Make the Most of Your First Calgary Stampede

Tips to celebrate the Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth

Put on a cowboy hat and get ready for a 10-day party celebrating Calgary's western roots. Every July, the Calgary Stampede takes over the city. It's the Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth. These pro tips will help you navigate the events taking place around the city's downtown, local pubs, venues, and the main Stampede grounds.

A little background

Let's do a quick primer. The rodeo and festival began in 1912 and sees more than one million visitors every summer. There's so much going on: live music, midway entertainment, agricultural showcases and, of course, the rodeo competition. Fun fact: The Stampede has one of the largest rodeo purses in the world, valued at $1.5 million.

What to wear

Western wear isn't required, but it's fun to dress the part. Stores like Lammle's can get you decked out in a cowboy hat, western shirts, Wranglers, boots, the whole nine yards — just make sure you break in your boots before you hit the grounds. That said, you don't need to do head-to-toe western wear. A pair of boots with jeans or denim shorts fits the bill, or add a cowboy hat to any outfit — bonus points if any of your attire is adorned with rhinestones and fringe. But don't forget two of the most important Stampede accessories — sunblock and shades.

How to get to the Stampede grounds

Experienced Stampede goers agree on one thing: leave your car at home. Parking is limited near the grounds, which means your best bet is public transit, like the CTrain (look for Victoria Park / Stampede Station); walking, if you're staying close by; or using a rideshare app (like Uber) or a taxi.

What you need to know about tickets

Most of the Stampede fun can be accessed with general gate admission. These tickets get you access to the legendary midway (ride tickets are extra), shows at the Coca-Cola Stage, Nashville North (go early to avoid lineups), the agricultural showcases, Big Four Roadhouse, Western Oasis and Elbow River Camp. The world-famous rodeo and evening show require separate tickets, but they include general admission to Stampede Park the day of your event. Consider a Super Pass if you plan to attend the Stampede several times, which gets you unlimited entry to the grounds.

Book well in advance if you're interested in seeing one of the big-name acts at the Saddledome, because they often sell out. You'll need a separate ticket for the Cowboys Music Festival, which is held next door to the main grounds and hosted by Cowboys Dance Hall.

Watch for free events and Value Days

The Calgary Stampede is a ton of fun, and it doesn't have to cost a ton of money. Take advantage of Value Days, like Sneak-A-Peek, Western Heritage Day or BMO Kids' Day. More information is available close to the event, and there are plenty of free shows included with gate admission.

You really could eat pancake breakfasts every day of the Stampede. The locations of the free breakfasts are usually shared close to the event, so do a quick online search or download the Stampede Free Breakfasts app to find the one closest to you. Fluor Rope Square downtown is often a great place to start.

Planning your experience

There's so much to see and do, it can be tough to fit it all in. Visit the Stampede website ahead of time and check out all the event info. Try to plan each day around one or two events—whether it's a day at the rodeo, taking in a concert or dancing the night away at Nashville North. Leave time to explore the park and relax so you can enjoy your day to the fullest without feeling rushed.

Calgary Stampede runs from July 5-14, 2024. Please visit the Stampede website and Tourism Calgary for the most up-to-date information regarding hours, showtimes and news.