Banff Centre events

Frequently Asked Questions about Events
at The Banff Centre

What are the Box Office Hours?

  • Main Box Office (Eric Harvie Theatre Lobby): noon – 5 p.m., Tuesday thru Saturday
  • Downtown ticket outlet (211a Bear Street, Banff): noon – 3 p.m. / 3:30 p.m. – 6 p.m., Tuesday thru Sunday (in-person sales only)

On ticketed performance days, the main box office will remain open until performance time. If there is a ticketed performance on a Sunday, Monday, or a public holiday, the main box office will open at least two hours prior to the event

Where do The Banff Centre events take place?

The majority of events presented by The Banff Centre take place right here on our beautiful campus in the Rocky Mountains. On occasion we also offer special events in the town of Banff.

We have multiple performance venues on site.

How much do tickets cost?

Ticket prices for events at The Banff Centre vary. Full pricing information is available on individual event pages in the online events calendar.

What are your age categories for discounts?

Many shows have student/senior and child tickets available. Following are the age categories used to define our pricing (unless otherwise stated):

  • Infants: 0-12 months
  • Child: 1-12 years
  • Student: Anyone with a valid student ID card
  • Senior: 60+ years of age

I have an infant/child; can I bring them to events? Do they need a ticket?

Yes, you may bring children. The Banff Centre is committed to providing quality cultural experiences for all ages, although some performances may not be suitable for children. We make an effort to inform audiences of mature content prior to a performance, but due to the nature of the performing arts, we are not always aware in advance. If you have questions about the suitability of a performance for an audience member of a specific age, please contact the Box Office for assistance.

Regardless of age, all audience members must have a ticket. We strongly advise that infants younger than one not attend performances for the safety and comfort of the child and the enjoyment of the rest of the audience, and we generally recommend that audience members be four years of age or older in order for everyone to fully enjoy the performance. For safety reasons some performances are not suitable for young children and they will not be admitted. Please contact the Box Office for specific age and seating recommendations

Any person who is disruptive during a performance may be asked to leave. Refunds will not be made upon this or on the basis of content.

Are there student or senior discounts available?

Yes, there are senior and student discounts on select performances (please check your desired event for specific pricing details). To be eligible for a senior discount you must be aged 60 or over. To be eligible for a student discount, you must currently be a full-time student with valid Student ID. For select events, age restrictions may also apply to student pricing.

Do you offer group discounts?

Please contact the Box Office directly for information on group discounts.

When can I order season tickets?

The Banff Centre hosts a large variety of events, series and festivals throughout the year. Following is the subscription and membership information for our major annual series/festivals:

Visiting Artists and Performances for Families

The Visiting Artists Series presents some of the most inspiring and diverse performing in the world today. The Performances for Families Series presents performances tailored to elementary-school aged children and their families. Subscriptions for both these series go on sale annually in July.

Fall/Winter Concert Series

The Concert Lover Card is available for the Music and Sound Concert Series annual Fall/Winter seasons. Passes go on sale annually in late September.

Banff Summer Arts Festival

The Arts Lover Pass for the 2010 Banff Summer Arts Festival will go on sale early 2010.

Banff International String Quartet Competition (BISQC)

BISQC is a triennial competition that takes place over one week. The next BISQC will take place August 30 – September 5, 2010.

To sign up for notification regarding any of the above subscription on sales, please contact the Box Office, or click here.

Can I purchase Banff Centre gift certificates?

The Banff Centre Box Office does offer gift tickets, redeemable for Banff Centre event tickets only. Ticketmaster gift certificates are available for purchase in person only and can be redeemed for all Ticketmaster Canada events.

The Banff Centre reservations department also offers gift certificates for accommodation and dining, for further information please contact 1-800-884-7574.

Can I purchase event tickets online?

The Banff Centre has implemented a new online ticketing system that gives you up to the minute online access to most Banff Centre events, and allows you to update your ticket account information.

Most Banff Centre events can be purchased online through Ticketmaster.

Please note, extra service charges apply to all online methods of ticket purchase.

How can I avoid extra service charges?

To avoid additional charges you must contact the Box Office directly.

How early should I arrive before an event?

We advise that you allow yourself 30-45 minutes to park your car and collect your tickets. For general admission events, ticket buyers will line up outside the venue early to ensure themselves the best seat.

If you would like to arrive earlier to miss the traffic and ticket pick-up lines, dining facilities are available on campus to pass the extra time.

How do I get to the Banff Centre from the town of Banff?

At this time, public buses do not travel to The Banff Centre. However, the campus is only a 10 minute walk from the centre of town.

Alternatively, you may choose to take a $5 - $7 taxi ride up the hill. Shuttle services are available during the Banff Mountain Festivals.

The Banff Centre is located in a National Park. Is there anything special I need to consider when visiting?

When entering the Banff National Park, you are required to purchase a Parks Pass through Parks Canada. The cost varies depending on the length of your stay in Banff.

During winter, the road conditions in Banff National Park can be very different from provincial highways. National parks are not allowed to use salt to clear the roads so please be prepared for all winter weather conditions when entering the park.

Where do I collect my tickets if I can’t make it to the main Box Office before it closes?

One hour prior to the performance start time an onsite Box Office will open at the performance venue location. This Box Office will remain open until 30 minutes after the performance start time. Uncollected tickets are given to the usher when the Box Office closes for latecomer collection.

Can I still enter the performance if I arrive late?

Latecomers will be seated at an appropriate break in the performance. Select performances will not allow latecomer seating. Please contact the Box Office for further information.

What if I lose my tickets? Can they be replaced?

Lost tickets can be replaced within 1 hour of show time at the venue Box Office. A fee of $3 per ticket will apply. Please contact the Box Office for further information.

Can I exchange my tickets for another performance date?

Ticket exchanges for another date of the same performance can only be made at the discretion of the Box Office. Contact the Box Office for specific information on exchanges. Some restrictions and service charges apply. If you are a subscriber, please see the information on subscriber/membership ticket exchanges.

I am a subscriber; can I exchange my event tickets?

Ticket exchanges can be made within the same series (subject to availability). To exchange performances, your tickets need to be returned to the Box Office at least 24 hours prior to the performance night of your tickets or the night you wish to exchange to, whichever comes first. Tickets cannot be exchanged after the performance has passed. If you cannot visit the Box Office in person to exchange your tickets, please call the Box Office to find other methods of returning your tickets or for further information on subscriber/member exchanges. Some additional restrictions and/or service charges may apply.

If you cannot make a performance (and you are a Series subscriber) it is imperative that you exchange your tickets at least 24 hours prior to the performance date on your ticket.

What if I have event tickets but can no longer attend? Can I get a refund?

Tickets make great gifts! You can always give your tickets to a family member or friend. We have a strict no refunds policy. However, if your selected performance is playing on other dates, you may be able to exchange for another performance date (see, Can I exchange my tickets for another performance date? above).

What if I miss my performance? Can I exchange those tickets for another night?

We cannot exchange tickets after the performance has passed. Eligible exchanges must be made in advance and require that we are able to sell the tickets that you cannot use. If you cannot make a performance please contact the Box Office to discuss what, if any, options you may have.

Can I get a refund if I miss a performance?

We’re sorry, but there are no refunds on performance tickets.

What if an event is cancelled?

If an event is cancelled for any reason, the Box Office will contact all ticket buyers to arrange refunds.

Where do I park? How much does parking cost?

Parking is free at The Banff Centre. Please see the campus map for parking lot locations.

If you are attending an event in the Eric Harvie Theatre, please allow yourself extra time to find parking. For large events, parking will extend onto the Banff Centre’s surrounding roads including St-Julien Way and Tunnel Mountain Drive.

Where can I eat/grab a drink before/after a show?

The Banff Centre has many onsite dining options.

Ticket purchasers receive a 20 per cent discount at Three Ravens Restaurant & Wine Bar when you present your event tickets to your server on the evening of the event.

Is there an ATM available?

The Banff Centre has one ATM available in our Professional Development Centre. It is a 5-10 minute return walk from all venues on campus.

Will there be a bar available?

Cash bars are available at all events in the Club, most events in the Eric Harvie Theatre and at select events in the Margaret Greenham Theatre.

However, drinks are not allowed in any performance venues other than The Club. Bottled water is the only exception.

Please contact the Box Office for specific information on the availability of bars at your next event.

Is there accommodation close to The Banff Centre?

The Banff Centre has two hotels on site. Ticket purchasers are eligible to receive a special ‘Stay With Us’ rate when booking tickets and accommodation together.

What kind of attire is appropriate to wear to an event?

Banff is a fairly casual environment. Generally, we adhere to the ‘no shirt, no shoes, no service’ policy. However, for larger and more prestigious events, i.e.; the ballet, audience members will often take the time to put in a little more effort. Bear in mind though, Banff weather can be unpredictable, so dress appropriately.

The event I want to see is sold out; can I join a waiting list?

The Box Office does not maintain waiting lists for sold out events. If you are unable to obtain tickets to your selected event we suggest you continue to check back with us. Released tickets are sold on a first come, first serve basis.

How can I be notified about events going on sale at The Banff Centre?

There are a number of publications you can elect to receive for information on events here at The Banff Centre.

For notification of a specific event/artist visiting The Banff Centre you can sign up for notification at www.ticketmaster.ca. Just find the artist/event you are interested in and click ‘add to my alerts’ next to their icon/picture and follow the prompts.

I want to purchase a Ticketmaster event; can I do that through the Banff Centre Box Office?

Both Banff Centre Box Office locations have access to the Ticketmaster Canada system only. Ticketmaster sales can only be made in person, for phone sales you must contact Ticketmaster charge-by-phone. The Calgary number is 403 777 0000, or purchase online at www.ticketmaster.ca.

Does the Box Office open for Ticketmaster on sales?

The Box Office does not open for Ticketmaster on sales outside our normal business hours.