Christmas in a Castle: 5 Things to Do this Winter at Fairmont Banff Springs

If you dream of living in a Hallmark movie, where snow-capped mountains, horse-drawn carriages, and Christmas spirit come to life, you’ll be delighted to know that this magical experience is within reach.

While there’s no guarantee that a charming Christmas Prince will sweep you off your feet and persuade you to stay forever, all the other boxes are checked.

Fairmont Banff Springs, a real Castle in the Canadian Rockies, sets the backdrop for the perfect holiday with decorated trees, trimmed grand staircases, and 360° mountain views.

Not to mention, limited-time festive menus and the nostalgic sound of carollers filling the castle’s corridors.

The holidays don’t get any better than this.

So, here are five things to do this Winter while you experience Christmas in a real-life castle at the Fairmont Banff Springs.

1. Commute to the Castle Under a Veil of Lights

At night, under the soft glow of the moon and the twinkle of the visible stars, start your trip to the Castle walking on Banff Ave.

The street is lined with Christmas lights, festive decorations, and a soft hum of excitement for the season.

As you cross the bridge and approach the end of the famous street, the glow of the town’s lights will start to fade and quickly replace themselves with starlight.

If you’re lucky, the Aurora Borealis (Northern Lights) might dance across the night sky.

From Banff Avenue you can take a brisk 20 minute walk or take ROAM public transit right to the doorsteps of Fairmont Banff Springs for only $2.

When you arrive, strings of lights and Christmas trees will light your path around the hotel as you take in the sight of the grand castle. 

On the night of November 23, 2024, your path may be dimly lit until you arrive at Mt Stephen Hall for the Tree Lighting Ceremony.

Limited tickets are available for guests and the public to attend the ceremony filled with live music, tasty refreshments, and guest appearances. All ticket proceeds will go directly to Make-A-Wish. 

Christmas at the Castle events are open to all visitors but select areas of the hotel are reserved for guests so book your stay or book a table to experience more of the castle.

Whether you’ve booked a night in the Castle, or you’re making your way back to one of our many hotels in Banff, keep an eye out for overnight snowfall. Standing outside in a snowfall is as close as you can get to the feeling of being in a huge snow globe!

2. Experience Uniquely Canadian Activities

The next day, you’ll wake to the stark contrast of the snow-covered mountain peaks against a bright blue sky. It’s not always a guarantee, but Banff is one of the sunniest places in Canada, with over 300 days of sunshine a year.

It’s a truly magical experience, especially if you arrived late the day before when the mountains, which are only a few steps away, appear to hide under nightfall.

Fairmont Banff Springs guests can enjoy free activities like holiday craft sessions with Mrs. Claus, cookie decorating, roaming Christmas characters and carollers, and an outdoor candy cane search.

You can find all of these events listed on the Christmas at the Castle website.

Fat tire bikes, ice cleats, snowshoes and hiking pole rentals are available at Chateau Mountain Sports in the Fairmont, so you can live out your Candian Winter dreams!

They’re also a great source of knowledge on the best routes, how to stay safe and other fun activities to do in and around the National Park.

If you want a more bespoke experience, many of the experiences can be made private. Having a local guide is a surefire way to make sure you get the most out of your time at the Springs! 

Some experiences are even free for guests of the Fairmont, but check the list of activities to see which you need to book in advance!

Ice Skating

Skating on one of the two hotel’s ice rinks is perhaps one of the most iconic things to do in Banff in winter.

The Vermillion Lawn rink is reserved for guests and overlooks the valley below lined with snow-topped evergreen treetops. During the holiday season, non-guests can skate at the castle at the tennis court rink so you won’t miss out on this iconic experience.

Right beside the skating rink, you can experience a quintessential Canadian moment at the Sugar Shack. Try a sweet taffy treat made from maple syrup and warm up with a hot cup of cocoa, or book a spot inside for Festive Afternoon Tea. 

You can either bring your own skates or rent them from Chateau Mountain Sports which is just a few metres away from the rink! What’s stopping you?

3. Watch a Quintessential Holiday Performance

The holiday season wouldn’t be complete without slipping into your finest outfit and heading out for a magical theatre performance, where a timeless holiday classic comes to life before your eyes.

For the 6th year, the Fairmont Banff Springs, in partnership with Carter-Ryan Productions, proudly presents A Christmas Carol - a heartwarming tradition that captures the true spirit of the season.

As the tale goes, Scrooge is visited by three ghosts and learns the true meaning of Christmas. The storyline is a perfect match for the venue, which is known for its rumoured ghost sightings. Will you visit the past, present, and future yourself?

The show runs daily from December 5 - 29, 2024, with a special Christmas Eve and Boxing Day performance, and tickets start at $29 for hotel guests and non-guests.

Reserve your seats now!

4. A Christmas Feast.

It’s no surprise that one of the most eagerly anticipated parts of the holiday season are the festive meals and drinks.

There are several dining options during your Christmas in a castle with traditional fares and unique takes for whatever your style.

But the two unmissable locations are The Thirsty Reindeer and the 360° Dome.

The Thirsty Reindeer seasonal bar is located within the Ramsay Bar between December 17 and January 1 from 3 - 10 pm. Walk in fresh after a skate or ski for the lively après scene.

The 360° Dome allows you to have a private breakfast or dinner with an unobstructed view of sunrise or sunset. If you prefer to sleep in, reserve brunch instead.

The views will be there all day, so it’s really up to you to decide when you want to eat. 

5. Journey to the North Pole

There’s nothing quite like seeing the sparkle in a child’s eye when they see the castle for the first time.It’s as if they’ve stepped into the North Pole itself.

On December 15, 16, and 17 at 3:30 pm, explore areas of the castle that aren’t usually open to the public.

You can join Santa himself on a Journey to the North Pole and share his secret stash of hot chocolate and house-made baking.

At the end, take a photo with Kris Kringle under the floor-to-ceiling Christmas tree.

All ages are welcome (yes, even you).

To gift more children once-in-a-lifetime experiences, the Fairmont Banff Springs generously donates 100% of the proceeds from Journey to the North Pole to Make-A-Wish.

Tickets are limited, so make sure you book in advance.

Christmas Comes but Once a Year

The holiday season is quickly approaching, and rooms and experiences are booking up.

Save yourself the stress of a burned turkey and let world-class Chefs and event planners cater to you, with a backdrop so undeniably beautiful you’ll want to send out Christmas cards.

Plan your Christmas at the Castle below!