Are you looking for exciting events to celebrate Canada Day in the beautiful towns of Canmore and Banff, Alberta? Here are some of the events that you can look forward to:

 Celebrate in Canmore

Picnic Pancake Breakfast

Nothing better than starting the day of celebration off with a fluffy stack of pancakes topped with maple syrup. Come down to Centennial Park from 9am – 11am where the annual Picnic Pancake Breakfast is served up by the Rotary Club of Canmore and the Calgary Stampede Breakfast Crew.

This breakfast is served by donation, give what you can.

Canada Day Fun Run & Walk

Also located at Centennial Park, the 32^nd annual Canada Day Fun Run and Walk by Grizzly Events is happening from 9am – 12 noon. Register for a 3km, 5km or 10km distance run with all proceeds going to the Canmore Nordic Ski Club.  

Canada Day Parade and Celebration

This year, the annual Canada Day parade is a vibrant display of Indigenous culture and Canadian pride, featuring festive floats, lively music, marching bands, and a lot of community spirit. This year’s parade theme is “Feels Like Summer!”

The parade details are outlined below;

• The parade begins at 12 p.m.
• The Parade route starts at the corner of Fairholme Drive and 15 St. It continues down Fairholme Drive, turns onto Main Street and continues all the way to Railway Avenue. At Railway Avenue, the parade turns left, and then left again at 10 Street. The parade finishes at 10 Street and 7 Avenue. It is a longer route this year, so more people can space themselves out to see and enjoy all the parade sights and entertainment.
• Bring your chair or stand and enjoy.
• Parade Dry Zone – from Fairholme Drive to 10 Street, this is a dry zone. Absolutely NO WATER fights are permitted within this zone.  Choose to watch the parade from the area that best suits you: the dry or the wet zone.

Celebrate in Banff

There are an array of activities happening all over the downtown core of Banff Townsite. From family-friendly entertainment, to engaging arts & crafts, to amazing musical acts, we have something for everyone.

Here is a breakdown of the day’s schedule for Banff:

• Central Park Main Stage & Canada Day Market: 11 a.m. – 9 p.m. (Evening program from 6 – 9 p.m.)
• The Artisan Lane, Central Park Field: 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.
• Whyte Museum Art Lane: 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.
• High School Family Fun Zone: 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.
• The Bear’s Den: 11:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
• Wheelers Parade: 11:30 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. (Decorating starts at 10:30 a.m. at the Fenlands)
• Caribou Performance Corner: 12:15 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.

Here are the details of what to expect at each location;

Central Park 

The Central Park main stage show from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. will feature an eclectic mix of Indigenous performances, blues and rock, folky party music and several surprises, all featuring local and regional artist, including; Charlie B & Swanee, Wendy Walker & The Tribe, the Local Strays, Eclipse Wave, the Ramblin’ Hey Ho Ha’s, and Lori Reid & Heather Jean Jordan. 

Headliners for the main stage this year include: The Static Shift, JG n’ the District and Punch Buggy. All Alberta-based performers will present a mix of upbeat rock/pop/dance shows fitting of the nation’s birthday, from 6 to 9 p.m. from the Gazebo in Banff’s Central Park, hosted by Bow Valley’s favourite MC Rob Murray. 

Central Park Performances – Day Program 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.  
(schedule may change due to weather or other factors)

• 11:00 a.m. Mayor’s Welcome & Anthem         
• 11:15 a.m. Charlie B & Swanee               
• 12:15 p.m. Wendy Walker & the Tribe            
• 1:15 p.m. Local Strays                   
• 2:15 p.m. Baba & The Eclipse               
• 3:15 p.m. Ramblin Hey Ho Ha’s                
• 4:15 p.m. The Evangelines    

Central Park Performances – Evening Program 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.

• 6 p.m. Punch Buggy 
• 7 p.m. JG n’ The District 
• 8 p.m. The Static Shift  

In Central Park, behind the Museum Corner, join an eclectic group at Artisan Lane from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., as they demonstrate their crafts and even get you to join in!

Caribou Corner & Whyte Museum Art Lane 

The centre of the Downtown Pedestrian Zone – at the intersection of Banff Avenue and Caribou Street – will feature the Caribou Performance Corner, kicking off with the Wheelers parade at 12:15 p.m., followed by a series of mesmerizing and entertaining performances by marching bands until 5:30 p.m. Performers include the Vejen Guard Boys Band from Denmark, the Cochrane Pipe Band, the Calgary Round-Up Band and the Calgary Stetson Show Band and the Red Deer Royals, as well as the world-famous mesmerizing performances by Blackfoot Medicine Speaks Dance Company. 

Caribou Corner Performances (at centre of Banff Ave pedestrian zone)
(schedule may change due to weather or other factors)

• 12:10 p.m. Community Cruisers Wheelers Parade enters the Pedestrian Zone    
• 12:45 p.m. Vejen Guard Boys Band                
• 1:45 p.m. Blackfoot Medicine Speaks (Indigenous Peoples Traditional Performances)            
• 2:30 p.m. Cochrane Pipe Band            
• 3:15 p.m. Calgary Round-Up Band                
• 3:45 p.m. Calgary Stetson Show Band
• 4:15 p.m. Red Deer Royals    
• 5 p.m. Calgary Stampede Showband

Keep your eyes open for whimsical roving characters by Entangled Puppetry and Three Hat Circus all along the Pedestrian Zone and don’t forget to take a picture with the beautiful vintage open-top bus Old Whyte, she’s a real beauty! 

New this year on Banff Avenue, just north of Caribou Performance Corner, will be the Whyte Museum Art Lane. Come watch professional artists create beautiful chalk art and a live mural, take pictures as epic old-time adventurers, and create some art of your own!

Wheelers Parade 

The Community Cruisers are hosting the parade of people-powered wheeled transportation, starting at 11:30 a.m. at The Fenlands Banff Recreation Centre. 

Everyone with wheels is welcome to join! Kids, businesses, visitors, and residents are all welcome. Please sign up here with Community Cruisers.

Parade participants are invited to show up at 10:30 a.m. to decorate their bicycles, skateboards, scooters, unicycles, roller skates…  Banff & Lake Louise Tourism is helping to provide decoration supplies.

The parade leaves at 11:30 a.m. sharp and winds its way down Norquay Road, then past Mount Edith House, across Banff Avenue, and eventually to Caribou Performance Corner in the Banff Ave Pedestrian Zone. They are scheduled to arrive around 12:15 p.m. to be welcomed by the mayor and to kick-off this performance space! We’re starting a tradition of growing a people-powered parade, fitting of a national park, and we hope more participants will help grow the spectacle. 

High School Family Fun Zone  

The Banff Community High School field presents the Family Fun Zone! Play classic lawn games, summer fun activities, and visit the Blackfoot Tipis!

The family-friendly stage has shows from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., with performances by Steve Harmer’s Motivational Magic, Blackfoot Medicine Speaks Dance Company, Bluebird Goldfinch, Three Hat Circus, Banff Belly Dance, Forest Lawn High School Dance Team and Watâga Singers & Dancers.

High School Field Performances 
(schedule may change due to weather or other factors)

• 11 a.m. Motivational Magic with Steve Harmer        
• 11:45 a.m. Blackfoot Medicine Speaks – Indigenous Peoples Traditional Dance and Song
• 12:30 p.m. Bluebird Goldfinch                 
• 1:15 p.m. Three Hat Circus               
• 2 p.m. Banff Belly Dance               
• 2:45 p.m. Entangled Puppetry               
• 3:30 p.m. Titan Intensive Dance Program            
• 4 p.m. Watâga Singers & Dancers           
• 4:30 p.m. Motivational Magic with Steve Harmer   

 The Bear’s Den 

Bear Street will feature the Bear’s Den Refresh Zone from 11:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., with picnic tables, shade and treats out on the street, closed to vehicle traffic. The Bear’s Den also includes an intimate stage with storytelling by James Rose and musical performances by Andrew Staygold, Riley Hana, Bob Hughes, Ji Won Baxter and Flint & Feather. 

Bear’s Den – Performances 
(schedule may change due to weather or other factors)

• 11:30 a.m. Mister Bird        
• 12:30 p.m. James Rose       
• 1:15 p.m. Andrew Staygold    
• 2:15 p.m. Riley Hana
• 3:00 p.m. Bob Hughes    
• 4:15 p.m. Ji Won Baxter
• 4:45 p.m. Flint & Feather

Enjoy refreshing treats on Bear Street from: 

• Lemon Heaven is Calgary’s oldest family owned and operated lemonade business offering quality drinks in 9 flavours, or a diabetic upon request, in 3 sizes, keeping it affordable to families and seniors.
• Copos Shaved Ice is bringing the taste of Costa Rica to you! We take a boring block of ice and make magic by shaving it into soft snowy peaks of perfection, to that we add mouth-watering flavors and toppings. It’s the most refreshing tropical treat!
• Lovely Ice Cream is the Bow Valley’s very own small-batch ice cream producer, churning up the highest quality ice cream, right in Canmore.

There will be no firework displays within Banff or Canmore. Fireworks and pyrotechnics cause distress to wildlife, pets, and people alike. The display is in review to gain insight into the direct effects and to look for alternative means of these types of shows.

On top of all the organized events within each town, the local pubs, bars, restaurants, and cafes will have their own features and specials that will be sure to satisfy any craving and pair perfectly with any celebration.

For those looking for an adventure this Canada Day long weekend, be sure to check out our Whitewater Rafting Tours or check out other adventures featured in our Adventure Hub.

There are plenty of events to choose from in Canmore and Banff, Alberta, to celebrate Canada Day. Whether you are into parades, music, or outdoor activities, there is something for everyone.

Happy Canada Day!