Calgary Stampede

This celebration of the Western way of life dates back to 1886 and is known as the Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth. It’s also known as the ten days when Alberta’s largest city lets its hair down. The July extravaganza features one of the world’s largest rodeos, a parade, concerts, marching bands, chuckwagon races, agricultural competitions and exhibitions showcasing First Nations’ culture and traditions. There’s also a midway featuring hair-raising rides, games and cuisine that runs from fairground staples to truly adventurous offerings. Outside the Stampede Grounds, the city gets into the swing of things. There’s a real party atmosphere as local businesses paint their windows in cowboy themes and decorate their storefronts with hay bales and wooden fences. Residents get in the swing of things by breaking out their Western wear and attending one (or more) of the free pancake breakfasts that spring up all over town.