November signals the start of a plethora of fun seasonal activities in Banff National Park, and there’s no better way to get into the spirit of the season than with the Banff Winterstart Festival.

Every year, the towns of Banff and Lake Louise host a variety of events throughout November and into December which are collectively considered to be a part of the Winterstart Festival. These family-friendly events nestled in the beautiful and snow-capped Rocky Mountains will have you welcoming the cold with open arms.

Here are four main Winterstart Festival events that you should consider checking out:

Santa Claus Parade of Lights, November 18

One of the most beloved winter festivities in the Town of Banff is the annual Santa Claus Parade of Lights. This year, the parade will commence at 6 pm on Elk Street and will run down Banff Avenue, Banff’s main street, towards its endpoint on Buffalo Street. The sky will already be dark, making for a magical parade of lights for spectators to enjoy while bundled up against the cold and with hot chocolate in hand. The parade will include beautiful floats, spectacular performers, and even Santa Clause himself!

Banff Craft Beer Festival, November 23 -25

What better way to warm up after a day of outdoor activities than with some craft beer? The Banff Craft Beer Festival, which will take place at the Cave and Basin on Sulphur Mountain, will allow you to sample beer from some of the best craft breweries in Alberta. If you’re feeling a bit peckish, then you can also try the delicious food samples from some of the best restaurants and pubs in Banff.

The dates and times of the 2017 Banff Craft Beer Festival are:

November 23rd: 5 pm – 10 pm
November 24th: 5 pm – 10 pm
November 25th: 12 pm – 4 pm and 5 pm – 9 pm

Banff Christmas Market, November 24 – 26

Get a jump on your Christmas shopping at the annual Banff Christmas Market located at the beautiful Warner Stables off Sundance Road. Not only are you sure to find some lovely, handcrafted gifts for your friends and family, but you’ll get to enjoy live entertainment, culinary delights, and even sleigh rides with the majestic Warner Stable horses.

Admission to the market is free but donations to Santas Anonymous are accepted. The dates and times of the 2017 Banff Christmas Market are:

November 24th: 10 am – 8 pm
November 25th: 10 am – 6 pm
November 26th: 10 am – 4 pm

Lake Louise Alpine Ski World Cup, November 25 – December 3

The Lake Louise Alpine Ski World Cup is one of the first events of the World Cup season. Come see some of the fastest skiers in the world as they tackle the slopes in men’s downhill, ladies downhill, men’s super-G, and ladies super-G races. Join thousands of other spectators in the free fan cheering zone or the VIP fan zone to cheer on racers from Canada and around the world.

No matter the time of year or the events going on, Banff National Park is always worth a visit. Still, if you have a chance to make a trip out to Banff and Lake Louise at the end of November, then spending some time at the Banff Winterstart Festival will be the frosting on the cake.