On November 19, a flurry of family-friendly activities kick-start the season in Banff bringing holiday cheer to a whole new level. At dusk, the streets come alive with the magic and glow of the Santa Claus Parade of Lights as a procession of floats, performers, and the big man himself traverse Banff Avenue.
Bundle up in layers and get your hot chocolate ready to experience the magic of a Christmas parade in the mountains. Bringing young children? Choose one of the restaurants to enjoy dinner – there are plenty of options from fast food to local restaurants, and warm up before the parade, grabbing a hot chocolate before you get ready to head outside and stake your spot.
Banff Santa Clause Parade Weekend Activities
Get your photo taken with Santa | On the day of the Santa Clause Parade, you can get your photo taken with Santa at the Banff Train Station, for $10. It’s a great donation to Santa’s Anonymous and comes with fun activities for the kids.
Go tobogganing | Head over to Fairmont Banff Springs for everything Winter in Banff National Park has to offer. From outdoor ice rinks to toboggan hills; from sleigh rides to ice walks; from luxurious spa treatments to curling up with a good book and a great glass of wine; there is an activity for everyone at our Banff ski hotel.
Go to Eddie’s Burger Bar | Eddie’s Burger Bar is one of the first stops we make when we head into Banff. They’ve got fantastic kids menu options, and you’re going to love the tater tots as a side for the delicious burgers. Go there, get a milkshake, try it out.
Go Snow Tubing | Snow tubing is just like tobogganing, except that a unique towing system will pull you back to the top! You’ll also have some pretty epic hills to slide down and large sliding lanes so that you can go down alongside your friends and family. Add some extra fun and give each other points for speed, style and number of spins! Tubing is a great activity for all ages, including children over the age of 4 (or 42 inches tall).
Catch the Parade | Watch the parade on Banff Ave, and enjoy the wonderful experience in the mountains. An annual tradition in our house, it’s the perfect reason to get out of town. Bundle up and have dinner before the parade, with hot chocolate in hand to enjoy it. Make sure your stroller is snow-friendly, and bundle up infants and toddlers for the parade.