Calgary 
Calgary’s iconic summer festival, the Calgary Stampede, kicks off tomorrow.
Calgary Stampede combines the world’s largest outdoor rodeo, major concerts, a fair and midway, and much more through entertainment.
The Calgary Stampede has deep roots in the city, with the first Stampede taking place in 1912. Over the past 111 years, the Stampede has gained international attention thanks to its rodeo events. But the Stampede has grown much larger and is now a spectacle of all kinds of entertainment. These events aren’t confined to the Stampede Grounds, either. Parties and pancake breakfasts will pop up all around the city, while the parade will take over downtown on the first morning of Stampede.
But if you wish to simply enjoy everything you can get with daily admission, there are many ways to enjoy Stampede for a lower cost!
Plus, Calgary Stampede admission is free for a few hours on July 7, 9, 11, and 12 (you can stay as long as you like.) Here are some of the activities you can enjoy for free or on general admission.
Watch the Stampede Parade Roll through Downtown
The Stampede Parade is the kick-off celebration of the ten days of rodeo and fair events. The parade is filled with pieces of Calgary’s history, culture, and businesses. A significant feature of the Stampede Parade is the annual announcement of the Parade Marshall (one who leads the parade). For 2023, the parade will be led by Canadian astronaut Jeremy Hensen. Details
When: July 7th at 8:55 am
Where: 9th Ave. and 6th Ave. via 10th Street
How much: free
RCMP Musical Rides
RCMP Musical Rides
Celebrate 150 years of the RCMP with the captivating RCMP Musical Ride! This equestrian showcase of horsemanship and tradition features intricate choreography. Catch their performances during select nights at the Rodeo and Evening Show, or at the Nutrien Western Event Centre on July 8, 9, and 11. Don’t miss this Canadian icon!
Visit the RCMP Musical Ride horses and members in the Agriculture Barns during specific hours at the Calgary Stampede. Open to the public from July 6-13, except on July 12 when the Ride will be performing off Park. Don’t miss this opportunity to meet these iconic horses and riders.
RCMP Musical Ride Show Times (included in admission):
- Saturday, July 8, 2023 – 11:30 a.m. – Nutrien Western Event Centre
- Sunday, July 9, 2023 – 2:30 p.m. – Nutrien Western Event Centre
- Tuesday, July 11, 2023 – 10:15 a.m. – Nutrien Western Event Centre
Free Concerts at the Coca-Cola Stage
All the concerts performed on the Coca-Cola Stage are free with your Stamped Grounds admission. These nightly shows begin between 9pm and 9:30pm and conclude before the park closes. For the price of gate admission, you can watch Tegan & Sara, Vance Joy, Cordae, Mother Mother, Zeds Dead, and many more:
AJR • Broken Social Scene • Cordae • Jessie Reyez
Jimmy Eat World • Manchester Orchestra • Mother Mother
Mt. Joy • Orville Peck • Russ • Tegan and Sara •Vance Joy • Zeds Dead
The Blue Stones • Bob Moses • Boslen • Bryce Vine
Bugus • Capozzi • Charley Crockett • Dax
Death From Above 1979 • Devon Cole • Fletcher • Gayle
Keys N Krates • Nghtmre • Talk
Five Roses • Ikky • Jake Vaadeland & The Sturgeon River Boys
Le Ren • Martin Kerr • Mauvey • Nuela Charles
Quinton Blair • Shantaia • Shred Kelly • St. Arnaud • Zaki Ibrahim
School of Rock Calgary • School of Rock Douglasdale
Free Concerts at Nashville North
All the concerts performed at the Nashville North are free with your Stamped Grounds admission. This year’s artists include:
Billy Currington • Dallas Smith • Elle King • Eli Young Band
High Valley • Jade Eagleson • James Barker Band• Jess Moskaluke
Jojo Mason • Mackenzie Porter • Tenille Arts
Dan Davidson • Kelly Prescott • Robyn Ottolini
Sacha • Teigen Gayse • Tim & The Glory Boys
Alex Hughes • Cole Malone • Dani Strong
Devin Cooper • Drew Gregory • Foxx Worthee
Mariya Stokes • Tristan Horncastle
Big Four Roadhouse Concerts
The Big Four Roadhouse in Stampede Park offers a unique experience where you can eat, drink, play, and dance while enjoying live music on the Bud Light Stage.
The 2023 headliners include Dwayne Gretzky, DJ Diesel (Shaquille O’Neal), Cheat Codes, Big Boi, Lil Yachty, Murda Beatz and Ferg, X Ambassadors, DJ Pauly D, Koffee, and Cypress Hill, performing on various dates from July 6 to July 16. Except for Lord Huron’s concert on July 9, supported by St. Paul & The Broken Bones, Donovan Woods, Wild Rivers and Begonia, all other Big Four Roadhouse are free with Park admission.
Monster Energy Compound Entertainment
The Monster Energy Compound will host motocross athletes and competitions all throughout Stampede. The Compound is in front of the Saddledome and will be easy to spot. The Compound will be easy to find thanks to the high-flying motocross athletes as they make jumps, flips, or do all of that over fire!
Stage of Wonders at the BMO Centre
The Stage of Wonders at Calgary Stampede is a set of dazzling daily shows that you can enjoy with general admission to the park. The Stage of Wonders is a mix of magic, aerial stunts, and acrobatic performances from The Grand Illusionist Magic Show and SOAR Aerial Circus. The Magic Show and the Circus play every day of the Stampede with afternoon and evening shows.
The Calgary Stampede Powwow
Calgary Stampede
This is your chance to experience First Nations dancing, drumming, and singing as performers compete in different categories at the Stampede Powwow. The performers and competitors will be divided by age categories, too.
The event is free to watch with your admission with first-come-first-served seating and will take place inside the Saddledome on July 12 and 13.
The Dog Bowl
Experience The Dog Bowl at Community Park South, featuring The Canine Stars, a talented group of highly-trained dogs. With thrilling performances including agility, dock-diving, frisbee, and freestyle dancing, this family-friendly show presented by Voilà is a must-see for dog lovers. Show times are daily at 12:30, 3:00, 5:30, and 8:00 p.m., with additional shows at 10:30 a.m. on Sunday, July 9, Tuesday, July 11 and Wednesday, July 12.
BMO Kids’ Zone
The BMO Kids’ Zone offers a range of fun activities for kids, including a colouring wall mural, PAW Patrol meet ‘n’ greets, daily magic shows with Magic Mel, and more! It’s open daily from 11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Enjoy PAW Patrol story time, meet Chase, Marshall, and Skye, and catch Magic Mel’s magic show. On July 12, there will be a free breakfast and variety show in the GMC Stadium Courtyard from 8-10 a.m. Free entry for kids 12 & under and everyone until 10 a.m.
Rocky Mountain Cup
Canada’s richest day of roping, the Rocky Mountain Cup, is coming back on July 12. This year, they are introducing a new event called Ladies Breakaway Roping at the Nutrien Western Event Centre. The competition features top Breakaway and Team Roping athletes, and spectators can watch for free with admission to Stampede Park. A total of $150,000 in prize money is at stake.
Explore the new Elbow River Camp
The Elbow River Camp will consist of 26 different tipis set up as places to dine, shop, and explore various Indigenous cultures. The River Camp is a way to experience Kainai, Piikani, Siksika, Stoney Nakoda, and Tsuut’ina First Nations of Treaty 7, all in one location.
Western Events
Don’t miss out on the exciting Western events at the Nutrien Western Event Centre and Northern Lights Arena, featuring Vintage Tractors, Miniature Horses, Heavy Horses, Stock Dogs, Cowboy Up, and more. Experience a combination of demonstrations, hands-on experiences, and interaction with animals, agriculture, and Western history. Explore attractions like Horse Haven, International Agriculture & Agri-Food, Miniature Donkey Showcase, Nutrien Ag-tivity in the City, Sheep Showcase, Pork Showcase, Brandt Cattle Trail, and Draft Horse Town. It’s all happening under one roof!
If you are willing to splurge:
Enjoy thrilling midway rides, join for the reimagined evening show, enjoy chuckwagon races, taste wacky midway foods and more!
Calgary Stampede
When: July 7-16, 2023
Where: 650 25 Ave SE
How much: Free – $23
