Canada Festivals

What: Banff Mountain Film Festival
Where: Alberta
When: 1-9 November
Web: www.banffcentre.ca

The Banff Centre, located amid mountainous natural beauty, is an arts cultural and education institution in Alberta and plays host to the Banff Mountain Film Festival. Short films and documentaries about mountain culture, sports and the environment are showcased here.

What: Parade of Lights
Where: Coal Harbour Bay, Vancouver
When: December 1 and lasts 23 days.
Web: www.carolships.org

This annual Christmas ritual sees up to 80 ships gathering in Coal Harbour Bay all light up with more than 150,000 festive lights. This 23 day ritual has onshore and offshore activities that are organised by the voluntary Carol Ship Parade of Lights Society.

What: Winter Festival of Lights
Where: Niagra Falls
When: November 8 to January 5
Web: www.wfol.com

Canada's spectacular light show is hosted by the equally impressive Niagara Falls, the worlds most famous waterfall. There are over 125 animated lighting displays and over three million lights to see within the Niagara Parks Winter Wonderland. And its all free - but donations are welcome. Illuminations include Disney animanted displays and Canadian wildlife. There is also live music, a charity fun run and fireworks.

What: Winterlude
Where: The Capital Region, i.e. Ottawa, Ontaria and Quebec
When: The first three weekends in February
Web: www.canadascapital.gc.ca

The Capital Region's winter festival has been going from strength to strength since 1979 and attracts over 650,000 fans. On show are ice carvings, snow sculptures and the world's largest naturally frozen ice rink. Kids enjoy the Snowflake Kingdom and giant slides, snow labyrinth and the Ice Hog family - Winterlude's furry mascots.

What: Grand Prix
Where: The Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, Montreal
When: June
Web: www.grandprix.ca

The Circuit Gilles Villeneuve was named after the famous Canadian Ferrari driver and Formula 1 lovers will love this Formula 1 race.

What: Montreal Comedy Festival
Where: Montreal
When: July 16-26
Web: www.hahaha.com/en

This festival offers a mix of stand-up comedy and free street entertainment. Past performers have included Jerry Seinfield, Bill Hicks, Eddie Izzard and Joan Rivers. Go - it will be a laugh!

What: Calgary Stampede
Where: Calgary, Alberta
When: 3-12 July
Web: www.calgarystampede.com

This is the world's largest outdoor rodeo in the world. Spectataors are treated to bareback riding, bull riding, ladies' barrel racing, steer wrestling and tie-down roping. There's also the famous GMC Rangeland Derby, a chuckwagon race.

Also feaured is an urban beach complete with sandcastles, fashion, musical and variety shows, exhibitions and regional food such as pancake breakfats.

What: Toronto International Film Festival
Where: Toronto
When: September 4-13
Web: www.tiff08.ca

This film festival is said to be the second most important film festival after Cannes.

28 July 2008