Must-Do Fall Activities in Alberta in 2025

Fall’s arrival in Alberta trades the bright shades of summer for a warmer palette of orange and yellow. The air is crisp and fresh, the evenings are cozy and the season encourages a slower pace. And there’s still plenty of fun to be had outside, whether you’re exploring the Canadian Rockies, cycling a city or kicking back on a glamping retreat.

Here are some of the most essential fall activities in Alberta in 2025.

Eat, drink and scoot through Edmonton

Edmonton, Alberta’s capital city, is known for its gorgeous North Saskatchewan River Valley (which is bigger than Central Park in New York City), the International Fringe Festival, the Edmonton Oilers and trendy Old Strathcona—among many other gems. And it’s also one of Lonely Planet’s top 30 must-visit destinations.

A guided tour will show off the city and share its stories and history amid the changing colours of the season. Toonie Tours offer small group and private walking, biking and scooter tours to explore Edmonton. Or hop on a Segway with River Valley Adventure Tours and take in the fall splendour of the famous river valley.

Afterwards, find a spot on a sunny patio on bustling Whyte Avenue. And if you’re visiting the area on a weekend, stop by the Old Strathcona Farmers’ Market for a scrumptious lunch, seasonal produce to cook something up yourself or locally made gifts.

Find fall energy on pathways and riversides in Calgary

In Calgary, stroll along the East Village RiverWalk to see the fall colours against the city skyline. Along the way, grab a gourmet breakfast sandwich from Sidewalk Citizen Bakery and a coffee from Phil & Sebastian, both located in the historic Simmons Building (a former mattress factory). Then head onward towards historic Inglewood.

If you’re still peckish, enjoy some local, seasonal fare at the Deane House, found at the confluence of the Elbow and Bow rivers. Or pack a picnic and enjoy it while people-watching amidst the falling yellow leaves at Prince’s Island Park or St. Patrick’s Island.

There are literally 1,000 km (620 mi) of pathways to explore in Calgary, so renting an e-bike from Bow Cycle in East Village can get you on your way. Follow the paths along the river or take a self-guided tour of the city’s award-winning breweries in the Barley Belt. At Cabin Brewing Company, you’ll want to pair your beer flight with a pretzel-wrapped hot dog. Establishment Brewing Company offers fruit-heavy beers made with wild yeast, barrel-aged blends, and crisp pilsners. For an apple-forward taste of the season, bike to Uncommon Cider Co., which incorporates local, backyard fruit into their ciders. Remember to cycle responsibly.

Fall is also the time to catch special events like the Calgary International Film Festival (September 18–28, 2025) or Oktoberfest celebrations at various bars and restaurants throughout the season, too.

Fall food tours and tastings in Alberta

Consider joining a guided tour to inspire your Alberta fall food exploration.

Food Bike Tours in Edmonton combine pedalling e-bikes through the city’s stunning river valley and three delicious stops at local restaurants. Alberta Food Tours offers a range of experiences in Calgary, Edmonton, Banff and Canmore, and their Brunch at the Calgary Farmers’ Market West tour is particularly popular. You’ll fuel up with a light brunch before more than a dozen tastings of local fare while you get to know the farmers and ranchers who make it all possible.

From Calgary, it’s a short and picturesque 67-km (41 mi) drive to Eau Claire Distillery in Diamond Valley. Book a tour of the distillery to learn the history of prohibition in the area and taste their premium spirits made with local barley and botanicals, then relax on the patio with a maple whisky old fashioned and a beef and brisket smash burger.

The warmth of early fall tends to feel like a bonus bit of summer in Alberta, and it means an extended patio season—though some hardy locals still frequent heated patios come winter. Many restaurants, breweries and distilleries will still have their patios open well into fall, so snag a spot in the sunshine to dine like a local.

Mead and wine tastings around Alberta

‘Tis the season for fruit wine and mead, too. Alberta is a major producer of honey, with our local bees making 40 million pounds of it annually. Mead is made with fermented honey and the flavour changes with the seasons. Head to Fallentimber Meadery in Water Valley (94 km or 58 mi from Calgary) for a tour and tasting at the family-run business.

Alberta's fruit wines, in comparison, are often made with local fruits like Saskatoon berries, haskaps and wild cherries. Field Stone Fruit Wines in Strathmore was among the first wineries in the province and has won its share of awards over the years. You can sip Little Gem Winery’s haskap wines and ciders along with a Dutch-inspired food menu at their winery near Lethbridge.

Eat the fall harvest straight from the source at an Alberta farm

Garden-fresh vegetables and fruit just taste better, but you don’t need a green thumb to get the benefits. Spend a day at Broxburn Vegetables and Café in Lethbridge, a family-run operation that grows organic produce year-round. Have a bite at the café and get inspired for your own kitchen creations.

Fall hikes mean cool temperatures and larch-spotting

Hikes in the Canadian Rockies is a must come fall, and you can spot the famous golden larch trees starting in mid-September until about early October. That's when these special conifers’ needles turn from green to gold to add a warm hue to a crisp fall hike.

Mount Lorette Ponds in Kananaskis Country is a quick and easy loop—only 1 km (0.6 mi)—with barely any elevation gain, but it delivers on larch sightings. Ptarmigan Cirque and Arethusa Cirque are also popular routes, and both loops come in at 4.5 km (2.8 mi). There’s some increased elevation gain on both, so they’re considered moderate trails.

Whichever trail you choose, remember to carry bear spray, keep dogs on leash, wear proper footwear, stay on designated routes, pack out all garbage and arrive early to get a parking space (parking on the highway is not allowed).

Mountain-biking in the Canadian Rockies for first-timers

Prefer to hit the trails on two wheels? The Canmore Nordic Centre boasts a winding mountain-bike trail system with more than 100 km (62 mi) to explore, and there’s something for all experience levels.

Sweet Riders in Coleman in the Southern Rockies teaches mountain biking skills in a fun, safe environment, so plan a visit if you want to learn the ropes of the sport.

Take a fall colours boat tour in the Canadian Rockies

Soak in the fall scenery from a new perspective. The Waterton Inter-Nation Shoreline Cruise travels around the deepest lake in the Canadian Rockies at Waterton Lakes National Park. Cruises vary in length and share local perspectives on the region’s history.

In Jasper National Park, climb aboard the Maligne Lake Cruise and see the world-renowned Spirit Island, which is a new kind of stunning in the fall.

Autumn in Alberta is perfect for horseback riding and stargazing

Fall is also an idyllic season to saddle up and get in touch with your inner cowboy. There’s no experience required to ride a horse on a guided experience. Banff Trail Riders will help you get on your way with leisurely guided trail rides and even longer excursions if you’re feeling adventurous.

The fun doesn’t stop when the sun goes down, especially in Jasper. Each year, the world’s second-largest dark sky preserve hosts the Jasper Dark Sky Festival (happening October 17 to⁠ November 2, 2025). Astronomers of all ages and skill levels are invited to discover the wonders of the night sky through planetarium experiences and guided activities.

Get immersed in culture with fall book festivals

There’s no better time to get cozy with a good book. Fall is book festival season, and you won’t want to miss LitFest and Wordfest Imaginairium.

LitFest—hailed as Canada’s original nonfiction festival—runs from October 15–19, 2025 in Edmonton. LitFest is all about sparking conversation, and you can join panel discussions, readings, performances and workshops around thought-provoking books that may become your next fall read.

In Calgary, Wordfest’s 2025 Imaginairium takes place from October 14–19, 2025. This year’s iteration marks a celebration of the festival’s 30-year history and features more than 50 authors.

Book a guided Indigenous culture tour

Indigenous peoples have called the place known as Alberta home for thousands of years, and their deep connection to the land continues today. Talking Rock Tours in Edmonton invites you to discover the province’s rich natural and cultural history, Indigenous ceremonies, storytelling and teachings through small-group walking and hiking experiences.

Some of the best fall road trips in Alberta

Fuel up the car, create the perfect playlist and hit the road. The fall colours are breathtaking all over Alberta, and a scenic road trip shows them all off. It’s hard to narrow down to just a few road trips. Find more Alberta road trip inspiration in our itineraries.

Crowsnest Pass road trip

Venture to the southwest part of the province and explore the Crowsnest Pass. The hidden gem has a fascinating history and plenty of outdoor fun in a tranquil setting away from crowds.

Highlights in the area include the Burmis tree (which lived to be approximately 700 years old), remnants of Frank Slide (Canada’s deadliest rockslide), Lundbreck Falls (just a short walk from the parking lot), and the Bellevue Underground Mine tour.

Kananaskis Country hikes road trip

For another easy day trip from Calgary, head to Kananaskis Country and drive the Highwood Pass. You’re bound to spot some larch trees along the way, along with endless gorgeous scenery. Leave lots of time to stop for photos.

There are countless hikes for all levels in the provincial parks that make up Kananaskis Country. Try the riverside Widowmaker in Bow Valley Provincial Park, a mild hike despite its harrowing name. You might spot late-season paddlers battling the whitewater. Make your way to Canmore to enjoy a dinner of contemporary Canadian cuisine at änkôr.

Icefields Parkway fall road trip

The Icefields Parkway is one of the most beautiful road trips in the world in any season, and you’ll quickly understand why. The road runs between Banff and Jasper national parks, and it’s spectacular in either direction. There are lakes, glaciers and waterfalls seemingly around every other bend.

If Jasper is your destination, spend the night at Jasper East Cabins, bundle up for a late night on the patio at Folding Mountain Brewery and soak it all up. Get more inspiration for an Icefields Parkway road trip.

Find a cozy place to stay in Alberta this fall

Fall is cozy season, so book yourself a stay to match that vibe.

A quaint cabin, like Mount Engadine Lodge, Peace River Cabins or Pine Bungalows can fit the bill. Or you can immerse yourself in the western way of life at Thanksgiving Ranch, Rocking R Guest Ranch or Boundary Ranch. And, did you know you can even stay in a converted grain silo?

If you're seeking an Indigenous cultural experience, venture 109 km (68 mi) northeast of Edmonton to Métis Crossing. The Métis cultural interpretive destination celebrates Métis culture and history, and it’s a place where all are welcome. The Sky Watching Domes combine comfort, nature and Métis culture. The domes are situated in an area with minimal light pollution, so stargazing is excellent. You can watch the wonders of the night sky from your cozy dome, thanks to a transparent ceiling. Each dome is equipped with a king-sized bed, washroom, kitchenette, electricity and heated floors.

Comfort camping is still available during the fall season, too. The River Retreat Kananaskis is on the banks of the Highwood River, and you can camp in an equipped RV—no hassle, just relaxation. Or find a little slice of luxury in nature with comfort cabins at Pine Creek Retreat or domes at Glamping Resorts at Castle Provincial Park. Each one rivals a boutique hotel stay, but you’ll be treated to expansive views and all the fun of the great outdoors.