- What's On Banff
- Posts
- From Cougar Cubs to Fall Colours: Banff’s September Is Waiting
From Cougar Cubs to Fall Colours: Banff’s September Is Waiting
🌟 What's On Banff - Events, Activities, Live Music & Good News! 😊
Kevin J
August 10, 2025
Hey Banff! Here's What's Happening This Week!
Our brand-new Banff in September guide is out, and it's packed with everything you need for a perfect autumn visit. Think golden larch hikes, wildlife viewing tips, and events that keep the Rockies buzzing as the summer crowds fade away.
In wildlife news, two orphaned cougars from Canmore have found a permanent home at Parc Safari in Quebec, where the public is helping choose their names. It's a bittersweet ending to their story, but one that ensures their safety.
If you're ready for a fall getaway, Banff Aspen Lodge is offering a discount for direct bookings this week - just steps from downtown and close to the river. Plus, there are more hotel deals, events, and experiences to make the most of your time here.
Scroll down for the full line-up of activities, from live music to local festivals, and start planning your September in Banff.
🗺️ Tour Highlights: 🏞️ Stops at Johnston Canyon, Lake Louise, Moraine Lake & Gondola • 👋 Friendly On-Board Host • 🚏 Flexible Hop-On, Hop-Off Schedule • ✅ Seats Guaranteed Book now to explore Banff National Park at your own pace! |  |
🌤️ Weather Watch – Weekly Outlook (Sat 6 pm)
🏔️ Banff in Brief - Headlines this Week
🍁 Your ultimate guide to Banff in September is now live
Our newly released September guide reveals the best golden larch hikes, hidden wildlife spots, and local events to enjoy while the crowds thin and the Rockies glow with autumn colour. Read more
🐾 Orphaned cougars from Canmore start new life in Quebec
Two young cougars whose mother was killed last winter have found a permanent home at Parc Safari, where a public naming contest is underway. See details
🌲 A Few Banff Hotel Deals Worth Knowing About!
In downtown Banff, the Mount Royal Hotel & Elk + Avenue are both taking 20% off stays of 3+ nights. From either spot, you’re steps from the restaurants, bars & shops.
Banff Aspen Lodge has 10% off when you book direct this week. We like this location as it’s close to the river and only a short walk from downtown.
Just outside town, The Juniper Hotel is offering 15% off with their booking code. This is a quiet spot, with Bow Valley views, and an outdoor hot tub!
💃 Banff Latin Fiesta turns up the heat.
Dance the night away on August 27 with salsa lessons, three DJs, and pisco at Melissa’s Missteak for the hottest Latin party of the summer. See details
🥾 Tunnel Mountain hike delivers big views in a short climb
Just minutes from downtown Banff, this 4.5 km return trail offers sweeping views of Mount Rundle, Vermilion Lakes, and the Bow River, making it a year-round go-to for both visitors and residents. Read more
🗺️ Tour Highlights: 🏔️ Moraine Lake (seasonal) • 💧 Lake Louise • 🌲 Emerald Lake • 🌉 Natural Bridge • 🌊 Johnston Canyon • 🛍️ Banff Town This trip is a total highlight reel. Book now and see more in one unforgettable day! |  |
🔥 Legends of the Rockies returns to Bow Lake.
On September 18, filmmaker Leanne Allison shares captivating wildlife tales and screens her latest cinematic work during an intimate fireside evening at The Lodge at Bow Lake. Full story. If you want to stay the night at the lodge, there are still rooms available.
🚧 Roadwork alerts for Banff National Park travellers
From mid-August to October, expect delays of up to 20 minutes on Lake Louise Drive and the Icefields Parkway as crews stabilize creek banks and replace culverts. Full story
🚌 Banff adds more buses to boost transit service.
Six new Roam Public Transit buses are hitting key routes, each featuring stunning local wildlife photography, making Banff’s system the third-largest in Alberta. More
🚐 Banff Tours With Discounts This Week - All Highly Rated by Travellers!
A Columbia Icefield Tour with 30% off until August 16th. See Peyto Lake, Bow Lake, and Crowfoot Glacier on a full-day trip from Calgary or Banff.
This Gondola, Hot Springs, Bow Falls & Three Lakes tour is 20% off. It visits Lake Minnewanka, Two Jack Lake, Surprise Corner & Bow Falls, plus time in Banff.
Explore 3 National Parks is 10% off. In one day, you'll see Banff, Yoho, and Kootenay, with mountain views, turquoise lakes, and a chance to spot wildlife.
🐻 Bear closure on popular Kananaskis trail.
The Bill Milne Trail is closed between Kananaskis Village and Mount Kidd RV Park after multiple grizzlies and black bears were spotted feasting on berries, with one bluff charge reported nearby. More
🛫 Ready, Set, Explore: Plan Your Trip Now!🏞️
🚗 Banff shelves parking reservation plan - for now
A proposal to implement a parking reservation system during peak periods has been put on hold, but Banff’s new community plan leaves the door open for the idea in the future. Read more
🚆 Bow Valley mayors push PM to fast-track Calgary-Banff train
Leaders from Banff, Canmore, Calgary, and Cochrane are calling on Ottawa to declare a conventional passenger rail link a "project of national interest" to boost tourism, cut traffic, and connect communities. Read more
🌧 Banff doubles its usual July rainfall
Nearly 99 mm of rain fell last month - more than twice the norm - bringing cooler conditions, reduced wildfire risk, and a soggy summer for visitors. More
🎬 Banff Mountain Film and Book Festival turns 50
The November 1-9 festival will feature over 80 films, author events, the new BANFFPitch competition, and special programming like the Fire and Ice Symposium. See details
Readers' Choice: Most Visited Links from the Last Issue
🎟️Events, Activities & Live Music 🎸
📅 Our events calendar is now fully live.
It's your go-to source for local music, festivals, and everything happening around town. CHECK IT OUT HERE
Mon, 11th August
09:00 🧒 - Local Youth Event: The Outsiders - Rundle Cabin
16:00 🎨 - Visual Arts Open Lecture Series: Tak Pham - The Banff Centre
18:00 🌇 - Banff Gondola Sunset Event - Banff Gondola
21:00 🎤 - Open Mike Night - The Beaver at Samesun Hostel
21:00 🎶 - Live Music Night - Three Bears
22:00 🎧 - DJ Set: Konstance in the House - High Rollers
22:00 🎤 - Live Music: Brent Lee - Rose & Crown
Tue, 12th August
09:00 🧒 - Local Youth Event: The Outsiders - Rundle Cabin
18:00 🌇 - Banff Gondola Sunset Event - Banff Gondola
22:00 🎤 - Karaoke Night at Mels - Melissa's MisSteak
22:00 🎧 - DJ Styler Nazo - High Rollers
22:00 🎤 - Live Music: Jessie Porter - Rose & Crown
🗺️ Highlights: Book now for a serene start to your day! |  |
🍺 Happy Hours & Food Specials 🍽️
Below are brief details of all the happy hours we could find in Banff. For more information, visit our dedicated Happy Hour Page.
🍹 Anejo Restaurant (15:00-17:00 & 22:00+, Daily)
🍻 Banff Ave Brewing Co (21:00+, Daily)
🎖️ Banff Legion (15:00-17:00, Wed-Sat & 15:00-close, Sun)
🥂 Banff Social (15:00-18:00 & 20:00-close, Daily)
🫕 Bluebird (15:00-16:00, Daily)
🍸 Brazen (16:00-18:00, Daily)
🍕 Coyotes Southwestern Grill (16:30-18:00, Daily)
🔥 Farm & Fire (15:00-17:00, Daily)
🍣 Hello Sunshine (15:00-16:00, Daily)
🎳 High Rollers (Until 18:00, Daily & 22:00+, Mon-Thurs)
🍝 Lupo (15:00-16:00, Daily)
🌮 Magpie & Stump & El Patio (15:00-17:00 & 22:00+, Daily)
🥩 Melissa's MisSteak (15:00-18:00, Daily & 22:00-02:00, Sun-Thurs)
🍸 Park Distillery (15:00-17:00, Daily)
🍻 Sheepdog Brewing (13:00-17:00, Mon-Fri)
🍽️ Sudden Sally (14:00-17:00, Daily)
🍔 The Eddie Burger + Bar (22:00-close, Daily excl. holiday weekends)
🍷 The Fat Ox (14:00-16:00, Daily)
🍝 The Old Spaghetti Factory (14:00-17:00, Daily)
🐻 Three Bears Brewery (15:00-17:00, Daily)
⏰ Tommy's (15:00-18:00 & 22:00-close)
👋 That’s All For Now 🎬
Another week of mountain magic awaits! Jill & Kevin | Editor | What’s On Banff |  |
Want to get in touch?
For feedback, local stories, or questions, reply to this email. We'd love to hear from you!
How did you like this issue of What's On Banff? |
💡 Affiliate Disclosure: Some links in this email are affiliate links. If you buy through them, we may earn a commission, which helps keep this newsletter free for readers like you!