November 12, 2020 (BANFF AND LAKE LOUISE, ALBERTA) – This festive season, things may look a little different but we're still celebrating the holidays in Banff and Lake Louise. Those young and young at heart can embrace the spirit of Christmas in Banff National Park from November 26 into the New Year. Here, much-loved holiday traditions, signature Canadian Christmas card moments, cozy indoor time and enchanting snow-filled activities meet the magic of Santa Claus and childhood excitement.

Visitors are invited to step into a winter wonderland filled with endless unique Christmas activities. Try an irresistible signature hot chocolate featured by over two dozen cafes and restaurants in the Hot Chocolate Trail. Visit Santa's bakeshop on the gondola at Mountaintop Christmas. Get all your shopping done at Banff retailers, galleries, coffee shops and restaurants and the pop-up artisan shops within them. And brand new this year, find the connection that we have been missing at In Search of Christmas Spirit, an immersive outdoor storytelling experience “told” by giant illuminated animals of the park.

“We've been working hard to adapt Christmas programming to ensure the safety of our guests and community,” said David Matys, Director, Events & Animation, Banff & Lake Louise Tourism. “With the brand new immersive outdoor experience, we're confident people will still be able to experience the magic of the holidays.”

Christmas events can be enjoyed alongside authentically Canadian activities that the whole family can enjoy. From skating on frozen lakes, being pulled through a spectacular mountain landscape by a team of dogs and exploring scenic white dusted trails to delicious dining and cozy après options, there are so many ways to make mountains of magical memories.

Plans for Christmas programming in Banff and Lake Louise has been significantly modified this year to ensure the safety of visitors and residents.

Banff and Lake Louise holiday highlights:

IN SEARCH OF CHRISTMAS SPIRIT

Immerse yourself in a live outdoor Christmas story delivered by a sensory extravaganza of light and sound. Discover the true meaning of connection and love through this magical illuminated experience that features the animals of Banff National Park, a giant lantern decorated Christmas tree and more.

Where: Check in at Banff Avenue Square, collect a lantern and head over to the nearby Cascade Gardens
When: Departures are every 15-minutes from 5 – 9:30 p.m. on Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings and each evening from Christmas Eve to January 2
Price: Complimentary
Reservations: Strongly encouraged. Book now (tickets available soon)

HOT CHOCOLATE TRAIL

Discover a treasure map of restaurants that are offering a limited-time, holiday-themed hot chocolate. Set off on an adventure led by your taste buds. A couple of examples:

• One of Banff's newest restaurants, Seed N Salt, is serving up three speciality hot chocolates, including the “Candy Cane,” made with peppermint schnapps, baileys and topped with whipped cream and candy canes.
• Baker Creek Mountain Resort is serving up a “Santa's Hot Chocolate” made with Park Distillery's Chocolate Vodka and Peppermint Schnapps.

Where: 21 restaurants and coffee shops across Banff and Lake Louise
When: November 26 – January 3
Learn more

CHRISTMAS ARTISAN TRAIL

The Christmas Artisan Trail is a deconstructed Christmas market where you can find all your uniquely charming stocking stuffers and Christmas gifts for your friends and family. Artisans have paired with local retailers, galleries, coffee shops and restaurants to create pop-up store-within-a-store displays of their curated Christmas offerings.

Where: 18 locations across Banff and Lake Louise
When: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. on select weekends from November 28 – January 3
Learn more

MOUNTAINTOP CHRISTMAS

Soar to where Christmas delights and Santa visits await at the top of the Banff gondola. Decorate cookies in the bakeshop, take photos with Santa, roll your own maple taffy and watch a film in our theatre.

Where: Banff Gondola
When: December 19-30
Price: All activities are free with gondola admission
Learn more

SANTA ON THE MOUNTAIN

Looking to hit the slopes for Christmas? Share some festive-fun turns with Mr. and Mrs. Claus at Banff Sunshine's “Santa on the Mountain.”

Where: Sunshine Village and Sunshine Mountain Lodge
When: 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. on December 12-13, 19-20
Learn more

TORCHLIGHT PARADE

Add a little light show magic to your New Year's traditions with Mt. Norquay's Torchlight Parade. A select number of brave Norquay instructors and staff will take on the North American run from the Big Chair with torches in hand for a light spectacle you don't want to miss. The best spot to view is from downtown Banff, so, bundle up the family, grab a hot chocolate and enjoy the show.

Where: From town looking towards Mt. Norquay
When: 7 p.m. December 31
Price: Complimentary
Learn more: Contact info@banffnorquay.com or call 403 762-7721

For the full list of festive experiences taking place in Banff National Park this holiday season, see banfflakelouise.com/Christmas.

For those looking to maximize their time adventuring and embracing the festive spirit, there are plenty of hotels available. Find your dream retreat in the mountains.

Planning your visit ahead of time is crucial. Before heading out on your trip to the mountains, know where you're going to park, how best to get around, how to stay safe and the status of businesses you plan to visit. For information on how to explore Banff National Park responsibly, please see our Travel Information page and visit Banff.ca/COVID.