Plan Your Week In Banff: Bear Buzz, Cocktail Fest & Weekend Parties

Hey Banff! One of the valley's most legendary locals has officially clocked in for the season - The Boss is awake, and the town is talking. This 600-pound grizzly is back in the Lower Bow Valley, reminding everyone that in Banff, the wild is never far away.

While The Boss keeps things interesting in the hills, town life is bringing the energy too. Banff's Food & Cocktail Festival is underway with delicious deals and inventive sips. Live music lights up the weekend with everything from Greek dinner shows to blues, folk, and DJ sets. There's something playing every night if you're craving that perfect mix of melody and mountain.

Families can enjoy creative sessions at the library or take part in Sunday’s Earth Day activities around town. And if you're heading out on the trails, don't forget - you're walking through the same landscape as legends.

The full lineup is below - go ahead, plan something epic! 🐻🎉🍹

🐾Boss Moves: This Week's Wild Spotlight 🐾👑

The Boss Is Back - And Banff Is Buzzing 🐻

He’s big, he’s bold, and he’s just rolled out of bed. The Boss - Banff’s most iconic grizzly bear - officially emerged from hibernation on April 7, 2025, and the news has rippled through the valley faster than spring runoff.

Spotted by Parks Canada cameras in the Lower Bow Valley, Bear 122 looked lean but strong - a seasoned heavyweight stepping back into the ring. As Banff’s dominant male grizzly for over a decade, his presence signals the unofficial start of bear season and a reminder that we share this landscape with true giants.

The Boss’s return also brings renewed attention to bear safety and coexistence. Last fall, he made headlines (and raised heart rates) by bluff-charging residents in Banff’s Marmot Crescent while defending a crabapple buffet. Parks Canada stepped in quickly with hazing and fruit tree removals, but the encounter was a wake-up call: even the most legendary bears are adapting to urban temptations.

For Banff locals and visitors alike, The Boss is more than a bear - he’s a symbol of wild resilience, a living reminder of what makes this place extraordinary. So whether you're out hiking, biking, or snapping photos, remember - the king of the Bow Valley is awake, and his story is still unfolding.

👉 Read the full story here

🚴 Banff council rejects summer bike ban on Bow River trail
Councillors said the proposal lacked evidence and risked pushing cyclists into cars - jeopardizing active transit goals. More

⛰️ Worth the trip: Canmore’s Three Sisters Viewpoint is your next easy win
Just a short drive from Banff, this 1.1 km trail leads to a stunning pond reflecting the famous peaks - perfect for photos, picnics, and peaceful vibes. More

🐂 Banff's bison pilot hailed as a 'huge success'
The herd introduced in 2017 has now grown from 16 to 80, with minimal losses and major conservation impact. More

🌉 Wildlife bridges from Banff to LA are saving species and inspiring cities
A new crossing near Canmore and a 10-lane overpass in LA show how Canada’s trailblazing infrastructure is helping wildlife thrive. More

🚫 Reminder: Banff National Park is a strict no-drone zone
Parks Canada fined a violator $1,100 after spotting footage online - flying drones in national parks is illegal, full stop. More

💖 Banff gets $295K boost for community wellness thanks to Pauw Foundation
The donation supports local activity programs like BanffLIFE and MountainLIFE, encouraging healthier, more connected lives. More

💰 Trade war fuels boom in Canadian tourism, says expert
With U.S. tensions high and currency costs rising, more Canadians are booking staycations - great news for Bow Valley tourism. More

🚌 $10 weekend bus to Banff and Canmore launches June 17
The On-It coach service links Calgary, Cochrane, Canmore and Banff - book online for comfy rides and free Lake Louise transfers. More

🎿 Heads up: Nakiska Ski Resort faces closures during June's G7 Summit
The site of the 1988 Olympic runs will see restricted access June 10-18 - check travel advisories before planning your trip. More

🏛️ Banff to hire outside firm for town-wide organizational review
The $160K project aims to assess workloads, staffing and structure to combat burnout and improve efficiency. More

Below is a full list of events. If you need more information or a direct link to the event/venue, visit our events page

Fri, 25th Apr

Tue, 22nd Apr - Sun, 4th May 🍸 Banff’s Food & Cocktail Festival 📍 Various Locations, Banff
Creative dishes and cocktails at locations across Banff. More

Tue, 22nd Apr - Fri, 25th Apr 🌿 Canadian Ecological Connectivity Conference 📍 Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity, Banff
National event focused on ecological connectivity. More

12:30 🇦🇺 ANZAC Day - Banff Legion
Commemorative event honouring Australian and New Zealand WW2 veterans. Food and drink specials.

15:00 🍽️ Castle Food Experience 📍 Banff Springs Hotel, Banff
2.5-hour tasting tour with Alberta cuisine and private access to historic dining spaces. More

15:00 🎶 Live Music - Three Bears, Banff
Afternoon live music session.

19:30 💃 Balkan Greek Night - Balkan, Banff
Free live dinner show with belly dancing, plate smashing, and Greek music.

21:00 🎸 Live Music - High Rollers, Banff
Acoustic Arn at 21:00, Mike Webb at 23:00. Half-off bowling and $10 fishbowls.

21:00 🕺 Friday Night Dance Party - Dancing Sasquatch, Banff
Free guest list before 22:00. DJ, dancing, and party vibes.

22:00 🎧 DJ & Happy Hour - High Rollers, Banff
Live DJ set and Happy Hour from 23:00 till late.

22:00 🎵 Mike MacKenzie Live - Rose & Crown, Banff
Progressive blues-rock from Calgary artist Mike MacKenzie.

Sat, 26th Apr

09:30 🎨 Super Saturdays - Banff Library
Creative drop-in program for kids in grades K–4. Runs until 11:00.

15:00 🎶 Live Music - Three Bears, Banff
Afternoon live music session.

19:30 🎼 Music in the Mountains - Jenny Belzberg Theatre, Banff
Live music performance in a scenic alpine setting.

19:30 💃 Balkan Greek Night - Balkan, Banff
Free dinner show with belly dancing and plate smashing.

20:00 🎧 DNB @ P&T Vol 2 - Pump & Tap Tavern, Banff
Drum and bass night with multiple DJs. Doors at 20:00.

21:00 🕺 Saturdays at Sas! - Dancing Sasquatch, Banff
Big weekend party. Free guest list before 22:00.

22:00 🎧 DJ Palf - High Rollers, Banff
Live DJ set from 22:00. Dance floor open all night.

22:00 🎸 Mike MacKenzie Live - Rose & Crown, Banff
Progressive blues-rock show by Calgary’s Mike MacKenzie.

Sun, 27th Apr

11:00 🛍️ Queer Market: Spring Edition 📍 Banff Ave Brewing Co, Banff
Art, crafts, and creations by local 2SLGBTQ+ artists.

10:00 🎸 Brent Lee Live - Rose & Crown, Banff
Live country rock set from Brent Lee.

21:00 🎉 Sunday Funday - Dancing Sasquatch, Banff
End the weekend with DJs and drinks: $9 Time Machines, $5 Coronas, $4 Shafts, Shooters & Highballs.

21:00 🎧 Sunday Funday - High Rollers, Banff
DJs from 22:00, $3.75 hiballs, PBRs, bombs, and shafts. Half-price bowling and free pool.

Future Events

Below is a selection of future events. A more detailed list can be found on our events page

Fri, 9th May, 20:00 🎤 Dean Lewis 📍 Grey Eagle Resort & Casino, Calgary
Heartfelt acoustic pop from the Australian singer-songwriter. More

Mon, 19th May, 10:00 🏂 Sunshine Village Slush Cup 📍 Sunshine Ski Resort, Banff
Costumed skiers skim across icy water in this end-of-season celebration. More

Wed, 21st May, 10:00 (Weekly) 🛍️ Farmers Market 📍 Central Park, Banff
Local produce, crafts, and food every Wednesday until Oct 1. More

Sun, 8th Jun - Wed, 11th Jun 🎬 Banff World Media Festival 📍 Fairmont Banff Springs
Industry event with panels, screenings, and networking. More

Sun, 15th Jun, 09:00 🏃 Banff Half Marathon and 10K 📍 Banff Avenue & Banff National Park
Scenic race through Banff National Park. More

Tue, 1st Jul 🍁 Canada Day in Banff 📍 Banff Avenue and surrounding areas, Banff
Bike parade, live music, and food vendors. More

Sat, 5th Jul, 19:30 🎶 Shania Twain 📍 Scotiabank Saddledome, Calgary
Country-pop legend live with all the hits. More

Sat, 27th Sep 🏃 Melissa's Road Race 📍 Banff Avenue & Banff National Park, Banff
5K, 10K, and 21K races through scenic Banff. More

Readers' Choice: Most Visited Links from the Last Issue

1. Banff: Lake Louise, Moraine, Emerald Lake & Johnston Canyon

2. Featured Property - $2,150,000 - 4 bed, 6 bath, Cascade Court, Banff

3. Banff's Made with Love Festival stirs up bold flavours and fierce competition

💡 Affiliate Disclosure: Some links in this email are affiliate links. If you buy through them, we may earn a commission, which helps keep this newsletter free for readers like you!