Lake Louise Events and Festivals

(Lake Louise, Alberta - AB, Canada)

There are many very seasonal festivals and things to do spread around the Banff National Park, and in particular, the Banff townsite, Canmore, and Lake Louise and the leading mountain resorts. The annual festivals begin each January, when the shoreline of Lake Louise plays host to unique events such as the Ice Magic, International Ice Sculpture Competition and Exhibition.

Held each year between January and March, the ever-popular Ice Magic, International Ice Sculpture Competition and Exhibition, a famous Canadian festival where enormous block of ice sculpted into beautiful works of art, watched and enjoyed by crowds of onlookers. Towards the end of February and in Canmore, just over an hour to the south-east of Lake Louise, the Kananaskis Ski Marathon has taken place since the late 1970s and this exciting cross-country ski event is often known as the 'Cookie Race'.

Lake Louise Calendar of Festivals and Events 2014 / 2015

At the latter part of April, the Western Heritage Jubilee takes place around both Banff and Lake Louise, and offers an array of Western and Cowboy-style celebrations, including the Saturday Night Cowboy Concert. The summer season is always a busy time in the park and the Banff Summer Arts Festival tends to be amongst the biggest and most historical of all the events happening at this time of the year, and dates as far back as the 1930s, with outdoor activities including jazz concerts, theatrical performances, aboriginal art exhibitions and various movie screenings.

Each October, the Taste of Banff / Lake Louise is a crowd-puller and staged at the High School Athletic Field in Banff, with visitors being treated to many gastronomical delights, which are there to be sampled and enjoyed. Soon after, the Banff Mountain Film Festival in early November is also of note and lasts three days, being followed by Yuletide Canadian celebrations each December, with 'Santa On Skis' proving a popular event with children holidaying at the ski resorts of Lake Louise, Mount Norquay and Sunshine Village.

More information about Banff festivals and seasonal events.