Visit the Calgary Stampede
All you need to know about visiting the Calgary Stampede as part of your next Canada holiday…
Where is the Calgary Stampede?
Located in southern Alberta, Calgary is a natural hub for visiting western Canada and the Canadian Rockies. Calgary International Airport is just a 20-minute transfer from downtown, and there are direct flights from London, as well as elsewhere in Canada and America. Located to the south east of downtown, along Stampede Trail SE, the venue for the Calgary Stampede has multiple parking lots and can also be accessed using the city’s light rail transit system.
When is the Calgary Stampede?
The Calgary Stampede takes place every July and lasts for ten days. In 2025 the Calgary Stampede will take place from 4th -13th July. In 2026, the confirmed dates are 3rd – 12th July.
What is the ‘Greatest Outdoor Show On Earth’?
The Calgary Stampede has been called the ‘Greatest Outdoor Show On Earth’ as it brings together so many elements of outdoor life, including the world’s largest rodeo, music concerts, agricultural displays, First Nation exhibitions, food and clothing outlets, fairground rides and so much more. This is why the Calgary Stampede attracts more than one million guests from around the world each year.
What events happen at the Calgary Stampede?
Every afternoon, the Calgary Stampede hosts a world-class rodeo, featuring the best competitors from around the world. These cowboys and girls test themselves across bareback riding, steer wrestling, saddle bronc riding, tie down roping, barrel racing and bull riding.
The daily evening show features a race that has taken place at the Calgary Stampede since 1923. The iconic ‘Rangeland Derby’ features 27 chuckwagons and their skilled drivers, as they race around the track. There is also a First Nations bareback horse-riding relay, which sees riders swap horses and race at top speeds. The evening show finishes with a music concert, featuring acrobatics, large song and dance numbers and a spectacular fireworks finale.
Elsewhere around Stampede Park, you can watch stock dog displays, tractor pulls, and the draft horses in working farming roles. Visitors are also encouraged to visit the Elbow River Camp to learn more about First Nations culture and activities.
What should you wear to the Calgary Stampede?
Summers in Calgary often provide warm and dry days, so pack sunglasses, sunscreen and maybe a light jacket for the evenings. Otherwise blue jeans, checked shirts, boots and a cowboy hat are actively encouraged! And don’t worry if you don’t have any if these items. There will be plenty of opportunities to purchase more leather goods and cowboy hats from the many pop-up shops around the Calgary Stampede.
Plan Your Trip
