Welcome to Banff for Canada Day
Celebrate Canada Day In Canada’s First National Park
Canada Day celebrations, may look a little different this year. But, There is not better place to spend Canada Day!
With evolving restrictions based on provincial COVID targets, the Town of Banff has not planned major activities to for Canada Day to avoid large gatherings. The Town will not be hosting our normal programming – we won't have a parade, a pancake breakfast, low-noise pyrotechnics, nor games for children.
But rest assured, there are still some exciting activities planned.
Artists are getting back to work with unique takes on traditional programing which will highlight the talent and cultural diversity of the Bow Valley. You are invited to engage in dialogue with First Nations interpreters, learn about out rich cultural heritage, and why we need to acknowledge our past to do better in our future.
See below for the scheduled events.
Looking for some other ideas on other activities. Check out the Top 5 Activities to do while visiting Banff
Scheduled Events
9:30 a.m. Canada Day Story time
Join Kelly from the Banff Public Library for a special online Canada Day story time.
10 a.m.-6 p.m. Farmers Market
Visit Central Park for some farm-to-market produce, ready made-to-go meals, and artisanal crafts and goodies, as organized by the Banff Farmers Market Association https://www.thebanfffarmersmarket.com/
1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Pop Up Artists
Take a wander away from downtown Banff and you could find musicians, magicians, actors, dancers, singers and more, presenting joyful snippets of cultural entertainment. Explore Central Park, the Bow River Trail, playgrounds, Bear Street and our greenspaces for some surprises as well as some temporary and permanent art pieces by local artist Rheo Weber.
12:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. Mobile Performances in resident Neighbourhoods
Mobile stages will be visiting neighborhoods in our mountain town. Enjoy from your lawn, balcony or front door:
12:30 a.m. West side of Banff Avenue
1:15-2:45 p.m. South of the Bow River
3:15-5 p.m. East side of Banff Ave
If you live on a narrow road, laneway or cul-de-sac we might not be able to visit your home. But remember you can again visit a friend's yard in groups. Take a walk around and check out other parts of you neighbourhood.
1 p.m. to 5 p.m.: Indigenous Conversations
We invite everyone to come to Central Park to have a conversation about Indigenous culture. Interpretation will be led by Daryl Kootenay of the Stoney Nakoda Nation and Blackfoot Medicine Speaks from the Blackfoot Nation will be present.
For those who can't make it to Central Park today but wish to learn more, we invite you to read the Truth and Reconciliation Executive Summary and the 94 Calls to action http://www.trc.ca/about-us/trc-findings.html
We encourage people to take time to learn more about Indigenous peoples in this region, and to explore resources such as recommendations from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, available at https://banff.ca/1103/Indigenous-Peoples
The full text of the 94 Calls to Action of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission have been posted in the display window at the Bear Street Parkade, along with the UN Declaration of the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.
National Concert
Banff will join a national broadcast and online concert to help Canadians come together, and enjoy sights and sounds from Canada's first national park. Majestic mountain views in Banff will be included in the national broadcast.
Canadian Heritage will unveil the full day’s programming in late June. But below is a sneak preview.
On July 1, the spotlight will be on those whose job it is to bring beauty to our lives and make our culture shine. The two-hour program will be broadcast on CBC television and ICI Radio-Canada Télé, as well as on Canadian Heritage's YouTube channel. During commercial breaks on Canadian Heritage’s YouTube channel, join Anne-Marie Withenshaw as she takes you on a tour behind the scenes at the studio, chats with the industry’s craftspeople, and checks out the artist rehearsal.
How to watch:
Canadian Heritage's YouTube channel From 6 pm to 8 pm MT - Banff time (8 to 10 pm ET)
CBC Television From 8 to 10 pm MT - Banff time
Lights on Canada Day is the Canada Day evening program, where we will help showcase artists and artisans in the entertainment industry across the country. The concert features performances in Ottawa, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, Quebec, Yukon, Manitoba, New Brunswick, and the Northwest Territories. Alberta will be represented by Banff!
Performances feature:
Jann Arden - performing from Banff (no tickets available - broadcast only)