- What's On Banff
- Posts
- Who is 136... and Why Do Locals Give Him Space?
Who is 136... and Why Do Locals Give Him Space?
🌟 What's On Banff - Events, Activities, Live Music & Good News! 😊
Kevin J
August 12, 2025
Wild Skies, Wild Stories, and a Place to Unwind
Banff’s wild side is never far away. Somewhere out there roams Split Lip - the scarred grizzly locals know by reputation alone.
This week also offers a gentler kind of thrill: meteor showers blazing across our clear mountain skies.
And if a comfy bed and a view are more your speed, the Luxury Malcolm Hotel in Canmore is offering a stay deal that’s hard to pass up.
From the wild to the wonderful, here’s your Banff week at a glance.
🗺️ Tour Highlights: 🏔️ Moraine Lake (seasonal) • 💧 Lake Louise • 🌲 Emerald Lake • 🌉 Natural Bridge • 🌊 Johnston Canyon • 🛍️ Banff Town |  |
🌤️ Weather Watch – Weekly Outlook (Mon 6 pm)
🏔️ Banff in Brief - Headlines this Week
🐻 Meet Split Lip (Bear 136), Banff’s scarred heavyweight grizzly
Weighing up to 600 pounds with a distinctive torn lip, Bear 136's dramatic rivalry with "The Boss," bold encounters with humans, and taste for both grain and other grizzlies have made him a local legend - and a reminder to keep wildlife wild. Read more
🎟 New guide clears up Banff park pass confusion
With visitors often unsure if they need a Parks Canada pass, a Kananaskis Conservation Pass, or both, we've created a simple guide outlining 2025 prices, free entry dates, and how to avoid a $150 fine. Read more
🏔️ Trade Banff's bustle for Canmore's calm with 25% off Hotel Deal
If Banff hotels are full or you'd prefer a quieter base, Canmore's Malcolm Hotel might work for you. A short drive from Banff, same mountain views - fewer crowds. Learn More.
🌠 Your complete Banff meteor shower guide is here.
Find the best viewing spots, peak dates, and tips for catching spectacular meteor showers in the Rockies all year round. See details
🗺️ 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! |  |
🤠 Banff Park Ranch launches summer western BBQ nights
A new event at the Rundle Roundhouse is serving up Alberta beef, live country music, line dancing, and bonfire s’mores under the stars, with shuttle service from downtown Banff. Don’t miss out.
🍽 Last spots left for Banff's 'Eat the Castle' tour
The Fairmont Banff Springs' signature culinary experience, featuring gourmet tastings, beverage pairings, and a guided history of the "Castle in the Rockies," has just two summer dates still available - August 20 and September 25. Book your spot here.
Can’t make the tour? Then at least check out this fantastic hotel.
🌮 Vincent Trocheck spends summer cooking and golfing in Banff
The New York Rangers forward has been sharing his culinary creations and family adventures, including a trip to Banff for teammate Braden Schneider’s wedding. Read more
🌲 Parks Canada warns against illegal fort building.
Visitors to Kootenay and other mountain national parks are being urged to stop building log and rock forts, which can harm ecosystems, create hazards, and violate park regulations. More
🛫 Ready, Set, Explore: Plan Your Trip Now!🏞️
🧗 Half-Day Cliff Adventure for Thrill-Seeking Teens
If your teens are bored, this could be just what they need to shake things up. The guided climb uses steel ladders and a suspension bridge to get up the cliffs above Banff. More here
🎬 Lux Cinema offers summer deals and $7.99 Tuesday tickets
Banff’s Lux Cinema is running summer specials through September 30, including discounted ticket-and-snack combos, alongside its weekly Cheap Tuesday promotion offering $7.99 tickets for any film. More
🚐 This Banff highlights tour has 100’s of 5-star reviews - and 10% Off!
This tour takes you to many of Banff’s iconic attractions, such as Lake Louise, Moraine Lake in summer, or Johnston Canyon in winter - and it has rave reviews. Learn more
🚤 Debate heats up over Alberta’s proposed watercraft pass
Outdoor enthusiasts are split on a new annual fee aimed at funding invasive mussel prevention, with critics calling it a tax and supporters urging public input before the August 25 deadline. Full story
Readers' Choice: Most Visited Links from the Last Issue
Your boss will think you’re a genius
Optimizing for growth? Go-to-Millions is Ari Murray’s ecommerce newsletter packed with proven tactics, creative that converts, and real operator insights—from product strategy to paid media. No mushy strategy. Just what’s working. Subscribe free for weekly ideas that drive revenue.
🎟️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
Use the link below to submit it.
Enter your email address and use the code we send you to log in.
Only the sections marked with a star MUST be filled in; the rest are optional.
For a free event listing, check the box at the bottom of the promotions page.
Please submit at least 4 days before the event date.
Wed, 13th August
10:00 🧺 - Banff Farmers Market - Central Park
15:00 🎶 - Live Music Afternoon - Three Bears
18:00 🌇 - Banff Gondola Sunset Event - Banff Gondola
19:30 🎷 - Live Music: Jazz & Sonic Arts - The Banff Centre
21:30 🎧 - Elevate 360: Live DJ Night - Melissa's MisSteak
22:00 🎤 - Tommy's Open Mic - Tommy's Neighbourhood Pub
22:00 🎧 - Music with DJ Hops - High Rollers
22:00 🎺 - Jazz Jams 5 at CLVB '33 - The Banff Centre
22:00 🎧 - DJ Strength - Rose & Crown
Thu, 14th August
07:00 🧘 - Yoga in the Park - Central Park
09:00 🧒 - Local Youth Event: The Outsiders - Rundle Cabin
11:00 📚 - Garden Story Time - Luxton Home Museum
13:00 💰 - Teen Financial Literacy - Starting Your Own Business - Banff Library
13:00 🏄 - Try-It: Standup Paddleboarding - In the field.
16:00 🎶 - Live Music: Steph O'Dette - The Bison
17:00 🏓 - Pickleball - The Fenlands Banff Recreation Centre
18:00 🌇 - Banff Gondola Sunset Event - Banff Gondola
18:00 🎸 - Live Music: Andrew Staygold - Rimrock Hotel
19:00 🍽️ - Balkan Greek Night: Dinner Show - The Balkan
20:00 🎻 - Irish Night: Live Music - St. James Gate
20:30 🎸 - Live Music Thursdays - High Rollers
22:00 🎶 - Live Music: Sunset Sesh & Halo - 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 at Hotel Canoe & Suites (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!
💡 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!