Spa Openings, Elk Drama, and a Rockies Tour You Can’t Miss

Hey Banff! Here’s What’s Happening This Week!

September is off to a wild start. From elk encounters and spa openings to wildfire updates and fall festivals, there's a lot going on.

This week, we’ve got everything you need to plan your weekend: the return of Harvest Fest, a reminder to give wildlife their space (looking at you, Kev 😬), and some last-chance adventures like Sunshine Meadows.

Looking to make the most of the Rockies? Don’t miss the full-day guided tour covering Lake Louise, Peyto Lake, the Columbia Icefield and more - now 22% off until September 18. With pickup from Calgary, Banff, or Canmore, it’s a stress-free way to see the best of the Icefields Parkway in one unforgettable day.

We’ve also just dropped our October guide - packed with seasonal events, road trip ideas, and cozy fall eats to help you plan your perfect month.

Plus, save $50 on Flytographer, a chance to get professional photos of your trip.

There’s plenty to explore, so scroll down for the full scoop!

• Banff In September: What You Need To Know

• Banff In October: Your Trip Starts Here

👉 Follow us on Facebook or Instagram for more updates!

🌤️ Weather Watch – Weekly Outlook ( Wed 6 pm)

• Banff Weather by Month

🏔️ Banff in Brief - Headlines this Week

🍂 Our Banff in October guide is out
From golden larch hikes to bugling elk and the season’s first snow, October is Banff at its most dramatic. Quieter trails, cheaper stays, and cozy hot springs await. Read the guide

🚠 Last chance for Sunshine Meadows
The Sunshine Meadows gondola closes soon! Ride up for sweeping alpine views, wildflower trails, and sapphire lakes before the season comes to a close. Read our complete guide.

💦 Luxury glacier-fed spa opens at Lake Louise.
Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise is debuting the Basin Glacial Waters Spa on Sept. 15. Guests can enjoy thermal pools, saunas, ice rooms, and mountain views - at $200 for three hours. See details

🦌 When Kev met Mamma Elk
It was a lovely spring morning - birds chirping, mountains shining - until Kev locked eyes with a very unimpressed elk. Ten seconds later, he was on the ground, face swollen, squirrel heckling from above. Consider this your seasonal reminder: give elk space. Learn from Kev

🐻 Calgary Zoo says goodbye to Skoki the grizzly.
The Calgary Zoo has euthanized 35-year-old Skoki (The bear who loved pastries), one of its oldest residents, after a decline in health. Born in Banff, Skoki has lived at the zoo since 1996. Read more

📷 Capture Your Banff Trip With $50 Off Flytographer - SEPTEMBER ONLY
Looking for a more memorable way to document your trip? Flytographer connects travellers with professional photographers in Banff and Canmore - perfect for engagements, anniversaries, or just standout holiday photos. With five experienced local photographers available, it's an easy way to skip the selfies and get something print-worthy. Use our exclusive link for $50 off your first shoot or gift card. Book your shoot here.

✈️ Delayed by the Air Canada strike? You may be owed compensation
Travellers across Canada and the US faced long waits and missed connections during the strike. If you were affected, you might be entitled to a cash payout. Don't miss your chance - it's quick to see if you qualify. Check here.

🚌 Full-Day Rockies Tour Now 22% Off Until September 18
Looking for a no-hassle way to explore Banff and Jasper's biggest highlights? This 12-hour guided tour includes Lake Louise, Peyto Lake, Crowfoot Glacier, and the Columbia Icefield - with optional upgrades to the Skywalk or Ice Explorer. With pickup from Calgary, Banff, or Canmore, it's an easy way to see the best of the Icefields Parkway in one unforgettable day. Save 22% when you book now.

🌲 Jasper fire recovery to take decades
One year after wildfires destroyed a third of Jasper, 33,000 hectares of forest, and 358 homes and businesses, experts say full recovery could take generations. Tourism remains limited. Full story

🎟️ Canada Strong Pass boosts park visits by 10%
The federal government says its Canada Strong Pass, offered during the summer, which provides free entry for kids and significant youth discounts, drove a 10% increase in Parks Canada visits and 50,000 VIA Rail bookings. Read more

🔥 Wildfire sparks closure in Banff backcountry.
A 4.5-hectare blaze in Wigmore Valley has prompted a whole area closure as Parks Canada crews battle the fire with helicopters and ground teams. The fire is out of control, but no risk to the public. More info

✈️ Domestic travel boom continues across Canada
Airbnb reports that domestic bookings jumped 10% in early 2025, with hotspots like Canmore, Whistler, and West Kelowna seeing surges. Canadians are also flocking abroad to Japan, Brazil, and Mexico. See details

Readers' Choice: Most Visited Links from the Last Issue

1. Want to Wake Up to Moraine Lake?

2. Kootenay Canyon Tour Offers Quieter Alternative to Banff Hotspots - Now 50% Off.

3. Can I park in Banff? Yes, click to find out how

🎟️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

Fri, 5th September

09:00 🧘 Yoga & Live Music - Flowstate
12:00 🎨 Natural Drawing - The Banff Centre
12:00 ⛸️ Public Skating - Fenlands Recreation Centre
15:00 🎧 DJ Bunny Hops @ Happy Hour - Lupo Ristorante
15:00 🎶 Live Music Afternoon - Three Bears
19:00 🍽️ Balkan Greek Night: Dinner Show - The Balkan
19:00 🎤 Live: Bob Hughes - Moxy Banff
20:00 🎶 Live Music Night - St. James Gate
20:30 📖 Movie: Stories We Have Earned - The Banff Centre
22:00 🎧 Friday Night Live DJ LT - High Rollers
22:00 🎸 Live: Backwoods Superfreak - Rose & Crown

Sat, 6th September

12:00 🎉 Banff Harvest Festival - Central Park
13:30 ⛸️ Public Skating - Fenlands Recreation Centre
14:00 🪶 Stoney Nakoda Wataga Performance - Banff Sunshine Village
15:00 🪶 Stoney Nakoda Wataga Performance - Banff Sunshine Village
15:00 🎶 Live Music Afternoon - Three Bears
16:00 🎟️ Meat Draw with Brent Lee Live - Banff Legion
19:00 🎤 Live: The Seenagers - Moxy Banff
20:00 🎶 Live Music Night - St. James Gate
22:00 🎧 DJ Raven on the Decks - High Rollers
22:00 🎸 Live Backwoods Superfreak - Rose & Crown

Sun, 7th September

12:00 🎉 Banff Harvest Festival - Central Park
13:30 ⛸️ Public Skating - Fenlands Recreation Centre
14:00 🪶 Stoney Nakoda Wataga Performance - Banff Sunshine Village
15:00 🪶 Stoney Nakoda Wataga Performance - Banff Sunshine Village
15:00 🎧 DJ Bunny Hops: El Patio - The Magpie & Stump
15:00 🎶 Live Music Afternoon - Three Bears
18:00 🎸 Social Systems on the Patio - Rose & Crown
19:00 🍽️ Balkan Greek Night: Dinner Show - The Balkan
21:00 🎉 Sunday Funday (Party) - Melissa's Missteak
21:00 🎉 Sunday Funday: Banff's Best Party - High Rollers
22:00 🎤 Brent Lee Live - Rose & Crown

FUTURE EVENTS HERE

🍺 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.

👋 That’s All For Now 🎬

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