Embrace Autumn in the Canadian Rockies: Festivals and Golden Landscapes
As the days grow shorter and the evenings arrive sooner, a crispness fills the air.
Even the ginkgo trees lining the sunny roadsides are already tinged with a hint of green, preparing to don their vibrant golden autumn hues. Autumn has swiftly arrived in the western Canadian Rockies. Due to the high altitude, coniferous trees dominate the landscape of the Canadian Rockies. Among them stands the larch, known as 'ipgalnamu' (落葉松) or Japanese Larch in Korea, a deciduous pine tree. While the Larch is particularly prominent in the Rockies, it is widely distributed across Canada, even reaching the Atlantic coast. In late September, the larches of the Canadian Rockies transform the blue sky with a golden canopy, enhancing the allure of the snow-capped peaks, majestic rocky mountains, and emerald lakes.
With the arrival of autumn, people seem to take a moment to appreciate the abundant blessings of the earth. In Korea, the harvest festival of Chuseok is a time to express gratitude for the bountiful harvest, celebrate family ties, and honor ancestors. Similarly, in Canada, Thanksgiving, celebrated on the second Monday of October, is a time to celebrate the autumn harvest and strengthen family bonds. If you travel to Canada around this time, you'll easily spot homes and farms beautifully decorated with large pumpkins and harvested grains. Every autumn, Banff and Lake Louise in the Canadian Rockies welcome travelers with a variety of attractions.
If you're planning a fall trip to the Canadian Rockies, be sure to check out these festivals!
Banff Craft Beer Festival: October 23-25, 2025
Taste for Adventure: October 23 - November 6, 2025
Banff Centre Mountain Film & Book Festival: November 1-9, 2025
Hot Chocolate Trail: November 12, 2025 - February 8, 2026
In Search of Christmas Spirit: November 13 - December 31, 2025
Banff Christmas Market: Fridays/Saturdays/Sundays, November 21 - December 14, 2025
From the delicious Alberta craft beer festival to gourmet menus for adventurers, the Mountain Film & Book Festival, the Hot Chocolate Trail, the search for the Christmas Spirit, and the Banff Christmas Market, the festivities continue through December! If you're traveling to the Rockies in the fall, be sure to check the festival schedules and include them in your itinerary!
The Banff Craft Beer Festival returns to the Cave and Basin National Historic Site in 2025. As the only craft beer festival featuring Alberta craft breweries, experience Banff’s delicious food and craft beer by tasting tasty food and drinks from over 40 vendors from across Alberta, chatting with local brewery owners, and enjoying live performances! During the festival, the Cave and Basin will not be operating a parking lot, and a free shuttle will be provided from the Royal Hotel in downtown Banff to the Cave and Basin for festival ticket holders.
Taste for Adventure | October 23 - November 6, 2025
This is the time to enjoy the delicious food in Banff National Park. Famous chefs and restaurants in Banff town prepare special menus for Taste for Adventure and offer them at special rates.
Example of a menu from a participating Taste for Adventure restaurant:
Banff Centre Mountain Film & Book Festival | November 1-9, 2025
Each fall, the Banff Centre Mountain Film & Book Festival brings to life captivating tales of adventure and pioneering exploration shared by writers, photographers, explorers, and filmmakers from around the world. 2025 marks the festival's 50th anniversary! This monumental event features a spectacular lineup of international guest speakers, over 80 films, and a variety of free activities, including engaging talks at the Rab Stage, stunning exhibitions, and a vibrant Festival Marketplace. Also, don't miss the special anniversary event, the Fire and Ice Symposium, a reminder of the importance of storytelling to create positive impact and action through the changing dynamics of ice and wildfire. Purchase your tickets and passes to experience the excitement firsthand!
Hot Chocolate Trail | November 12, 2025 - February 8, 2026
Embark on a flavorful journey through Banff, sampling a variety of hot chocolates from traditional classics to unique cocktails. The Hot Chocolate Trail in Banff and Lake Louise is like a treasure map to over 30 restaurants and cafes. Each restaurant and cafe offers limited-time, festive hot chocolates.
For sustainability, we recommend enjoying your hot chocolate in a warm mug when dining in. If you're on the go, bring your own reusable mug or tumbler, or rent a mug through the Banff rental program. Warm up with a sweet and comforting hot chocolate while taking in the beautiful snowy scenery of Banff and Lake Louise.
If you are preparing for a fall trip to the Rockies, you are lucky! I hope you have the best fall trip to the Canadian Rockies!
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