Everything You Need to Know About the 2024 Calgary Stampede

Dust off your boots, shine your belt buckles, and boot scoot down to Stampede Park. Ten days of  Stampede events, parties, and concerts kick off on July 5. Here’s everything you need to know to get the most out of Calgary’s most iconic cultural event.

Stampede festivities officially begin with the Stampede Parade through downtown Calgary, led by Parade Marshall Owen Crow Shoe. Locals know to follow the parade down to the Stampede Park to get free admission from 11 am until 1:30 pm. 

Just can’t wait until Friday to break out your cowboy boots? Head to Stampede Park for Sneak-A-Peak on July 4 — and pay half-price admission — from 5 pm until midnight. Sneak-A-Peak is the perfect opportunity to partake in midway rides and food without the crowds and long lines. 

Pancake Breakfasts

Stampede is more than just the Stampede Park festivities — it’s about bringing Calgary’s community together. And what better way to connect with your neighbours than over a plate piled high with pancakes? Find a pancake breakfast near you with the Stampede Breakfast website. Most of these events are free, and a great way to get into the Stampede spirit. Fuel yourself for a long day of park-going with as many free carbs as you can, um, stomach. Pancake breakfasts are also a great chance to meet Stampede Royalty, engage with new furry friends at a petting zoo, or rub elbows with Harry the Horse, official mascot of the Calgary Stampede. 

Must-See Stampede Action

Stampede Park is absolutely packed with activities and vendors, so having a plan of action is crucial.

The Stampede Rodeo begins at 1:30 p.m. every day of the Stampede at the GMC Stadium. From barrel racing to bull riding, the rodeo features six events, with world-renowned athletes competing for $1.85 million in prize money. While the competing cowgirls, cowboys, broncs, and bulls demonstrate incredible athleticism, the rodeo clowns often steal the show. Trick riders, live music performances, and an airshow from the Canadian Armed Forces create an electric atmosphere that can’t be found at any other rodeo.

The Stampede Evening Show, which includes relay races, acrobats, musical acts, and dancing robots, occurs at 7:45 pm every night at the GMC Stadium. The show begins with chuckwagon races, an event invented at the Calgary Stampede more than a hundred years ago that has only grown in popularity since. The excitement continues with relay races showcasing Indigenous horsemanship. With teams of riders racing multiple laps on multiple horses, all completely bareback, the relay races stand out as a marquee event. Following the races are musical performances from multiple artists, circus acts, a drone light show, and, of course, enough fireworks to embarrass even the most patriotic 4th of July display.  

The Calgary Stampede Powwow, demonstrating the skill of First Nations dancers and musicians, is held at the Saddledown on July 7 and 8 from 1 to 6 pm. This is a rare opportunity to attend an iconic cultural event and appreciate the skill of Indigenous dancers. Events like Traditional, Fancy, Jingle, Buckskin, and Grass display incredible dance skills and also stunning regalia steeped in rich cultural history.  

If those competitions still don’t have you on the edge of your seat, check out the Monster Energy Compound for freestyle motocross displays. Do you prefer your athletes a little hairier? Go see the Canine Stars compete at the Dog Bowl. If you’re looking for even more cowboy competitions, head to the Nutrien Western Events Centre for the Heavy Horse Show, Cowboy Up Challenge, and World Stock Dog Championships. For rhythmical prowess to challenge Eminiem’s recent comeback, attend the International Livestock Auctioneer Championships.

Prefer to digest information about agriculture in a more literal sense? For gustatory learners, new this year is the Stampede Cellar Showdown, an international wine competition. The competition is held prior to July 5, so Stampede attendees have the opportunity to taste the award-winning wines.

Midway Treats — If You Dare!

Nothing says “Stampede” like saturated fats and high-fructose corn syrup from the festival’s newest innovative and perplexing Midway delicacies. 

If you’re tired of classic mini donuts, try little teriyaki varieties from Those Little Donuts. Wish lettuce-wrapped burgers were a little sweeter? Consider a Watermelon Burger from Concessions Inc. Or channel your inner Florida-Man with the gator pepperoni pizza from Avatara Pizza. Is bacon for breakfast, lunch, and dinner just not enough? Add bacon to dessert with the Bacon Lover’s Churro Sundae from Mi Churro! Do you want to put the “fusion” in “confusion”? Order pickle poutine at Attavito’s Fries, Mr. Vegetable, and Fry Guys to decide for yourself which is the greatest insult (or innovation) to Franco-Canadian culture.

Be sure to hop on some of the Midway’s many rides before you partake in its many delicacies, unless you feel like painting the sidewalk with whatever you last ate (it’s called guerilla redecorating).

Save a Dime, Ride on Value Days

Worried that all these attractions may stretch your wallet as well as your waistline? Look no further than these Stampede Value Days:

• Get free park admission until 11 a.m. on Family Day (July 7).
• Get free park admission from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Community Day (July 9).
• Get free entry for kids all day and free general admission until 10 a.m. on Kids’ Day (July 10).

Break In Your Dancing Boots

Free with admission to Stampede Park is access to three concert venues located on the grounds.

At the Nashville North tent, see several of today’s hottest country acts, including the Brothers Osborne, Ashley McBryde, and Lindsay Ell.

The all-ages Coca-Cola Stage is bringing in big-name acts from a variety of genres, including G-Eazy, Logic, Billy Talent, The Beaches, Metric, Dillon Francis, Orville Peck, Grandson, Peach Pit, and Jeremy Zucker.

At the Big Four Roadhouse, catch The Dead South, Killer Mike, Melissa Etheridge, Ceelo Green, Down With Webster, and BBNO$.

While admission is free for Nashville North and the Big Four Roadhouse, your feet might pay the price for waiting in line for entry. To beat the lines, show up well in advance for any acts you want to see, or consider purchasing a Buck-the-Line pass to skip the queue. As an open-air venue with general access from the rest of the grounds, the Coca-Cola Stage has no line for entry, but showing up in advance for your favourite acts will help ensure you get the best view. 

In addition to musical acts in the tents, Calgary’s iconic Saddledome is hosting legendary performers from the Stampede Concert Series. Taking on the ‘Dome are Motley Crue (July 11), Miranda Lambert (July 12), and the Jonas Brothers (July 13). 

Have you ever overpaid by five cents? Worry not — you can get your Nickelback on July 14, featuring The Glorious Sons.

With so much to do and only 10 days to do it, it’s hard to cross everything off your itinerary. But with a little determination and a lot of denim, you’re well equipped to experience the mosaic of  Calgary’s athletic, cultural, culinary, and musical offerings at the Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth. 

MORE ABOUT THE 2024 CALGARY STAMPEDE

Dates: July 5-14
Website: u
Tickets: Purchase your admission online or at the park gates.
General admission: $25
Seniors (65+): $17
Children (7-12): $16
Child (Under 7): Free