As a Brit who had never been to a rodeo — let alone the Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth — I was wildly unprepared for my first Calgary Stampede. It’s not your average festival; it’s a whirlwind of cowboy boots, breakfast beers, and bucking broncos. From daily rodeo shows and chuckwagon races to live music, agricultural exhibits, and a bustling midway, the Stampede is a non-stop extravaganza. Stampede Park itself is also huge. It’s very easy to miss things or get overwhelmed by it all.
But if you know how to navigate it, as well as what to book in advance (and what you can skip), it can be one of the most fun and unforgettable trips you’ll ever take. Whether you’re going to go full western with a cowboy hat, going for the rodeo, or just tagging along for some pancakes and concerts, here’s everything I wish I’d known before stepping into Stampede Park — so you can avoid rookie mistakes and make the most of your wild western adventure.
Trust me — a little prep goes a long way, and you’ll want to know all of this before your first Calgary Stampede.
Not Everything Is Included With A General Gate Admission
To get into the Stampede, you need a general gate admission. 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 your general gate admission will include:
- 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 at the Calgary Stampede requires a separate ticket:
The Calgary Stampede Evening Show
How To Get Your Calgary Stampede Gate Admission
You can purchase this in advance on the Calgary Stampede website or buy it at the gate.
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. For all 10 days, it’s a saving of about $200.
For more cost-saving tips, including when to visit for the best value, head to my guide on how to save money at Stampede.
The Afternoon Rodeo Requires A Separate Ticket
The World Famous Rodeo has 6 events with prize money of $ 1.85 M. It attracts some of the World’s best rodeo cowboys, and it is a must-see during your time at Stampede. And like I just explained, 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+. That’s if you want a seated ticket for the Rodeo, and are fussy about where you sit.
Buy Your Rodeo Ticket In Advance
Same Day Afternoon Rodeo Tickets
You can also buy tickets at the ticket office inside Stampede Park near the GMC Stadium every day during the Stampede. You can choose 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 p.m., so you need to go to the ticket office by about 12:30 p.m. at the latest. However, don’t wait until 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.
Just like the rodeo, you have two main options for buying your ticket. You can buy a seated ticket in advance, or you can buy a ticket at the ticket office, where you can choose between a seated or standing area ticket.
Buy Your Evening Show Ticket In Advance
You Won’t See Much Of Stampede In A Day Or Two
There are 8 main attractions, multiple agricultural areas, a big fairground, numerous shows, and tours to experience. Unless you constantly take the WestJet Skyride back and forth, 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 always 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 are performing at different stages that you will need to choose from – and that’s not including all of the Stampede tents outside of Stampede Park.
Download the Stampede App In Advance
One of the best things that you can do ahead of the Stampede 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 avoid missing things that you want to see. The only thing to note is that it only includes the events and activities happening at Stampede Park.
For more tips on navigating Stampede Park like a pro, make sure to refer to my ultimate guide to Calgary Stampede for solo travelers.
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.
For more tips on what to wear at Stampede, including footwear, check out my popular guide on Stampede outfits.
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, especially if you are partial to a nice cold beer or tequila mixer in the sunshine like me.
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.
Alcoholic beverages in the Stampede Park venues are quite expensive – around the same price as you’d pay at a large concert or sporting venue. Expect to pay $10 – $15 for most drinks.
Leave Your Car At Home & Use Public Transportation
You don’t need a car for Stampede once you are in Calgary.
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 at a discounted price during Stampede, so it’s also pretty cheap to get around.
Parking is also very limited on the grounds. So you can spend your precious time driving around trying to find somewhere to park, or you can go have more fun in the park.
Using Calgary’s efficient and cheap public transit system will also help you avoid expensive parking fees — more ways to save money during your Stampede trip can be found here.
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 or sweet treat. My all-time favourite 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 The Free Pancakes
Speaking of food, there are over a hundred free pancake breakfasts during Stampede. If you can manage to get up early, start your Stampede day 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. I like the Fluor Rope Square one in downtown Calgary. It’s at the Olympic Plaza, 237 8 Ave.
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.
Outside of Stampede Park, there are lots of other venues with live music every single night of Stampede, including Cowboys Music Festival, Ranchmans, Whiskey Rose Saloon, Wildhorse Saloon, and National Saloon. You will need to buy separate tickets for all the Stampede tents and venues that aren’t on the park via the venues’ websites.
If you love live country music, you can find all the details on Cowboys Music Festival, Nashville North, Ranchmans and Whiskeyt Rose Saloon in these dedicated guides:
Ultimate Guide To Calgary Stampede’s Nashville North Tent
Cowboys Music Festival: Complete Guide For Solo Travelers
Ultimate Guide To Ranchman’s Cookhouse and Dance Hall
Solo Traveler’s Guide To The Whiskey Rose Saloon In Calgary
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 an ID, regardless of how old you are. There are no exceptions because they keep a record of everyone in there, just in case of any security incidents or emergencies. So just always carry your ID.
Cowboys Music Festival Always Has A Good Line Up
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.
Unless you manage to get a fan ticket, expect to pay at least $100-$150 inc taxes for most of the concerts.
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.
Make sure you’re fully prepared to enjoy the Cowboys Music Festival by reading my complete guide.
Ranchman’s Is A Club
If anyone tells you to “come to Ranchmans,” they are talking about a famous country music club in Calgary that is open until late. It’s been in Calgary for decades, and it’s also solo traveler-friendly.
They will have a lot of events during Stampede, including a Cowboys Vs Firemen battle for charity, which is on the Monday of Stampede, and a Stampede afterparty.
Find out everything you need to know about this popular honky tonk bar including when to go, what to wear, and how to have a great time there on your own.
The Weather In Calgary Is Very Unpredictable
In years past, during Stampede, I have gotten 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.
For outfit ideas that’ll help you stay prepared no matter the weather, check out my guide on creating the perfect Stampede outfits.
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.
For more quirky traditions and essential info, head to my ultimate guide to enjoying the Stampede.
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
- Where To Stay In Calgary For Solo Female Travelers
- Solo Traveler’s Guide To The Whiskey Rose Saloon In Calgary
- Calgary Stampede Packing List As A First Timer
- Cowboys Music Festival: Complete Guide for Solo Travelers
- Everything You Need To Know About Calgary Stampede Pancake Breakfasts
- Best Things To Do Alone At Calgary Stampede
Share Me
If you found this post helpful, share it or pin it! It’s one of the best ways to show your support. Thank you!
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.
Leave a Reply