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- Why Banff’s Canada Day Is Unlike Anywhere Else - Plus 2 Big Summer Updates
Why Banff’s Canada Day Is Unlike Anywhere Else - Plus 2 Big Summer Updates
🌟 What's On Banff - Events, Activities, Live Music & Good News! 😊
Kevin J
June 26, 2025
Hey Banff! Here's What’s Happening This Week!
Canada Day is almost here, and we've pulled together a quick visitor-friendly guide to help you navigate the big day. From pancake breakfasts to parades, live shows to Indigenous performances, July 1 in Banff is festive, local, and a little different (hint: no fireworks this year!).
Also, this week, the Bow Valley Parkway has officially reopened to vehicles after its spring cycling season. It's the perfect excuse for a scenic drive or a wildlife-spotting detour.
And don't forget the return of the Sunset Festival at Banff Gondola, with live music, food, and stunning evening views starting June 27. It's a mountain evening worth booking in advance.
Check out the full guide below for this week's events, updates, and ways to make the most of summer 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!
Banff Springs vs. Chateau Lake Louise - which one feels more magical to you?
Check out these two iconic Banff National Park hotels and vote on your favourite.
You don’t need to have stayed there to vote.
Banff Springs vs. Chateau Lake Louise - which one feels more magical to you? |
🗺️ Tour Highlights: 🏔️ Moraine Lake (seasonal) • 💧 Lake Louise • 🌲 Emerald Lake • 🌉 Natural Bridge • 🌊 Johnston Canyon • 🛍️ Banff Town |  |
🏔️ Banff in Brief - Headlines this Week
🍁 Not From Canada? Here’s What You Need to Know About Canada Day in Banff and Canmore
From pancake breakfasts and parades to Indigenous performances and a no-fireworks twist, July 1 in the Rockies is full of festive fun with a local flair. More
🚗 Bow Valley Parkway Reopens to Vehicles After Seasonal Closure
The popular 17 km section between Fireside and Johnston Canyon is now open to cars again after its spring car-free cycling season wrapped on June 25. More
🎶 Sunset Festival Returns to Banff Gondola
Catch nightly live music and mountain views from 6 to 9:30 p.m. starting June 27 - all included with your ticket. Book your tickets
❄️ Summer Snow Stuns the Rockies
Banff Sunshine Village and ski resorts across the West got an unexpected snowy blast on the first day of summer. See details
🗺️ 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! |  |
🎉 Canada Day in Banff: Full Day of Events
With a parade, live shows, family zones, First Nations performances, and a market, Banff is going all out for July 1. Full story
🚌 Expect Transit Changes on Canada Day
Parade detours will affect all Roam Transit routes in Banff and Canmore on July 1 - plan ahead. Read on
🍕 Lupo Banff Named a Top 100 Patio Spot in Canada
This Banff fave just made OpenTable's Top 100 for outdoor dining - book a table and enjoy Italian with a view. Read on
🕺 Canada Day Party at High Rollers Banff
Celebrate July 1 with an all-day happy hour and late-night dancing to Styler Nazo - free guest list available now. See details
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.
Fri, 27th June
04:00 🌄 Moraine Lake Sunrise Tour - Banff & Canmore
09:00 🏞️ Moraine Lake, Lake Louise Tour - Banff
15:00 🍽️ Castle Food Experience - Banff Springs Hotel - Banff
15:00 🎶 Live Music Afternoon - Three Bears - Banff
18:00 🌅 Banff Gondola Sunset Event - Banff Gondola - Banff
18:00 🛼 Roller Disco - Fenlands Recreation Centre - Banff
19:00 🎭 Balkan Greek Night: Dinner Show - The Balkan - Banff
19:00 🎸 Live Music: Caitlin Connelly - Moxy Banff - Banff
20:00 🎶 Live Music Night Every Friday - St. James Gate - Banff
21:00 🎸 Live Music: Ghostkeeper - The Banff Centre - Banff
22:00 🎧 Friday Night Live DJ LT - High Rollers - Banff
22:00 🎸 Live Music: Shotz Fired - Rose & Crown - Banff
22:00 🎸 Live Music: The Rambling Hey Ho Ha's - Melissa's Missteak - Banff
Sat, 28th June
04:00 🌄 Moraine Lake Sunrise Tour - Banff & Canmore
09:00 🏞️ Moraine Lake, Lake Louise Tour - Banff
10:00 🧕 Open House: Indigenous Culture - The Banff Centre - Banff
12:00 🎸 Live Music: Steph O'Dette - Trappers @ Banff Sunshine Village - Banff
13:30 🧵 Discussion: Métis Art - The Banff Centre - Banff
14:15 🏓 50+ Pickleball - Banff Elementary School - Banff
15:00 🧑🎨 Elliptical Lineages Artist Discussion - Walter Phillips Gallery - Banff
15:00 🎶 Live Music Afternoon - Three Bears - Banff
18:00 🌅 Banff Gondola Sunset Event - Banff Gondola - Banff
18:00 🎸 Live Music: Liam M. Daisley - The Storm Cellar @ HI Hostel - Banff
19:00 🎸 Live Music: Mariel Buckley - Whyte Museum - Banff
19:00 🎸 Live Music: Maddisun - Moxy Banff - Banff
19:30 🎶 Live at CLVB '33 - The Banff Centre - Banff
20:00 🎶 Live Music Night Every Saturday - St. James Gate - Banff
22:00 🎸 Live Music: Shotz Fired - Rose & Crown - Banff
22:00 🎸 Live Music: The Rambling Hey Ho Ha's - Melissa's Missteak - Banff
22:00 🎧 DJ Raven on the Decks - High Rollers - Banff
Sun, 29th June
04:00 🌄 Moraine Lake Sunrise Tour - Banff & Canmore
09:00 🏞️ Moraine Lake, Lake Louise Tour - Banff
15:00 🎧 DJ Bunny Hops: On El Patio - Magpie & Stump - Banff
15:00 🎶 Live Music Afternoon - Three Bears - Banff
15:00 👑 Dog-Friendly Drag Show: Sit. Stay. Slay! - Scout Guide Hall - Banff
18:00 🌅 Banff Gondola Sunset Event - Banff Gondola - Banff
18:00 🎉 Social Systems Patio Party - Rose & Crown - 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
22:00 🎉 Sunday Funday (Party) - Melissa's Missteak - 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 🏘️
🚴 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 🏞️
🍷 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 🏰
🚁 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.
🛥️ 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
🚙 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 (15:00-16:00, Daily)
🎳 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 (14:00-16:00, 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, Daily)
👋 That’s All For Now 🎬
Another week of mountain magic awaits! 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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