There’s more to Banff than its wilderness setting – the Canadian town has a diverse collection of museums and art galleries, while a packed calendar of festivals and performances creates a cultural vibrancy. Encompassing architecture, natural history, and the heroics of human exploration, Banff’s museums are strongly connected to its environment and people. You’ll get an insight into the great beasts which used to roam the Rockies and learn about the mountain pioneers of these wild parts, with interactive exhibits bringing it all to life.
Whether you come for the winter snows or the summer sun, you’re sure to find a festive atmosphere in Banff. The start of winter brings with it a flurry of activity, with World Cup skiing, incredible ice-carving and Christmas magic. Summer is given over to the arts, with film and literary festivals on offer. Follow us through a selection of Banff’s arts and culture venues.
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Whyte Museum of the Canadian Rockies
- History
This large and diverse museum has collections ranging from art to artefacts, with periodically changing exhibits. The work of local artists and interpretations of the local landscape are often on show, while the heritage section contains early examples of ski and climbing equipment.
Location: 111 Bear Street, Banff AB T1L 1A3, Canada
Open: Daily from 10 am to 5 pm
Phone: +1 403-762-2291
Map - 2
All in the Wild
- Photo
- Shoppers
Showcasing the work of local photographers, this gallery will attract any wildlife fan. Presented in a minimalist space, the striking gives an insight into the lives of the animals which inhabit the local area. There’s also a commitment to conservation, giving it a seamless link to the landscape outside.
Location: 105 Banff Avenue, Banff AB T1L 1A6, Canada
Open: Daily from 10 am to 9 pm
Phone: +1 403-760-3141
Map - 3
Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity
- Budget
A gleaming, modernist building which sits beneath a snow-covered mountain, the Banff Centre is the area’s cultural heart. Home to the prestigious Banff Mountain Film Festival, it puts on a wide range of unique performance events. Come to see a show or get stuck into a workshop – this is a place to fire the imagination.
Location: 107 Tunnel Mountain Drive, Banff AB T1L 1H5, Canada
Open: Daily from 7 am to 10 pm
Phone: +1 403-762-6100
Mapphoto by ABsCatLib (CC BY-SA 4.0) modified
- 4
Winterstart Festival
Opening the ski season with a bang, the Winterstart Festival kicks off in late-November or early December. The town is transformed into a winter wonderland, with cosy, firelit taverns and Santa Claus parades. Out on the mountains, the World Cup racing provides the most exhilarating action to hit the slopes.
Location: Lake Louise Ski Resort, 1 Whitehorn Road, Lake Louise, AB T0L 1E0, Canada
Phone: +1 403-522-3555
Map - 5
Summer Arts Festival
When the sun warms Banff, everyone comes out to play. July and August play host to a full schedule of open-air live concerts and a range of performing arts events all over town. Get the drinks in, sit back on the grass, and enjoy the summer fun. The Summer Arts Festival is held at Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity.
Location: 107 Tunnel Mountain Drive, Banff AB T1L 1H5, Canada
Phone: +1 403-762-6100
Map
Start planning your trip
Where to stay in Banff
Banff Caribou Lodge and Spa
The Fox Hotel and Suites
Banff Rocky Mountain Resort
Moose Hotel And Suites
Brewster Mountain Lodge
Hidden Ridge Resort
Fairmont Banff Springs
The Elk & Avenue Hotel
Tunnel Mountain Resort
