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- Bears, Banff's Selfie Spot Showdown & the Bus No One's Talking About!
Bears, Banff's Selfie Spot Showdown & the Bus No One's Talking About!
🌟 What's On Banff - Events, Activities, Live Music & Good News! 😊
Kevin J
July 20, 2025
Hey Banff! Here's What's Happening This Week!
It’s a busy week in Banff, with council debates heating up over the relocation of the town’s iconic selfie spot and black bear sightings increasing across Bow Valley trails. We’ve included important updates and bear safety tips to help you stay safe on the trails.
Thinking of heading to Lake Minnewanka? Don’t miss the little-known public transit option that could save you a serious parking headache. And if you're still hungry for more, scroll down for live music, yoga in the park, and happy hour hotspots.
Check out everything happening below - and don't forget, we're now publishing three editions a week, so keep an eye out for our Tuesday newsletter landing soon!
📅 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): |  |
🏔️ Banff in Brief - Headlines this Week
📸 Iconic Banff sign to move, council clashes over timing
Banff's beloved selfie spot will be relocated for safety, but the council rejected a push to fast-track the move. See details
🚐 Banff to Yoho adventure - limited-time summer deal!
Explore Lake Louise, Emerald Lake, and the Spiral Tunnels on this epic full-day Rockies tour from Calgary - bookings close August 4! Book now
🚗 Wondering where to park in Banff National Park? Check before you go
For live updates on parking availability and conditions at top sites across Banff National Park, this tool could save your day. See details
🐻 Bear activity ramps up across Bow Valley trails
With berry season in full swing, black bears are being spotted near popular trails and campsites, prompting fresh warnings and area closures. Read more
🚌 Forget parking-Banff wants you to ride to the views
If you're heading to Lake Minnewanka, you might want to ditch the car and discover the transit option you probably didn't know existed. Read on
🧖♀️ Lake Louise unveils alpine Nordic spa experience
Opening Sept. 15, BASIN Glacial Waters will bring saunas, steam, thermal pools, and snow-melted serenity to the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise. Full story
🗺️ Tour Highlights: 🏞️ Stops at Johnston Canyon, Lake Louise, Moraine Lake & LL Gondola • 👋 Friendly On-Board Host • 🚏 Flexible Hop-On, Hop-Off Schedule • ✅ Seats Guaranteed Book now to explore Banff National Park at your own pace! |  |
🐾 Think you can tell a grizzly from a black bear?
Colour can be deceiving-learn the real clues to spot the difference and help protect Banff's wildlife. See details
⛺ Camp with bison, fires, and fun at this Parks Canada event
A hands-on weekend at Rocky Mountain House blends outdoor skills, family fun, and a wild overnight stay. Read more
📺 Amazing Race Canada hits Lake Louise
Calgary brothers Esosa and Osas Igbinosun took on icy cowboy challenges as the hit reality show made a dramatic stop in Banff National Park. Full story
🥪 Picnic Month brings friendly patrols to Banff's green spaces
Park staff are out checking for wildlife-smart behaviour - so don't leave your sandwich behind and always pack up your crumbs. Full story
🧘 Yoga in the park brings calm to Thursday mornings
Breathe in mountain air and stretch into summer at free drop-in yoga sessions every Thursday morning through August. More
🎶 Banff's Amp Sessions rock the hills with local flair
The Ramblin' Hey Ho Ha's kicked off the summer concert series in lively fashion-two free shows still to come! Full story
Readers' Choice: Most Visited Links from the Last Issue
🛫 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.
Mon, 21st July
04:00 🌄 Moraine Lake Sunrise Tour - Banff - Book
09:00 🏞️ Moraine Lake, Lake Louise Tour - Banff - Book
18:00 🌅 Banff Gondola Sunset Event - Banff Gondola - Book
20:00 🎶 Live Music Night - Three Bears
21:00 🎤 Open Mike Night - The Beaver
22:00 🎧 DJ Set: Konstance in the House - High Rollers
22:00 🎶 Live Music: Brent Lee - Rose & Crown
Tue, 22nd July
04:00 🌄 Moraine Lake Sunrise Tour - Banff - Book
09:00 🏞️ Moraine Lake, Lake Louise Tour - Banff - Book
18:00 🌅 Banff Gondola Sunset Event - Banff Gondola - Book
22:00 🎧 July First Party: DJ Styler Nazo - High Rollers
22:00 🎤 July Day Karaoke Night - Melissa's MisSteak
22:00 🎶 Live Music: New Originals - Rose & Crown
Wed, 23rd July
04:00 🌄 Moraine Lake Sunrise Tour - Banff - Book
09:00 🏞️ Moraine Lake, Lake Louise Tour - Banff - Book
10:00 🌽 Banff Farmers Market - Central Park
10:30 🌸 Kids Flower Hike - Banff Sunshine Village
14:30 💻 Tech Tutoring & Troubleshooting - Banff Public Library
15:00 🎶 Live Music Afternoon - Three Bears
18:00 🌅 Banff Gondola Sunset Event - Banff Gondola - Book
20:00 🍻 Beers for Queers - Banff Ave Brewery
22:00 🎤 Tommy's Open Mic - Tommy's Neighbourhood Pub
22:00 🎧 Music with DJ Hops - High Rollers
22:00 🎶 Live Music: New Originals - Rose & Crown
Thu, 24th July
04:00 🌄 Moraine Lake Sunrise Tour - Banff - Book
07:00 🧘 Yoga in the Park - Central Park
09:00 🏞️ Moraine Lake, Lake Louise Tour - Banff - Book
10:00 🌊 Try-It: Standup Paddleboarding - In the field.
11:00 📖 Garden Story Time - Luxton Home Museum
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 - Book
18:00 🎶 Live Music: Zebra - The Banff Centre
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: Dangerous Cheese - Rose & Crown
🎉 Looking for more? Find the rest of this week's events - complete with descriptions and links - on OUR NEW EVENTS PAGE.
📬 Activities You Might Enjoy 🏘️
🚴 The Local Banff Explorer E-Bike Tour - Cruise to lakes, waterfalls, and wildlife with a local guide on a scenic 2-hour ride near Banff. Book Now 🏞️
🌄 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 🏞️
🍺 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! Jill & Kevin | Editor | What’s On Banff |  |
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