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Banff, AB – Canada Day is the biggest celebration of the year in Banff, and this year’s event is packed with activities and entertainment all day long. A huge birthday party celebration is an annual tradition organized by The Town of Banff, with concerts, performances, games, a farmers market and more all happening July 1. “Canada Day is the biggest day of the year in Banff and we’re thrilled to offer so many great events and activities for the whole family,” Mayor Karen Sorensen said. “There is no better place to celebrate Canada Day than in the country’s first national park.” Start your day with a pancake breakfast from 8-10 a.m. on Lynx Street courtesy of Melissa’s and the Banff Park Lodge. The Family Fun Zone at the Banff Community High School field opens at 10 a.m. with bouncy castles, old fashioned games, magic shows, performances and more until 4 p.m. In Central Park, the fun starts at noon with the opening ceremonies, followed by birthday cake at 1 p.m. served by the mayor of Banff and council. Then enjoy a full day of concerts and performances on the gazebo stage with local acts Elk Run & Riot, Brad Brewer, Amelie Patterson and The Swillbillies, along with The Calgary Fiddlers and Celtic rock’s Fraid Knot. The highlight of the day, the annual Canada Day parade, runs down Banff Avenue at 5 p.m., packed with marching bands, horses, fun floats and more, all marching down Banff’s iconic main street. The day is capped off with a fireworks display at 11 p.m., with the best views available from Central Park. For a full schedule of events, visit Banff.ca/CanadaDay. Banff does get busy on Canada Day, and the best way to get around is by biking, walking, or taking Roam public transit. All activities are within a 10-minute walk. Banff Avenue will be closed from 4:30-6 p.m. from Fox Street to Buffalo Street for the parade. There will be no parking on Cougar Street, from Marmot Crescent to Marmot Place, on Fox Street from Banff Avenue to Whiskey Creek, and on Elk Street from Big Horn to Railway Avenue, for parade staging. There will also be no parking in the parking lot in the 200 block of Bear Street for the farmers market. Leave your car at home or at your hotel, and if you’re visiting for the day, find parking with banffparking.ca.