Banff 
Visiting the Canadian Rockies this holiday season?
Photo Credit: Travel Alberta
Banff National Park offers visitors an excellent atmosphere for those seeking a holiday escape this Christmas. With the snow-covered trees, crisp air and gorgeous mountain scenery, you won’t be able to imagine yourself anywhere more appropriate to spend some time during the Christmas holidays. Soak in the pretty decorations that line the streets in town while you shop in the variety of stores, or simply explore the wintery outdoors with plenty of activities still available to enjoy. Plan in advance so that you are guaranteed to get a hotel reservation during this busy season.
Contents:
- Christmas, Holiday & New Year’s Eve Events & Parties
- Winter/Other Activities
Christmas, Holiday & New Year’s Eve Events & Parties
Cascade of Time Garden, Cave Ave, Banff
November 13, 2025 To December 31, 2025
Free
Discover the wonder of the Chistmas in Banff National Park this holiday season. Banff & Lake Louise Tourism is proud to present: In Search of Christmas Spirit – a ... »
Various Restaurants, Banff
November 13, 2025 To February 8, 2026
Cost of Hot Chocolate
What could be better than a hot chocolate on a winter night? How about 20+ hot chocolates? Banff and Lake Louise’s Hot Chocolate Trail is a treasure ... »
Banff Train Station, 327 Railway Ave, Banff
November 20, 2025 To December 14, 2025
$12 to $15+fees
With over 150 artisanal vendors, 13 days of magic, live music, an outdoor fire lounge, Santa’s House & Workshop, Christmas treats & warm drinks there is something for ... »
Banff Centre, 107 Tunnel Mountain Drive, Banff
November 21, 2025
$45+fees
The Barra MacNeils – An East Coast Christmas is a musical potpourri of traditional MacNeil family favourites gleaned from Christmas ceilidhs, midnight masses and the general festive frolic ... »
Johnston Canyon, Bow Valley Parkway, Banff
November 21, 2025 To April 5, 2026
$91.11 to $111.94
Experience the winter wonderland of Banff’s Johnston Canyon on this ice walk tour. Join a professional guide on a hike along the canyon’s steel walkways, ... »
Banff Gondola, 100, Mountain Avenue, Banff
November 22, 2025 To March 29, 2026
1-866-756-1904
Regular Admission
Pursuit unveils an immersive experience of light, sound and wonder with the launch of Nightrise, a multi-sensory winter experience at the Banff Gondola. Nightrise honours the magic ... »
Banff Gondola, 100, Mountain Avenue, Banff
November 22, 2025 To December 31, 2025
1-866-756-1904
Regular Admission
It’s the season of magic and wonder. And it’s back at the Banff Gondola. Tis’ the season of magic and joy at the Banff Gondola. ... »
The Malcolm Hotel, 321 Spring Creek Drive Canmore
November 28, 2025 To December 31, 2025
Free and ticketed events
The Rotary Festival of Trees is a community-based holiday celebration with decorated trees, wreaths, gingerbread houses, and special events and activities for the entire family. Many locals ... »
artsPlace Canmore, 950 8th Avenue, Canmore
November 29, 2025
$25 to $50
Jake Vaadeland’s Goodness Gracious, It’s Christmas returns! Following the success of last year’s debut holiday tour, Jake Vaadeland is back with a second Goodness ... »
Fairmont Banff Springs, 405 Spray Avenue, Banff
December 1, 2025 To January 1, 2026
$45 - $90
Experience the holidays at Canada’s Castle in the Rockies! Step into Santa’s home away from home for a magical dining experience. Gather with loved ones ... »
Fairmont Banff Springs, 405 Spray Avenue, Banff
December 1, 2025 To January 1, 2026
$45 to $95
Celebrate the festive season with a delightful Afternoon Tea experience steeped in tradition, designed to create cherished Fairmont memories. Enjoy our Festive Afternoon Tea featuring all your ... »
artsPlace Canmore, 950 8th Avenue, Canmore
December 4, 2025
$17.50 to $35
The Travelling Mabels are an award-winning folk and country group from Alberta. For more than fifteen years, they have brought their own unique brand of harmonious melodies, ... »
Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel, 405 Spray Avenue, Banff
December 5, 2025 To December 28, 2025
$26-$38
Do not miss this heartwarming tale of a man named Scrooge who is visited by three ghosts and learns what true meaning of Christmas is all about! ... »
artsPlace Canmore, 950 8th Avenue, Canmore
December 6, 2025
$17.50 to $35
Join the Three Sisters for a delightful evening of holiday cheer and vocal prowess.A manifestation of pure joy, The Three Sisters combines the considerable talents of ... »
Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel, 405 Spray Avenue, Banff
December 6, 2025 To January 4, 2026
$38+fees
GIMME GIMME GIMME….A NIGHT TO REMEMBER!! Nothing says HOLIDAY PARTY like a fabulous ABBA tribute show that is back by popular demand! Do not miss this 90 ... »
Crave Mountain Grill, 201 Lynx Street, Banff
December 7, 2025
$15 to $30
Kick off the Christmas season with our Breakfast with Santa Buffet, where Banff Park Lodge transforms into a festive wonderland of music, laughter, and delicious holiday fare. ... »
artsPlace Canmore, 950 8th Avenue, Canmore
December 8, 2025
$20
This holiday season, the magic begins on the big screen. Join André Rieu for his 2025 Christmas Concert – “Merry Christmas” and experience joyful carols, beautiful waltzes, and plenty ... »
Carter-Ryan Theatre, 705 8 Street, Canmore
December 10, 2025 To January 3, 2026
$35+fees
Do not miss Bridget Ryan's outrageously hilarious Christmas Cabaret - Get ready for a night of music, laughter, stories! »
Canmore Miners' Union Hall, 738 7th St., Canmore
December 13, 2025 To December 14, 2025
Free
Come get festive in the mountains with us. Enjoy shopping with our various vendors and our famous bake table will be sure to satisfy your Christmas sweet ... »
Sunshine Village Ski & Snowboard Resort, Banff
December 13, 2025 To December 21, 2025
Regular Admission
This holiday season ski or snowboard with Mr. and Mrs. Claus on the slopes as they take a break from the Christmas rush. Find them in the ... »
artsPlace Canmore, 950 8th Avenue, Canmore
December 20, 2025 To December 21, 2025
$10 to $20+fees
Join the Smalleyes Family as they present a re-imagined Christmas tale with Indigenous dance, song and storytelling. Perfect for the whole family! »
Brewster Cowboy’s Barbecue and Dance Barn, 111 Lake Louise Dr, Lake Louise
December 21, 2025 To December 29, 2025
$110 to $160 +fees
The evening begins with a short sleigh ride transfers from the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise over to our Dance Barn where a live country and western band ... »
Lake Louise Ski Resort, Whitehorn Road, Lake Louise
December 23, 2025 To December 25, 2025
1-403-522-3555
Regular Lift Tickets
Can you spot jolly old Saint Nick? He loves to ski at the Lake Louise Ski Resort! He will be out skiing, stopping for pictures and handing ... »
Sunshine Village Ski & Snowboard Resort, Banff
December 24, 2025
Regular Admission
Light up the night at Banff Sunshine! Our torch bearers will illuminate the slopes in a spectacular nighttime show, a mesmerizing dance of fire and snow you ... »
Sunshine Village Ski & Snowboard Resort, Banff
December 25, 2025
50% off tickets
On December 25th , 2025, join us on the slopes of Banff Sunshine Village to celebrate the holiday season! Get in the festive mood and dress up from head ... »
Fairmont Banff Springs, 405 Spray Avenue, Banff
December 25, 2025
$40 to $135
Experience the holidays at Canada’s Castle in the Rockies! Our Festive Brunch, located in the Riverview Lounge features to all your holiday favorites along with brunch ... »
From Banff Town
December 31, 2025
403 762-7721
Free
Add a little light show magic to your New Year’s traditions with Norquay’s Torchlight Parade! A select number of brave Norquay instructors + staff will take ... »
Central Park, 110 Bear St, Banff
December 31, 2025
Free
Celebrate the anticipation of 2026 by making the most of 2025. Lots to do for adults and families: downtown Banff is the place to be on December 31. »
Lake Louise Ski Resort, Whitehorn Road, Lake Louise
December 31, 2025
1-403-522-3555
Enjoy a spectacular buffet supper, cash bar, night snow tubing followed by a dance party right until midnight with of course, a champagne toast! Bring the whole ... »
Sunshine Village Ski & Snowboard Resort, Banff
December 31, 2025
Sunshine Mountain Lodge Stay
Light up the night at Banff Sunshine! Our torch bearers will illuminate the slopes in a spectacular nighttime show, a mesmerizing dance of fire and snow you ... »
Canmore Recreation Centre & Millennium Park, Canmore
December 31, 2025
Free
Join us at the Canmore Recreation Centre for a free, all-ages evening of fun featuring fireside musical performances with local musicians, a DJ dance party, ice skating, ... »
Winter/Other Activities
1. Christmas High Tea at Chateau Lake Louise
Imagine yourself sipping delicious tea while overlooking the iconic Lake Louise and the gorgeous backdrop of the mountains and Victoria Glacier. Watch as skaters take a turn on the lake, or perhaps snow quietly falling. Indulge yourself with a fantastic assortment of delectable pastries and traditional North American and European style finger sandwiches, with your choice of tea. The tradition of afternoon tea service continues at the Chateau Lake Louise, and there is no better way of spending one of your holiday afternoons this Christmas season. Make a reservation in advance to ensure your table.
2. Enjoy Banff’s Hot Chocolate Trail
If you love the sweet silky taste of hot chocolate, then this activity is definitely for you. An incredible twenty-four of the restaurants in the towns of Banff and Lake Louise offer up festive-themed hot chocolate for those who want to indulge themselves. The tantalising flavours, toppings and enticing names are all enough to convince you to try some of these comforting Christmas beverages, with many having warming ingredients that come with the ‘Adults Only’ label.
3. Ski Sunshine
When you think of the Rockies in the winter, outdoor sports activities automatically come to mind, so spending some time flying down the slopes at the nearby Sunshine Village makes complete sense. There is terrain here appropriate for any type and level of skier, with an incredible three mountains to choose from. There are rentals available if you don’t have your own equipment, and lessons if you are a beginner or looking to improve. Stay at the Village for a ski in and out experience, or catch the shuttle from the hotels in Banff. It’s important to purchase your passes in advance. For a really epic ski trip in Banff over Christmas, be sure to book your Ski Big 3 passes! With this pass, you’ll visit all three of the ski resorts in Banff National Park.
4. Ski Lake Louise
One of the big three ski hills in the area, Lake Louise is famous for its slopes. Strap on a set of skis or a snowboard and hit the hill for a fabulously fun day or two of downhill activity. With plenty of choices of green, blue and black runs, there is something for everyone here. You can rent the necessary equipment and book lessons if you require. There are plenty of places to chill out and enjoy a snack or meal while warming up on the cold winter days. Make sure to book your lift tickets in advance.
4. Soak in the Hot Springs
At the end of a day on the slopes, shopping or doing any of the activities that you can enjoy during your holidays, a soak in the Upper Banff Hot Springs is just the thing to help you relax. During the winter months, some time in these hot springs will provide you with the interesting experience of sitting in the hot waters while enjoying the beautiful views and the cold winter air. As your hair and eyebrows build up with frost, you will feel refreshed and renewed. This is certainly an unforgettable experience that can’t be missed during your time here.
5. Ski Norquay
The last of the big three in the Banff area, Norquay is a fun place to spend the day, with shuttles available from the town of Banff to take the stress out of getting there and back, or looking for parking. With a good combination of levels of skiing and snowboarding available on the runs here, Norquay is also the only one offering night skiing, including a fully lit terrain park. During the holiday season, the slopes are open every day, including Christmas Day, and you can even get a free lift ticket by dressing as Santa, an elf, a reindeer or Mrs. Claus. Make your reservation online to ensure a lift ticket.
6. Skate at Lake Louise
There are a couple of outdoor places to skate in Banff National Park, and the gorgeous Lake Louise provides spectacular scenery while you glide along the cleared ice. There is usually plenty of space to get out a stick and puck if you want to play a little casual hockey, or simply strap on your skates and spend some time enjoying the time on the lake. Soak in the view of Victoria Glacier, the Chateau Lake Louise and the surrounding peaks as you experience one of the best outdoor places in the country to skate outdoors. Check for ice conditions before heading out. Skate rentals are available at the Chateau.
https://www.instagram.com/p/B7jcB5-nFcH/
7. Skate on Lake Minnewanka
This thirty kilometer long lake provides ice skaters with the opportunity to get out onto the natural surface to do some gliding in some spectacular scenery. There is usually enough room for a pickup game of hockey with friends or family, or simply spending some time in the great outdoors. Make sure you keep close to your starting point though, as winds can be strong here. Ice may be rough closer to shore. Check ice conditions with the Parks Canada Visitors Center before heading out, and dress appropriately for weather conditions.
8. Take a Dogsled Tour
If you have never experienced the rush of being pulled by an energetic and enthusiastic team of trained dogs, this winter is the perfect time to do so. Snuggle in and feel the speed of travelling through the incredible scenery of the Rockies in this traditional form of transportation. Choose from a simple half hour outing to a full day of experience with the dogs. The trained mushers will make you comfortable and provide you with interesting stories and information as you enjoy this activity. There are two operators in the area with a variety of tours available.
9. Go Ice Climbing
For the more adventurous, ice climbing may be the perfect activity. Winter offers the opportunity to get out to have some fun with unique climbing opportunities. You don’t need to have experience, but if you do, you will still find scaling the frozen waterfalls a challenge. This is one of the best areas in the world to do ice climbing. Choose from half day or full day excursions, with highly qualified guides and provided equipment. There are several companies in the Banff area that offer services to climb in several places around town.
10. Go on an Ice Walk at Johnston Canyon
Johnston Canyon is a gorgeous hike no matter what time of year, but winter decidedly brings you into a magical wonderland of frozen waterfalls and snow-covered trees. There are three points to walk to – the lower viewpoint, the upper viewpoint and the ink pots. Make sure you wear appropriate footwear, as parts of the trail can be slippery in the winter months. Ice cleats are a good idea if you happen to have them. If you are planning to hike to the ink pots and back, make sure to allow yourself three to four hours, otherwise plan on possibly a couple of hours to get to the upper viewpoint and back, depending on how many fantastic pictures you want to stop and take.
11. Take a Sleigh Ride
Dashing through the snow, tucked in cozily on a sleigh, seems like the quintessential activity for the holidays in the Banff. Awe inspiring views await you around every corner as you sit back and relax. Sleigh rides can vary in length from about 45 minutes to over an hour, but provide you with either a family friendly activity, or a romantic excursion with your partner. Choose a small group tour or a private journey, whatever suits you. A perfect activity to enjoy the outdoors this season.
12. Shopping in Banff
If you haven’t quite completed shopping for those on your Christmas list, Banff offers up a wide variety of souvenir shops, art galleries and unique places to purchase all sorts of goodies. Even if you are spending the holidays after Christmas Day here, hop on into the many stores to find something to remember your trip by. Along with the outstanding galleries where you can purchase some beautiful artwork, there is even a Christmas store to pick up a new ornament or anything else Christmas related that you can think of.
13. Ride the Gondola
Get a bird’s eye view of the little town and the surrounding peaks by hopping the Gondola to the top of Sulphur Mountain. A fabulous way to spend a half day, or a couple of hours, the ride up with provide you with a unique view of the valley and the mountains, and once at the top be prepared to take breathtaking photos from the short walkways. There are shops to check out, places to grab something to eat, and majestic views in every direction. Check the website for winter hours and pricing.
14. Skate on Two Jack Lake
December is a great time to strap your skates on for some time on Two Jack Lake. The ice is usually frozen enough to get out on the ice, but there usually hasn’t been a sufficient amount of snow to cover the ice yet. If the ice is still clear, on a sunny day you can get a fantastic reflection of Rundle Mountain off the sparkling frozen water. If it’s been snowing, you may want to take your own shovel to clear an area, or hope that someone else has done some clearing before you get there! As usual, be aware that ice surfaces may be rough, and check with the Parks Canada office about ice conditions before heading out. Make sure to stay away from the dam at the east end of the lake, where the ice is thin and there is open water.
15. Go Snow Tubing
If you are not a skier or snowboarder but would still like some exciting snowy fun, tubing may be a good option for you this season. Better than traditional tobogganing, you can ride up a moving walkway in style before swooping down the slopes. The beautiful mountain views and fresh air will make you want to stay all day. Perfect for all ages, there are two places to enjoy this activity in the Banff area – Mt. Norquay and Lake Louise Ski Area. Mt. Norquay has the longest tubing runs in the province and even hosts night tubing on Fridays and Saturdays.
16. Go Snowmobiling
There is no snowmobiling allowed within the National Park boundaries, but it is only a short distance to the fun areas that do allow it. If you don’t have your own snowmobile, don’t worry, there are several companies that will provide you with everything you need to get out and experience the power through the powder. Trained professionals will take you along known routes and let you have fun without any of the worries. You don’t need to have the experience to have this experience, but dependent on the company there may be age restrictions in place.
17. Experience Snowshoeing
There is usually enough snow by late December to get in some good snowshoeing time in the Park. Conditions are usually best after a fresh snowfall, and of course, the newly fallen snow will create a winter wonderland in this amazing area. There are six trails near Banff, and another nine around Lake Louise, all of varying lengths and ability levels. A beautiful winter day will provide you with the perfect conditions to strap on some snowshoes and get some exercise while soaking in the ambience. Check trail conditions and winter safety recommendations before heading out on any trail. Rentals are available in Banff, if you don’t have your own equipment.
18. Go Cross Country Skiing
If snowshoeing isn’t your thing, perhaps cross country skiing is more your style. This fabulous activity will take you out into the fresh winter air and allow you to experience the Banff area under your own power and at your own pace. There are set tracks and even skate skiing if you are more experienced, along with easy trails for beginners or those who want to take it easy. There are ten marked trails around Banff, and another eighteen around Lake Louise, so you can easily fill up many days exploring the different lengths of trails in the area. Be sure to check trail and weather conditions before heading out. Rentals are available in town if you don’t have your own.
19. Try Ice Fishing
Just outside of Banff National Park you can pick up a pole and try some ice fishing this holiday season. There is no ice fishing allowed on the lakes within the Park, but with plenty of opportunities nearby, you won’t have to go to far to enjoy this activity. The best way to experience this winter sport is by booking through a local company, who can provide you with the equipment, a comfy heated hut, hot beverages, and even the appropriate licenses. Having a local guide ensures that you get to where the fish are, but also guarantees safety on the ice and with weather conditions.
20. Experience Heli-skiing
For some people, the regular slopes of the Big Three in the Banff are just not adventurous enough. Heli-skiing offers experienced skiers and snowboarders the opportunity to head up to pristine snow and conditions that can’t be found anywhere else. This is the ultimate winter experience for those seeking extreme sport conditions. You do need to be at minimum an intermediate level skier or snowboarder to enjoy the fresh powder that is waiting.
21. Visit the Yamnuska Wolfdog Sanctuary
Located by Cochrane, close enough to Banff to warrant a half day trip, you will find this incredible Sanctuary. A perfect Christmas activity, this is a great chance to get up close and personal with the gorgeous wolfdogs that live here. You can use the self-guided walk, or choose to take a tour to learn more. The purpose of the tours is to educate the public on wolfdogs and raise awareness regarding wolf conservation. All proceeds from the tours directly fund the Sanctuary and its continued rescue efforts.
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Winter Activities in Banff National Park
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