10 Must-Visit Events in Banff and Lake Louise in 2025

From stunning ice sculptures to vibrant cultural celebrations, Banff National Park is alive with memorable events all year long.

Whether you're chasing adventure, culinary delights, or moments of awe, there's always something worth celebrating in the Rocky Mountains.

Get out your calendar, rally your friends, and start planning. These are the must-visit events in Banff and Lake Louise you won't want to miss.

1. Discover the SnowDays Festival

When: January - February 2026

Each January, Banff and Lake Louise transforms into a winter wonderland during the SnowDays Festival. From captivating sculptures to exhilarating events, this festival offers a unique blend of artistry and adventure.

Snow Sculptures

Throughout downtown Banff, discover larger-than-life snow sculptures crafted by talented artists. These masterpieces are illuminated at night, providing a magical experience for all visitors.

Skijoring

Experience the thrill of Skijoring on Banff Avenue, where skiers are pulled by horses through a course of jumps and obstacles. This event showcases the fusion of Alberta's equestrian heritage with its ski culture.

SnowNights

As the sun sets, SnowNights comes alive. You can see bright snow and ice sculptures. There are special dining experiences and fun evening activities.

Weekend of Wonder

Held on Bear Street, the Weekend of Wonder offers hands-on-crafts, science workshops, and enhancing performances, making it a family-friendly highlight of the festival.

Ice Magic

At Lake Louise, the Ice Magic event features world-class ice carvers creating stunning sculptures against the backdrop of the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise. This ticketed event is accessible to guests staying at participating hotels.

Bear Street Hub

The Bear Street Hub is the heart of the festival, offering live entertainment, interactive installations, and a vibrant atmosphere for all.

SnowDays Play Zone

Located in Banff Central Park, the SnowDays Play Zone offers family-friendly activities such as ice slides, fat biking, and curling. It's a hub of winter fun for all ages.

SnowDays Festival is a must-visit event that encapsulates the spirit of winter in the Canadian Rockies. Check out 6 Reasons to Visit Banff SnowDays for all the details.

2. Explore Nightrise at the Banff Gondola

When: November, 2025 - March, 2026

Where: Banff Gondola, 100 Mountain Ave, Banff, AB

An after-dark multimedia experience on top of Sulphur Mountain, Nightrise was developed alongside the Stoney Nakoda Nation.

Experience the sounds, lighting, video projections, and other immersive elements that turn the familiar peaks into something new.

Enjoy the sunset, dine atop the mountain, and watch Nightrise transform the summit.

3. Made with Love Banff Food and Cocktail Festival

When: April - May 2026

Get excited for the 3rd annual Banff Food and Cocktail Festival Made with Love in April!

Showcasing the vibrant local food and cocktail scene, the festival features curated events and special cocktail menus available in all participating restaurants.

4. Banff liniskim Cross-Cultural Powwow

When: May 31 - June 1, 2025 from 11am - 8pm

Where: Fenlands Recreation Center, 100 Norquay Road, Banff, AB

Cost: $10 on entry

New to many visitors but rooted in deep tradition, the Banff linkiskim Powwow is a powerful celebration of Indigenous culture.

This family-friendly event features competitive dancing, drumming, arts, food, and more.

Schedule highlights:

• 11am - 8pm: Indigenous Market
• 12pm: Grand Entry
• Between 6pm - 7pm: Second Grand Entry

5. The Banff Half Marathon

When: Race site opens at 7am, June 2026

Where: Start line at Bow Ave, Banff, AB

The Banff Half Marathon is one of the planet’s most incredible and beautiful running experiences.

This incredible event winds through some of the most iconic landscapes in Banff National Park.

The event hosts a half-marathon and a 10k run. Will you challenge yourself this year?

Register now to lock in your spot to run through the mountains today. If you're looking for extra inspiration, check out our destination guide to the Banff Half Marathon.

6. Canada Day!

When: July 1 from 10am - 6pm

Where: Downtown Banff, AB

Celebrate Canada Day (July 1) in the nation’s most iconic national park.

You can find many activities in Banff townsite. Along Banff Ave, you can enjoy views of Cascade Mountain. There is live music, a bike parade, and outdoor patios to relax on.

7. Art in Nature Trail

When: July 1, 2025 - September 30, 2025, during daylight hours

Where: Start at the Banff Park Museum, 91 Banff Ave, Banff, AB

Discover the enchantment of Banff's outdoor art exhibition, where creativity seamlessly merges with the beauty of nature.

Step outside a traditional gallery and immerse yourself in the Art in Nature Trail along the Bow River Trail in Banff.

This is the perfect thing to do in summer in Banff National Park.

Start at the famous Banff Park Museum. Take a self-guided tour along the beautiful Bow River Trail. This trail will lead you across the pedestrian bridge to the stunning Bow Falls. Finally, return to Central Park using the new Nancy Pauw Bridge.

Prepare to be captivated as you encounter over 65 curated art pieces thoughtfully crafted by talented Bow Valley artists using a diverse range of mediums.

From July to September, take the chance to see the beauty of art in nature along the Bow River Trail. Once you are finished the trail, make sure to stop in at one of Banff's many fabulous art galleries.

8. Banff Pride

When: October 3 - October 13, 2025

In early October, the charming Banff townsite transforms into a hub of vibrant celebrations. Live music, dazzling drag shows, a bustling Pride Market, and an enlightening Speaker Series are lined up, along with loads of fun indoor and outdoor activities.

In 2022, Gay Travel recognized Banff as one of the world's top destinations for LGBTQ2S+ travel. What sets Banff apart is its core—the people, the establishments, and the surroundings all create a warm and inviting town where a sense of belonging flourishes.

This recognition isn't just a nod; it's a heartfelt acknowledgment of Banff's dedication to providing a space where visitors can wholeheartedly be themselves.

You can learn about the history of Banff Pride and the people involved in our article.

9. Banff Centre Mountain Film and Book Festival

When: November 1 - November 9, 2025

Where: Banff Centre for Arts & Creativity, 107 St Julien Road, Banff, AB

The Banff Centre Mountain Film and Book Festival started in 1976. Local climbers and skiers wanted to celebrate between seasons.

Since then, it has grown into one of the biggest mountain film festivals in the world.

Join filmmakers, artists, authors, athletes, and enthusiastic fans for the nine-day celebration of adventure at Banff Centre Mountain Film and Book Festival.

10. Taste for Adventure

When: October 23 - November 6, 2025

Banff and Lake Louise are brimming with ways to pair dinner and adventure this October and November. Whether your idea of the perfect Fall activity is reaching the summit of a mountain or relaxing in a natural hot spring, all are best enjoyed by indulging your taste buds with a comforting local meal at day’s end.

From late October to early November, Taste for Adventure is back at participating restaurants in Banff National Park. This unique foodie event elevates and celebrates the cuisine of your favourite local restaurants in the heart of the Canadian Rockies.

Classic restaurants that people have trusted for years as well as trendy new places exist in the Bow Valley. All these restaurants serve delicious and unique dishes. You can find them in Canada’s first national park.

Get a taste for our vibrant food scene here in Banff and Lake Louise - where world-class dining meets world-class adventure.

11. Christmas in Banff and Lake Louise

In Banff and Lake Louise, the holidays bring a diverse array of shows, events and gatherings for all.

The festive season kicks off with the Santa Claus Celebration of Lights, In Search of Christmas Spirit and the Banff Christmas Market in mid-November. Many Banff events continue into the New Year’s.

When: November - December 2025