Hey Banff! Here’s What’s Happening This Week!
We’re kicking off the week with a serious safety reminder: a grizzly bear encounter at Johnston Canyon has locals and visitors talking - and reaching for their bear spray. If you're heading out, stay alert and brush up on your trail safety.
In travel news, delays are expected at Calgary Airport from June 15 to 18 as G7 Summit security personnel pass through. Think motorcades, parking bans, and road closures - plan ahead if you’re flying in or out.
But let’s talk escape plans. If Moraine Lake is on your summer list, there are now five solid ways to get there without the stress. From private sunrise shuttles to hop-on-hop-off passes, we’ve rounded up the smartest options.
Scroll down for more tips, updates, and events happening across Banff this week.
📅 And exciting news! 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: 🏔️ Moraine Lake (seasonal) • 💧 Lake Louise • 🌲 Emerald Lake • 🌉 Natural Bridge • 🌊 Johnston Canyon • 🛍️ Banff Town
This trip is a total highlight reel. Book now and see more in one unforgettable day!
🏔️ Banff in Brief - Headlines this Week
🐻 Grizzly encounter at Johnston Canyon sparks safety reminder
A family’s close call on a local trail is prompting renewed calls to carry bear spray and stay alert. Full story
✈️ Expect travel delays to Calgary Airport during the G7
The tunnel on Airport Trail NE will be closed from June 15 to 18, with rolling motorcade shutdowns and no parking available at the perimeter. Full story
🌫️ Smoky skies in Banff from distant wildfires
While no fires directly threaten the park, air quality alerts are in place, and clean-air spaces are available at the Fenlands Rec Centre. Read more
🚨 Banff updates emergency planning guide for residents
From shelter-in-place to evacuation alerts, the Town of Banff is urging locals to review what to do before, during, and after a crisis. See details
🍸 Take a behind-the-scenes sip at Park Distillery
From free daily tours to gin blending experiences, learn what makes Banff’s local spirits so smooth. Book here
Take your Rockies experience to new heights with the iconic 8-minute ride up Sulphur Mountain on the Banff Gondola. From breathtaking 360° views to boardwalk strolls and immersive exhibits, this is one of Banff’s top attractions for a reason. Explore, learn, and dine with panoramic views – all in one unforgettable visit.
🗺️ Highlights:
🚡 Gondola Ride to Sulphur Mountain • 🔭 Rooftop Observation Deck • 🍴 Restaurants • 🧭 Interpretive Center • 🌄 Boardwalk to Sanson’s Peak & Cosmic Ray Station
Your mountain-top moment awaits. Book your ride today!
🏃 Banff Half Marathon returns this Sunday
Thousands will hit the trail for the Half Marathon and 10K on June 15, with road closures, a free kids’ run, and shuttle options from Calgary. More
🚧 St. Julien Road closed for G7 security.
Expect 24/7 security and parking restrictions near the Banff Centre and Tunnel Mountain Trailhead from June 13 to 17. See details
🏨 The Kenrick Hotel reopens in Banff after luxury overhaul
Formerly the High Country Inn, the fully renovated Kenrick now boasts a saltwater spa, Italian restaurant, and boutique touches throughout. More
💵 What Banff’s $7M in parking fees is actually funding
Wildfire protection, Roam transit, e-bike rebates, and more are supported by visitor parking. Here's how the revenue is being spent. Read on
🐻 Bold bear forces closure at Banff picnic site
The Mount Coleman picnic area has been shut down after a bear began actively seeking human food; fines for trespassing could reach $25,000. Read more
Readers' Choice: Most Visited Links from the Last Issue
🏔️ How to Reach Moraine Lake: 5 Easy Options 🚌
🚌 Hop-On, Hop-Off Bus - Explore Moraine Lake, Lake Louise, Johnston Canyon and more at your own pace with flexible stops and all-day access. Check availability
🧭 Full-Day Tour - See Moraine Lake, Lake Louise, and other highlights with a guide handling all the planning and transport. Learn more
🌅 Private Sunrise Shuttle - Beat the crowds and catch first light over the Ten Peaks with an early-morning shuttle just for sunrise lovers. See options
🚌 WowBanff - A fun open-top double-decker bus that runs between Lake Louise and Moraine Lake every 45 minutes. Book here
🧳 Multi-Day Tour - Go all-in with a Rockies tour that includes Moraine Lake, Banff, Jasper, and the Icefields Parkway over several days. More
🎟️Events, Activities & Live Music 🎸
We keep it short here - head to OUR NEW EVENTS PAGE for full descriptions and links.
Fri, 13th June
19:00 🎭 Balkan Greek Night: Dinner Show - The Balkan - Banff
15:00 🎶 Live Music Afternoon - Three Bears - Banff
18:00 🛼 Roller Disco - Fenlands Recreation Centre - Banff
19:00 🎸 Oesa Jam Nights - Oesa Arts - Banff
19:00 🎭 Live Music Night Every Friday - St. James Gate - Banff
20:00 🎤 Live Music: Andrew Staygold - Melissa's MisSteak - Banff
21:30 🎸 Live Music: Adequate Band - Rose & Crown - Banff
22:00 🎧 Friday Night Live DJ LT - High Rollers - Banff
Sat, 14th June
09:00 🏃 Banff Half Marathon Sport Expo and Activities - Banff Central Park - Banff
13:00 🧒 Banff Half Marathon Kids Run - Banff Central Park - Banff
14:15 🏓 50+ Pickleball - Banff Elementary School - Banff
15:00 🎶 Live Music Afternoon - Three Bears - Banff
18:00 🎸 Live Music: Liam M. Daisley - The Storm Cellar @ HI Hostel - Banff
20:00 🎭 Live Music Night Every Saturday - St. James Gate - Banff
21:30 🎤 Live Music: Andrew Staygold - Melissa's MisSteak - Banff
22:00 🎧 Music with DJ Raven on the Decks - High Rollers - Banff
22:00 🎸 Live Music: Adequate Band - Rose & Crown - Banff
Sun, 15th June
07:30 🏃 Banff Half Marathon and 10K - Bow Avenue - Banff
15:00 🎶 Live Music Afternoon - Three Bears - Banff
18:30 🎤 Live Music: Andrew Staygold - Rimrock Hotel - Banff
19:00 🎭 Balkan Greek Night: Dinner Show - The Balkan - Banff
21:00 🎉 Sunday Funday: Banff's Best Party - High Rollers - 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.
📬 Community Classifieds 🏘️
🚗 Vintage Open-Top Touring - Banff. Step back to the 1930s in a custom open-top car, guided by a costumed storyteller. Don’t miss out.
🍷 Fairmont Banff Springs Culinary Tour - A 2.5-hour tasting tour of Alberta cuisine with behind-the-scenes access and a meet-the-chef at the iconic hotel. View Details
🐴 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.
🚁 Helicopter Flight & Alpine Hike in the Rockies. Soar above glaciers, then touch down for a guided hike through untouched alpine wilderness near Jasper. Take flight.
🚙 Private Banff, Emerald & Yoho Sightseeing Tour. Create your dream day with a custom itinerary through the Rockies’ most stunning sights, just for your group. Find out 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; 15:00-18:00, Fri)
🎖️ Banff Legion (15:00-17:00, Wed-Sat; 15:00-Close, Sun)
🫕 Bluebird (16:00-17:00, Daily)
🍕 Coyotes Southwestern Grill (16:30-18:00, Daily)
🍣 Hello Sunshine (16:30-17:30, Sun & Fri; 16:00-17:00, Sat)
🎳 High Rollers (16:00-18:00, Daily)
🌮 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 (13:00-15:00, Mon-Fri)
🍔 The Eddie Burger + Bar (22:00-Close, Daily excl. holiday weekends)
🍷 The Fat Ox (14:00-18:00, 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, Daily)
👋 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
We would love to hear from you! Do you have a local event or community story to share? Would you like to give a shout-out to a local hero? Or perhaps you would like to provide us with feedback. Contact us via the link below. 📩
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