Banff All Events

Feb 03 to Apr 30
Celebrate the Luxtons – one of Banff’s most well-known and influential families. This exhibition is a tribute to the spirit, vision, commitment, and creative energy of one of the early pioneer families in Banff and the Bow Valley.

High Fashion in the Rockies – focuses on a surprising collection of gorgeous dresses belonging to Georgina and Eleanor – the Luxton ladies. Rediscovered in the Eleanor Luxton Historical Foundation collection were dozens of beautiful dresses from 1910 through the 1960s. A small percentage of this extraordinary assortment of apparel along with accessories including gloves, purses, smoking paraphernalia and lingerie, is included.

• Whyte Museum of the Canadian Rockies   Address: 111 Bear St Banff  AB  T1L 1A3

Feb 12
This freestyle competition is an all girls slopestyle event aimed at giving locals a chance to have fun and flaunt their stuff.

The event is part of a series with six competitions throughout Canada and the US, including one at Sunshine Village in February, and a final being held in Lake Tahoe in April ($10,000 cash purse).

• Ski Norquay   Address: Mt Norquay Rd, N of Hwy 1, Banff  AB  CAN

Feb 18, Mar 17
The Backyard Rail Jam Series takes place several times over the winter season on Saturday nights at Mt. Norquay and is open to skiers and boarders of all ages. The series runs from 7pm till 9pm at night with registration starting at 5pm.

• Ski Norquay   Address: Mt Norquay Rd, N of Hwy 1 Banff  AB  CAN

Feb 03
To celebrate Canada’s favourite winter pastimes, Canada House Gallery invites you to spend time with William Roy Brownridge, Robert Roy, Peter Shostak and Peter Wyse and their collective 40 new paintings that capture winter fun like never before: hockey, tobogganing, skiing, ice fishing, snow forts and snow angels!
Join us for a glass of wine and mingle with 4 of Canada’s talented visual artists. It’s worth a trip to Banff!

• Canada House Gallery   Address: 201 Bear St Banff  AB  T1L 1B5

Feb 03 to Feb 04
Dave Irwin's Dash for Cash is an annual fundraising event for the Dave Irwin Foundation for Brain Injury and features teams of four participating in dual slalom format races in support of acquired brain injury education, research and outreach programs. The annual event is held at Sunshine Village Ski Resort in February.

• Sunshine Village Ski Resort   Address: Off Hwy 1, (8 km (5 mi) W of Banff),

Feb 11
What is the Mountain Smoker? It's an epic event held every spring at Norquay to see how many runs skiers can log on the Lone Pine in three hours. That's three hours of intense skiing that will create a reputation to last a lifetime!

The current record held by Bob Rankin (1981) is 22 runs in 3 hours (30,000 vertical feet)

Entry forms can be picked up from Mountain Magic Equipment in Banff or Mt Norquay Guest Services. Competitors can enter on competition day.

• Ski Norquay   Address: Mt Norquay Rd, N of Hwy 1, Banff  AB  CAN

Feb 11 to Feb 24


Canada House Gallery is excited to introduce Sheila Kernan to their cultivated audience with her first exhibition at Canada House Gallery. A former sales associate at Canada House Gallery, this dynamic and talented painter pushes her method and techniques to their limits. Always experimenting, always looking for inspiration, this young artist’s vision of the landscape around her vibrates with energy and fun. Thick application of paint and vibrant use of colour make her works distinctive and desirable.

• Canada House Gallery   Address: 201 Bear St Banff  AB  T1L 1B5

Feb 25
You think running is hard? Try it with snowshoes! The Blitz Snowshoe Fun Run will be a fun day hiking/running through single track, double track, cat track, up/down ski runs, and fresh powder terrain. 4km or 8km course. Prizes for top finishers in each age category. Register Online before Feb 19th!

So get out and enjoy the mountain terrain in beautiful Alberta. There is no better way to do it than on snowshoes with the Blitz!

Registration includes entry into the race, Blitz apparel, $5 voucher to Kika Cafe, and numerous chances to win some great prizes provided by our sponsors.

Event Type: Running/Fun Run (winter/snowshoe)
Time: 8.00am - 12:00pm, race starts at 10:00am

Early-Bird Cost: $45
After Dec 31st Cost: $55
Registration Deadline: Feb 19, 2011
Max Participants: 150

• Mount Norquay   Address: . Banff  AB  CA

Mar 14 to Mar 28
Classic beauty defines Svob’s masterful technique in capturing light and drama. Mike Svob, integral to the Canadian art scene for 30 + years, utilizes a simple, graphic approach to mastering light in his compositions. Influenced by the Rockies, West Coast and international travels, Svob’s collection of 30 paintings will inspire and impress.
Artist reception, Sat Mar 17, 1-3 pm.

• Canada House Gallery   Address: 201 Bear St Banff  AB  T1L 1B5

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Ski Norquay will be celebrating its last weekend of skiing with a Spring Fling and its annual Dummy Downhill. Participants can build their own dummy and launch it off a huge jump, with the dummies being scored for creativity and style. Visitors can enjoy the spectacle, as well as an outdoor BBQ and beer gardens.

Entry to the downhill entitles participants to discount lift tickets and all midweek passes will be valid for Norquay's last weekend.

• Ski Norquay   Address: Mt Norquay Rd, N of Hwy 1 Banff  AB  CAN

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Every summer, Diverse as This Land music concerts in Banff showcase songs by First Nations artists that feature everything from electronic and rock music to folk and contemporary musical genres. Two evening concerts, held at the Margaret Greenham Theatre.

• The Banff Centre   Address: Box 1020 Banff  AB  Canada  T1L 1H5

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This retreat/workshop, with internationally recognized Canadian artist Robert Sinclair RCA, will continue his teachings in watercolor/drawing and mindfulness in the spectacular surroundings of Banff National Park. And, will concide with his retrospective exhibition at the Whyte Museum of the Canadian Rockies as well as his exhibition at the Willock & Sax Gallery.

• Willock & Sax Gallery   Address: Box 2469, 110 Bison Courtyard, 211 Bear St Banff  AB  T1L 1C2

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Come out to the annual Calgary International Spoken Word Festival. Each year the festival chooses a theme and features a diverse collection of spoken word artists. The festival is held at various venues in Calgary and Banff and features everything from performances and panels to discussions, workshops and special events.

• The Banff Centre   Address: Box 1020 Banff  AB  Canada  T1L 1H5

Apr 19 to Apr 22
Each year, the Rocky Mountain Music Festival strives to provide a festival that is student and director centered as well as musically and educationally oriented without competition or grading.

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The annual Banff Rocky Mountain Wine and Food Festival returns to the beautiful Rocky Mountains for a weekend celebration of food and wine! The Banff Grand Tasting Hall will feature three tasting sessions over two days! The Banff Rocky Mountain Wine & Food Festival invites you to sample from hundreds of wines, spirits and beer along with gourmet food samples from Banff's best restaurants.

Banff hotels are offering special packages with great accommodation rates, Grand Tasting Hall tickets and more. Other exciting wine and food-inspired events will also be held throughout Banff over the weekend, such as wine and food pairing dinners, tastings, and other celebrations. Whether you're looking for a romantic getaway or an out-of-town weekend with friends, this celebration of wine and food is one you don't want to miss!

Tickets are now on sale!

The Grand Tasting Hall will showcase a Friday Evening Session from 7-10pm, Saturday Afternoon Session from 2-5pm and a Saturday Evening Tasting Session from 7-10pm. Tickets are valid for one session only.

• Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel   Address: 405 Spray Avenue Banff  AB  CAN  T1L 1J4

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Every summer, the Hoodoo Lounge sponsors the Retro Golf Tournament at the Fairmont Banff Springs Golf Course. Entrance fee includes golf, prizes, food and drinks. Costumes mandatory.

• Fairmont Banff Springs Golf Course - Stanley Thompson   Address: 405 Spray Avenue Banff  AB  CAN  T1L 1J4

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The Banff Jasper Relay is a scenic 258km road race run in 15 stages on highways from Banff to Jasper. The relay is a fundraiser for the Brain Tumour Foundation of Canada.
The relay will consist of 2 phases run simultaneously:
• Phase 1 has 6 stages from Banff to Saskatchewan River Crossing.
• Phase 2 has 9 stages from Saskatchewan River Crossing to Jasper.
Team results are based on the cumulative times for both phases of the relay added together

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The World Television Festival combines a prestigious international competition, the Banff World Television Awards and a comprehensive conference agenda. It is designed to generate co-production deals, enable new business relationships and bring to light future trends of the industry as well as honour excellence in international television.

• Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel   Address: 405 Spray Avenue Banff  AB  CAN  T1L 1J4

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This annual bike festival, held over four days, features seven challenging road races in and around Banff and Lake Louise. The event draws hundreds of cyclists and features everything from highly-technical racing bikes to tricycles and custom-made bicyles with training wheels.

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Parks Day was first celebrated in 1990 and invites visitors to enjoy Canada's National Parks with free admission on the day and a schedule of fun events. In Banff, Parks Day includes a guided stroll up Sulphur Mountain, an Explorer Program, competitions and prizes, a campground threatre program and more.

• Banff National Park   Address: Banff National Park P.O. Box 900 Banff  Alberta  T1L 1K2

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Visitors are invited to celebrate Parks Day while learning about the former curator of the Banff Park Museum, Norman B. Sanson. A Parks Canada interpreter takes participants on a walk up the mountain while telling tales about the amateur naturalist and local legend. Hike begins at 9.30am and is approximately 5.5 km (3.4 mi) in length, after which participants can enjoy a soak in the Banff Upper Hot Springs. Prior registration suggested.

• Banff Park Museum National Historic Site   Address: 91 Banff Ave Banff  AB  CAN

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Explore the history and culture of Banff at this event, featuring a culture walk, art demonstrations, heritage tours and exhibits.

Aug 11 to Aug 12
This Dragon Boat Festival is held over two days in August and features over 500 participants racing across Lake Minnewanka. The festival includes free shuttles for both participants and the public, as well as cultural performances in the centre of Banff.

• Lake Minnewanka   Address: About 11 km (7 mi) northwest of Banff Banff  AB  CA

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This jubilant musical revue, performed by three powerhouse entertainers of the musical stage, will enlighten and entertain guests as they re-create pivotal moments from some of Broadway’s most illustrious shows. After wowing audiences in Banff last summer with Broadway Heroes, David Rogers (star of The Phantom of the Opera) returns by popular demand and this year is joined by long time friend and superstar Mark Cassuis (from Broadway and the well know singing group The Nylons) as well as the beautiful, silver voiced Michelle Todd (International Soprano and West End star). Mixing intimacy with stellar Broadway showmanship, they will engage audiences with songs from classics like Oklahoma and The Sound of Music, to current hits like Wicked, Les Miserables, and of course, The Phantom of the Opera.

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This annual quartet competition runs for a week and features a variety of classical recitals and concerts at the Banff Centre. Open to quartets of all nationalities whose members are under the age of 35, the competition was created in 1983 to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Banff Centre and has since become one of the country's leading international music competitions for young ensembles.

• The Banff Centre   Address: Box 1020 Banff  AB  Canada  T1L 1H5

Sep 08
Banff regularly hosts visitors from across the continent and around the world and starting in 2010, the town also hosts beginner and professional athletes from throughout North America in this annual triathlon. Participants swim in Two Jack Lake, cycle the Minnewanka Loop and run through the centre of Banff for a spectacularly scenic triathlon.

• Banff   Address:
• Lake Minnewanka   Address: About 11 km (7 mi) northwest of Banff Banff  AB  CA
• Two Jack Lake   Address: . Banff  AB  CA

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Walk A Mile In Her Shoes
This second annual event combines big hearts with big feet, and brings the whole community together for a great cause. The event premise is simple: men walk through downtown Banff in women's shoes, raising eyebrows and funds in support of YWCA Banff's activities to stop domestic violence.

• Banff Park Museum National Historic Site   Address: 91 Banff Ave Banff  AB  CAN

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This Terry Fox Run takes place in Banff every September is in support of cancer research. In Banff, the run takes place at the Recreation Grounds, while there are similar runs held in Canmore and Lake Louise.

Sep 22
This annual 10K and 22K road race has been taking place for over 30 years in Banff and has been voted Alberta's best road race. The organized race, usually held on a September Saturday, donates profits generated from the event back into the community. Starts at the Banff Recreation Grounds.

• Banff Recreation Grounds   Address: Cave Avenue Banff  AB  CAN

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To commemorate the anniversary of Terry’s Marathon of Hope, every school in Canada is invited to participate in the Terry Fox National School Run Day. This event will be held simultaneously at schools large and small from coast-to-coast. With millions of schools participating, this could one of the largest single-day events in Canadian history and will allow our youth to show all of Canada the power they have to help others.

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One of Banff's most popular yearly events, the Summer Arts Festival takes place throughout the summer. Over 160 events featuring visual arts, dance, music, opera, readings, film screenings, art walks and more take place over the course of the festival.

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Alberta Arts Days is an annual celebration of culture, heritage, artistic diversity and provincial pride. The event, which began in 2008 as a one-day event and has grown to expand into a three day province-wide celebration, showcases Alberta artists of all types.

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This six-day literary festival takes place annually in the Calgary, Banff and Bow Valley region. The mission of the festival is to stimulate literacy and improve the quality of life by bringing readers of all ages together with local, national and international writers.

• The Banff Centre   Address: Box 1020 Banff  AB  Canada  T1L 1H5

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Aiming to bring readers and writers together, WordFest was started by Mount Royal University, the Banff Centre, the Calgary Public Library, and the Writers' Guild of Alberta. At numerous venues throughout Calgary and Banff, authors read from their works in a celebration of the spoken and written word.

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The race starts out from the front of the Caribou Lodge and Spa, running on an out and back course along Banff Avenue and Tunnel Mountain Road. Participants carry “Glo Sticks” and can enjoy refreshments, awards and draw prizes in the lodge following the race.

• Banff Caribou Lodge & Spa   Address: 521 Banff Avenue Banff  AB  CAN  T1L 1H8

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This annual festival, sponsored by the Banff Centre, celebrates the mountains with film and book festivals that feature some of the world's best mountain speakers and films and books that capture climbing and mountain expeditions, remote cultures, and some of the planet's last wild places. In addition to daily film screenings and seminars, the event includes a mountain art and craft sale, book fair and trade show.

• The Banff Centre   Address: Box 1020 Banff  AB  Canada  T1L 1H5

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The 2011 Annual Print Collection from Cape Dorset is dedicated to Kanaginak Pootoogook, who passed away November 24, 2010. The work of the Kinngait Studios proceeded vigorously this year, producing another strong collection of 33 images by 11 studio artists.

• Canada House Gallery   Address: 201 Bear St Banff  AB  T1L 1B5

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Over the past years with the support from the snowboarding industry, athletes, spectators and sponsors, the YLGRC series has grown to become the most successful, and talked about snowboard series in Canada.

• Ski Norquay   Address: Mt Norquay Rd, N of Hwy 1, Banff  AB  CAN

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Banff's annual Parade of Lights features an afternoon of holiday cookies, crafts, caroling, and photos with Santa Claus followed by a parade of lights and festive floats led by the Claus himself. Afternoon events are held on Cascade Plaza, parade starts around 5.30pm on Banff Avenue.

• Banff   Address:

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Following Love to the Mountaintop
Annual Banff Constellation Retreat.
Organizer: Barbara Ashley Phillips
Facilitator: Francesca Mason Boring

Utilizing Family Constellation, the work of Bert Hellinger, and wisdom traditions this is an opportunity for those who are tired of being stuck in relationships, work, family conflict or loneliness. The constellation workshop will be coupled with time for relfection, making new friends and enjoying the hot springs. Restore love, clarity, energy and peace.
Francesca Mason Boring, Shoshone author, facilitator and trainer has provided Constellation Workshops/Trainings in Canada, Switzerland, Australia, Singapore, Holland, Germany, Italy and the United States.
Fee: Before Nov. 8th: $350. After Nov 8th: $375- accommodations not included in registration fee.

• Spruce Grove Inn   Address: 545 Banff Avenue Banff  AB  CA  T1L 1B5

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Following the men who compete in late November, the Ladies World Cup comes to Lake Louise in early December and features two days of downhill racing on Friday and Saturday, followed by the Super G on Sunday.

• Lake Louise   Address: Lake Louise  AB  CAN

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Alpine ski enthusiasts can catch World Cup action at Lake Louise in late November (men) and early December (ladies). The Ladies Super G is the last race to run and is held on Sunday.

• Lake Louise   Address: Lake Louise  AB  CAN

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Held from the end of October through early December, WinterStart Festival welcomes the start of the winter season with several events, including a four-day festival at the end of November, held to coincide with World Cup ski racing at Lake Louise. WinterStart features a night race, ski films, free music concerts, carolers, crafts, a Santa Claus Parade and more.

• Banff   Address:
• Lake Louise   Address: Lake Louise  AB  CAN

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The Sunshine 5000 Ski Mountaineering Competition is a two-day event held at Sunshine Village in cooperation with the Alpine Club of Canada. The competition features backcountry skiing and mountaineering (vertical climbing and boot-pack sections) in three categories (Race, Citizen and Introductory). Open for both men and women.

• Sunshine Village Ski Resort   Address: Off Hwy 1, (8 km (5 mi) W of Banff),

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Norquay Mountain helps Banff visitors celebrating the coming New Year with a torchlight parade down the ski mountain. The parade takes place at 7pm off the North American Chair and can be seen from town.

• Ski Norquay   Address: Mt Norquay Rd, N of Hwy 1 Banff  AB  CAN

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Good things come in small packages! A favourite tradition of locals and visitors, the museum hosts its annual holiday season art show and sale. Choose from individual works of art or handcrafted artisan-made gift items. Artists have challenged their artistic boundaries by literally thinking inside the 144 square inch box to create these winter themed treasures.

• Whyte Museum of the Canadian Rockies   Address: 111 Bear St Banff  AB  T1L 1A3

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Every winter, Norquay Mountain hosts a Cardboard Sled Derby, which is open to the public. The derby includes a $10 entry fee along with prizes for best crash, design, speed and more. Entry forms can be found at the Ski Hub, Town of Banff office, and at Norquay.

• Ski Norquay   Address: Mt Norquay Rd, N of Hwy 1 Banff  AB  CAN

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This annual gala benefits the Banff Mineral Springs Hospital and features a unique theme, gourmet food, live entertainment and auctions. The gala is usually held at the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel.

• Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel   Address: 405 Spray Avenue Banff  AB  CAN  T1L 1J4

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Indulge all the senses at the Taste of the Festival Weekend, featuring a barbecue, dance performances, film screenings, cabarets, concerts, photography exhibits and more.