New Year’s Eve Celebrations In The Town Of Banff
Pedestrian Zone – Each year there is a family friendly New Year’s Eve celebration in downtown Banff. The section of Banff Avenue between Wolf an Caribou Street is blocked off and turned into a pedestrian only zone from 7pm onward. A main stage at Wolf Street hosts dancing and singing performances. Throughout the rest of the pedestrian zone there are children’s activities and games, street entertainment, warming shelters and food booths. Children can ride the New Year’s Eve Express train runs through the street.
Banff High School Skating Rink – Along with the skating rink there are fire pits, hot chocolate, marshmallow roasting and entertainment. Bring your skates or rent a pair in town. Until 11pm there is a teepee is set up with interpretive Indigenous Blackfoot storytelling, traditional tea, berry soup and bannock. At the skating area there is a countdown to midnight with a non-firework pyrotechnic show. The fireworks held in previous years in downtown Banff will no longer be performed.
Mount Norquay New Year’s Eve Torchlight Parade – This can been seen from the town of Banff. Look towards Mount Norquay starting at 7pm. You will be able to see the parade of skiers with lit up torches coming down the summit of the North American chair.
Banff Restaurants And Pubs With New Year’s Eve Dining Or Entertainment
Many restaurants offer special New Year’s Eve menus or multi-course dinners and/or live entertainment. The celebrations range from casual to formal gala style events. Banff is a popular destination for New Year’s Eve so make sure you buy tickets or book reservations well in advance.
Below is a list of options with New Year’s Eve menus or entertainment. Other restaurants or pubs may be open with regular menu offerings. Check the hours if you are interested in a specific place, they may be modified for New Year’s Eve.
Wild Bills – Offers reserved seating for the live entertainment and a western style buffet or a reduced price for the live enterainment only with rushed seating at 9pm. All tickets include a midnight buffet. 201 Banff Avenue (403) 762-0333 Will Bills Saloon
Maple Leaf Grill – Offering an a la carte menu between 5 and 6pm or a chef’s special New Year’s Eve menu after 8pm. (403) 760-7689 Maple Leaf Grill/New Years Eve
The Bison Restaurant & Terrace – Family seating 5-630pm a la carte menu, Celebration seating 8-10pm, 4 course set menu. 211 Bear Street (403) 762-5550 The Bison Restaurant and Terrace
Park Distillery – Two dinner sittings. An early 4 course dinner where children are welcome and an from 8pm 5 course dinner with a live band and celebrations. 219 Banff Avenue (403) 762-5114 Banff Park Distillery
Chuck’s Steakhouse – 5-6pm family seating a la carte menu, 8-10pm 4 course set menu. 101 Banff Avenue (403) 762-4825 Chucks Steakhouse
The Rose & Crown – Offering a party with a live band and a 3 course dinner. Tickets are available for the dinner at 7pm and party or at 9pm for the party only. 202 Banff Avenue (403) 762-2121 Rose And Crown Music Events
The Elk & Oarsman – Several options available, A limited A la Carte menu or 3 course dinner with access to the part in the pub after or reserved seating in the dining room at 9pm, keep your table all night. All options include a coat check, party favours, midnight champagne and entertainment. They also host a Hair of the dog breakfast buffet from 10am to 1pm on January 1st. 119 Banff Avenue (403) 762-4616 ElkandOarsman
St. James Gate Pub – a la carte menu and live band. 207 Wolf Street (403) 762-9355 St. James Gate New Year’s Eve St. James Gate
Sleeping Buffalo Dining Room – Located at the Buffalo Mountain Lodge. New Years Eve menu with entertainment, dancing and sparkling wine at midnight. Reservations required. On New Year’s day they have a breakfast buffet menu, first come first serve. 700 Tunnel Mountain Road (800) 661-1367 or (403) 410-7417 CRMR/Buffalo Mountain Lodge
Balkan – New Year’s Eve 3 course early menu and children’s menu or a late night seating with classic Greek dishes. The later seating includes belly dancing, party favours and a countdown with a glass of sparkling wine. 120 Banff Avenue (403) 762-3454 Balkan Restaurant
Banff Park Lodge, Crave Mountain Grill – Dinner buffet with a carving station and flambe’ dessert station. 222 Lynx Street (403) 760-3255 BanffParkLodge.com
The Beaver Bar – located in the Samesun backpackers. New Year’s Ever Party with drink specials, no cover. 433 Banff Avenue (403) 762-4499 The Samesun Beaver Bar
Brunos Bar and Grill –live entertainment with no cover 304 Caribou Street (403) 762-8115 Brunos Banff
Fairmont Banff Springs New Years Gala – Along with many dining options for Christmas and Boxing Day the Banff Springs has a variety of choices for New Year’s Eve from a Grand Gala in the ballroom to intimate candle lit dinner in the wine bar as well as to New Years Day Brunch options. There may be reservation restrictions for non-hotel guests. Check with the hotel for more information. 405 Spray Avenue 403-762-2211 Christmas And New Years At The Banff Springs Castle Of The Rockies
Rimrock Resort Hotel – There are several New Years Eve options at the Rimrock including luxury multi-course dinners and buffet that include an invitation to the ballroom after dinner. 300 Mountain Avenue, (403) 746-7625 or 1-888-RIMROCK The Rimrock Resort Hotel
Banff Accommodation Settings To Celebrate New Year’s Eve
The Fairmont Banff Springs And The Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise Hotel are the properties in Banff National Park that offer the most extensive New Year’s Eve accommodation packages. Other accommodations with celebrations are listed below.
Sunshine Mountain Lodge – Located on Sunshine Mountain is Banff’s only ski-in, ski-out accommodation. If you’re looking for a special way to celebrate New Year’s on the ski slopes Sunshine Mountain lodge provides its guests live music, tobogganing, bonfires and access to watch the Sunshine Mountain torchlight parade. 1 Sunshine access Rd, Banff (403) 705-4000 SunshineMountainLodge.com
Castle Mountain Resort – Located halfway between Banff and Lake Louise at the Castle Junction the resort offers New Year’s Eve events at their main lodge or T-Bar pub with live music and party treats for a cover charge. There’s also a free bonfire. Hwy 93 S and Hwy 1A, Castle Junction (403) 762-3868 CastleMountain.com
New Year’s Eve Celebrations At Banff Nightclubs
Dancing Sasquatch – tickets include party favours, live DJ and a champagne cocktail. 120 Banff Avenue (403) 762-4002 Dancing Sasquatch
Lake Louise New Year’s Eve Celebrations
Deer Lodge – New Year’s Eve menu 109 Lake Louise Drive (403) 522-4202 CRMR.com/Deer
Post Hotel – Guests of the hotel only. New Year’s Eve Gala, an elegant (black tie optional) event with a champagne reception. Sampling of hors d’ oeuvres and then a 6 course gourmet dinner and dancing with a live band. They offer a New Year’s Eve day brunch with homemade baked goods, desserts, salads, seafood, cured meats and pates and a chef’s carving station. 200 Pipestone Road, (403) 522-3989 or 1-800-661-1586 Post Hotel Events
Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise Hotel – The Chateau has several options for celebrating New Years. 111 Lake Louise Drive (403) 522-3511. For more information see the Christmas Activity Guide here: Chateau Lake Louise Activities
There’s a buffet with live entertainment in the ballroom with early family seating and a later seating and multi-course dinners offered in several of their restaurants. In the Mount Temple room they host a family New Year’s Eve Fair with face painters, bouncy castle and games along with an 10pm New Year’s countdown for the young children. For those looking for something more peaceful you can enjoy a quiet new years at the ice castle on frozen Lake Louise. The skating rink and castle will be lit up for guests until 1230am. The activities and dining offerings may be limited to hotel guests only. Inquire with the hotel if you are interested in attending a as non-guest.
Lake Louise Ski Resort – buffet supper, cash bar, optional night snow tubing followed by a dance party. 12am to 1pm shuttles will be available after the event to Lake Louise $5 and Banff $10. Dance only tickets also available. 1 Whitehorn Rd, Lake Louise (403) 522-3555 Lake Louise Ski Hill Events
More Information For Banff New Year’s Eve Celebrations
Canmore New Year’s Events
Canmore hosts a family friendly outdoor New Year’s celebration and fireworks. There are several restaurants and pubs that offer dinners and celebrations. For more information see: Canmore New Years Eve Celebrations