Banff Gets Spooky! Ghosts, Festivals, and Fireside Fun Await 🔥

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

The mountains are starting to sparkle again as winter edges closer, and November is packed with things to look forward to. ❄️ But before the snow fully settles in, there's still plenty of Halloween fun to enjoy around town. 🎃 From ghost walks and haunted happenings to festive nights out, it's a great weekend to embrace a little spooky spirit.

Once the costumes are packed away, the pace shifts to crisp days and cosy evenings - the perfect time to explore before the busy season begins.

November brings a full calendar of events across Banff, Canmore, and Jasper. Expect live music, great food, local markets, and outdoor fun for every kind of adventurer.

And if you're feeling brave, take a walk through Bankhead Ghost Town. Beneath Mount Rundle's shadow, the remains of this old mining village still tell haunting stories from Banff's past. 👻

Check out what's happening this week and start planning your mountain adventures below!

• Banff in October: Read This Before You Visit!

• Banff in November: What You Need To Know!

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

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🏕️ From Banff to Jasper - How Much Do You Know?

What is Banff’s busiest month (in terms of tourist traffic)?

✅ Answer: C) July

Tourist traffic is highest in July when overseas tourism peaks. The Town of Banff generally records higher vehicular traffic in August.

Banff In July | Banff In August

🌤️ Weather Watch (Fri 6 PM)

👉 For the detailed outlook and a year’s weather guide, visit our Weather Page.

🏞️ Your Questions Answered!

1. How hard is the Johnston Canyon hike? It’s an easy walk with big rewards - waterfalls, catwalks, and views that wow. Get all the details in our Johnston Canyon guide.

2. Is the Banff Springs Hotel haunted? Many say it is. Guests have reported mysterious figures, flickering lights, and one very helpful ghost bellman. Meet the ghosts.

3. 😂 Have there been any funny bear encounters in Banff? Plenty! From pastry-loving grizzlies to restaurant-crashing cubs, some stories are pure comedy. Read a few wild encounters in our bear stories guide

🏔️ Banff in Brief - Headlines this Week

🍷 Winter festival season arrives in the Rockies. November in Banff, Canmore, and Jasper means cosy lights, mountain magic, and mugs of hot chocolate! Expect the Banff Centre Mountain Film & Book Festival, the tasty "Taste for Adventure," the festive Banff Christmas Market, and the glowing "In Search of Christmas Spirit" trail. Get ready for a month of sparkle, cinema, and celebration - see what’s happening this November.

🌄 Only have one day to see Banff? Explore Banff's Best Sights in a Day. This small-group tour covers iconic sights such as Lake Louise, Johnston Canyon, and more. Book by October 31 to save.

🔥 Jasper wildfire report rattles Canada’s insurers. Two new Parks Canada reports reveal how the 2024 blaze that devastated Jasper is reshaping wildfire risk models, with insurers facing mounting claims and unpredictable conditions. See what this means for future coverage - explore the findings.

🏞️ Moraine Lake Lodge: THE VIEW, All to Yourself. It’s the only place you can actually stay on Moraine Lake - and that means sunrise without the shuttle queues. Peaceful, pristine, and ridiculously photogenic, this is bucket-list stuff without the crowds. 

🍂 Canmore residents warned after fresh bear sightings. A black bear making rounds in Silvertip and Benchlands has prompted urgent reminders to secure attractants and remove fruit trees. Don’t feed the problem.

🎃 Spooky season arrives in Banff and Lake Louise. From ghost walks and underground horror screenings to Halloween at the Castle, there’s no shortage of eerie adventures this October. Ready for chills and thrills? - See the full lineup.

🌉 Step into Canmore’s story at the Engine Bridge. This 1890s relic from the town’s coal mining days is now one of Canmore’s most photographed landmarks. Wander across its rust-red trusses, framed by the Bow River and the Three Sisters, for a mix of history and heart-stopping scenery. Perfect for a moody fall stroll or that golden-hour photo op - learn the bridge’s backstory.

👻 Build a Halloween trip around Banff’s Bankhead Ghost Town. Wander through the eerie remains of a once-bustling coal town, meet “Earl” the friendly ghost, and explore rusted relics beneath Cascade Mountain. It’s spooky, scenic, and surprisingly educational - plan your ghostly hike.

🍺 Park Distillery - Cocktail Happy Hour in Banff Park Distillery offers a daily happy hour from 15:00-17:00 with half-price cocktails, $9 wines, $6.99 pints, and food specials. Guests can also book a distillery tour to see how the spirits are made.

🕺 Do-si-do for the Biosphere returns to Canmore. Grab your boots and hit the dance floor at Cornerstone Theatre for a night of live music, laughs, and good ol' fashioned fun - all for a great cause. Saddle up and join the party - get your tickets now.

🌲 Nespresso Canada plants hope in Jasper. Following last year's devastating wildfires, Nespresso is donating trees to help rebuild the Cabin Creek neighbourhood - turning scorched ground into green renewal. Celebrate this fresh start - read the full story.

⭐ Readers’ Choice: Top Links from Last Issue

• ✨ Festive magic returns to the Banff Christmas Market

• 🏔️ TripAdvisor’s top pick in Banff

• 🐴 Romance in the Rockies - Private Horse-Drawn Sleigh Ride

🔔 Quick Reminders

♨️ Banff Upper Hot Springs update. The Hot Springs remain closed for maintenance and upgrades until December 2025.

🚧 Highwood Pass (Hwy 40) closure. Highwood Pass between Peter Lougheed Park and Highwood House is closed to vehicles annually from December 1 to June 20.

🔧 Banff Gondola maintenance. The Banff Gondola will be closed Nov 10-21, 2025, for annual maintenance, reopening Nov 22.

🚧 Bridge work at Sundance Canyon. The Loop trail is closed for repairs and is expected to reopen in mid-November 2025. The main Sundance Trail remains open.

⚠️ Bow Glacier Falls Trail update. The trail is closed for safety, but you can still go partway to see the falls from a distance. Closure in place until further notice.

🐻 Bear activity reminder. October remains a busy time for bears preparing for hibernation. Make noise, stay alert, and keep bear spray handy on the trails.

🎸Events, Activities & Live Music

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

BANFF EVENTS | CANMORE EVENTS | JASPER EVENTS

📅 To view all future events, visit our website.

BANFF EVENTS | CANMORE EVENTS | JASPER EVENTS

🍺 Happy Hours & Food Specials

Our Happy Hours listings have moved. To view a complete list of this week's happy hours, visit our Happy Hour pages.  BANFF HAPPY HOURS | CANMORE HAPPY HOURS

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