Plan Your Week In Banff: Scenic Lakes, Spring Vibes, and Outdoor Escapes

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

Spring is settling in and the lakes are opening up - and that means Moraine Lake and Lake Minnewanka are back in the conversation. Moraine's shuttle-access season is almost here, so if those glacier-blue views are on your list, now’s a great time to plan a visit. Meanwhile, Lake Minnewanka remains a quiet classic, with ridge hikes, boat cruises, and a history that runs deep.

Here in town, there’s a fresh round of events to enjoy too. From music and trivia to scenic tours and happy hour hangouts, it’s shaping up to be a great week for locals and visitors alike.

Scroll down to find out what’s on and make the most of it.

🏔️ Banff in Brief - Headlines this Week

🔥 Banff fire danger raised to HIGH by Parks Canada
Dry conditions have pushed the fire risk up - officials are urging caution and vigilance from locals and visitors alike. More

🌊 Lake Minnewanka: Banff’s biggest lake is wild, scenic, and full of surprises
From boat cruises and ghost towns to ridge-top hikes and winter skating, Lake Minnewanka is Banff’s quiet giant - and a must-see in any season. More

🍽️ New Banff restaurant, The Boss Kitchen & Bar, opening this May
Taking over the former Earl's location, The Boss is a two-story lounge and dining room set to bring fresh, locally crafted food and drinks to the top of Banff Ave’s “restaurant district.” More

🎶 Community Friday finale rocks Canmore Brewing May 2
Live music, food trucks, and a triple-band lineup wrap up the season in style - don't miss it! More

🎿 Bozocup brings retro vibes and fierce racing to Norquay
The beloved Banff ski comp honours Rob Bosinger with wild outfits, fast slalom heats, and a strong sense of community spirit. More

Readers' Choice: Most Visited Links from the Last Issue

• Concerns Mount Over G7 Protest Zone Planned For Downtown Banff

• Banff: Lake Louise, Moraine, Emerald Lake & Johnston Canyon

• Grassi Lakes Hike In Canmore

📢 Been Up Lately? Moraine Lake's Still Magic 🏔️

There are some spots in the Rockies that stay with you long after you've left - and Moraine Lake is absolutely one of them. Just a short hop from Banff, nestled deep in the Valley of the Ten Peaks, this glacier-fed lake is world-famous for its surreal turquoise water and dramatic alpine scenery. It's the kind of view that doesn't seem real until you're standing right there, soaking it all in.

Since personal vehicles are no longer allowed up to the lake, visiting now takes a bit more planning. But trust me - it's more than worth the effort. Whether it's your first time or it's just been a while, it's always worth revisiting what makes Moraine Lake so iconic, along with the best ways to get there now. You'll find some updated local tips and transportation options right here if you're curious.

Living or staying in Banff, we're lucky to have a front-row seat to some of the most stunning scenery in the world. So if the moment feels right, carve out a morning, hop on a shuttle, maybe bring your favourite coffee... and just breathe it all in. The stillness, the towering peaks, that otherworldly water - it never stops being awe-inspiring.

🏘️ Featured Property 📃

🎟️Events, Activities & Live Music 🎸

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, 2nd May

15:00 🎶 Live Music - Three Bears, Banff
Afternoon live tunes in a relaxed setting.

19:30 🎭 SEARCH Party - Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity, Banff
Interactive theatre performance by Inua Ellams.

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

21:00 🕺 Friday Night Dance Party - Dancing Sasquatch, Banff
Lively Friday party with DJs and free entry before 22:00.

22:00 🎧 Friday Night Live DJ & Happy Hour - High Rollers, Banff
Late-night DJ set with drink specials.

22:00 🎸 KiVeli - Rose & Crown, Banff
Live show by KiVeli with a $5 cover charge.

Sat, 3rd May

♻️ 2025 Spring Bottle Drive - Bow Valley SPCA, Banff Bottle Depot
Donate bottles and cans to support the SPCA.

09:00 🧹 Community Cleanup & BBQ - 191 Sundance Rd, Banff
Join a litter pick-up followed by a free BBQ.

09:30 🎨 Super Saturdays - Banff Library, Banff
Creative drop-in program for kids with crafts and games.

10:30 🧤 Banff-Litter Pick Event - Banff National Park Pavilion, Banff
Japanese community-led spring cleanup and BBQ.

13:00 🎸 Untracked Concert Series: The Bulldogs - Mad Trapper’s Saloon, Banff
Pop-punk and rock performance by The Bulldogs.

15:00 🎶 Live Music - Three Bears, Banff
Chill live music session in the afternoon.

19:00 🎨 The Ancestors Are Talking - Whyte Museum, Banff
Opening night of a summer Indigenous art exhibition.

19:30 🎶 Jeremy Dutcher: MOTEWOLONUWOK - Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity, Banff
Live show from Polaris Prize-winner Jeremy Dutcher.

19:30 💃 Balkan Greek Night - Balkan, Banff
Evening of dinner, dancing, and live entertainment.

20:00 🎼 Bow Valley Chorus: Mozart Great Mass & Schubert Mass - Banff Springs Hotel, Banff
25th anniversary concert with full chorus and orchestra.

21:00 🎉 Saturdays at Sas! - Dancing Sasquatch, Banff
Saturday night party with DJs and drink deals.

22:00 🎧 Saturdays with DJ Palf - High Rollers, Banff
Dance night hosted by DJ Palf.

22:00 🎸 KiVeli - Rose & Crown, Banff
Repeat performance from KiVeli, $5 cover.

Sun, 4th May

09:00 🌟 May the Fourth Be With You - Banff Sunshine Village, Banff
Celebrate Star Wars Day with slope-side fun and costumes.

10:00 💚 Banff Mental Health and Addiction Week - Banff Ave, Banff
Kickoff of weeklong events raising mental health awareness.

13:00 🎸 Untracked Concert Series: The Bulldogs - Mad Trapper’s Saloon, Banff
Sunday concert with energetic rock and punk music.

17:00 🎶 An Evening with Logan Staats - Whyte Museum, Banff
Intimate live show by singer-songwriter Logan Staats.

21:00 🎉 Sunday Funday - Dancing Sasquatch, Banff
Wrap up the weekend with DJs and drink specials.

21:00 🎧 Banff's Best Party - High Rollers, Banff
DJ night with party vibes and Sunday deals.

22:00 🎸 Brent Lee - Rose & Crown, Banff
Country rock performance by Brent Lee, no cover charge.

Future Events

If you are looking for events and activities further in the future, we have a large selection on our events page events page

🍺 Happy Hours & Food Specials 🍽️

Below are brief details of all the happy hours we could find in Banff. For more information, visit our dedicated Happy Hour Page.

🍺 Banff Ave Brewing Co. (21:00-close)
Shafts $4, Highballs $5, Ninjas (3oz) $10

🍺 Banff Legion (15:00-17:00, Wed-Sat & 15:00-close Sun)
Deals include discounted drinks & food specials, $10 wings on Sunday.

🍟 Beaver (16:00-18:00, Nightly)
$4 tap beers, $9 poutine, $6 waffle sticks

🫕 Bluebird (16:00-17:00, Daily)
Fondue special – warm, melty goodness!

🌶️ Chilli’s (09:00-11:00 & 15:00-17:00)
Special drinks, grab-and-go, après specials

🥩 The Elk and Oarsman (14:00-17:00, Mon-Fri)
Tues: $12 steak, Wed: 1/2 price wings, Thurs: ribs from $17

🎤 Hello Sunshine (16:30-17:30 Sun/Fri, 16:00-17:00 Sat)
50% off sushi, $15 ramen, $6.50 pints

🎳 High Rollers (15:00-17:00 & 22:00-close)
$5 pints, food deals, half-price Shafts & bowling

🌮 Magpie & Stump & El Patio (15:00-17:00 & 22:00-close)
Tacos 1/2 price, Coronas $6, Bulldogs $12

🥩 Melissa’s MisSteak (15:00-18:00, Daily)
$4.50 highballs, $5.25 lager, $1/oz wine. Late: $6 Pilsners

🍸 Park Distillery (15:00-17:00, Daily)
50% off cocktails, $9 wine, $6.99 pints, food discounts

🍀 St. James' Gate (15:00-18:00, Mon-Fri)
Pub meals from $13.50, beer from $7.50, 25% off whiskey flights

🍔 The Eddie Burger + Bar (22:00-close)
$12 Trash Cans (3oz), hiballs $6, pints $7

🍷 The Fat Ox (14:00-18:00, Daily)
$8 pints, cocktails 20% off, food specials

🍝 The Old Spaghetti Factory (14:00-17:00, Daily)
Beer $6, wine from $6, highballs $5, apps $8

🐻 Three Bears Brewery (15:00-17:00, Daily)
$6.99 pints, food and cocktail specials

⏰ Tommy’s (15:00-18:00 & 22:00-close)
$4.25 Pil cans, High Life & hiballs. Steak $13.95, lunch $12.95

👋 That’s All For Now 🎬

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