Package purchasers and passport holders enjoy access to exclusive events.
Nestled in Canada’s first national park in the heart of the spectacular Rocky Mountains, Banff attracts some four-million visitors a year. With towering peaks and clear alpine lakes and streams, breath-taking scenery awaits at every turn. Be inspired and rejuvenated in this UNESCO World Heritage site, without missing any of the music.
You can join us for pre-planned excursions or embark on your own adventures. Either way, we hope you take advantage of easy access to endless outdoor activities in Banff National Park.
Off-Campus Excursions Exclusive to BISQC 2025
We’ve curated a selection of excursions and activities tailored specifically for BISQC guests, perfectly timed to fit within your time off between concerts and events. Please book early to avoid disappointment.
August 27 | Historic Banff Tour: Forgotten Towns and Untold Stories
Step back in time on this guided journey through Banff’s lesser-known history, uncovering the stories that shaped the region. Travel past Two Jack Lake and Lake Minnewanka, where the town of Minnewanka Landing once stood before being submerged by a dam to generate power for a World War II munitions factory.
Stop at Bankhead, a once-thriving coal-mining town that fueled the Canadian Pacific Railway. Now an open-air historic site, its abandoned buildings and remnants of its industrial past set the stage for a short interpretive walk that brings its story to life.
Next, visit the Cave and Basin National Historic Site, the birthplace of Canada’s national parks. An interpretive guide will lead a tour of the museum and the iconic thermal springs, where the idea for Canada’s park system first took shape.
From there, explore a lesser-known chapter of Banff’s past at a small museum dedicated to the prisoners of war and interned civilians of Austro-Hungarian descent who were forced into labor during World War I. Many were held in Banff and at Castle Mountain, where they built roads and infrastructure, leaving an often-overlooked mark on the region.
The tour concludes in downtown Banff, where you’ll have time for a quick lunch or a stroll through local shops before making your way back to Banff Centre in time the 2:00 p.m. concert. (Reminder – lunch in Vistas is not included in packages this day.)
Provider: Paramount Adventures
When: August 27, 2025 | 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Cost: $165.00 CAD Per Person
Minimum Number of Guests: 20
Booking Deadline: June 30, 2025
Includes: Motor coach transportation, a professional tour director, a hiking guide for the interpretive walk through Bankhead, and entrance fees to all museums.
Does not include: Lunch
Notes:
- The tour will take place rain or shine, so please dress in layers to accommodate changing weather conditions.
- Comfortable walking shoes are recommended, as some short walks will include uneven terrain.
- Walking is required for this tour.
- Length of walk will be 2km or .6 miles.
- Vertical gain of 15m or 49 feet.
- The duration of the walk will be approximately 45 minutes.
August 29 | Peaks & Pathways: A Scenic Art Journey Through Banff
Begin with a guided walking tour from the Banff Centre, stopping at Surprise Corner for stunning views of the iconic Banff Springs Hotel. Continue along historic Buffalo Street, taking in the town’s rich heritage before crossing the Bow River, into Banff’s “Art Walk”, an inspiring outdoor gallery featuring sculptures, interpretive displays, and contemporary works that celebrate the region’s history, wildlife, and artistic spirit. These installations guide the way to the scenic Bow Falls, where the roar of the cascading water enhances this immersive cultural experience.
From Bow Falls, board a motor coach for a short ride to Mt. Norquay, where you’ll ascend by an open chairlift to take in breathtaking panoramic views of the Banff townsite, Rundle Mountain, and Vermilion Lakes, a perfect finale to this exclusive experience.
The tour concludes back at Banff Centre in time for dinner at Vistas.
Provider: Paramount Adventures
When: August 29, 2025 | 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Cost: $195.00 CAD Per Person
Minimum Number of Guests: 20
Booking Deadline: June 30, 2025
Includes: Motor coach transportation, hiking guides for the art walk portion of the tour, a professional tour director, and entrance fee to Norquay chairlift.
Notes:
- The tour will run rain or shine, so please dress in layers for changing weather conditions.
- Comfortable walking shoes are recommended, as some paths may be uneven.
- The guided walking tour will be split into smaller groups of 10 to 12 per guide for a more intimate and personalized experience.
- Walking is required for this tour.
- Length of walk will be 2.7km or 1.7 miles.
- Vertical gain of 50m or 164 feet.
- The duration of the walk will be approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes.
Additional Off-Campus Excursions
Afternoon Tea at Fairmont Banff Springs
Discover the time-honored tradition of afternoon tea in a spectacular setting at Fairmont Banff Springs. They've designed their take on the classic ceremony with you in mind. Experience a culinary journey featuring their finest loose-leaf teas accompanied by an assortment of Victorian scones, dainty finger sandwiches, and more.
Provider: Fairmont Banff Springs , 405 Spray Avenue, Banff
When: Offered daily between 11:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m.
Cost: $90.00 CAD Per Person + GST & gratuity
Notes:
• No transportation will be provided by Fairmont. ROAM Route 2 bus arrives directly at the hotel.
How to book: Book online, by phone, or by e-mail, directly with the Fairmont Banff Springs.
Yoga Class
Provider: Flow State Yoga, 211 Bear Street, Unit 201 B, Banff
When: Multiple classes offered every day.
Cost: Group class: $175, maximum capacity of 24 people (3 weeks notice needed for group bookings). Individual booking available directly with Flow State Yoga.
How to book: Contact Flow State Yoga.
More Sightseeing Opportunities
On-Campus Excursions
Walking Tour of Banff Centre Campus
Join a 1-hour walking tour of Banff Centre’s campus to learn about its more than 90-year history and get a behind-the-scenes glimpse of this renowned arts and culture institution. Exact dates and times to be confirmed closer to the competition, pending audience interest. This tour is free, but you must pre-register by emailing bisqc@banffcentre.ca.
Location: Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity
When: Date and time to be confirmed.
Cost: $0 (Free)
What to bring: Comfortable walking shoes.
How to Book: Email BISQC or come to the audience desk between concerts for further details.
Walter Phillips Gallery
John de Haan & Jason de Haan, When the Last Earth-Tie is Sundered
(My jacket and my Son’s / My Father’s jacket and mine), 1975 / 2025,
embroidery, bleach, and silk on denim jackets.
Elliptical Lineages
June 7 – September 7, 2025
Elliptical Lineages presents the work of artists that engage the creative practices of a family member or those whom they consider kin. Taking up questions of the relationship between art and craft, or reflective of creative forms of living and making within the context of daily life, the exhibition also intends to complicate conventional ideas of artistic lineage and embrace the complexity of exchange and transmission of knowledge across generations.
The exhibition is made possible through the generous support of the Canada Council for the Arts, Alberta Foundation for the Arts, Government of Canada and Government of Alberta.
Free and open to all
Wednesday – Sunday | 12:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.