Come Celebrate!
National Aboriginal Day 2012 © Parks Canada / Jessy Dion
Schedule of events in Jasper 2013
Geocaching Workshop
April 13
Seniors Lounge at the Jasper Activity Centre , 2 pm
Whether you’re new to the game or have years of experience this workshop has someting for you.
Beginners will learn about the game, get hands-on with the game pieces, and then put theory in to practice as you find a few geocaches. Bring you GPS or GPS enabled device if you have one. If not, no worries, we have some you can borrow.
Experienced geocachers will discover why national parks have special rules about geocaching, and you’ll have the opportunity to share your experience with new geocachers.
When logging that you “will attend” this event please indicate your level of experience. Experienced geocachers: please indicate if you’d be willing to help new geocachers find their first geocache.
Spring Flower Count
May 25 - 31
Alpine louseworth © C. Roy
In Jasper National Park the tradition of the Spring Flower Count is not just a fun way to get out with the whole family and explore the trails, meadows and slopes for signs of spring. The data collected is used in climate change research to help describe trends over time.
Participation can be as easy as just looking for flowers in bloom and recording information about it on a data sheet and taking a picture - or it can be very challenging if you are trying to identify an uncommon type of willow blossom. Either way - no worries - help is here.
For more information: call Brian Catto at 780-931-7200 or email
Astronomy Programs
These are just some of the exciting astronomy programs park interpreters will be running this year – weather permitting. Check back closer to the program dates for details.
August 12 – Perseid Meteor Shower
ShowerSleep out under the stars in the world’s largest dark sky preserve!
This weekend the annual Perseid meteor shower will reach its peak of 100 meteors per hour. Join park interpreters at Marmot Meadows in Whistler Campground at 10 p.m. for an hour of meteor discovery and stories, followed by a sleep out under the stars. Instead of counting sheep we'll be counting meteors.
Bring your sleeping bag, camping mattress and pillow to sleep in the fenced-in area. You’re also welcome to set up a tent (for free) outside the fence - in case of foul weather.
For more information: call Brian Catto at 780-931-7200 or email
December 13 – Geminid Meteor Shower (details to be confirmed).
Environment Day
June 5
Jasper National Park Information Centre Lawn, 10am to 3pm
Students from Jasper Elementary School and École Desrochers will get outside with Parks Canada this Environment Day to explore Biodiversity in Jasper National Park through the themes of Species at Risk, Fire and Vegetation Management.
National Aboriginal Day
June 22
Jasper National Park Information Centre Lawn, 11am to 4pm
Jasper National Park is recognized as a significant cultural crossroads for a diversity of Aboriginal groups. Drink in the sights, sounds and colours of local and regional Aboriginal culture at its finest with samples of bannock and bush tea, dancers in colourful regalia and the beat of the drum. For further information
Look, listen and learn as the Indigenous peoples of this land tell and celebrate their own stories in their own way – naturally.
Canada Day
July 1
Flag Raising Ceremony © Parks Canada
Join us in celebrating Canada’s 146th birthday. Wave your maple leaf along the streets of Jasper! Celebrations kick off with a pancake breakfast at 9 a.m. and continue through the day and night with a flag raising ceremony, giant birthday cake, parade, barbeque, beer gardens and stage entertainment capped off by a storm of fireworks against the backdrop of mountain peaks that surround the town.
Parks Day
July 20
Information Centre Lawn, 10am to 5pm
Day-long Parks Day activities include kids games, exhibits, music, guided walks, demonstrations and displays that celebrate the park and showcase some of the specialized work that goes into managing it. For full details visit the Friends of Jasper National Park website.
Jasper Dark Sky Festival
October 25-26-27
This partnership withTourism Jasper and the community of Jasper will include events and activities for everyone from the serious astronomers who get up in the wee hours of the night to spot astronomical phenomenon to those who would rather enjoy the stars through the sky light in their cars.