LAKE LOUISE FALL FESTIVAL SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
Autumn is awesome at the Lake Louise Fall Festival!
Warm temperatures and sunshine are the norm, summer crowds are gone and the changing colours of the forest are a feast for the eyes. The Lake Louise Fall Festival offers unique activities, events and special packages to celebrate the season and experience the heart and soul of Banff National Park.
Not only are there scheduled events throughout the Lake Louise Fall Festival, there are also several ongoing Fall activities to choose from, whether you're looking for high impact or casual things to do in Banff National Park! For information on music & concerts, dinner entertainment, opera and nightlife events click here.
Warden Life
When: September 1st & 2nd @ 8:00 pm
Where: Wolf's Den Theatre
Cost: FREE
Share in an evening of songs, stories, and poetry about the history of the park's iconic warden service. Free with park entry fee. You don't have to be a camper to participate. Presented by Parks Canada.
The Artists Workshop - Inspired by Wilderness
When: September 1st & 2nd from 9:00 am - 4:00 pm
Where: Whyte Museum of the Canadian Rockies
Cost: $65 (Members $58) *Fee does not include painting supplies
Must pre-register with the Whyte Museum's Front Desk by Friday, August 30. Call (403) 762-2291
Join artist-in-residence, Dwayne Harty by the Bow River for a day of en plein air painting and in the Museum's Swiss Guides Room a day of studio painting. This workshop is designed for beginner and intermediate artists who wish to broaden their knowledge of wildlife and landscape oil painting techniques. Visit www.dwayneharty.com to learn more about the artist.
Visit http://www.whyte.org/programs/#aws to learn more about the event.
Wild Sings
When: September 1st - 3rd from 10:30 am - 3:00 pm
Where: Lake Louise Lakeshore
Cost: FREE
Are you curious about wildlife in the mountain national parks? Can you tell the difference between a bighorn sheep and a mountain goat? How about a grizzly bear and a black bear? Parks Canada's Mountain WIT invited you to sing along with hilarious, catchy tunes that teach you all you need to know about your favourite alpine animals.
Digger the Grizzly
When: September 1st - 3rd from 10:30 am - 3:00 pm
Where: Lake Louise Lakeshore
Cost: FREE
If you've ever wondered what a bear thinks about all summer, this is your chance to ask an expert! Digger the Grizzly is visiting the Lake Louise shoreline, accompanied by knowledgeable Parks Canada staff. Although you should stay at least 100 metres away from wild bears, we think you'll agree that Digger is pretty special!
Park Canada Xplorers
When: September 1st - 30th
Where: Parks Canada Visitor Centres
Cost: FREE
Parks Canada has added four new activities to the Xplorers program which encourages the discovery of the park through fun activities, programs and events. Kids, aged 6 to 11 can pick-up their free Xplorers booklet at the Banff or Lake Louise Visitor Centre, various campgrounds, the Banff Park Museum National Historic Site, The Banff Gondola and The Fairmont Banff Springs. Kids can also receive a free certificate and a souvenir token when they complete 6 out of 20 booklet activities.
Lake Louise Teahouse Hiking Challenge
When: September 1st - 30th
Where: Lake Agnes & Plain of Six Glaciers Tea Houses
Cost: FREE
Complete the hiking challenge by visiting both the Lake Agnes Tea House - 3.4km and the Plain of Six Glaciers Tea House - 5.5km.
Once you reach the first tea house, you'll receive one half of your exclusive collectors item, but you'll need to reach the second tea house to make your collection complete! Limited to the first 350 hikers.
Sign in at both tea houses for your chance to win the Lake Louise Experience Package valued at over $1000:
- 2 nights deluxe accommodation at Mountaineer Lodge
- 1 night accommodation at The Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise
- Dinner for two, bottle of wine and handmade folk art walking stick at Lake Louise Station Restaurant
- Horseback ride with Timberline Tours
2nd Annual Parks Canada Photo Contest
When: September 1st - 30th
Cost: FREE
Take your camera while hiking or sightseeing and capture the beauty of fall in the Lake Louise area. Photograph an outstanding landscape, or friends and family enjoying activities while in the park. Submit your best 2012 fall photograph by September 30 for a chance to win great prizes including an 11x14 print in a 16x20 matted frame from Banff Photography, and Annual Discovery Passes from Parks Canada.
For full details of contest rules, visit www.parkscanada.gc.ca/banffnp-contest
Banff Farmers Market
When: September 5th & 12th from 10:00 am - 4:00 pm
Where: Banff Central Park, by the gazebo
Cost: FREE
Come one, come all! With over 40 vendor tables, the Banff Farmer's Market offers an exciting selection of fresh regional produce, tasty baked goods, and genuine hand-made artist creations. Support local!
Danone Kids Run
When: September 7th @ 3:00 pm
Where: Banff Central Park
Cost: FREE
The Danone Kid’s Run is an amazing opportunity for kids to enjoy a race designed just for them! There is no doubt the Danone Kid’s Run taking place a day prior to the Subaru Banff Triathlon will be a great way to get kids introduced to the sport of endurance racing, while encouraging personal growth and a healthy lifestyle.
Click here for more information on the Subaru Banff International Triathlon
Subaru Banff International Triathlon
When: September 8th @ 8:00 am
Where: Banff
Cost: FREE
This is one of the most picturesque races in the world. Swim in the pristine waters of Two Jack Lake and bike around the picturesque Minnewanka Loop Road and then into the town of Banff finishing the run on Banff Avenue and Central Park.
Click here for more information on the Subaru Banff International Triathlon
Paddle the Lake Day
When: September 8th from 11:00 am - 5:00 pm
Where: Lake Louise
Cost: FREE
Experience paddling on majestic Lake Louise! Visitors are encouraged to bring their own canoe, kayak or stand up paddleboard, or rent a canoe or join a voyageur canoe tour on site. Discover more about where to paddle in the Canadian Rockies, wildlife you might encounter, and helpful safety tips. Kids can also make their own miniature paddle for free!
Parks Canada Photography Workshop
When: September 8th @ 11:00 am
Where: Lake Louise Visitor Centre
Cost: FREE
Join a free 1 hour photography workshop offered by Banff Photography at the Lake Louise Visitor Centre at 11 a.m. on September 8, 2012. A photo-trainer will teach you tricks of the trade to taking the absolute best photographs. The workshop is recommended for beginner to intermediate photographers with DSLR or point and shoot cameras. No registration is required.
For full details visit our website at www.parkscanada.gc.ca/banffnp-contest
Yoga in the Park
When: Every Sunday in September from 9:30 - 10:30 am & 3:00 - 4:00 pm
Where: Lake Louise Lakeshore
Cost: FREE
Would you like to cultivate the deep connection between yourself and nature? Anyone looking for a gentle way to relax and exercise in a peaceful environment will love these one hour introductory Hatha Yoga classes. Participants are required to dress in layers, wear comfortable clothes and bring their own yoga mat. No registration or previous yoga experience is required. Meet at the lower Lake Louise parking lot beside the Parks Canada washroom building. In case of rainy weather, meet at the Lake Louise Visitor Centre.
Indigenous Readings - Featuring Eden Robinson & Richard Wagamese
When: September 21st @ 7:30 pm
Where: Bently Chamber Music Studio
Cost: FREE
Join us for an evening of Indigenous storytelling, literature, and spoken word featuring Eden Robinson, Richard Wagamese, and participant writers.
Eden Robinson (Haisla/Heiltsuk) is an award-winning writer whose novel Monkey Beach was shortlisted for both the Giller Prize and the Governor General’s Award.
Richard Wagamese (Ojibway) is a prolific writer and storyteller who has worked as a newspaper columnist and reporter, radio and television broadcaster and producer, documentary producer, and is the author of eleven books including fiction and memoir.
Bear With Me Presentation by Casey Anderson
When: September 22nd from 4:30 - 6:30 pm & 23rd from 1:30 - 3:30 pm
Where: The Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise
Cost: $20 (Adult) $10 (Child)
Join Casey Anderson, Naturalist, Grizzly Guy and Host of the TV series ‘American The Wild’ on Nat Geo WILD for his hour long “Bear With Me” presentation where Casey discusses his unique relationship with Brutus and offers insight into grizzly bears and wild animals, in general. Through hair-raising stories from the field, his life with Brutus, and the lessons learned along the way, Casey explains how his experiences have made him a better person, and have nurtured in him a passion to help preserve the planet.
For more information call 1-403-522-1601, toll free 1-866-540-4413 or email chateaulakelouise@fairmont.com
Mountaineering Camp
When: September 22nd & 23rd
Where: Lake Louise Village - Samson Mall
Cost: FREE
Picture yourself atop a mountain! Try on a variety of mountaineering gear and take your photo in front of a giant alpine backdrop at the Samson Mall in Lake Louise Village. Sample some alpine treats, help build a cairn, and learn about the rich history of mountaineering in Banff National Park.
Lake Louise Fall Photography Course with Mark Unrau
When: September 22nd & 29th from 9:30 am - 2:30 pm
Where: The Lake Louise Gondola
Cost: $30
What better place to learn about photography then one of the most scenic locations in the Rocky Mountains! The Lake Louise Sightseeing Gondola will be offering two separate sessions taught by local photographer Mark Unrau on two Saturdays this fall.
Each session is one hour long and includes a 30 minute seminar followed by photos outside with Mark assisting you. Sessions are held at the top of the Sightseeing Gondola at Whitehorn Lodge.
Morning Sessions:
- Understanding Exposure - 9:30am to 10:30am
- Composition Tips - 10:45am to 11:45am
Afternoon Sessions:
- Understanding Exposure - 12:15pm to 1:15pm
- Composition Tips - 1:30pm to 2:30pm
Register online at www.lakelouisegondola.com/photography/, call toll free 1-877-956-8473 or email info@lakelouisegondola.com for more information.
Autumn Glory: The Secrets of the Alpine Larch Tree
When: September 22nd - 30th
Where: Great Divide Natural Interpretation, 202 Saddleback, Lake Louise
Cost: $79 (Adult) $49 (Child ages 6-16)
During mid to late September, alpine larch trees turn an incredible gold, creating a fabulous fall feeling in the high country. These trees survive and thrive where evergreens are struggling to just get a toehold! On this moderate full day hike in the Lake Louise area you will discover the survival secrets of the alpine larch from birth to death, why you only see them in certain places, what treeline is really all about, larch sex (of course!), and the story that larch trees tell about past climates. For the Lake Louise Fall Festival Great Divid Natural Interpretation will be doing two regular (non-private) larch themed hikes.
Time: 6.5 - 7 hours
Distance: 10 km / 6.25 mi
Elevation: 1800 ft / 540 m
To book call 1-866-522-2735
Spooktacular Horseback Trail Rides
When: September 22nd - October 8th
Where: Timberline Tours
Cost: $15
What better way to celebrate fall then with a 15 minute Halloween oriented trail ride (quite possibly the only one in the world). Lots of fun for everyone, children of all ages can be combined with longer trail rides. Hikersare welcome too.
To book call toll free 1-888-858-3388 or email info@timberlinetours.ca
Banff Park Museum NHS Site Tour
When: September 28th & 29th @ 11:00 am
Where: Banff Park Museum Natural Historic Site
Cost: FREE
Did you know that visiting the Banff Park Museum National Historic Site has been a traditional experience for generations of Park visitors. Affectionately known as the "University of the Hills", the Banff Park Museum NHS is one of Canada's best examples of a Victorian-era natural history museum. Take a self guided tour, or drop in during our daily scheduled tours led by Parks Canada interpreters at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. Free with site admission.
Heritage Tour of the Castle
When: September 28th & 29th from 3:00 - 4:00 pm
Where: Banff Springs Hotel
Cost: $15
Join the Banff Springs Hotel historian as he shares with you the rich history, grand architecture and some of the legends of Canada’s Castle in the Rockies. Tour will begin at 3 pm in the Heritage Hall located on the Mezzanine One Level and is one hour in duration. Please note that no reservations will be taken. Admission is free for hotel guests (room key required) and $15 for non hotel guests.
Modest Livlihood
When: September 28th - 30th from 12:30 - 5:00 pm
Where: Walter Philips Gallery, Banff
Cost: FREE
Walter Phillips Gallery is pleased to present the premiere of Brian Jungen and Duane Linklater’s film Modest Livelihood (2012) which enacts self-determination and the use of native land as its central concerns.
Carving Demonstration with Roy Hinz
When: September 29th from 11:00 am - 4:00 pm
Where: Mountain Galleries at the Fairmont Banff Springs
Cost: FREE
Watch a stone bear come to life with stone carving demonstration by Canadian carver Roy Hinz. Join us for this interactive and family friendly demonstration. New works by Roy Hinz will be displayed in Mountain Galleries at The Fairmont Banff Springs.
Culture Crawl
When: September 29th from 12:00 - 5:00 pm
Where: Various locations
Cost: FREE
From statues to totem poles, museums to art galleries, public art installations to sculptures, Banff has a rich variety of art, culture, history and heritage. Explore more than 20 sites around town by picking up your guide to all the action at the Visitor Centre or participating locations and soak up Banff’s mountain culture on this one day special event!
Heritage Home Tours
When: September 29th from 11:30 am - 12:30 pm
Where: Whyte Museum of the Canadian Rockies
Cost: FREE (included with museum admission)
Visit the homes of philanthropists, world travellers and visual artists.
Wildlife Walk
When: September 29th from 4:00 - 5:00 pm
Where: Fairmont Banff Springs
Cost: FREE
Take a walk on the wild side! Join a local guide on an easy stroll through the woods and learn about Banff's amazing wildlife, nature and mountains.
The walk is approximately 3km and an hour long, finishing up at the Waldhaus Pub, the best kept secret in the Rockies. Meet in the main lobby of the Fairmont Banff Springs, and dress appropriately for the weather. Suitable for all ages and abilities.
Banff Trade Fair
When: September 29th & 30th
Where: Banff Fenlands Rec Centre - Curling Rink
Cost: FREE
Come and check out the participating Banff businesses, Bow Valley and other businesses at the Banff Trade Fair. All public, local residents and visitors are welcome to join us to see the many great products that are a big part of the community. Lots of fun, excitement and so much to see for everyone. There are more products and services available locally than you think.
For more info or to join as a vendor call Sondy at 403-760-1085 or visit www.shoplocalbanff.com
Neil Patterson at Canada House Gallery
When: September 29th
Where: Canada House Gallery
Cost: FREE
Master signature member of the Oil Painters of America, Neil Patterson is a Canadian art legend. This exhibition will feature 30 new oil paintings by this internationally recognized artist. Based in the Foothills of Alberta, Patterson is at home in the mountains. His interpretation of our rugged territory is honest and bold.
Curator-led Tour of Yellowstone to Yukon: The Journey of Wildlife and Art
When: September 29th from 2:00 - 3:00 pm
Where: Whyte Museum of the Canadian Rockies
Cost: FREE (with $8 museum admission)
Join the Whyte Museum's Michale Lang for a curator-led tour of the Yellowstone to Yukon: The Journey of Wildlife and Art exhibition. Discussion will include the artwork and the process involved in this unique international collaboration.
Learn more at www.whyte.org/programs/#y2ytour
For information on music & concerts, dinner entertainment, opera and nightlife events click here.



