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

On Sunday, an off-leash dog killed a deer near the Engine Bridge in Canmore, on a route where wildlife sightings are routine and leashes are required.

Councillor Wade Graham is now calling for fines without warnings and a review of penalties. After a week in which Banff's own superintendent was photographed with his dog unleashed, the leash is getting more attention in the valley than it has in years.

An inquiry into the 2020 Columbia Icefield bus rollover has found that brake failure caused the crash, which killed three people and seriously injured 14. It has taken six years to get there.

Banff's Halloween is mostly free this year. Echoes of the Forest runs on 25 October and the Great Pumpkin Walk on 30 October, with ghost walks and trick-or-treat trails elsewhere in the Rockies for anyone who wants to make a week of it.

After that, the town goes quiet until the ski hills open, which makes early November a good time for something indoors. ABBA vs Queen by candlelight brings a live string quartet and hundreds of candles to St Paul's Church on 6 November.

Plan Your Visit To Banff For October | December

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This 2-hour tour follows forest trails and riverside paths, with electric assist for the hills. Routes suit the day’s conditions, and basic bike-riding skills are all you need.

Reserve your spot

🚌 Brake failure caused Icefields bus crash. An inquiry into the rollover at the Columbia Icefield near Jasper has concluded, six years after the fatal 2020 crash.

🐕 Canmore councillor seeks tougher dog enforcement. After an off-leash dog killed a deer near the Engine Bridge on 11 October, Wade Graham is calling for fines without warnings and a review of penalties.

🎃 Free Halloween outings in Banff. Banff's free Echoes of the Forest celebration is on 25 October, followed by the Great Pumpkin Walk on 30 October. More Halloween events across the Rockies include ghost walks and trick-or-treat trails.

🏕️ Jasper campground reservations going ahead. Parks Canada is standing by Snaring's reservation switch for 2027 despite a petition signed by nearly 300 residents. Five other Jasper campgrounds will also move to online reservations.

🌌 Jasper Dark Sky Festival returns. Running from 16 to 25 October, the festival includes free stargazing and science activities. Our guide to the festival covers what to book, plus the free Bahamas concert and drone show on 24 October.

🚧 Banff closures to check before travelling. Johnston Canyon's main trail and Lower Falls viewpoints are scheduled to remain closed until 11 December. Our October closures and timetable update also covers Upper Hot Springs, bear closures and transport changes.

🌠 Orionid meteors over the Rockies. The shower peaks overnight from 21 to 22 October. Our local meteor-watching guide covers viewing spots around Banff, Canmore and Jasper, with the best chance before dawn after moonset.

☀️ Sunshine leads the way to the weekend. Thursday is mainly sunny at 11°C, Friday turns fully sunny and peaks at 13°C, and Saturday brings a chance of showers with a high of 10°C. Full Forecast Here

🐕 Park Boss Admits Leash Lapse. Banff superintendent Sal Rasheed has not disputed being photographed with his dog unleashed on the Tunnel Mountain trail.

🐴 A Classic Banff Winter Ride by Horse-Drawn Sleigh. Cosy up in wool blankets while your guide shares stories and spots elk. Reserve your holiday spot

🌄 Only Got One Day for the Big Lakes? One tour links Louise, Moraine, Emerald Lake and Johnston Canyon, minus the shuttle stress. See the full tour details

🚶 Banff Town Walking Tour with Snack - New to Banff? This two-hour stroll heads away from Banff Avenue to quieter corners and photo stops, with a guide who knows the stories behind the town and a sweet treat and drink along the way.

🤠 Wagon Ride with Cowboy Cookout BBQ - Leave the work to the horses. A wagon takes you along the Bow River to 3 Mile Cabin for lassoing, horseshoes and a steak cooked to order, then back along the base of Sulphur Mountain.

❄️ Icefields Parkway and Abraham Lake Ice Bubbles - Methane bubbles frozen into the ice at Abraham Lake are the payoff on this winter day trip from Banff, with stops at Bow Lake and Peyto Lake along the Icefields Parkway and ice cleats provided for walking on the lake.

📅 Is July a good month to visit Banff? It is one of the best - long days, warm weather, and everything open - but it is also the busiest time of year, so some preparation goes a long way.

🅿️ Is parking free in Banff? Free parking exists but fills fast - the Train Station lot has 500 free stalls and is just an 8-minute walk to downtown.

🧴 Does bear spray work on cougars, or is it only effective against bears? Bear spray is effective against cougars too - it's a reliable deterrent for multiple large predators in the Rockies. Keep it accessible on the trail, not buried in your pack.

Hundreds of flickering candles will fill St Paul’s Church as a live string quartet performs some of the best-loved songs of ABBA and Queen.

Catch it on 6 November 2026; tickets here.

From our last issue: What is the name of the warm, dry wind that can rapidly raise temperatures around the eastern slopes of the Rockies?

✅Answer: 4) Chinook - 83% Correct

Featured events are listed below. View the FULL EVENT CALENDAR for a complete list.

11:00 | Art Show and Sale: Meg Nicks | Canmore Art Guild | Canmore
12:00 | Slooh Airstream Experience | Jasper Town | Jasper
13:30 | Park Distillery Tour | Park Distillery | Banff
18:30 | Author Visit: Fay Martin | Canmore Public Library | Canmore
19:00 | Literary Cabaret: Memoir - Chapter 3 | The Banff Centre | Banff
19:00 | Poker Night | Canmore Legion | Canmore
19:30 | Balkan Greek Dinner Show | Balkan Restaurant | Banff
19:30 | Ain’t We Got Fun | Carter-Ryan Theatre | Canmore
19:30 | Where the Stories Meet the Stage | artsPlace | Canmore
20:00 | Trivia Night | The Drake | Canmore
20:30 | Jam Night With Gary Gonis! | Tavern 1883 | Canmore
21:00 | DJ Styler Nazo: Requests Night | High Rollers | Banff
22:00 | Halle Ponton | Rose and Crown Banff | Banff
22:00 | Thirsty Thursday Party | Melissa’s Missteak | Banff

All day | Jasper Dark Sky Festival | Jasper Town | Jasper
11:00 | Art Show and Sale: Meg Nicks | Canmore Art Guild | Canmore
12:00 | Slooh Airstream Experience | Jasper Town | Jasper
13:30 | Park Distillery Tour | Park Distillery | Banff
15:00 | Live Music Afternoon | Three Bears | Banff
17:00 | Sun to Stars at the Jasper SkyTram | Jasper SkyTram | Jasper
18:30 | Live Music Night | The Dusty Boot | Banff
19:00 | Gord March | Mineshaft Tavern | Canmore
19:00 | Bingo Night | Canmore Legion | Canmore
19:00 | Live Music Fridays | Moxy Banff | Banff
19:00 | Canmore Eagles Ice Hockey Game | Canmore Rec Centre | Canmore
19:30 | Ain’t We Got Fun | Carter-Ryan Theatre | Canmore
19:30 | Chick & Chang | artsPlace Canmore | Canmore
19:30 | Balkan Greek Dinner Show | Balkan Restaurant | Banff
20:00 | Stargazing: Royal Astronomical Society | Lake Annette | Jasper
21:00 | Music Bingo | Beaver Bar | Banff
21:00 | Jam Night | The Stand Easy | Jasper
21:00 | Andy Curtis | Tavern 1883 | Canmore
22:00 | Halle Ponton | Rose and Crown Banff | Banff
22:00 | Friday Night Vibes: Local DJ | High Rollers | Banff
22:00 | DJ Wolfie Beatz | The Drake | Canmore
22:00 | Northern Quarter | The Drake | Canmore

08:30 | Guided Larch Hike With CYAN | Coast Canmore Hotel | Canmore
10:55 | Macbeth: Opera Live in HD | artsPlace Canmore | Canmore
11:00 | Art Show and Sale: Meg Nicks | Canmore Art Guild | Canmore
12:00 | Slooh Airstream Experience | Jasper Town | Jasper
13:15 | Saturday Distillery Tour | Wild Life Distillery | Canmore
13:30 | Park Distillery Tour | Park Distillery | Banff
15:00 | Live Music Afternoon | Three Bears | Banff
15:00 | Ain’t We Got Fun (Matinee) | Carter-Ryan Theatre | Canmore
16:00 | Live Music With Colin McDonald | Sheepdog Brewing Canmore | Canmore
17:00 | Sun to Stars at the Jasper SkyTram | Jasper SkyTram | Jasper
18:30 | Tote Bag Painting | Canmore Brewing Co | Canmore
18:30 | Live Music Night | The Dusty Boot | Banff
19:00 | Symphony Under The Stars | Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge | Jasper
19:00 | Canmore Eagles Ice Hockey Game | Canmore Rec Centre | Canmore
19:30 | Mysterium Duo & Vaughan String Quartet | artsPlace Canmore | Canmore
19:30 | Ain’t We Got Fun | Carter-Ryan Theatre | Canmore
20:00 | Stargazing: Royal Astronomical Society | Lake Annette | Jasper
21:00 | Andy Curtis | Tavern 1883 | Canmore
22:00 | Club Night: DJ Raven | High Rollers | Banff
22:00 | Halle Ponton | Rose and Crown Banff | Banff
22:00 | Northern Quarter | The Drake | Canmore
22:00 | DJ Styler Nazo | The Drake | Canmore

11:00 | Art Show and Sale: Meg Nicks | Canmore Art Guild | Canmore
12:00 | Slooh Airstream Experience | Jasper Town | Jasper
13:30 | Park Distillery Tour | Park Distillery | Banff
15:00 | Live Music Afternoon | Three Bears | Banff
15:00 | Ain’t We Got Fun (Matinee) | Carter-Ryan Theatre | Canmore
16:30 | Sue Chick Denton: Pop Up Choir | Canmore Brewing Co | Canmore
19:00 | Stoners of Standup Comedy | The Drake | Canmore
19:30 | Balkan Greek Dinner Show | Balkan Restaurant | Banff
20:30 | Line Dancing | The Dusty Boot | Banff
21:00 | Sunday Funday: Party | High Rollers | Banff
21:00 | Karaoke Night | Beaver Bar | Banff
21:30 | Locals Night with DJ Set | Melissa’s Missteak | Banff
22:00 | Sunday Night Karaoke | Banff Sizzlers | Banff
22:00 | Brent Lee | Rose and Crown Banff | Banff

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