Santa and Pippin the elf stopped by the Spirit of Christmas to give Bennett Sterchi, 5, and his sister Megan, 3, peppermint candies. (Corrie DiManno/QMI Agency)

Christmas is coming early for Banff, 21 days early in fact, because on Dec. 4, Banffites will be able to see Santa and his sleigh, as well as join in on countless activities of the Christmas persuasion.

This full day of holiday cheer begins to deck the halls during the first event of the day, Christmas in the Bison Courtyard from 12:30 p.m. to 4 p.m., sponsored by the merchants of Bison Courtyard.

If walking by 211 Bear Street between these hours, a passerby might see something out of the ordinary, a professional ice carver who will be sculpting two different pieces of familiar animals onsite. And if the weather is frightful, not to worry, the outdoor fireplace is delightful, but however, if watching the carver brings out a creative side, feel free to participate in one of the “Little Chippers” ice stations, an opportunity to take chisel in hand and make some icy art, which director of operations for Arctos & Bird Michael Code encourages everyone to do.

“It’s a great opportunity for locals and for visitors to come together and enjoy ice sculpturing activities,” Code said. “We just wanted to provide a chance for friends to meet at the courtyard, and for children to take part in a seasonal holiday activity before the parade.”

The second way to celebrate the season on Dec. 4 is through Christmas in the Rockies which is hosting three opportunities to practice naming all of Santa’s reindeer and sprucing up on the Christmas carols; the Festive Fun with Santa, the events along Banff Ave., and the Santa Claus Parade of Lights.

Director of in resort services for Banff Lake Louise Tourism Stuart Back said the whole list of events for the day will be ones to get Banff into the festive spirit.

“It’s a package day for experiences, it’s great that the Bison Courtyard decided to create an addition to that day of celebration,” Back said.

From 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., the Festive Fun with Santa will be held in the Cascade Plaza with a whole slew of activities taking place, which will keep everyone with a name on a stocking hung over the fireplace happy.

Activities include: Christmas crafts, cookie decorating, face painting, photos with Santa (five dollars per photo, with 50 per cent of the proceeds going to Santa’s Anonymous), a performance by Bow Valley Chorus from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m., a Christmas tree decorating competition, and free popcorn. Yum!

Leaving the Cascade Plaza, and just roaming Banff Ave. might lead into a run-in with Castle Carollers from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., or turn into a free wagon ride from the Holiday on Horseback, the Info Centre, and the Whyte Museum pickup locations. If the Info Centre happens to be the next stop after the Cascade Plaza, the “IMAGINaNATION” puppet show by Parks Canada Theatre Troupe Mountain WIT, will be occurring at 1 p.m., 2 p.m., and 3 p.m. inside the centre.

And finally, the Santa Claus Parade of Lights starts at 5:30 p.m. led down Banff Ave. by Santa himself.

“It’s colourful and engaging,” Back said. “It really helps to animate and liven Banff Ave.”

It’s not too late to enter a float either, and with last year’s 22 entries, Back wants to be on par with or exceed that number this year.

“From a local community perspective, we want to remind people to embrace the festive spirit. From a visual and experience perspective, the Banff Ave. area is important, so with the parade and the whole day itself, with international visitors coming in, it begins to ferment that Christmas spirit and helps them to embrace the Canadian Christmas spirit.”

Following the parade to the end of Banff Ave., the last big bash of the evening is at the Legion for the Santa’s Anonymous party.

An auction is being held from 5:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. in which all the proceeds will go to Santa’s Anonymous, a local charity that gives food hampers and toys to families in Banff and Lake Louise right before Christmas. Last year the auction raised $10,000 for the organization.

All in all, the smell of eggnog will be drifting through the streets and the sounds of Santa’s laugh will echo off the buildings on Dec. 4, a day Back describes as “a family-oriented day, with energy from the morning and then through the day, well into the parade, it will be nonstop.”

Corrie@thecrag.ca