If you’ve never spent Halloween in Banff National Park, you’re definitely missing out. The town of Banff is known for the incredible atmosphere it offers its residents and visitors at that time of year.
It has plenty of fun-packed, spooky activities that are great for the whole family. Read on to find out more about all the events, tours, and activities you can enjoy in Banff on Halloween.
Halloween in Banff – What to Expect?
Halloween in Banff is definitely an experience you want to have. The town is packed with activities for the whole family to enjoy on the spookiest day of the year.
Banff will surely get you into the holiday spirit, from Halloween-themed tours of haunted trails to Halloween circus shows in the Banff Springs Hotel.
Other Halloween activities that can be found in Banff include a pumpkin carving contest and costume and trivia contests at restaurants with Halloween-themed menus.
Halloween Events
Halloween in Banff is a treasure trove of fun events and activities. If you decide to spend your Halloween in Banff, test your skills in a pumpkin carving contest at the Elk & Oarsman Restaurant & Bar with a chance to win prizes.
Additionally, a Halloween visit to Banff wouldn’t be complete without donning your spooky costume to the annual Elk & Oarsman Halloween costume party. They hold a fun-packed contest with awards being given out for a variety of costume categories.
Elk & Oarsman
Address: 119 Banff Avenue
Phone: +1 403 – 762 4616
Website: elkandoarsman.com
E-mail: info@elkandoarsman.com
And don’t forget to take the whole family to the many themed tours the town of Banff offers, such as ghost walks and haunted trails led by experienced actors and guides.
Halloween Family Activities
Spending Halloween in Banff is an excellent option for the whole family.
Make sure to visit the Fenlands Banff Recreation center for a Halloween day filled with family-friendly activities.
The Fenlands Recreation Centre at 100 Mount Norquay Road holds a family fun skate free of charge. Additionally, suppose you have kids aged six and under, they will have plenty of great activities, such as Halloween-themed plays, arts and crafts sessions, and listening to spooky Halloween stories.
Restaurants with Special Halloween Menus
When it comes to restaurants in Banff, they sure know how to get into the Halloween spirit.
None of them will give you the whole Halloween experience like the Elk & Oarsman Restaurant & Bar.
In addition to their famous costume parties, Elk & Oarsman immerses you into the spirit of Halloween with drinks such as the “Melted Witch Martini” and the “Alien Brain Hemorrhage Shot.”
Another great restaurant and bar to visit on Halloween in Banff is The Beaver. This place holds an annual Halloween trivia contest and a costume contest, awarding prizes to the winners of each. A Halloween night at The Beaver is sure to be tons of fun with drinks such as the “Witches Cauldron Shot”.
Where to Get Costumes?
If you want to fully get into the Halloween spirit, you need to get your spooky costume in order. In the town of Banff, this definitely won’t be an issue.
Costume shops such as Scallywags and Last Temptation will surely have the costume you’re looking for.
Where to Rent Costumes?
Scallywags and The Last Temptation give you a plethora of Halloween costume options for purchase, but they also offer you the ability to rent costumes for a couple of days.
Scallywags
Address: 208 Caribou Street
Phone: +1 403 – 762 4882
Website: scallywagsbanff.ca
E-mail: info@scallywagsbanff.ca
The Last Temptation
Address: 229 Bear Street
Phone:+1 403 – 985 7747
Website: banffvintage.com
E-mail: thelasttemptation@live.com
Trick or Treat in Banff
You’ve probably been waiting for this one; we all know that we can’t talk about Halloween without talking about trick-or-treating.
The people of Banff are amicable and love to get into the spirit of Halloween. This is especially true in the most popular trick-or-treating area in town, Middle Springs.
This neighborhood, nestled on the flanks of Sulphur Mountain, south of downtown Banff, is considered the hub for trick-or-treating in Banff, and your kids will have a blast. They will also end up with more candy than they know what to do with by the end of the night.
You can also try Otter street and Grizzly street. Since most kids will be roaming Middle Springs, the residents of these streets will be thrilled to have kids with cute costumes knocking on their doors in search of candy.
What Themed Tours Are there?
There’s no shortage of Halloween-themed tours in Banff. The town’s most famous tour is the Paranormal History Walking Ghost Tour (unsuitable for kids under 8), which is sure to give you goosebumps.
Banff has plenty of spooky stories in its history and some remarkable landmarks to explore. You’ll learn a lot about the town’s history on this tour led by experienced actors and guides. You can book this tour through Discover Banff Tours.
Another Halloween tour you can enjoy in Banff is at the Banff Park Museum National Historic Site. This tour takes you along one of Banff’s haunted trails; you can take the tour either on horseback or hiking on foot.
Banff Park Museum National Historic Site
Address: 91 Banff Avenue
Phone: +1 403 – 762 1558
Website: pc.gc.ca/en/lhn-nhs/ab/banff
Halloween at the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel
One place you should definitely visit to complete your Banff Halloween experience is the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel.
This hotel is a castle, almost a century and a half old, making it the perfect Halloween destination.
However, people don’t visit this hotel on Halloween just for its haunted vibes. The Fairmont Springs’ Rundle Bar hosts a fantastic Halloween circus show that will definitely have your skin crawling.
Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel
Address: 405 Spray Avenue
Phone number: +1 403 – 762 2211
Website: fairmont.com
E-mail: banffsprings@fairmont.com
Conclusion
If you’re weighing your options for where to spend your next Halloween, the town of Banff should definitely be close to the top of your list.
Halloween in Banff National Park is a fantastic experience full of tours, events, and activities suitable for all family members.
You’ll enjoy ghost walks, horseback tours of some of the town’s most haunted locales, and fun pumpkin carving, costume, and trivia contests in Banff’s restaurants and bars.
Last but not least, you’ll get to experience the incredible Halloween festivities that take place at the Fairmont Springs Banff Hotel.
Like the special atmosphere during celebrations like Halloween? You also might want to check out the post about Thanksgiving in Banff and Lake Louise