Celebrate spring at the Taste of Spring Festival in Jasper
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When: April 25 to May 4
This new festival shines a light on Jasper’s food, arts, recreation and culture scenes. Events include a food, art and history tour by Jasper Food Tours, the Jasper Canadian Rockies half marathon, live music shows, a film night, a paint night and more.
Immerse yourself in art at the Banff Centre Summer Arts Festival
When: May 1 to September 5
The Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity has held this summer festival since 1950 to showcase works from its residencies in visual art, music, opera, Indigenous arts, literature and more. This year, there are more than 70 events including concerts, competitions, exhibitions, artists talks and readings, performances and more (approximately 50 of these experiences are free of charge). Tickets for paid experiences can be purchased online, and there’s a full festival guide and calendar online.
107 Tunnel Mountain Dr., 403-762-6100, banffcentre.ca
Attend a musical performance by Ellen Doty in Canmore
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When: May 2
Alberta singer-songwriter Ellen Doty, named a Top 35 under 35 Jazz Musician by CBC in 2017, is performing at ArtsPlace Canmore this month. Doty has a background in traditional jazz music and her most recent album, Every Little Scene, was released in June 2024. Tickets are available online.
950 8 Avenue, 403-609-2623, artsplacecanmore.com
Shop at Banff’s first Arc’teryx store
Arc’teryx Equipment just opened its first Banff location and the impressive 4,091-square-foot space is filled with technical clothing, shoes, supplies and accessories for a multitude of sports like hiking, camping, climbing and more. The store has a service centre for on-site treatment of minor tears and holes (and to send larger problems out for repairs), and can help educate shoppers on how to wash and look after their Arc’teryx products. There’s also a “gear library” to try on in-season products like ski jackets and hiking shells and a maker’s table where shoppers can learn about the system of dressing in complete outfits and explore the products they’re interested in.
123 Banff Ave., 403-760-7080, arcteryx.com
See a collection of paintings by the Indigenous Group of Seven
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When: May 3 to October 19
The summer 2025 exhibition at the The Whyte Museum is a collection of paintings showcasing land, family, forestry and themes of strength, resistance and ceremony. The works are inspired by places like the Jasper mountains and the Boreal Forest, and were created by the Indigenous Group of Seven, a collection of artists who shaped Indigenous art in Canada. The collection is curated and presented by the remaining living member of this group, Joseph M. Sánchez, with The Whyte’s curators, Dawn Saunders Dahl and Christina Cuthbertson.
111 Bear Street, 403-762-2291, whyte.org
Relax in luxury at the new Kenrick Hotel
This new luxury hotel opens in Banff on May 9 and has amenities like a salt water pool with poolside bar service and handy items like books, records, board games and white noise machines available on request. The hotel includes both classic guest rooms and suites and has an onsite restaurant (The Fat Ox) and coffee shop.
419 Banff Ave., 403-762-2236, thekenrickhotel.com