Fireworks Are Banned - Now What?

✨ Your New Year Plan (Minus Fireworks)

Hi folks - welcome back! If your New Year’s Eve plan involved fireworks, I’ve got news: Canmore bans them, and Banff National Park doesn’t allow them either. Before you panic, this actually makes Dec. 31 easier - fewer crowds chasing a midnight moment, more time to enjoy the town.

Banff is leaning into it with a full daytime and early-evening celebration. On Dec. 31, Sundance Park and Central Park have skating, music, performances, and all-ages fun running from late morning through 8 pm. Canmore has a simple, community-first option too: free skating and a celebration at the Canmore Rec Centre from 5-8 pm. No fireworks, no stress, just a nice mountain sendoff to the year.

If you’re looking ahead (or trying to dodge parking and logistics), keep an eye on the tour deals. GetYourGuide is currently listing seven Banff tours with perfect 5-star ratings, and five are discounted right now - Lake Louise, Moraine, Icefields, and more.

And for a proper winter spectacle, Skijoring returns to Banff on January 17-18, 2026, during SnowDays. Horses + skiers + stunts = instant crowd magnet.

One more thing - the "Banff in February" guide is now live. If you’re planning a winter trip, it covers what the month actually feels like on the ground: weather, daylight, what’s worth booking early, and the best things to do beyond just skiing.

There is plenty more happening this week. Dive into the event listings below, or check out the detailed events page on our website.

• Banff in January: Read this before planning your trip!

• Banff in February: What you need to know!

🌤️ Today’s Weather

Banff: Mainly sunny, high -4 °C and low -12 °C.
Canmore: Mainly sunny, high 3 °C and low -4 °C.
Jasper: Mostly cloudy, high -2 °C and low -7 °C.

👉 For a complete up-to-date forecast for the week ahead, visit our Weather Page.

🏔️ Plan Your Trip

Banff in Winter: What to Know Before You Build Your Itinerary

Winter in Banff isn’t just about cold temperatures - it changes how everything works. Days are shorter, the weather can flip quickly, and some summer favourites either look completely different or aren’t accessible at all. The upside is fewer crowds, dramatic scenery, and a long list of experiences that only exist once the snow arrives.

Planning matters more in winter than in any other season. Some activities depend heavily on conditions, like wild ice skating, canyon walks, or fat biking. In contrast, others work almost every day, including the Banff Gondola, hot springs, museums, and town-based wandering. Having a mix of outdoor plans and warm backup options makes the whole trip feel easier and less weather-dependent.

Getting around also takes more thought. Roads are well maintained, but winter driving experience helps, and transit or guided tours can remove a lot of stress. Dress warmer than you think you need, build in slower days, and expect to adjust plans on the fly.

Do that, and winter becomes one of the most rewarding times to experience Banff.

👉 Read the complete guide

Seeing Banff Without the Parking Stress

Banff is stunning, but getting around in peak season can test anyone’s patience. Parking fills early, shuttle systems can feel confusing, and places like Lake Louise and Moraine Lake now require advance planning. The Hop On Hop Off Banff bus is one of the easiest ways to see the highlights without worrying about driving, parking, or timing every stop perfectly.

The route covers some of Banff National Park’s biggest sights, including Johnston Canyon, Lake Louise, and Moraine Lake, all in one day. You ride on a fixed schedule with guaranteed seating, local hosts who share context and tips along the way, and enough time at each stop to explore without feeling rushed. It doesn’t run early enough for sunrise at Moraine Lake, but for daytime sightseeing, it removes most of the usual stress.

If you want to focus on scenery instead of logistics, this is a straightforward way to do it.

👉 Read the full guide | Book a tour

🏕️ Quiz

Yesterday’s Question

Which mountain is this gondola summit station located on?

✅Answer: 3) Sulphur Mountain - 79% Correct

The Banff Gondola station sits on Sulphur Mountain. Find out more about gondolas in the Canadian Rockies or what happens during the Banff Gondola Nightrise event.

🏔️ Fresh from the Rockies

✨ Skip the fireworks and still have a full New Year’s Eve in Banff. On Dec. 31, Sundance Park and Central Park host skating, music, performances, and all-ages fun from late morning through 8 pm, keeping things festive without the midnight chaos.

⭐ Banff tour deals are quietly having a moment right now. GetYourGuide is currently showing seven tours with a perfect 5-star rating, and 5 of them are discounted. Lake Louise, Moraine, Icefields, skywalks, bubbles, and viewpoints - all crowd favourites, all flying under the radar. Check them out.

🐴 Skijoring charges back into Banff this January. Horses, skiers, and jaw-dropping stunts collide January 17–18, 2026, as Skijor Canada brings full-throttle winter chaos to SnowDays. Trick riding, big air, and seriously cool mountain energy incoming.

🧨 If you’re hoping for fireworks in Banff or Canmore, brace for disappointment. Fireworks are banned in Canmore and prohibited in Banff National Park, meaning New Year’s Eve celebrations will be quieter, calmer, and very intentional.

❄️ Banff Winter Carnival revives a classic winter tradition. Step back into Banff’s Roaring Twenties with vintage films, mini curling, box hockey, and family-friendly fun at the Cave and Basin. History meets playful winter vibes - 👉 jump into Banff’s snowy past and present.

⛸️ Ring in 2026 the Canmore way on Dec. 31. Free skating, glow-worthy outfits, and a community celebration take over the Canmore Rec Centre from 5-8 pm. No fireworks, no stress, just a cosy mountain sendoff to the year.

⭐ Most Popular Last Issue

⏰ Blink and Moraine Lake summer dates are gone. Access does not begin until June, but guided tours book up well ahead of time. If your trip window is fixed, now is the smart moment to quietly get ahead of the crowd.

🎸Events, Activities & Live Music

📅 Today’s Events are listed below. To view future events, visit our website.

BANFF EVENTS | CANMORE EVENTS | JASPER EVENTS | BANFF HAPPY HOURS | CANMORE HAPPY HOURS |

Wednesday, December 31

13:00 | Banff Community NYE Celebrations | Banff

17:00 | NYE Party | Banff Park Lodge | Banff

17:00 | New Year's Eve Party | Melissa's MisSteak | Banff

17:00 | New Year's Eve Celebration! | Canmore Recreation Centre

19:00 | NYE Torch Light Parade | Sunshine Village Ski Resort | Banff

19:00 | New Year's Eve: Elektric Squirrels | Canmore Legion

19:30 | ABBA-SOLUTELY Fabulous Show | Banff Springs Hotel | Banff

21:00 | DJ Palf - 2026 New Years | High Rollers | Banff

21:00 | NYE With DJ Bunny Hops | Hello Sunshine | Banff

21:00 | DJ Feelo Green | Tavern 1883 | Canmore

22:00 | JG n' The District | Rose & Crown | Banff

22:00 | NYE Party: DJ Tenax | Rose & Crown | Canmore

📅 Got An Event To Share?

📅 Submit Here (8 days before event date)
Complete starred sections. For a FREE LISTING, check the box on the promotions page.

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