Hey Banff! Here's What's Happening This Week!
Thinking of retiring in Banff? You might want to look again. Strict residency rules could block your mountain dreams - but neighbouring Canmore may offer a more flexible path.
That's not the only thing turning heads this week. Park officials are cracking down after an illegal canoe rental at Lake Louise led to a rescue operation. And in a wildlife scare, tourists sparked a dangerous bear jam by crowding a roadside grizzly.
There's plenty of good news too: Pasta & Wine Night is back at La Terrazza, Melissa's Road Race is nearly sold out, and we've got happy hour deals galore.
Oh, and exciting news - starting next week, What's On Banff will be landing in your inbox three times a week, every Tuesday, Thursday, and Sunday!
Scroll down to explore everything happening in Banff 👇
📅 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 and send us your feedback - we’d love to hear what you think!
🗺️ Tour Highlights (Seasonal Adjustments Apply):
💧 Lake Louise • 🏔️ Moraine Lake (Jun 1–Oct 14)
🌊 Johnston Canyon • 🌉 Bow Falls
📸 Vermilion Lakes Viewpoint • 🛍️ Banff Town
🏔️ Banff in Brief - Headlines this Week
🚨 Illegal canoe rentals at Lake Louise under investigation
Park rangers are seeking witnesses after an unlicensed canoe rental operation led to a rescue and potential criminal charges. More
🍝 Pasta & Wine Night returns to Banff Park Lodge.
La Terrazza now offers a three-course, build-your-own pasta dinner every Wednesday, with 50% off select wine bottles. Book now
🚫 Dangerous bear jam sparks warning in Banff.
A wildlife advocate is calling out tourists for getting dangerously close to a bear feeding near the highway, stressing the need to stay in vehicles and keep wildlife wild. Full story
🏔️ Competition Bureau drops Banff tourism monopoly inquiry
Canada's competition watchdog says it found no breach in an American company's growing dominance of major local attractions. See details
🏔️ Dreaming of Banff? You might want to rethink it...
If you're eyeing retirement in the Rockies, Banff's strict residency rules may leave you cold - but Canmore offers full home ownership, mountain views, and a real chance to build a life. Read the full post
🚶 Walk to Downtown, Bow River, Trails & More
📍 Lions Park Neighbourhood
🛏️ 3+2 Bedrooms • 🛁 4 Bathrooms
🏞️ Private Fenced Yard •
🏃♀️ Melissa's Road Race nearly sold out
Only 50 spots remain for Banff's iconic race on September 27. Choose from a 5K, 10K, or half-marathon distance, then celebrate with live music, beer gardens, and a post-race festival. Secure your spot
🐌 Tiny creature, big story: HI Banff summer trips to Cave & Basin
Every Tuesday, join a guided trip to the birthplace of Canada's national parks - and meet the endangered snails that helped make history. Details
📊 Banff survey shows high satisfaction but rising worries
While 95% of Banffites rate their quality of life as good or very good, one-third say it has declined due to factors such as tourism, overcrowding, and rising housing costs. Read more
🎨 New Banff exhibit explores artistic family legacies
"Elliptical Lineages" at the Walter Phillips Gallery features work from artists whose creative roots are deeply tied to family, tradition, and ancestry. Full story
Readers' Choice: Most Visited Links from the Last Issue
🗺️ Tour Highlights: 🚴 E-Bike Along Bow Valley Parkway • 🥾 Guided Hike up Johnston Canyon • 🏞️ Explore Vermillion Lakes • 👨🏫 Expert Local Guide •
Book now to bike, hike, and explore Johnston Canyon in style!
🛫 Ready, Set, Explore: Plan Your Trip Now!🏞️
🎟️Events, Activities & Live Music 🎸
We keep it short here - head to OUR NEW EVENTS PAGE for full descriptions and links.
Fri, 18th July
04:00🌄 Moraine Lake Sunrise Tour - Banff - Book
09:00🏞️ Moraine Lake, Lake Louise Tour - Banff - Book
15:00🎶 Live Music Afternoon - Three Bears - Banff
15:00🎬 Family Film Night - Banff Public Library - Banff
18:00🌅 Banff Gondola Sunset Event - Banff Gondola - Banff - Book
18:00🛼 Roller Disco - Fenlands Recreation Centre - Banff
19:00🍽️ Balkan Greek Night: Dinner Show - The Balkan - Banff
19:00🎶 Live Music: These Are My Friends - Moxy Banff - Banff
19:15🎹 Banff Celebrates Oscar Peterson at 100 - The Banff Centre - Banff
20:00🎶 Live Music Night Every Friday - St. James Gate - Banff
22:00🎧 Friday Night Live DJ LT - High Rollers - Banff
22:00🎶 Live Music: Red Mile High - Rose & Crown - Banff
22:00🎶 Live Music: Five N Dime - Melissa's Missteak - Banff
Sat, 19th July
04:00🌄 Moraine Lake Sunrise Tour - Banff - Book
07:30🧗 Multi-pitch Climbing - Banff
09:00🏞️ Moraine Lake, Lake Louise Tour - Banff - Book
10:00🧘 Yoga in the Rockies - Banff Sunshine Village - Banff
12:00🎶 Live Music: Steph O'Dette - Trappers @ Banff Sunshine Village - Banff
15:00🎶 Live Music Afternoon - Three Bears - Banff
16:00🎧 Pool Party with DJ Hops - Moxy Banff - Banff
18:00🌅 Banff Gondola Sunset Event - Banff Gondola - Banff - Book
18:00🎤 Interplay Opera Pub - Banff Legion - Banff
19:30🎤 John Alcorn's Diva Cabaret - The Banff Centre - Banff
20:00🎶 Live Music Night Every Saturday - St. James Gate - Banff
22:00🎧 DJ Raven on the Decks - High Rollers - Banff
22:00🎶 Live Music: Red Mile High - Rose & Crown - Banff
22:00🎶 Live Music: Five N Dime - Melissa's Missteak - Banff
Sun, 20th July
04:00🌄 Moraine Lake Sunrise Tour - Banff - Book
07:30🧗 Multi-pitch Climbing - Banff
09:00🏞️ Moraine Lake, Lake Louise Tour - Banff - Book
12:00🧘 Yoga with CYAN - Flow State Yoga - Banff
14:00🎹 Alexander Malikov, piano - St. George in the Pines Anglican Church - Banff
15:00🎶 Live Music Afternoon - Three Bears - Banff
18:00🌅 Banff Gondola Sunset Event - Banff Gondola - Banff - Book
18:00💪 Fitness: Sweat45 - Summit Lifestyle & Performance - Banff
19:00🍽️ Balkan Greek Night: Dinner Show - The Balkan - Banff
21:00🎉 Sunday Funday: Banff's Best Party - High Rollers - Banff
22:00🎉 Sunday Funday (Party) - Melissa's Missteak - Banff
22:00🎶 Live Music: Brent Lee - Rose & Crown - Banff
🎉 Want to see what’s coming up? OUR NEW EVENTS PAGE features a growing list of upcoming events, complete with descriptions and links.
📬 Activities You Might Enjoy 🏘️
🌄 Banff Western BBQ & Barn Dance - Banff Park Ranch. Gather under the Rockies for hearty Alberta BBQ, live country music and bonfire fun. Find out more.
🐴 Banff Bow River Horseback Ride – 1 Hour of Scenic Bliss. Saddle up for a peaceful ride through pine forests and along glacier-fed waters. Learn more.
🛥️ Lake Minnewanka Cruise - Banff. Sail across Banff’s largest lake, spot wildlife, and uncover the sunken village of Minnewanka Landing with a local guide. Book now
🚠 Banff Gondola & Sulphur Mountain Summit Experience - Ride to the summit, stroll the boardwalk to the Peak, and enjoy views of six mountain ranges. More 🏞️
🔥 Banff Horseback Ride with Cowboy Cookout BBQ Lunch. Ride the trails, then feast fireside with a hearty cowboy-style meal in the mountains. Taste adventure.
🍺 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 Ave Brewing Co (21:00+, Daily)
🎖️ Banff Legion (15:00-17:00, Wed-Sat & 15:00-close, Sun)
🫕 Bluebird (15:00-16:00, Daily)
🍔 Coyotes Southwestern Grill (16:30-18:00, Daily)
🍣 Hello Sunshine (15:00-16:00, Daily)
🎳 High Rollers (Until 18:00, Daily & 22:00+, Mon-Thurs)
🌮 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!
We're so glad you're here for the ride.
Keep exploring and sharing, and we'll see you in the next issue with another full lineup of Banff happenings.
Jill & Kevin | Editor | What’s On Banff
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