Free Entry Sparks Chaos in Banff?

Hi everyone! Here's What’s Happening This Week!

The mountains are sparkling, the cocoa is hot, and the countdown to Christmas has officially begun. The Banff Christmas Market is back and bigger than ever, with 175+ vendors, twinkle lights, and all the cozy charm you can imagine.

While you're sipping cider, grab a copy of The Little Grizzly Who Walked Like a Boss * - a heartwarming new read inspired by Banff's most famous bear.

And if you've noticed the town feeling a little busier lately, you're not imagining things - visitor numbers are skyrocketing, with Banff National Park charging toward a record year.

Dive into the full lineup of local magic below, and let's make this week one to remember!

• Banff in November: What You Need To Know!

• Banff in December: What to Expect in the Heart of Winter!

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🏕️ Quiz

Yesterday’s Question

Which lake in Banff National Park sits at the highest altitude?

✅ Answer: B) Moraine Lake (Located at about 1,885m above sea level) - 34% Correct

Moraine Lake is the highest of Banff’s famous lakes, with Peyto Lake very close behind. Learn more about these lakes: Moraine Lake / Peyto Lake

🌤️ Today’s Weather

Banff: Mostly cloudy, high 3 °C and low -1 °C.
Canmore: Mostly cloudy with light showers, high 3 °C and low -2 °C.
Jasper: Mix of sun and cloud with snow later, high 3 °C and low -6 °C.

👉 For a complete up-to-date forecast for the week ahead, visit our Weather Page.

🏞️ Your Questions

Do I really need a park pass to visit Banff?
Yes. If you're entering Banff, Jasper, Yoho, or Kootenay National Parks, you must have a Parks Canada pass. You can choose a Day Pass for shorter visits or the 12-month Discovery Pass if you're exploring for a week or more. It covers national parks and historic sites across Canada, making it great value for multi-day trips.

👉 Learn which pass is best for your trip.

🏔️ Fresh from the Rockies

🎄 Banff Christmas Market promises four weekends of mountain magic. With 175+ vendors, Santa visits, live music, hot chocolate bars and the glittering Twinkle Night preview, this festive favourite turns the Rockies into a storybook. Your holiday season might start right here

📚 The Book About Banff's Most Famous Bear. Long before he ruled the Rockies, The Boss was just a shy little cub finding his paws. The Little Grizzly Who Walked Like a Boss follows his early wanderings through real Banff spots, showing young readers that courage grows one small step at a time. A tender local tale with a big heart. Available on Amazon now. *

🌄 Banff National Park surges toward a record year. Free admission has triggered a huge spike in visitors, pushing attendance toward all-time highs and packing trails, viewpoints and town streets with eager adventurers. These numbers show just how wild the surge has been.

🍺 Banff Ave Brewing reopens with a fresh new look. The brewpub is back with brighter spaces, new floors, fresh furniture and a whole lot more winter coziness. New menu items are ready to warm you up after a ski day or chilly night out. The glow-up looks seriously inviting.

🐴 Radium brings back its festive horse-drawn sleigh rides. With Banff Upper Hot Springs closed, a dreamy detour to Radium Hot Springs is well worth the trip. Cosy sleigh rides run Dec 26-29 from 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., offering classic Christmas magic in the Columbia Valley. This winter ride might steal your whole trip.

🍺 Earl Grey ale returns to Sheepdog Brewing. "Captain’s Quarters" is back on tap, blending Canmore Tea Company’s creamy Earl Grey with citrus, vanilla, and bergamot. It’s silky, floral, and pure rebellion in a glass. Sip into something bold.

🏨 Canmore backs hotel tax, Banff calls for big-picture rethink. Canmore’s all-in on a municipal hotel tax to fund tourism infrastructure, but Banff wants a “holistic conversation” on long-term funding for visitor-heavy towns. Dive into the debate - See what both mayors said.

⭐ Most Popular Last Issue

🏘️ Canmore pushes forward with controversial vacancy tax. Despite concerns from the province, Canmore council voted to move ahead with Alberta’s first-ever vacancy tax on second homeowners. The $10.3M levy faces legal challenges but could fund vital housing projects. Learn how it could reshape Canmore’s housing future.

🏔️ Plan Your Trip

Hike to Banff's Best Easy Summit: Tunnel Mountain

If you're looking for a short, rewarding hike right in the heart of Banff, Tunnel Mountain is a perfect choice. Climbing just 266 metres from the valley floor, this steady switchback trail gives you sweeping views without requiring a full day on the trail. It's one of the few summits you can reach before breakfast and still feel like you've earned the view.

Along the way, you'll pass cliffside viewpoints, glimpses of the Banff Springs Golf Course far below, and classic Rocky Mountain scenery at every turn. The red Parks Canada chairs near the top make a great rest stop, and the summit offers panoramic views over the Banff townsite, Vermilion Lakes, Mount Rundle, and the Spray Valley.

Because it's so close to downtown, Tunnel Mountain fits easily into any Banff itinerary. It's accessible year-round, family-friendly, and ideal for anyone wanting a quick adventure with a big payoff.

👉 Read the complete guide.

🎸Events, Activities & Live Music

📅 Today’s Events are listed below. To view future events, visit our website.

BANFF EVENTS | CANMORE EVENTS | JASPER EVENTS | BANFF HAPPY HOURS | CANMORE HAPPY HOURS |

Sunday, November 23

10:00 | Christmas Artisans' Market | Canmore Recreation Centre | Canmore

14:00 | Comedy: Bob's Your Elf | Miner's Union Hall | Canmore

15:00 | Open Mic Night | Core Values Cider | Canmore

19:00 | Balkan Greek Night: Dinner Show | The Balkan | Banff

19:00 | Ashley MacIsaac in Concert | Canmore Brewing Company | Canmore

19:30 | Jeremy Gignoux Acoustic Ensemble | artsPlace Canmore | Canmore

20:00 | Music Bingo with Sam | Tavern 1883 | Canmore

21:00 | Sunday Funday - DJ Set | Banff Ave Brewing Co | Banff

21:00 | Sunday Funday: Party | High Rollers | Banff

21:00 | Sunday Funday (Party) | Melissa's Missteak | Banff

22:00 | Brent Lee: Live | Rose & Crown | Banff

Monday, November 24

19:00 | Trivia Night | Melissa's MisSteak | Banff

19:00 | Ashley MacIsaac in Concert | Canmore Brewing Company | Canmore

20:00 | Monday Trivia | High Rollers | Banff

21:00 | Open Mike Night | The Beaver | Banff

21:00 | Live Music Night | Three Bears | Banff

22:00 | DJ Set: Tunes with Tenax | High Rollers | Banff

22:00 | Brent Lee: Live | Rose & Crown | Banff

Tuesday, November 25

19:00 | Trivia Tuesday | Rose & Crown Restaurant & Pub | Canmore

19:30 | Julian Taylor & Logan Staats | artsPlace Canmore | Canmore

22:00 | Karaoke Night at Mels | Melissa's MisSteak | Banff

22:00 | DJ Styler Nazo | High Rollers | Banff

22:00 | Halle Ponton: Live | Rose & Crown | Banff

📅 Got An Event To Share?

📅 Submit Here (8 days before event date)
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