Everything about the Calgary Stampede is on a grand scale. From the diverse entertainment to the midway, it is a non-stop extravaganza. Stampede Park itself is also huge. It’s easy to miss things or get overwhelmed by it all.
When I first went to Stampede on my own almost 10 years ago, I was very unprepared. I knew very little except that I’d get to watch a rodeo…hello cowboys!
So these are all the things I wish someone had told me before my first time at the Stampede.
Not Everything Is Included With A General Gate Admission
To get into the Stampede you need a general gate admission. You can purchase this in advance on the Calgary Stampede website, or buy it at the gate.
You can access almost all of the Stampede fun, but not all of it, with your general gate admission.
Here’s a rundown of what it includes:
- The Midway; you have to buy ride tickets separately though.
- The agriculture shows (Nutrien Western Event Centre, Northern Lights Arena, and Country Trail)
- The shows at the Coca-Cola stage
- Nashville North (Go late afternoon/early evening to avoid extremely long lineups)
- Big Four Roadhouse
- Western Oasis
- Elbow River Camp
Everything else requires a separate ticket.
The Rodeo Requires A Separate Ticket
The World Famous Rodeo has 6 events with prize money of $1.85M. It attracts some of the World’s best rodeo cowboys, and it is a must-see during your time at Stampede.
Your general gate admission does not include this action-packed afternoon rodeo so you will need to book that separately.
It always sells out. Ticket prices also vary significantly from about $50 to $700+.
To buy tickets, go to the Calgary Stampede website homepage. You also can book the rodeo on the AXS website here.
You can also buy tickets at the ticket office inside Stampede Park near the GMC Stadium every day of the Stampede. You will have a choice of a standing area ticket (a great option if you are by yourself, want to be closer to the action, or are on a tight budget) or the best-seated tickets they have left for that day only.
The rodeo starts at 1 pm so you need to go to the ticket office by about 12:30 pm at the latest but don’t leave it till the very last minute to buy your ticket
The Evening Show Requires A Separate Ticket Too
Just like the afternoon rodeo, the evening grandstand show also requires a separate ticket. It includes the famous Chuck Wagon Races so it always sells out. Ticket prices vary significantly from about $60 to $700+. If you are high up, or on either side of the stadium your view might be limited at times.
Just like the rodeo, you have two main options for buying your ticket. You can either book a seated ticket on the AXS Website.
Or you can buy a ticket at the Stampede Park ticket Office where you can choose between a seated or standing area ticket.
You Won’t See Much Of Stampede In A Day Or Two
There are 8 main attractions, 2 agriculture areas, a big fairground, and numerous shows and tours to experience. Unless you constantly take the WestJet Skyride, it also takes a little while to get from one end of the park to the other so you have to factor in travel times between attractions when planning your schedule.
It’s the Greatest Show On Earth because of the sheer scale of it. There is so much to do, that after 10 days of Stampede, I still managed to miss things.
Plan Your Days At Stampede
There is SO much to see and do at Stampede. There are always many overlaps between the different shows, so you will need to plan accordingly. For example, during the day equestrian events will run in different places at the same time as other shows and activities.
Then in the evenings, at least 2 or 3 musical artists performing at different stages that you will need to choose from.
Download the Stampede App In Advance
One of the best things that you can do ahead of the Stampede, before or after buying your rodeo and grandstand show tickets, is to download the Stampede app onto your phone.
It will make it much easier to see as much as possible without getting extremely overwhelmed.
This will be your map, and itinerary planner for the entire time you are there. You can see the daily schedule at a glance – and create your schedule.
It will also help you to avoid missing things that you want to see.
You Will Do A Lot Of Walking
Stampede Park is huge. On average, I do about 20k to 25k steps a day at the Stampede…and that’s after sitting to watch any shows, grab drinks, etc.
So the biggest tip I can give you is to wear comfortable shoes.
Do not wait until Stampede to break in your cowboy boots, your feet will be in agony. Instead, get your boots at least a week or two beforehand and break them in till they feel nice and comfy. You can thank me later.
You’ll Need To Stay Hydrated
July in Calgary can get hot, and when you are not in any of the buildings there are not many shady spots in the park. So with the heat, and the amount of walking you’ll be doing, plenty of water is required.
If you are on a budget, avoid buying bottled water in the park as it is pricey. Instead, you can bring a water bottle and fill it up at the water fountains around the park.
For soft drinks, some of the food trucks around the midway will offer free refills. It’s worth it to find one of these food trucks because you will save a lot of money on soft drinks this way.
Leave Your Car At Home & Use Public Transportation
Public transit in Calgary is generally really good, and during Stampede the city steps it up by providing 24-hour CTrain (Calgary’s light rail system). Plus, day passes for the transit system are offered for discounted passes during Stampede so it’s also pretty cheap to get around. Basically, you don’t need a car for Stampede once you are in Calgary.
Also, parking is very limited on the grounds. So you can spend your precious time driving around trying to find somewhere to park, or you can be having fun in the park.
Try At Least One Weird Food At Stampede
Have you truly experienced the Stampede if you don’t try at least one ridiculous food in the park? I don’t think so. It’s part of the fun and festivities. Every year food trucks seem to try and outdo each other with weird and wonderful creations exclusively for the Stampede. Get the lowdown on the midway food and drink creations over on the Calgary Stampede Website here.
You also need to sample at least one extremely unhealthy deep-fried offering’s. My favorite is deep-fried Oreos. Deep-fried cheesecake is a good option too as it’s usually so big that you won’t want to eat anything else.
Don’t Miss Out On Free Pancakes
Speaking of food, there are over a hundred free pancake breakfasts during Stampede. So start your Stampede days off the traditional Stampede way with fluffy pancakes soaked in maple syrup.
To find out when and where all the free pancake breakfasts are happening, you can download this handy pancake breakfast app…yep they take their free breakfast events very seriously. You can also learn more on the Stampede website here.
Visit During Value Days To Enjoy The Stampede For Free
You can save a lot of money by attending the Calgary Stampede during one of the “value days.” which includes the “Sneak-a-Peek” on the first day.
You Can Get A Pass For All 10 Days Of Stampede
If you will be going to the Stampede for more than two days, buy a Superpass. It costs the same as two days of entry into the park, only it will give you unlimited entry during the 10 days of the Stampede. So even if you are only going for 3 or 4 days you will save at least $25 approximately.
Calgary Stampede Doesn’t Just Happen in Stampede Park
The entire city of Calgary gets involved. There will be events all over the city at different venues, bars, pubs, and restaurants.
Every night of Stampede there is also a big fireworks display which is the finale of the Grandstand Show. You don’t need to be on the park grounds to see them. You can watch from pretty much anywhere in the city.
There Is A Lot Of Live Music During Stampede
If you love live music, especially country music, you are in for a treat because there is so much live music to choose from during the Calgary Stampede. In Stampede Park there are 4 music venues; Nashville North, Coca Cola Stage and The Big Four are all free with your general gate admission.
The fourth venue is the Scotiabank Saddledome where bigger artists will perform as part of the Stampede Concert Series. You will need to purchase a separate ticket via Ticketmaster for these shows. Artists in 2024 include Miranda Lambert and Nickleback.
You Will Need Two Forms Of ID For Nashville North
Do not go to Stampede Park without two forms of ID if you want to go to Nashville North. They are extremely strict and will not let you into the tent without ID. There are no exceptions because they keep a record of everyone in there just in case of any security incidents or emergencies. So no matter your age, carry your ID.
Cowboys Music Festival Requires A Separate Ticket
Alongside all the music in Stampede Park, and the concert series, Cowboys Dance Hall puts on its music festival for the 10 days of Stampede in a huge tent. Every night is a ticketed show, with mostly Country artists. For most shows, you have to go there late in the afternoon/early evening to get in, especially if you buy any of their lower-priced fan tickets.
I got a cheap fan ticket for Sam Hunt in 2023, and I think it was at least 5 or 6 hours at the front before he came on, and about 4+ hours before any acts came on.
If like me, you often want to be at the front for shows, you will have to be prepared to go a long time with no drinks or bathroom breaks especially if you are alone. You will also need to deal with being pushed and shoved….a lot.
Ranchman’s Is A Club
If anyone tells you to “come to Ranchman’s” they are talking about a famous country music club in Calgary that is open until late. It’s been in Calgary for decades. They will have their own events during Stampede including a Cowboys Vs Firemen battle for charity, and a Stampede afterparty.
The Weather In Calgary Is Very Unpredictable
In years past, during Stampede, I have got drenched in a sudden torrential downpour, sheltered from Hailstones, and danced in a slightly flooded Nashville North tent. The weather in Calgary can change in an instant, and if it does bucket it down, it will usually stop just as fast as it started. You may just get the odd shower in your clothes.
If you opt to wear cowboy boots, especially expensive ones, make sure to get them conditioned/treated to be a little protected from the rain. I didn’t in past years and my boots have some significant staining from getting wet a few times at Stampede.
It’s Yahoo Not Yeehaw
It’s a Calgary Stampede thing.
If you spend any time on the Stampede grounds, or around Calgary during the Stampede, you’ll see giant Yahoo signs like this one.
Using “Yahoo” is a long-standing tradition, and used to describe having a good time.
Enjoy Every Moment Of The Stampede Experience
But most of all, just enjoy the craziness that is the Stampede. It always goes by extremely quickly so make the most of your time there.
This list of things you should know is not an exhaustive list by any means, but all key things to know before you go to help you have the best time possible.
Learn More About The Calgary Stampede
- Things You Should Know Before You Attend Calgary Stampede
- 15 Reasons Why You Should Go To Calgary Stampede
- 12 Calgary Stampede Tips To Have A Great Time
- Calgary Stampede Outfits: How To Plan What To Wear To Fit In
- A Guide To Calgary Stampede’s Nashville North Tent
- The Ultimate Guide to Enjoying the Calgary Stampede Alone
- How To Stay Safe At Calgary Stampede
- Easy Ways To Save Money At Calgary Stampede
- Ultimate Guide To Ranchman’s Cookhouse and Dance Hall
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Gemma Lawrence is the creator of This Brits Life. Born and raised in England, she has been living in British Columbia, Canada as a permanent resident since 2016. A solo traveler for the past 9 years, she hopes to inspire and help others to enjoy solo adventures too. As someone who has always struggled with her self-confidence and mental health, she also shares tips and inspirational stories relating to self-love, self-care, and mental health.
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