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Highland Games, Fires, and a New December Guide
🌟 What's On Banff - Events, Activities, Live Music & Good News! 😊
Kevin J
August 26, 2025
Hey Banff! Here’s What’s Happening This Week!
Looking for a fun way to wrap up summer? This week offers Scottish showdowns, sightseeing steals, and a sneak peek at the season ahead.
The Canmore Highland Games are back for the long weekend, filling Centennial Park with bagpipes, dancing, athletics, and whisky tastings. It’s one of Canmore’s biggest events of the year, and a definite crowd-pleaser.
If sightseeing is on your list, there’s a 20% discount on the popular Banff Highlights Tour until September 7. That includes stops at the Banff Gondola, Lake Minnewanka, and Bow Falls - without the hassle of driving or parking.
And if you’re planning a December getaway, our Banff in December guide is now live. It’s your one-stop look at winter fun, festive events, and cozy escapes.
Scroll down for live music, food specials, and everything else happening around town this week!
🌤️ Weather Watch – Weekly Outlook ( Mon 6 pm)
🛫 Your Questions Answered!🏞️
How do I get to Moraine Lake? Not in a car! Find out how here.
What park passes will I need? Probably a National Park Pass and possibly a Kanansakis Park pass. We explain here.
How do I get to Lake Louise? Check our complete guide here.
Can I park in Banff? Yes, click to find out how
Which gondola should I go on? It depends. We discuss your options here.
🏔️ Banff in Brief - Headlines this Week
❄️ Plan your Banff holiday with our new December insider guide
Short days, snowy peaks, and sparkling lights define December in Banff - and our brand-new guide shows you how to make the most of it. Discover the best trails, après-ski spots, sleigh rides, and seasonal events to enjoy during the festive season. See the guide
🏔️ Juniper Hotel Offers 15% Discount for Direct Bookings
The Juniper Hotel, located just outside Banff, is offering a 15% discount on direct bookings as demand grows for quieter accommodations. With scenic mountain views and a more relaxed setting, the hotel aims to attract travellers looking to escape the crowds this season.
🎶 Final days of Sunset Festival atop Sulphur Mountain
Catch local live music and golden-hour views at the mountaintop Sunset Festival before it wraps on September 1 - free if you hike up! See more
🚠 20% Off Banff Highlights Tour Featuring Gondola, Bow Falls & More
A popular guided tour covering top Banff attractions - including the Banff Gondola, Bow Falls, and Lake Minnewanka - is now 20% off until September 7. The full-day trip offers a stress-free way to see the sights without the hassle of planning or parking.
🔥 Banff National Park fire risk hits extreme.
As temperatures soar, Parks Canada has raised the fire danger rating from “high” to “extreme” for Banff National Park - here's what visitors need to know. Read more
🗺️ Tour Highlights: Your mountain-top moment awaits. Book your ride today! |  |
🥁 Canmore Highland Games returns August 30-31
Two days of Celtic fun are coming to Canmore’s Centennial Park with whisky tastings, live music, The Rollin' Drones, and all the Highland Games action you can handle. Get tickets
🏚️ Historic Banff cabins face demolition for housing project
Two heritage-listed buildings could be torn down to make way for new apartments as Banff tackles its critical housing shortage. Find out more
🧊 New exhibit brings climate change into focus at Columbia Icefield
"Meltdown: A Drop in Time" pairs powerful glacier photography with climate action messages in a must-see experience near the Athabasca Glacier. Learn more
🚗 Worth a reminder: check BanffNow before you hit the park
BanffNow gives live updates on parking and conditions at popular spots - a quick check could save your whole day. Check out the tool
⛷️ Banff Sunshine drops new payment plan for 2025/26 passes
Lock in your ski season with just 25% down and split the rest into easy fall payments - your future self will thank you. Get the 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! |  |
🚆 Rocky Mountaineer’s parent company just bought a local restaurant
Armstrong Collective - the team behind those luxury dome-car trains through the Rockies - has just acquired the iconic Lake Louise Railway Station and Restaurant. Read more
🎬 Free outdoor screening: Stories We Have Earned at Banff Centre
On September 5, the Shaw Amphitheatre hosts a special showing of Cody Lefthand’s 2024 documentary, which explores how Iyarhe Nakoda traditions were exploited by entertainment industries, with mountain views setting the scene. Event details
🏗️ Banff defends zoning plan critics call a 'Trojan horse'
Town officials push back against claims that proposed land realignments could secretly weaken development limits in the national park. See the details
🏳️🌈 Save 20% on hotels for Banff Pride 2025
Plan your fall getaway now and enjoy 20% off Banff Lodging Co. properties during Banff Pride, October 3-13 - just use promo code BANFFPRIDE. Plan your trip
Readers' Choice: Most Visited Links from the Last Issue
🗺️ Tour Highlights: 🏔️ Moraine Lake (seasonal) • 💧 Lake Louise • 🌲 Emerald Lake • 🌉 Natural Bridge • 🌊 Johnston Canyon • 🛍️ Banff Town |  |
🎟️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
Got a local event to share?
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, 27th August
10:00 🧺 Banff Farmers Market - Central Park
10:00 🛶 Canoe for a Cause 2025 - Banff Canoe Club
14:00 🎻 BISQC Concert 6 - The Banff Centre
15:00 🎶 Live Music Afternoon - Three Bears
18:00 🌇 Banff Gondola Sunset Event - Banff Gondola
19:30 🎻 BISQC Concert 7 -The Banff Centre
21:30 🎉 Latin Fiesta - Melissa's MisSteak
22:00 🎤 Tommy's Open Mic - Tommy's Neighbourhood Pub
22:00 🎧 Music with DJ Hops - High Rollers
22:00 🎧 Live Set: DJ Nazo - Rose & Crown
Thu, 28th August
05:00 🏔️ Mt Temple Guided Scramble - Banff
07:00 🧘 Yoga in the Park - Central Park
10:00 🎻 BISQC Concert 8 - The Banff Centre
11:00 📖 Garden Story Time - Luxton Home Museum
16:00 🎶 Live Music: Steph O'Dette - The Bison
17:00 🏓 Pickleball - Banff Fenlands Recreation Centre
18:00 🌇 Banff Gondola Sunset Event - Banff Gondola
19:00 🎭 Balkan Greek Night: Dinner Show - The Balkan
19:00 ✍️ Summer Writers Readings - The Banff Centre
19:00 🎭 Literary Cabaret - The Banff Centre
20:00 🎶 Irish Night: Live Music - St. James Gate
20:00 🎻 BISQC Alumni Concert - The Banff Centre
20:30 🎶 Live Music Thursdays - High Rollers
22:00 🎉 Thirsty Thursday Party - Melissa's MisSteak
22:00 🎤 Live MuSunset Sesh + Dayz of Rain - Rose & Crown
🍺 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.
🍴 Banff Food Tour Shares Insider Tips - 15% Off
Try local favourites and get tips on where to eat during your stay. This guided food tour is a great first-day activity and you have 5 days left to catch the discount. Book here
🍺 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)
🍷 Bow View Lodge (16:00-17:00 & 21:00+ Daily)
🍸 Brazen Mount Royal Hotel (15:00-17:00 Daily)
🍔 Coyotes Southwestern Grill (16:30-18:00 Daily)
🍣 Hello Sunshine (15:00-16:00 Daily)
🎳 High Rollers (Open-18:00, Daily & 22:00+ Mon-Thurs)
🍕 Lupo (15:00-16:00 Daily)
🌮 Magpie & Stump & El Patio (15:00-17:00 / 22:00+)
🥩 Melissa’s MisSteak (15:00-18:00 Daily; 22:00-02:00 Sun-Thurs)
🥂 Park Distillery (15:00-17:00 Daily) Book A Tour
🐾 Sheepdog Brewing (13:00-17:00, Mon-Fri)
🍔 The Eddie Burger + Bar (22:00-Close, Daily excluding holiday weekends)
🍷 The Fat Ox Kenrick Hotel (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 |  |
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