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- September in Banff: Moraine Mornings, Canyon Calm & Smoky Skies
September in Banff: Moraine Mornings, Canyon Calm & Smoky Skies
🌟 What's On Banff - Events, Activities, Live Music & Good News! 😊
Kevin J
September 02, 2025
In partnership with
Hey Banff! Here's What’s Happening This Week!
Looking to make the most of your week in the mountains? Here’s your shortcut to what’s hot, what’s new, and what’s worth your time.
This week, you can score 50% off a full-day guided tour through Kootenay National Park, complete with stunning canyon views and an optional hot springs dip. Want to dodge the tourist crowds? This is the one.
Moraine Lake Lodge also deserves a shout-out for its dreamy lakeside rooms and exclusive sunrise access - no shuttle needed. And yes, wildfire smoke is creeping in again, so we've included the latest updates on air quality as well.
Keep scrolling for the full lineup of events, updates, and seasonal happenings around Banff.
🌤️ Weather Watch – Weekly Outlook ( XXX 6 pm)
🛫 Your Questions Answered!🏞️
Is the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel Worth the cost? You need to decide for yourself, our guide will help.
Can I park in Banff? Yes, click to find out how
How do I get to Moraine Lake? Not in a car! Find out how here.
Which gondola should I go on? It depends. We discuss your options here.
What park passes will I need? Probably a National Park Pass and possibly a Kanansakis Park pass. We explain here.
🏔️ Banff in Brief - Headlines this Week
🐻 Bear warning issued for Burstall Pass after bluff charge incident
Alberta Parks has issued a bear warning for the Burstall Pass parking lot and surrounding area in Kananaskis Country after a grizzly bluff charged a hiker on August 30. Visitors are urged to review bear safety procedures. Review the full details of the advisory.
Kootenay Canyon Tour Offers Quieter Alternative to Banff Hotspots - Now 50% Off.
Travellers looking to escape the summer crowds around Banff may want to consider a full-day guided tour through Kootenay National Park. The itinerary includes Marble Canyon and Sinclair Canyon, with optional time at Radium Hot Springs, offering a peaceful and scenic alternative to the usual tourist circuits. Departing from Banff or Calgary, the tour is now available at 50% off until September 18.
🏞️ Want to Wake Up to Moraine Lake?
Skip the early shuttles and parking stress - Moraine Lake Lodge is the only accommodation right on the lake. Guests enjoy exclusive sunrise access, lakeside views, and the rare chance to soak in the stillness before the crowds arrive. If Moraine Lake's been on your bucket list, this is the way to do it. Check it out.
🌫️ Thick wildfire smoke triggers air quality alerts
Alberta and Saskatchewan are under air quality warnings as smoke causes poor visibility and "very high risk" conditions across several communities. More info
🎥 Free outdoor film night at Shaw Amphitheatre
Celebrate mountain culture under the stars on September 4 with highlights from last year’s Banff Film Festival. Bring a blanket - admission is free and views are epic. Event info
The Key to a $1.3 Trillion Opportunity
A new trend in real estate is making the most expensive properties obtainable. It’s called co-ownership, and it’s revolutionizing the $1.3T vacation home market.
The company leading the trend? Pacaso. Created by the founder behind a $120M prior exit, Pacaso turns underutilized luxury properties into fully-managed assets and makes them accessible to the broadest possible market.
The result? More than $1B in transactions and service fees, 2,000+ happy homeowners, and over $110m in gross profit to date for Pacaso.
With rapid international growth and 41% gross profit growth last year alone, Pacaso is hitting their stride. They even recently reserved the Nasdaq ticker PCSO.
The same VCs that backed Uber, eBay, and Venmo also backed Pacaso. Join them as a Pacaso shareholder before the opportunity ends September 18.
Paid advertisement for Pacaso’s Regulation A offering. Read the offering circular at invest.pacaso.com. Reserving a ticker symbol is not a guarantee that the company will go public. Listing on the NASDAQ is subject to approvals.
⛰️ Sunshine Meadows open through September 21
Banff Sunshine Village is keeping Sunshine Meadows open until September 21, offering families one last chance to explore the trails before the summer comes to a close. Tickets here
🌊 Kananaskis River to get world-class adjustable wave
A new modular surf and kayak wave is coming to the Kananaskis River by 2027, aiming to attract tourists, athletes, and even international competitions. Read more
🏔️ Norquay celebrates 100 seasons with big savings
Save up to 25% on your Mt. Norquay season pass if you book before October 19 - and join in marking a century of alpine adventure. Get the deal
🏞️ BanffLIFE fall adventure programs now open
From glacier skills to rock climbing and trail running, BanffLIFE is offering guided outdoor courses for all levels at heavily discounted local rates. Learn More
🗺️ Highlights: Book now for a serene start to your day! |  |
🔥 Jasper operators squeezed as demand outpaced supply
Tourism Jasper says fire damage has cut room supply by 20%, limiting growth despite strong visitor interest. Many rooms are full, but visitor spending is lagging. More here
🎨 Indigenous Group of Seven exhibit is now at The Whyte
A powerful showcase of Indigenous artistry, curated by Joseph Sanchez, is on display at the Whyte Museum in Banff until October 19. Don’t miss this rare cultural experience. More here
📜 Final hearing set for Banff Community Plan
A final public hearing for Banff’s long-term Community Plan is scheduled for September 8, with adoption expected by the end of the year. Details
🎻 Poiesis Quartet wins Banff International competition
The Cincinnati-based Poiesis Quartet claimed top prize at this year’s Banff International String Quartet Competition, earning $25,000 and international performance opportunities. More here
Readers' Choice: Most Visited Links from the Last Issue
🗺️ Tour Highlights: 🌊 Class III-IV rapids • 🚐 Gear and shuttle included • 🧑✈️ Pro guide on every raft • 🍔 BBQ lunch on full-day tours Book now for the ultimate whitewater thrill in Golden, BC! |  |
🎟️Events, Activities & Live Music 🎸
📅 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 HERE
Got a local event to share?
Use the link below to submit it.
Enter your email address and use the code we send you to log in.
Only the sections marked with a star MUST be filled in; the rest are optional.
For a free event listing, check the box at the bottom of the promotions page.
Please submit at least 4 days before the event date.
Wed, 3rd September
10:00 🧺 Banff Farmers Market - Central Park
12:00 ⛸️ Public Skating - Fenlands Banff Recreation Centre
15:00 🔍 Community Scavenger Hunt - Banff Town Hall
15:00 🎶 Live Music Afternoon - Three Bears
20:00 🍻 Beers for Queers - Banff Ave Brewery
22:00 🎤 Tommy's Open Mic - Tommy's Neighbourhood Pub
22:00 🎧 Music with DJ Hops - High Rollers
23:00 🎤 Last Call Leonard - Rose & Crown
Thu, 4th September
12:00 ⛸️ Public Skating - Fenlands Banff Recreation Centre
19:00 🍽️ Balkan Greek Night: Dinner Show - The Balkan
20:00 🎻 Irish Night: Live Music - St. James Gate
20:30 🎸 Live Music Thursdays - High Rollers
20:30 🎬 Film Night Under the Stars - The Banff Centre
22:00 🎉 Thirsty Thursday Party - Melissa's Missteak
22:00 🎤 Backwoods Banff Mega-Bash! - Rose & Crown
🍺 Happy Hours & Food Specials 🍽️
Our Happy Hours listings have moved. To view a complete list of this week's happy hours in Banff, visit our Happy Hour Page.
This week’s featured Happy Hour.
🍸 Brazen Happy Hour
Daily from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m., Brazen (inside the Historic Mount Royal Hotel) serves up a standout Happy Hour. Food plates are $8 each or 5 for $35, featuring flavour-packed options such as pork belly with guava glaze, ginger beef, kimchi meatballs, polenta fries, and vegan cauliflower.
Drinks are all $8 too, including cocktails like the Rhubarb Rose Spritz, Peach Mule, and a spicy Grapefruit Margarita. Beer and wine lovers can grab a 16-oz Folding Mt. Lager or a 5-oz glass of the current featured red, white, or rosé.
Brazen has a direct entrance from Banff Avenue and a back entrance at Beaver and Caribou streets. Parking can be tricky in town, so plan or walk if you're nearby.
👋 That’s All For Now 🎬
Another week of mountain magic awaits! Jill & Kevin | Editor | What’s On Banff |  |
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