Whisky, Wildfires, and a Curious Disappearance on Main Street

Hey Canmore! Ready for a Wild Week?

This week’s got it all - heatwaves, Highland Games, and history in the making. While the town heats up with a weather warning, the excitement is just as hot over at Centennial Park, where the Canmore Highland Games are bringing all the kilts, pipes, and haggis you can handle.

Meanwhile, Main Street is evolving, with the Settler's Cabin giving way to a new development that still honours our rich past. Don't miss the details on this meaningful transformation, and everything else happening around town.

Keep reading to plan your week right! 🥵🎉

🏔️ Canmore in Brief - Headlines this Week 📰

🤢 Canmore is still battling sewage stench after $2.6M spent
Despite significant investments, odours from the wastewater plant continue to affect neighbourhoods, with new fixes scheduled to go to council in September. Full story

🥵 Heat warning issued for Banff National Park
Daytime highs of 29-33°C and warm nights are expected throughout the week, with the heat expected to end early next week. Residents and visitors are urged to stay cool and hydrated. Read advisory

🥁 Canmore Highland Games returns August 30-31
Two days of Celtic fun are coming to Canmore’s Centennial Park with whisky tastings, live music, The Rollin' Drones, and all the Highland Games action you can handle. Get tickets

🏚️ Settler’s Cabin remembered as new Main Street build rises
A Canmore landmark since 1910, the Settler’s Cabin has given way to the new Settler’s Block development, honouring the town’s mining past. Read more

🔥 Wildfire risk is high in Canmore, extreme in Banff
The Calgary Forest Area has raised the wildfire danger to high in Canmore and Kananaskis, while Banff remains at extreme due to the combination of heat and dry conditions. See update

🍁 Canada Strong Pass ends September 2
Parks Canada’s free admission and 25% camping discount end on September 2; regular fees resume on September 3, with Discovery Passes available.

🚴 Bow Valley Parkway cycling pilot extended to 2029
Parks Canada has extended the popular vehicle-free cycling program along 17 km of the Bow Valley Parkway, with vehicle restrictions returning August 28 to October 2. Details here

🦌 Elk rut season is underway.
September marks the elk rut in the Bow Valley, when bull elk are more aggressive - visitors are reminded to keep a safe distance and stay alert. Learn more

💆 Four new luxury spas opening near Calgary
Alberta is entering a new era of spas with upcoming openings in Lake Louise, Canmore, Edmonton, and more, with the first set to debut this September. Details here

🏊 Elevation Place Aquatics Centre closes for annual maintenance
Canmore’s indoor pools and steam room are shut from August 26 to September 26 for repairs, reopening in phases starting September 20. More info

🍂 Living Lightly this fall in the Bow Valley
From gear swaps to fruit tree replacement incentives, the Biosphere Institute shares simple ways to reduce waste and boost community resilience. Full story

🏨 New Banff Legacy Inn set to open in 2026
A 132-unit inn is being built at Harvie Heights, just outside Banff National Park, offering bungalows to four-bedroom units and luxury amenities. Full story

Readers' Choice: Most Visited Links from the Last Issue

1. 🌊 Win a luxury wellness retreat at Lake Louise

2. 🍵 High Socie-TEA at The Stirling’s creekside patio

3. 🔥 Wildfire protection work shuts Canmore Nordic Centre trails

🎟️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 and send us your feedback - we’d love to hear what you think!

Fri, 29th August

18:00 🎸 Greg Doucette Live - Canmore Rose & Crown
19:00 🎱 Friday Bingo - Canmore Legion
19:00 🎸 Live Music: John Goulart - Mineshaft Tavern
19:00 🌿 Medicine in the Mountains - Black Dog Cafe
19:30 🎭 Musical: Oh Anne! - Carter Ryan Theatre
20:00 🍷 Wines of the World - 102b Dyrgas Gate
21:00 🎶 Live Music: Tyler Wood - Tavern 1883
22:00 🎤 Jamie Allanach Live - Canmore Rose & Crown

Sat, 30th August

08:00 🎶 Canmore Highland Games - Centennial Park
08:00 🏋️ Rocky Mountain Crusher 2025 - Canmore Nordic Centre
13:15 🥃 Wild Life Distillery Tour - Wild Life Distillery
15:00 🎭 Musical: Oh Anne! - Carter Ryan Theatre
19:00 🎤 Jamie Allanach Live - Canmore Rose & Crown
19:30 🎭 Musical: Oh Anne! - Carter Ryan Theatre
19:30 🎸 Live Music: Arn Smit - Tavern 1883
22:00 🎧 DJ Tenax - Canmore Rose & Crown

Sun, 31st August

08:00 🎶 Canmore Highland Games - Centennial Park
15:00 🎭 Musical: Oh Anne! - Carter Ryan Theatre
17:00 🎶 Live: Tyler Wood - The Yard
17:45 🔔 Yoga: Sound Bath - Canmore Hot Yoga
18:00 🎸 Northern Quarter Band Live - Canmore Rose & Crown
20:00 🎱 Music Bingo with Sam - Tavern 1883

Mon, 1st September

19:00 🎱 Music Bingo - Rose & Crown
22:00 🎤 Karaoke Night - The Drake Inn

Tue, 2nd September

18:00 🎲 Game Night - Tavern 1883
19:00 ❓ Trivia Tuesday - Canmore Rose & Crown

Wed, 3rd September

14:00 💻 Tech Tips & Tutoring - Canmore Public Library
19:00 🎤 Open Mic Night - The Local
19:00 🥁 Drumming Class - Scout Hall
19:00 🎤 Open Mic Night - Rose & Crown
20:30 ❓ Trivia With Awale - Tavern 1883

Thu, 4th September

08:00 ⛳ Supervillain Charity Golf Tournament - Silvertip Golf Resort
10:00 🧺 Canmore Mountain Market - Elevation Place
10:45 👶 Stroller Strides: Walk & Connect - Elevation Place
17:30 🚴 Learn to Ride with CYAN - Trail Sports
18:00 🦌 Living Smart with Wildlife - NWMP Barracks
19:00 🎤 Karaoke Thursdays - 1890 Smokehouse
19:00 ❓ Trivia Thursdays @ The Drake - The Drake
19:00 🎶 SOULgasm with Medium Dan King - Creekside Villa
19:00 ♠️ Thursday Night Poker - Canmore Legion
19:30 🎤 Music: Leeroy Stagger - artsPlace Canmore

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 Canmore, visit our Happy Hour Page.

This week’s featured Happy Hour.

🍹 Happy Hour at The Stirling
Every day from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m., The Stirling at The Malcolm Hotel hosts a generous Happy Hour with 25% off the entire beverage menu and a rotating $14 food menu. It's a great way to enjoy the relaxed vibe on the Creekside Patio, which is pet-friendly and open to walk-ins.

Throughout the week, there are also evening specials worth planning around. Tuesdays feature a rib night with slow-cooked Canadian pork back ribs, served with baked beans and coleslaw for $30. On Wednesdays, select bottles of wine are half price. Thursdays feature Steak and Lobster Night, complete with Certified Angus NY Strip and lobster for $69, often accompanied by live music. The weekend includes afternoon high tea from Friday through Sunday, and Sunday evenings wrap up with a Prime Rib Buffet starting at 5:30 p.m. Book your table here.

👋 That’s All For Now 🎬

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