Stampede

FREE STAMPEDE ADMISSION TIMES 🔥

(Regular price admission in 2025 is $25. See gate prices here.)

Friday July 4, 2025 from 11am-1:30pm FREE admission for Parade-to-Park Day
Sunday July 6, 2025 from 8am-11am FREE admission for Tim Hortons Family Day (Plus a free pancake breakfast 8am-10am)
Tuesday July 8, 2025 from 10am-2pm FREE admission for TC Energy Community Day (Plus free entry for seniors 65+ all day)
Wednesday July 9, 2025 from 8am-10am FREE admission for BMO Kids Day (Plus free entry for kids 12 and under all day)

DISCOUNTED STAMPEDE ADMISSION 💸

Thursday July 3, 2025: 3pm-5pm $5 admission for Sneak-A-Peek Early Access & 5pm-Midnight $13 admission for Sneak-A-Peek
SuperPass: Get unlimited entry for all 10 days of Stampede with a SuperPass ($50 +GST)
Stampede Lotteries Offer: Get a 50% off park admission code when you buy a Lotteries ticket
Co-op Coke Offer: Buy $5 worth of participating beverages and get a coupon to save $10 on park admission
7-Eleven Offer: Buy 2 park admissions for $32 (reg price $50)

MIDWAY, RODEO, & EVENING SHOW DEALS 😍

Costco Offer: Get $50 in Stampede Bucks for $39.99 to redeem on rides, Rodeo or Evening Show tickets
Ride All Day Pass: Save 15% when you buy a ride all day pass ($45) at Safeway, Sobeys, or IGA in Calgary area. (Does not admit to stampede park)
Stampede Lotteries Offer: Get a 50% off Evening Show or Rodeo tickets discount code when you buy a Lotteries ticket
Bud & a Burger Offer: $40 for park admission, standing room admission to Rodeo, and beef on a bun and a Budweiser (+18) (not available for purchase in advance, purchase online)

2 in 1 DEALS 😍

SAM Centre + Stampede Admission: Get admission to both the SAM Centre and stampede park for only $25 (Save $15)
Calgary Surge + Stampede Admission: Full day admission to the grounds included with your ticket to the Surge basketball game at the Saddledome July 9

The Calgary Stampede is very famous for its concerts. 🎵 Most of the music is country, but not all.

CONCERTS: On the Stampede Grounds

For concerts on the actual Stampede grounds, the music venues are:

The Coca-Cola Stage (all ages, outside),
The Big Four Roadhouse (18+, indoors), and
Nashville North (18+, tent).

All are free to get into! (You’ll have had to pay park admission though).

CONCERTS: Off the Stampede Grounds

For concerts off the grounds, there are many! 🎵 There are a number of large tents around the city like:

The price to get in will range from free to hundreds of dollars depending on the artist headlining that day and what time you show up. Plan ahead if there is someone specific you’d like to see. Also, the line-ups are variable, they may be long or none at all. All tents are 18+ venues and ID is required.

Cowboys Festival Tent Concerts

Thur July 3 - Zach Top
Fri July 4 - Megan Moroney
Sat July 5 - Timbaland | Macklemore
Sun July 6 - Thomas Rhett | Tucker Wetmore
Mon July 7 - Kygo | All-American Rejects
Tues July 8 - Fall Out Boy
Wed July 9 - T-Pain | Jessie Murph
Thur July 10 - Jordan Davis | Guy Fieri BBQ Cook-Off (2pm)
Fri July 11 - Akon
Sat July 12 - Red Clay Strays | Drag Me to Cowboys (2pm)
Sun July 13 - Chainsmokers

Tickets are required for Cowboys Festival tent concerts. The Cowboys Music Festival Tent has moved this year to the west side of downtown to Cowboys Park (previously Millennium Park).

📍 1220 9 Ave SW

🔞 Must be 18+ to enter

Cowboys Music Festival Tent

Cowboys DAnce Hall

Wed July 2 - Send Szn
Thur July 3 -
Fri July 4 - Sydney Thomas
Sat July 5 - Smash Mouth (8pm) | Midget Wrestling (4pm-8pm)
Sun July 6 - Roy Wood$
Mon July 7 - Adrien Nunez
Tues July 8 - Graham Barham
Wed July 9 - Cody Ko
Thur July 10 - Neon Rodeo
Fri July 11 - Hallie Batchelder + SWIMSUIT INTERNATIONAL
Sat July 12 - Hallie Batchelder
Sun July 13 - Electronica Symphonia

Not to be confused with Cowboys Music Festival tent, Cowboys Dance Hall is a nightclub within the Cowboys Casino.

📍 421 12 Ave SE

🔞 Must be 18+ to enter

Cowboys Dance Hall

The Badlands Tent Concerts

Thur July 3 - Tiesto
Fri July 4 - Disclosure
Sat July 5 - RL Grime
Sun July 6 - Zedd
Mon July 7 - Lane 8 | Tinlicker
Tues July 8 - Subtronics | Zeds Dead
Wed July 9 - Gryffin | Dabin
Thur July 10 - Cloonee | Chris Lorenzo
Fri July 11 - Boiler Room
Sat July 12 - Seven Lions
Sun July 13 - Fisher

Depending on the concert you may be able to get in free with RSVP and early arrival. See each concert for details. The Badlands Music Festival is located in a tent downtown.

📍725 9th Ave SW

🔞 Must be 18+ to enter

Badlands

Nashville North Tent Concerts

Thur July 3 - Tenille Townes
Fri July 4 - Jade Eagleson
Sat July 5 - Drake Milligan | Hailey Benedict
Sun July 6 - Midland | Ian Munsick
Mon July 7 - Koe Wetzel | Wyatt Flores
Tues July 8 - Cole Swindell | Meghan Patrick
Wed July 9 - Charles Wesley Godwin
Thur July 10 - The Reklaws | Cameron Whitcomb
Fri July 11 - Max McNown | Willow Avalon
Sat July 12 - Chayce Beckham
Sun July 13 - Mackenzie Porter

Admission to the tent is FREE but line-ups for Nashville North can be extremely long, (even 3-4 hours long on Fridays and Saturdays). To get in be sure to go before 5pm.

📍 Within the Stampede Grounds (requires park admission)

🔞 Must be 18+ to enter

Nashville North

Wildhorse Saloon Tent Concerts

Thur July 3 - The Rural Alberta Advantage
Fri July 4 - 54-40
Sat July 5 -
Sun July 6 - Violent Femmes
Mon July 7 - Dallas Smith
Tues July 8 - The Watchmen
Wed July 9 - Sloan
Thur July 10 - The Strumbellas
Fri July 11 -
Sat July 12 -
Sun July 13 -

Tickets are required for entry to Wildhorse concerts (usually $25). Wildhorse is located in a tent downtown.

📍 500 6th Ave SW.

🔞 Must be 18+ to enter

Wildhorse

National Saloon Tent Concerts

Thur July 3 -
Fri July 4 - Chad Brownlee
Sat July 5 - Cole Bradley
Sun July 6 - Down with Webster
Mon July 7 - BBNO$
Tues July 8 - Saint Motel
Wed July 9 -
Thur July 10 - Marianas Trench
Fri July 11 - Default
Sat July 12 - Disco Ranch
Sun July 13 -

📍 330 11 Ave SW

🔞 Must be 18+ to enter

National Saloon

Coca Cola Stage Concerts

Thur July 3 - Lauren Spencer Smith | Jonah Kagen
Fri July 4 - Kaleo | Amigo The Devil | The Cat Empire
Sat July 5 - Tommy Richman | Lilyisthatyou | Malcom Todd
Sun July 6 - Arkells | Two Feet | Lights
Mon July 7 - Diplo presents Thomas Wesley | MC4D | Brandi Cyrus
Tues July 8 - Don Toliver | Charlotte Day Wilson | Tinashe
Wed July 9 - Amine | Khalid | Avenoir
Thur July 10 - Bleachers | USS | Role Model
Fri July 11 - Charlotte Cardin | Lake Street Dive | The 502S
Sat July 12 - Duke Dumont | Alesso | Lovra | Hayla
Sun July 13 - Simple Plan | Lolo | Mayday Parade

Concerts at the Coke Stage are FREE. You only need admission to the grounds. However, go early as it gets packed in the evenings!

📍 Within the Stampede Grounds (requires park admission)

All Ages

coke stage

The Big Four Roadhouse Concerts

Thur July 3 - Toque
Fri July 4 - Natasha Bedingfield
Sat July 5 - Smino
Sun July 6 - Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit (all ages event)
Mon July 7 - TLC
Tues July 8 - De La Soul
Wed July 9 - Lil John
Thur July 10 - Boys Like Girls
Fri July 11 - Yung Gravy
Sat July 12 - Tom Morello
Sun July 13 - Mike

Concerts at the Big Four Roadhouse are normally FREE unless it says tickets are required. Note this is an indoor venue.

📍 Within the Stampede Grounds (requires park admission)

🔞 Must be 18+ to enter

Big Four

Ranchman's Concerts

Thur July 3 - Girl Crush
Fri July 4 - Girl Crush | Jordan Shingoose
Sat July 5 - Chris Brien | Robert Gosse
Sun July 6 - KJ Miller | Toby
Mon July 7 - Nolan Compton | Nik Poli
Tues July 8 - The Frontiers | Hayden Blount
Wed July 9 - Tanner Laws | Braxton Keith | Taylor Swift Tribute Concert
Thur July 10 - Quinton Blair | NewLaw
Fri July 11 - Cole Martin | Ryan Lindsay
Sat July 12 - Brad Sims | Jordan Shigoose
Sun July 13 - The Martin Boys

Most Ranchman's stampede concerts do not require tickets. Note that Ranchman's is located south of downtown (making it easier to get access compared to some concerts).

📍 9615 Macleod Trail S.

🔞 Must be 18+ to enter

Ranchman's

Whiskey Rose Live Music

Thur July 3 -
Fri July 4 - Saints and Sinners
Sat July 5 - Daring Greatly
Sun July 6 - Whiskey Blind
Mon July 7 -
Tues July 8 - Connor Wicklum
Wed July 9 - Matt Blais
Thur July 10 - Ten02
Fri July 11 - Nik n Mitch
Sat July 12 - Flaysher
Sun July 13 -

Whiskey Rose is a country bar located on popular 17th Ave downtown.

📍 1012 17 Ave SW

🔞 Must be 18+ to enter.

Whiskey Rose

Palace Theatre Concerts

Thur July 3 -
Fri July 4 - Marlo
Sat July 5 - ATliens
Sun July 6 -
Mon July 7 -
Tues July 8 - Gatecreeper w/200 Stab Woods & Denial of Life
Wed July 9 -
Thur July 10 - Rebecca Black (DJ Set)
Fri July 11 - A Case of The Mondays
Sat July 12 - Sullivan King
Sun July 13 -

Most Palace Theatre concerts are free before 11:30pm with an RSVP (see their website). Palace Theatre is a multi-genre music venue located downtown on popular Stephen Ave

Note that the Palace Theatre isn't really a "western" venue and these are more likely acts that just happen to be on during this period rather than "Stampede concerts."

📍 219 8 Ave SW

🔞 Must be 18+ to enter

Palace Theatre

More Big Music Events in 2025

Roundup Music Festival: Wed July 9, 2025

Oxford Stomp Music Festival: Fri July 11, 2025

Roundup Music Festival: Wed July 9, 2025

Pat Benatar
Neil Giraldo
Tom Cochrane
JD Fortune Rocks INXS
JJ Wilde

roundup fest

Saddledome Events 2025:

Oxford Stomp Music Festival: Fri July 11, 2025

Roundup Music Festival: Wed July 9, 2025

July 5: Shania Twain

July 9: Surge 2 Stampede

July 12-13 - POWWOW

Saddledome

Oxford Stomp Music Festival: Fri July 11, 2025

Sheryl Crow
The Sheepdogs
Dear Rouge
Hotel Mira

oxford stomp

Calgary Pancake Breakfasts 2025

A big part of Stampede are the pancake breakfasts. 🥞 These are most often large outdoor events held in various parking lots around the city (often at malls or churches). But that said, there are medium and smaller-sized pancake breakfasts too.

People get excited for these breakfasts because they are normally free (or very low cost). This also means the line-ups can be quite long, it’s often best to go very early or very late (although if you go late, you run the risk that they may run out of food). 😯

Pancake breakfasts are family friendly events, they normally have country music playing, and people dress up in their Western outfits for the occasion. 🤠

Please be patient as this list is updated for 2025

June 29th (A little early!)

Italian Centre Shop Calgary – 10-Year Anniversary “Spaghetti Western” Pancake Breakfast ⏰ 10 am - 2 pm 📍9919 Fairmount Dr. SE, Calgary. *FREE*

Thursday July 3

Calgary Dream Centre 10th Annual Stampede Breakfast ⏰ 9 - 11 am 📍4510 Macleod Trail S, Calgary *FREE*
First Flip Pancake Breakfast 2025 ⏰ 7:30 am - 10:30 am 📍Stephen Ave. *FREE*
4th Street Pancake Showdown ⏰ 9am-11am 📍4th Street SW *FREE*

Friday July 4

420 Beltline Stampede Breakfast with Gulbar ⏰ 9am - 12 pm 📍640 10 Avenue SW. *18+ & *FREE*
New Horizon Mall Annual Stampede “Breakfast for Dinner” ⏰ 4pm - 6pm 📍260300 Writing Creek Cres *FREE*

Saturday July 5

MaKami College Stampede Breakfast ⏰ 9am-12pm 📍1600-3800 Memorial Dr. NE *FREE*
Crossroads Market Stampede Breakfast ⏰ 9am-11am 📍 1235 26 Ave SE *FREE*
Ghanian-Canadian Association of Calgary Stampede Breakfast ⏰ 8am-11am 📍 3936 29th St. NE *FREE*
The District at Beltline Free Stampede Breakfast ⏰ 9am-11am 📍 227 11 Ave SW *FREE*
OMO 8th Annual Green Tea Pancake Breakfast ⏰ 8:30am-10:30am 📍5222 Macleod Trail SW *FREE*
A Vegan Stampede Breakfast ⏰ 9am-1pm 📍1319 9 Ave SE *FREE*
Acadia Community Association Stampede Breakfast ⏰ 9am-1pm 📍240 90 Ave SE *PAID*
CF Chinook Centre Stampede Breakfast ⏰ 7am-11am 📍 6455 Macleod Trl *FREE*

Sunday July 6

Tim Hortons Family Day Pancake Breakfast at Stampede ⏰ 8-10am *FREE*
Wood’s Homes Annual Stampede Breakfast ⏰ 7:30am-11am 📍9400 48 Ave NW *FREE*
Triwood Stampede Breakfast ⏰ 9am-1pm 📍2244 Chicoutimi Dr NW *FREE*
10th Almusal Stampede Breakfast Filipino Style ⏰ 7:30am-10:30am📍3223 17 Ave SE *FREE*
Alberta NDP Caucus Annual Stampede Breakfast ⏰ 8am-11am 📍1204 89 Avenue SW *FREE*
Brookfield Residential YMCA Pancake Breakfast at Seton ⏰ 9am-11am 📍4995 Market St SE *FREE*

Monday July 7

CrossIron Mills Stampede Breakfast ⏰ 9am - 11 am 📍 261055 Crossiron Blvd, *FREE*

Tuesday July 8

Stampede Breakfast at Remington YMCA in Quarry Park ⏰ 7:30am-9:30am 📍108 Quarry Pk Rd SE *FREE*
BOOTLEGGIN' BREAKFAST - Westin Calgary ⏰ 8am-1pm 📍320 4 Ave SW *PAID*
Coventry Hills Centre, Community Stampede Breakfast ⏰ 9am-11am 📍130 Country Village Road *FREE*
FOUR20 Inglewood Stampede Breakfast ⏰.9am-12pm 📍 309 9 Ave SE *18+ & FREE*
Stampede Breakfast at Ella Grace Marketplace ⏰9am-12PM 📍7271 12th st SE *FREE*

Wednesday July 9

Southview Church Stampede Breakfast ⏰ 8am-10:30am 📍 20200 Walden Blvd SE *FREE*
Grey Eagle Resort & Casino Event Centre Stampede Breakfast ⏰ 8am-11am 📍 3777 Grey Eagle Dr *FREE*
BOOTLEGGIN’ BREAKFAST – Fairmont Palliser ⏰ 8am-1pm 133 📍 9 Ave SW *PAID*
16th Annual Pink Stampede Breakfast ⏰ 9am-11am 📍100 Anderson Rd SE *FREE*

Thursday July 10

Deerfoot City - Pancake Breakfast ⏰ 9am-11am 📍901 64 Ave NE *FREE*
Genesis Centre Stampede Breakfast ⏰ 9am -11am 📍 7555 Falconridge Blvd NE *FREE*
BOOTLEGGIN' BREAKFAST - Fairmont Palliser ⏰ 8am-1pm 📍 133 9 Ave SW *PAID*
YMCA Shawneey Stampede Breakfast ⏰ 7:30am-9:30am 📍333 Shawville Blvd SE *FREE*
McKenzie Towne Council Stampede Breakfast ⏰9am-11am 📍High Street *FREE*

Friday July 11

Fresh Start Recovery Stampede BBQ ⏰ 11am-2pm 📍411, 41 AVE NE, *FREE*
Stampede Breakfast at Willow Park Village ⏰ 8am-11am 📍10816 Macleod Trail *FREE*
The Salvation Army Stampede Breakfast – East ⏰9am-11am 📍5115 – 17th Ave SE *FREE*
YMCA Saddletowne Stampede Breakfast ⏰9am-11am 📍 7555 Falconridge Blvd NE *FREE*
Genesis Centre Stampede Breakfast ⏰9am-11am📍555 Falconridge Blvd NE *FREE*

Saturday July 12

Cornerstone Family Dental Stampede Breakfast ⏰ 9am -12PM 📍 75 Corner Meadows Park NE *FREE*
New Brighton Stampede Breakfast ⏰ 9am-12PM 📍 2 New Brighton Dr. SE *FREE*
Marda Loop Stampede Breakfast ⏰ 9am-12PM 📍3130 16 Street SW *FREE*

🐎Stampede Parade🐎

The Stampede Parade kicks off the official start to Stampede every year. This always occurs on the first Friday morning of Stampede. (While the grounds open on Thursday night, it's considered a sneak-a-peek event, with the "real" start being Friday.)

The parade starts at 9am and ends around 11am (depending on where you are sitting). The parade is very popular, so it does get incredibly crowded. I’ll warn you to expect it to be difficult to find parking and to find a spot to see the parade. I recommend arriving around 7am to get better seating. Bleachers are provided for seating in some areas, but you can also bring your own chairs.

Transit will also be extremely packed following the parade’s finish. Expect long waits on a crowded platform (30min-1.5 hours) to use the CTrain after the parade. I recommend walking whenever possible.

⭐Pro-tip: Admission to the grounds on parade day is FREE from 11am to 1:30pm.

🎡midway Rides & Food🍔

The Midway is filled with all the rides, games, and foods than you can ever imagine.

Expect weird combos of pickles, cheese, corndogs, alligator, bison, mini donuts, mac ‘n cheese, items on a stick, poutine, bugs, corn, peanut butter, bacon and more! See the Stampede Midway Food here.

⭐Pro-tip: Ride line-ups can be quite long. For a shorter wait, it’s best to go on a weekday morning for shorter lines or a rainy/poor weather day to have no lines at all!

⭐Pro-tip: Food on the midway is quite expensive! Because the portion sizes are often large I’d recommend buying multiple items and sharing. This will provide more opportunities to try different items and stretch your budget! Bring friends!

🤠 Stampede Rodeo 🤠

The Stampede Rodeo is each afternoon of the Stampede in the GMC Stadium for all 10 days. It goes from approximately 1:00pm-4:30pm. It’s recommended you purchase your tickets in advance for the best seating. You can choose seats that are covered or uncovered (subject to weather). The weather is usually good, but there are of course occasional rainy days or very hot days.

⭐Pro-tip: Your rodeo ticket includes your entry into the park so you do not need to purchase Stampede park admission on the day of.

⭐Pro-tip: If you want to see the rodeo for a little cheaper, once you're on the grounds (so you'll have to pay park admission) you can buy what's called "Standing Room Only" ticket that works for that day only. This means you don't have a dedicated seat, but these tickets are cheaper and you can roam the Grandstand freely with lots of good views. Purchase these from the box office in front of the Grandstand.

🍺 Food, beverages, and alcoholic drinks are available for purchase in the stands area.

🎇Stampede Evening Show🎇

The Evening Show is on every night of the Stampede in the GMC Stadium and requires a ticket for entry. It consists of two very different parts: the Chuckwagon Races & the Grandstand Show.

The Chuckwagon Races start at 7:45pm. There are 9 heats and 27 drivers competing each night. This is followed by bareback relay races by Indigenous riders.

The Grandstand Show portion starts around 9pm and ends at 11:30pm. The fireworks end the Grandstand Show at 11pm. This is the best viewing in the city for the Stampede fireworks.

⭐Pro-tip: Your Evening Show ticket includes entry to the park on the day of the show so you do not need to buy admission on this day.

🍺 Food, beverages, and alcoholic drinks are available for purchase in the stands area

🎆Stampede Fireworks🎆

The fireworks are on every night of the Stampede starting after 11pm and go for about 30 minutes. 🎆

The best view of the fireworks are at the Grandstand show but you can also see them from anywhere on the grounds or higher up locations in the city.

Here are some locations to watch the fireworks that are off the grounds:

Scotsman’s Hill in Ramsey (Salisbury Street and 17 Ave. S.E.)
Hillcrest Avenue in Mount Royal
Tom Campbell Hill (25 St. George’s Drive N.E.)

(Source: Global News article)

⭐Pro-tip: Many Airbnbs downtown will have a view of the Stampede fireworks. This information will be in the property description.

15 FREE THINGS TO DO AT STAMPEDE

1) 🎺FREE SHOWBAND: See the world-class Stampede Showband perform at the BMO Centre Grand Staircase (daily at 2pm)

2) 🐶FREE DOGS SHOW: Head to the Dog Bowl for a free 30 min SuperDogs Canine show (multiple shows daily!)

3) 🏍️FREE FREESTYLE MOTORCROSS: Check out the Monster Energy Compound for daredevil tricks, flips and stunts! (multiple shows daily!)

4) 🛍️FREE ENTRY TO MARKET: Shop the Biggest Stampede Market yet! Find it in the BMO Centre (open daily noon-9pm)

5) 🏕️FREE ENTRY TO ELBOW RIVER CAMP: area dedicated to indigenous culture with Tipis, demonstrations, interpretive program, and local artisans

6) 🥞FREE PANCAKE BREAKFAST: Free pancake breakfast at GMC Stadium Courtyard on Sunday July 6 2025 8am-10am

7) 🎵FREE CONCERTS: Free Live music Daily at the Coca-Cola stage, Nashville North Tent, and the Big Four Building

8) 🗽FREE ART VIEWING: See “Fleurs de Villes” Floral mannequins of country music stars on display in the BMO centre

9) 🚶FREE HISTORICAL WALKING TOUR: Experience a guided walking tour starting at the Nutrien Western Centre (11:30, 12:30, 1:30, 2:30 daily)

10) 🎩FREE MAGIC SHOW: See “Magician & The Muse” Free 30 minute magic show at the BMO centre Stage of Wonders (3 shows daily)

11) 🗡️FREE ESCAPE ARTIST SHOW: See “Jaws of Death” show featuring professional escape artist Dean Gunnarson at the BMO Centre Stage of Wonders (2-3 shows daily)

12) 🍽️FREE KITCHEN THEATRE: See live kitchen creations on the lower level of The Big Four Roadhouse (5 shows daily)

13) 🥁FREE POWWOW: See Stampede Powwow at the Saddledome July 12 & 13 at noon

14) 🚜FREE AGRICULTURAL COMPETITIONS: From vintage tractor pull to heavy horse show, see competitions at the Nutrien Western Event Centre (various times daily)

15) 🤹‍♀️FREE CIRQUE SHOW: see Le Cirque de la Nuit cabaret show at the Stampede Cellar (18+) (2 shows nightly)

FAQ's

How should I plan my itinerary?

First step, decide if you want to go to the parade or not, if that’s important to you, anchor your visit around the first Friday and work from there. If the parade is not important to you, I would anchor my trip around the concert(s) I most want to see. For instance, you could decide to only go to the Stampede for the second weekend and skip the first weekend.

If midway rides are important to you, plan to do that on a weekday for shorter lines.

Things like the rodeo, evening show, and midway food are all equally good on all 10 days of Stampede. (Unless you’re into the rodeo finals, which occur on the last couple days, but except for those who are super knowledgeable about rodeos, this won’t make a difference to your experience.)

I’d say you don’t need more than two days on the actual Stampede grounds and you could do it in one if you wanted to. The grounds are big, but not massive so you can do a lot in one day. I’d recommend that you also plan for off-the-grounds fun (exploring the city and going to party tents). Depending on how familiar you are with Calgary (if you’re including some sightseeing, I’d say 3 days is a good amount if you’re mostly coming for the Stampede stuff. (This is tough for me to say as I don’t know if you’re coming from Winnipeg or Japan, but that’s what I’d give as a baseline). There is no reason for you to do Stampede for 10 days, unless maybe you left in the middle and explored Canmore and Banff area and then came back to Calgary. 🏔️

Where should I stay?

I’d recommend you stay anywhere downtown for the most convenient access to the Stampede grounds and tents. However, I recognize downtown will also be the most expensive. You can stay anywhere in Calgary but the further from downtown the more you will pay for cab or uber fares. 🚕

Calgary has lots of hotel and Airbnb options to choose from. I’d recommend booking early as this is Calgary’s busiest time of year. Some neighborhoods that are close to downtown and are nice destinations themselves are Marda Loop, Kensington, and Inglewood. These areas have many good restaurants, shops, and cafes. ☕

⭐Pro-tip: The neighborhood of Kensington is close to the light rail transit line (CTrain line) which takes you directly to Stampede (get off at either Erlton or Victoria Park station). The Ctrain doesn’t go to Marda Loop or Inglewood, so cab/uber will be your only option. (See more on transit options below)

How do I get to and from the Stampede grounds?

Whatever you do, don't drive. ⛔ The traffic next to the grounds is insane. Even if you rented a car for your time in Calgary, I would personally leave it behind when traveling to the Stampede grounds. You may end up spending hours in traffic and parking will be very expensive.

Your best bet is to CTrain or take an uber/taxi and be dropped off near the grounds and walk the rest of the way. You'll move much faster on foot within the area close to the grounds.

Expect crowds at the gates as people enter but usually there is no wait as the crowd moves fast. (Note there are different lines for buying tickets and for scanning tickets for entry so make sure you’re in the correct line.)

There are 4 entry areas onto the grounds but it doesn't matter which one you use. All are good.

Victoria Park/Stampede Station (17th Ave and Macleod Trail S.E.)
Stampede Trail (14th Ave and Stampede Trail S.E.)
Erlton (25th Ave and Macleod Trail S.E.)
MacDonald Ave (MacDonald Ave S.E.)

⭐Pro-tip: If you leave the grounds, get a stamp on your hand and you can re-enter the same day at no cost.

⭐Pro-tip: When leaving the grounds to go somewhere else, I usually walk several blocks away and then call a cab/uber to that location to avoid calling a cab into the congestion at the park.

What should I wear to the Stampede grounds?

Comfortable shoes! Or cowboy boots! Whatever you're doing, it'll involve a lot of walking. Also, it's usually quite warm in Canada in July so wear light summer clothing. A cowboy hat is a good idea to block the sun. Sunscreen may be a good idea too. Whatever western wear you have is fun if you want to dress the part, but you certainly don't have to dress western if you’re not feeling it. 🤠

What should I bring to the Stampede grounds?

Comfortable shoes! (or cowboy boots of course)
A refillable water bottle
Credit card and cash (you can get away with just a credit card, but I like to carry some cash just in case).
Hand sanitizer
Sunscreen
A hat because shade can be hard to find
Sunglasses
ID card for beer gardens or tents
Optional western wear: cowboy hat, boots, jeans, checkered shirt, bandana, belt buckle, jean jacket or jean shirt 🤠

Be sure to check the weather in case of rain. Normally, July is quite nice, but there are of course the odd rainy or even stormy day, so you may want to have a rain jacket on hand.

⭐Pro-tip: To save money, you can bring your own food on the grounds (but note you cannot bring your own alcohol).

I heard the Stampede is a wild party, is this true?

Actually, yes! 🎉 But this is likely referring to the party tents. Think Oktoberfest but a cowboy version. These massive temporary tents host a lot of drinking and dancing. 🍺 (Note that drinks are very pricey in the tents). Cowboys is the most infamous tent. But you don't have to go to Cowboys Tent to get the full experience though, as Wildhorse, Nashville North, The Badlands, and National Saloon tents offer similar experiences.

Can I drink alcohol on the Stampede grounds?

Yes, but only in designated beer garden, tent, or restaurant areas. You can also drink in the grandstand.

The Big Four Roadhouse - a concert venue at night, a beer gardens during the day (18+ after 6pm)
Bar Nineteen Twelve at The Big Four Roadhouse - This is newish and I haven’t been here, but apparently it’s a small speakeasy style cocktail bar (18+)
Nashville North - outdoor tent with live music (18+)
Stampede Cellar - a fancier wine-oriented venue, find it on the upper floor of the BMO Centre (18+)
Western Oasis Wine Garden - within the BMO Centre market area (requires some walking inside to discover it)

I keep seeing the Stampede Lotteries, what's that about?

Each year the Stampede puts on its own lotto with the major prize being a “Dream Home” (worth over $1,000,000). 🏡 You can also buy separate tickets for the Stampede 50/50 cash prize. And the Kinsmen Prizes (which are a bunch of big prizes like vehicles, trips and gift cards).

You can buy tickets online here or on the Stampede grounds at designated booths. 🎫

I'm a tourist, what else should I do while I'm in Calgary?

Great question! See my guide on what to do if you only have 24 hours in Calgary and pick from the highlights I've added. [24 Hours in Calgary]

2025 CALGARY STAMPEDE GUIDE

🚨 PAGE IS UPDATED AS 2025 ANNOUNCEMENTS ARE MADE 🚨

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July 4-13, 2025

STAMPEDE DEALS

FREE STAMPEDE ADMISSION TIMES 🔥

DISCOUNTED STAMPEDE ADMISSION 💸

MIDWAY, RODEO, & EVENING SHOW DEALS 😍

2 in 1 DEALS 😍

STAMPEDE CONCERTS BY VENUE

CONCERTS: On the Stampede Grounds

CONCERTS: Off the Stampede Grounds

Cowboys Festival Tent Concerts

Cowboys DAnce Hall

The Badlands Tent Concerts

Nashville North Tent Concerts

Wildhorse Saloon Tent Concerts

National Saloon Tent Concerts

Coca Cola Stage Concerts

The Big Four Roadhouse Concerts

Ranchman's Concerts

Whiskey Rose Live Music

Palace Theatre Concerts

More Big Music Events in 2025

Roundup Music Festival: Wed July 9, 2025

Oxford Stomp Music Festival: Fri July 11, 2025

Roundup Music Festival: Wed July 9, 2025

Saddledome Events 2025:

Oxford Stomp Music Festival: Fri July 11, 2025

Roundup Music Festival: Wed July 9, 2025

Oxford Stomp Music Festival: Fri July 11, 2025

Oxford Stomp Music Festival: Fri July 11, 2025

Oxford Stomp Music Festival: Fri July 11, 2025

STAMPEDE PANCAKE BREAKFASTS

Calgary Pancake Breakfasts 2025

June 29th (A little early!)

Thursday July 3

Friday July 4

Saturday July 5

Sunday July 6

Monday July 7

Tuesday July 8

Wednesday July 9

Thursday July 10

Friday July 11

Saturday July 12

STAMPEDE Parade, Rodeo and Fireworks

🐎Stampede Parade🐎

🎡midway Rides & Food🍔

🤠 Stampede Rodeo 🤠

🎇Stampede Evening Show🎇

🎆Stampede Fireworks🎆

15 FREE THINGS TO DO AT STAMPEDE

FAQ's

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