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🌟 What's On Banff - Events, Activities, Live Music & Good News! 😊
Kevin J
January 09, 2026
Hi Everyone! Here's What’s Happening This Week!
First up, Art of Ice is back in Banff on February 6-8 - the kind of event that makes you stop mid-walk and stare for a minute. Last year’s warmth turned the sculptures into a sad puddle situation, so this year feels like a little suspense mixed with the wow factor.
If you’re more of a "sign up now, panic later" person, registration is officially open for Canmore Revolver and 5 Peaks. Long climbs, sore legs, and that smug glow of having a race on the calendar before your motivation disappears.
And if your winter vibe includes cocktails and good energy, TRIBUTE hits Banff January 30-31 with craft drinks, creative bites, DJs, and that fire-lit Bear Street atmosphere that makes the cold feel optional.
A quick but important Lake Louise reminder: the phrase "I will only be a second" has never worked there. Even on quieter winter days, blocking sidewalks or access routes can earn you a ticket, a recovery bill, and a story you will not enjoy telling later.
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 -10 °C.
Canmore: Mainly sunny, high -2 °C and low -10 °C.
Jasper: Mostly cloudy, high -3 °C and low -13 °C.
👉 For a complete up-to-date forecast for the week ahead, visit our Weather Page.
If you like the idea of seeing some of the Rockies' most impressive winter scenery without dealing with icy roads, this tour is a great option.
It starts at Abraham Lake, where you can see the famous methane ice bubbles - something that can be tricky to experience without local knowledge and the right timing. You will also visit the Peyto Lake viewpoint and Bow Lake, and get a chance to try out snowshoeing.
A bonus is that you will travel part of the Icefields Parkway- even more beautiful in winter - while leaving the driving and winter conditions to an experienced professional.
🏔️ Fresh from the Rockies
⛰️ If your hobbies include bad ideas and great scenery. Canmore Revolver and 5 Peaks are officially open for registration, locking in long climbs, sore legs, and that smug feeling of signing up before your brain fully caught up.
🧊 Art of Ice is back, but winter still calls the shots. After last year’s record-breaking warmth melted SnowDays sculptures beyond repair, Banff’s live ice carving competition runs February 6-8 with world-class carvers, Ice Battles, and speed rounds on Bear Street - stunning, unpredictable, and very weather-dependent.
🌶️ Canmore just got a new Indian food destination. Saffron Canmore opens January 8 with signature biryanis, chaat dishes, and classic street flavours, bringing a fresh hit of spice to the local dining scene.
🌲 A Banff icon is now teaching kids about wildlife. Inspired by repeated sightings of The Boss, a new children’s book uses the famous grizzly’s story to spark conversations about bear awareness, conservation, and living alongside nature. Buy on Amazon *
❄️ This is how Banff does winter properly. TRIBUTE lands January 30-31 with craft cocktails, creative bites, live DJs, and a relaxed, fire-lit atmosphere that turns Bear Street into the ultimate cold-weather hangout.
❄️ Lake Louise has zero patience for “just a second” parking. Even on quiet winter days, sidewalks and access routes matter, and blocking them can mean tickets, recovery costs, and way more drama than your lake photos are worth.
⭐ Most Popular Last Issue
🏇 Skijoring is back, and Banff Avenue is about to thunder. Horses, skiers, and snowboarders charge through town during SnowDays on January 17-18, 2026, with trick riding, stunt skiing, instant replays, and a SkijorStyle fashion showdown baked into the chaos. This is one event we never miss!
🏕️ Quiz
Which hiking area near Moraine Lake is shown in this photo, famous for golden larch trees in autumn? |
Today’s quiz answer appears at the end of the events section below.
Photo Credit: Robert Massey/Banff Lake Louise Tourism
This family-friendly horse-drawn sleigh ride is a lovely way to enjoy a classic Banff winter experience. You'll bundle up under warm blankets and take in views of Mount Rundle and Cascade Mountain. Along the way, the guide shares stories and points out local wildlife. The ride ends with a cosy fireside stop and a hot drink.
🏔️ Plan Your Trip
Adrenaline in Banff: High-Heart-Rate Experiences
If sightseeing isn’t your thing and you want activities that get the pulse up fast, Banff delivers in a big way. This is mountain terrain that rewards commitment, whether that’s paddling hard through rapids, clipping into a cable on a sheer rock face, or dropping into serious ski lines.
Whitewater rafting on the Kicking Horse or Bow River is one of the fastest ways to get soaked and smiling, especially in spring and early summer when the water is cold and pushy. Via Ferrata on Mount Norquay adds exposure without needing full climbing skills, with vertical sections and big drop-offs overlooking the Bow Valley. In winter, ice climbing around Johnston Canyon and Lake Louise turns frozen waterfalls into technical playgrounds, best tackled with a guide unless you know what you’re doing.
For those who want things even bigger, backcountry skiing or splitboarding opens up serious alpine terrain, but avalanche training and proper gear are essential. Heli-hiking or heli-skiing adds access to remote slopes and huge exposure, while steep skiing at Lake Louise delivers leg-burning descents on the right day. Summer adrenaline continues with canyoning, technical rock climbing, downhill mountain biking, and paragliding flights over the Bow Valley.
This is a destination where adventure scales quickly from fun to full-on.
🎸Events, Activities & Live Music
📅 Today’s Events are listed below. To view future events, visit our website.
Fri, 9th Jan
15:00 🎶 Live Music Afternoon - Three Bears, Banff
15:30 🥃 Park Distillery Tour - Park Distillery, Banff
17:00 🎶 Nurdjana, Arif & Rhonda: Live - Canmore Brewing, Canmore
17:00 🔄 Full Moon Swap - Canmore Public Library, Canmore
19:00 🍽️ Balkan Greek Night: Dinner Show - The Balkan, Banff
19:00 🎲 Friday Bingo - Canmore Legion, Canmore
19:00 🎬 Film: Girl Climber - artsPlace Canmore, Canmore
19:00 🎶 The Tracks Band: Live - Mineshaft Tavern, Canmore
20:00 🎶 Live Music Night - St. James Gate, Banff
21:00 🎤 Mitch Belot: Live - Rose & Crown Restaurant & Pub, Canmore
21:00 🎤 Dr Z Duo: Live - Tavern 1883, Canmore
22:00 🎧 Friday Night Live DJ LT - High Rollers, Banff
22:00 🎶 The Sessions - Rose & Crown, Banff
📅 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.
🏕️ Today’s Quiz Answer
✅Answer: 3) Larch Valley
Larch Valley is one of the best places in the area to see golden larches in autumn. Find out more in our Larch Season in Banff Guide.
Yesterday’s quiz: 57% of you correctly chose Grassi Lakes
📢 The Banff Bulletin
The best food, tours, and finds across the Park.
🏞️ Banff National Park Full-Day Trip - Includes Lake Louise and the Johnston Canyon icewalk. Was $120, now $96 until Jan 28. View deal
🍺 Banff Ave Brewing Co Happy Hour - Late night specials from 9 pm daily with $4 shafts, $5 highballs and $10 ninjas. Full details
🏨 Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise - Various deals, including seasonal offers, residents ’ rates and ski packages. See deal details & check the reviews.
🐟 The Mineshaft Tavern, Canmore - Daily deal every Friday; fish and chips for just $14. View details
🏞️ Banff Highlights Tour Deal - See Lake Louise, Emerald Lake, Bow & Peyto Lakes, plus Crowfoot Glacier on a 5⭐ rated day tour. Discounted until Jan 23. Book now
👋 That’s All For Now 🎬 Another week of mountain magic awaits! Jill & Kevin | Editor | What’s On Banff |  |
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