February 24, 2023
Canmore’s Diverse Community Events!
If your new to the Canmore, you will quickly realize that the community is all about supporting local, appreciating arts and creativity, and enjoying the outdoors. Living here, you cannot help but find yourself captivated by the multitude of events that happen throughout the year. Whether it’s a -40 day in winter or a +40 day in summer there is almost always something to occupy yourself with in Canmore.
The ‘Great White North’ rings true to its name:
No better way to start the year than with a New Years Eve party. Each year the Town of Canmore put on a NYE event, Ring it in at the Rink. This event caters to all ages with ice skating, live music, DJ’s, crafts, and fireworks at midnight. NYE at the Rink is a fun family friendly event that gets everyone in a positive mindset for the year to come.
Once the excitement of NYE is over and February approaches its time for another community-based event, Canmore Winter Carnival. Living in Canmore you quickly discover a love of winter. Being in such close proximity to four Ski hills, the Nordic center and ice-skating rinks, it’s hard to imagine living anywhere else. The Canmore Winter Festival is a celebration of all things winter. It happens every year in mid-February. There are multiple events, ice carving, Axe throwing, Biathlon demonstrations and log saw challenges, to name a few. The creative talent in this town is outstanding and the ice carvings are not to be missed.
Spring Has Sprung:
As the temperature increases so does the ambiance in town. Spring skiing emits a different kind of energy. There is a buzz in the air, the trees are turning green, and the vast array of local wildflowers are starting to creep out. With this energy comes a new human, one that has hidden the amongst the locals for months. Disguising themselves as a skier, ice skater, climber, you name it they have tried it. Who is the illusive human? That would be the mountain biker. Canmore has a massive biking community. Whether its road, town, or mountain bike, once the first tree starts budding (sometimes even before) you will start to see peddles being pushed.
As we start to see bikers, we know that Canada Day is just around the corner. There is a free pancake breakfast hosted by the Rotary Club and a parade on Main Street throughout the day. That evening there is a firework display at around 10pm. It is always a great day out for people of all ages.
Sweet Melodic Summer:
One of Canmore’s biggest events each year is Folk Fest. Happening on the Heritage Day weekend in august, it is the perfect mid-summer celebration of music, with open air concerts and some wonderful musicians from all over Canada. Located mainly in Centennial Park it is lovely to see the town bustling with jingles in the air.
Canmore derives form the Gaelic word ‘Ceann Mór’ meaning Big Head. As with many Canadian towns, Canmore has a lot of Gaelic and Celtic influences. In early September Canmore host a highland games celebration. Scottish music, a wonderful British car show, tug-o-war competitions, heavy sports games and of course a Cèilidh (Traditional Scottish gathering with music, dancing and story telling) are just some of the astonishing events over this weekend.
As the Leaves Turn:
We start to get into the fall colors not long after the highland games and Larch season is not one to be missed. As the trees start to change the larch trees are radiant with wonderful shades of yellow and amber which really pop against the mountainous greys and greens of the valley. A vast amount of people come to visit to experience this beauty. We recommend a hike through larch valley in September, you will be in awe at the beauty of fall, it truly is breathtaking.
As the snow starts to trickle, ski season creeps back in and before you know it you will be on the slopes with some of Canada’s best snow at your fingertips.
Christmas in Canmore is magical, it really feels like you step into a Hallmark movie. The atmosphere around town is infectious, the lights, decorations and snow really make for a picture-perfect Christmas setting. The craft markets at this time of year are the perfect place to pick up extra special hand-crafted local gifts for your loved ones.
Whether you enjoy skiing in the winter, or relaxing in lakes in the summer, Canmore has something for you. This town is a vibrant, active, and social hub hidden right at the edge of the mountains. Just over an hour from Calgary international airport, Canmore is easily accessible and the perfect quaint mountain town to call home.
