through the winter gives a wholly new perspective on the fantastic thing about Banff. Tunnel mountain is one in every of Banff’s hottest hikes, and is often accessible through the winter as properly.
Canine Sledding
It’s exhilarating to be whisked by means of the snow and bushes being pulled by a workforce of canines. Banff at Christmas is the proper alternative to offer canine sledding a attempt in case you’ve by no means completed it earlier than.
Scorching Chocolate Path
Talking of scorching chocolate, Banff and Lake Louise’s scorching chocolate path is an absolute must-do for anybody spending Christmas in Banff or Lake Louise. From November to January 1, Christmas-themed scorching chocolate treats might be discovered for a restricted time at over 20 eating places unfold out throughout Banff city and Lake Louise, together with just a few ‘grownup’ boozy scorching chocolate selections. Why not attempt all of them?!
Banff Higher Scorching Springs
Lastly, no go to to Banff Nationwide Park is full and not using a soak within the world-famous Banff Higher Scorching Springs. Marvel on the surrounding surroundings and breathe within the crisp mountain air when you soak within the pure spring water.
In search of extra vacation cheer?
Whilst you’re within the mountains having fun with all the vacation cheer, don’t overlook to eat properly! Try our guides to brunch in Banff plus all one of the best Banff eating places for each meal.