How To Do Calgary Stampede On A Budget
The first time I went to the Calgary Stampede, I learned that the costs very quickly pile up — accommodation, rodeo tickets, drinks, food, and even just getting around. It’s an unforgettable event, but it can burn through your budget quickly if you’re unprepared.
After attending the Stampede three times as a solo traveler, I’ve learned how to enjoy all the fun, from the midway to the music tents, without breaking the bank. With a few smart choices and some local know-how, it’s possible to do the Calgary Stampede on a budget.
Whether it’s choosing the right place to stay, finding free events, using public transit, or making the most of happy hours and discount days, these are the exact tips I’ve used to save hundreds while still having a wild time.
Here are all the budget-friendly ways to enjoy the Stampede and plan ahead so you don’t miss out on the best parts.
If you’re planning to attend solo, check out my guide on the best things to do during Calgary Stampede alone for tips on making the most of the event without breaking the bank
Budget-Friendly Ways To Enjoy Calgary Stampede
The majority of the events and activities at the Calgary Stampede are free. So once you have paid for your gate admission, you can save some money by prioritizing free and discounted activities.
For a complete guide on navigating Stampede solo while sticking to your budget, don’t miss my ultimate guide to enjoying the Calgary Stampede alone.
Sneak-A-Peak & Value Days
Every year, during the 10 days of Stampede, there are certain days and times when you can get your general gate admission for free or at a discounted rate. You can find out more about the Value Days on the Calgary Stampede website here: https://www.calgarystampede.com/stampede/value-days
Sneak-A-Peek
Thursday, July 2 (2026), 5:00 p.m. – midnight
On the first day of the Calgary Stampede, you can check out the Stampede a day before the kick-off parade from late afternoon to around midnight. On this first day, gate admission is 50% off.
With half-off gate admission, you can check out Stampede a day before the Parade.
Calgary Stampede Parade To Park
Friday, July 3, 2026
On the first full day of the Calgary Stampede, you can get free admission into Stampede Park if you go straight there from the Parade. Free admission is only from 11 am to 1.30 pm.
Tim Hortons Family Day
Sunday, July 5, 2026
Usually, the first Sunday of Stampede is Tim Hortons Family Day. On Family Day, admission is free until 11 am. You can also get a free pancake breakfast in the GMC Stadium Courtyard between 8 am and 10 am.
Community Day
Tuesday, July 7, 2026
On Community Day every day, there is free gate admission from 10 am. – 2 pm. for everyone.
BMO Kids Day
Wednesday, July 8, 2026
On Kids Day, there is free gate admission for everyone until 10 am. So this is only for the early birds.
Get A Stampede Superpass
Unlimited 10-day entry for Stampede Park
If you go to the afternoon rodeo or Grandstand show, your purchased tickets include your general gate admission. But if you want to spend 2 or more days extra at the Stampede over the 10 days, then a Superpass can save you a lot of money.
For $50 + GST, which is the cost of two days of gate admission, you can get unlimited access to Stampede Park for all 10 days. If you come and go for all 10 days, you will save at least $150 by getting a Superpass.
$49 + GST available online or in-store at participating Sobeys, Safeway, IGA, FreshCo, and Chalo FreshCo.
Explore Free and Low-Cost Activities
The Stampede offers loads of free and low-cost programming and activities so you can still have a great time whether you go to ticketed events or not.
The daily parade, agricultural exhibitions, contests, demonstrations, pancake breakfasts, and live music performances in Nashville North, the Big Four Roundhouse, and on the Coca-Cola Stage are just a few of the daily activities and shows you can do completely free.
Get A Midway Ride All-Day Pass
For the Midway, you can buy individual tickets for rides or a ride-all-day pass, which you can exchange for either a 1-day wristband or a sheet of 60 midway coupons.
It works out as a decent saving because otherwise, last year’s pricing was individual tickets for $1 each, 22 tickets for $20, or 55 tickets for $50. So if you want to do lots of rides, you will save money by getting a pass.
If you are in Calgary before the start of Stampede, you can also get 15% off one of these passes at Sobeys, Safeway, IGA, FreshCo, or FreshCo Chalo. Last year, it was $44.99 + GST with the discount.
Calgary Stampede Accommodation On A Budget
Stay In Calgary For Less At Airbnb’s
You don’t need to spend $1000s on a hotel downtown. The best alternative, especially if you want to spend longer than a couple of days at Stampede, is to stay at an Airbnb within walking distance to transit.
The best picks are Airbnbs where you can get the red or blue line skytrain within a short walking distance. The red C-train is the one you need for Stampede Park, so if you can stay near that line, you’ll avoid switching.
Stampede Airbnb Tips:
The best Airbnb’s book up far in advance, so prioritise booking your accommodation over your flights, especially as you only have to pay a partial deposit to book an Airbnb.
If there’s any possibility of your plans changing, check the cancellation policy for each Airbnb before booking. I’ve found that it always varies a lot.
Self Check-In is King. Airbnbs where you have to be greeted by the host can be awkward, as you have to fit around their schedule rather than be able to just check in within a pre-agreed check-in window.
Hosts who insist on greeting you also tend to be harder to liaise with, especially when you want to add someone to a booking (based on my own experience). Save yourself the potential headache!
Share Accommodations
Consider sharing accommodations with fellow solo travelers at hostels or Airbnb, or using platforms like Couchsurfing to find affordable options. Not only will you save money, but you may also make new friends and share memorable Stampede stories.
How To Save Money On Transportation During the Calgary Stampede
Take Public Transit Every Day
Unless you are staying far away from Transit, there is no need to pay for Uber or Lyft.
Whether you need to get from the airport to your accommodation or go to and from Stampede Park, the public transit in Calgary is pretty good – and fairly easy to navigate once you get used to it.
During Stampede, the C-Train will run 24 hours a day, and buses will be running an extended service.
Take The Free Ranchman’s Shuttle Bus
If Ranchman’s is in your Stampede plans, they usually run a free shuttle from Stampede Park to Ranchman’s in the evenings near the Victoria Park entrance. Follow Ranchmans on Facebook and Instagram in the run-up to the Stampede as they always post more information about the bus and any Stampede deals on their social accounts, as well as on their website.
I’ve always felt safe at Calgary Stampede — and on transit during Stampede — but if you’re looking for practical tips on how to stay safe at Calgary Stampede, I’ve put together a guide to help you feel more confident
How To Save Money On Calgary Stampede Outfits And Gear
Three Kinds Of Cowboy Boots To Suit Your Budget
Want to get into the Rodeo vibes but without a huge price tag? There are three tiers of Cowboy boots that you can look into, depending on how much you want to spend.
Fast-Fashion, Just For Photos Cowgirl Boots
If you are on a tight budget, but you want some cowgirl boots for Stampede, your best option is to get some inexpensive, fast-fashion cowgirl boots. These will be either faux leather or 5% leather with tons of glue if you look too closely.
You can get fast-fashion cowgirl boots from brands like SHEIN, ASOS, Nastygal…even Amazon.
Higher Quality Fashion Cowgirl Boots
Next up, if you want some cowgirl boots that are better quality, you have your fashion boots that are typically 100% leather, and more of an investment. These will come from non-Western brands that are trying to replicate the Western style. Price-wise, these will range from High Street to higher-end designers.
Some examples of brands that you can get these from are Paris Texas, Isabel Marant, Tora,l and Ganni
Authentic Western Cowgirl Boots
If cowgirl boots are something that you want to invest in, then real, authentic cowgirl boots from a real Western brand are your only option. These are your crème de la crème boots, which will last you far longer than any other boots you own – probably decades.
Helpful Tip: If you opt for the real deal, keep them as close to OG as you can when it comes to repairs by going for the real leather options rather than rubber. It will cost you about twice as much, but it’s worth the extra money.
Get A Cheap Cowgirl Hat In Calgary
Arrived in Calgary, and you have no Cowgirl hat? Fear not. You do not need to spend a lot of money on a branded Calgary Stampede cowboy hat…unless you want to! After all, they can be pretty pricey. So, if you are on a budget and just want a hat for the event, there are cheaper options available to you.
Cowgirl Hat Pro Tip
Get yourself to Stephen Ave when you get to Calgary. There will be stalls selling basic Cowboy hats significantly cheaper. They won’t be the prettiest, and they won’t fit your head perfectly, but they are decent and inexpensive.
Get a plain one, and then buy a cheap bandana, feathers, or something else to decorate your hat with. I like using a bandana as it’s an easy fix and makes your hat look fancier than it is. I had so many people tell me my hat was cute last year, so I will probably do something similar again this year.
Cute Outfits & Western Wear
Thrift stores
Thrift stores can be great for things like cute floral or boho dresses, boho skirts, cute tops, denim shorts, denim shirts, and other Western accessories.
Fast Fashion Brands
If you are not finding what you want in thrift stores, my other go-to for cute outfits is fast fashion brands like SHEIN, and sites like Amazon, where I have gotten many outfits for no more than $20 or $30.
If you’re looking for affordable outfit ideas that still let you rock the Stampede look, check out my guide to creating Stampede outfits on a budget.
How To Eat & Drink On A Budget At Calgary Stampede
Bring Your Own Snacks
If you don’t want to pay the high prices at food trucks and venues constantly, consider bringing snacks. You can’t take outside snacks, booze, or water into places like Nashville North, but you can usually take snacks and a water bottle into the park.
It’s an easy way to keep hunger at bay while you are having fun without draining your wallet.
Bring Your Own Booze Tips
When it comes to booze, a mini or a small flask that you can hide in your boots, clothing, or the bottom of a bag is the only potential way to get any drinks into the park.
Cowboy boots, hats, and clothes will be patted down, and bags searched more thoroughly at places like Nashville North, so I never bother even trying. I just drink anything I have before I join the Nashville North queue.
Not All Food Trucks Are Created Equally
Do not just buy food at the first food truck that takes your fancy if you are on a budget. Some food trucks are far cheaper than others. The quality of the food also varies massively.
It’s not always the food trucks with the longest lines who have the best eats.
Calgary Stampede Food Truck Tips
Proceed with caution when buying things like Curly Fries – ask people where they got theirs. You will thank yourself for it because, from personal experience, some food trucks do truly terrible curly fries for some unknown reason….I’m talking so badly that you can’t eat them.
Some ice cream trucks are also WAY better than others. I tried ice cream at almost every ice cream truck last year for research purposes 😉 Some were so much better than others. So don’t just blindly join ice cream queues; people watch a few people getting theirs first to see if it’s good or not.
You will always find one or two amazing burger food trucks that do huge handmade burgers and hearty portions of fries at a great price. One of them was parked right by the Nutrien Centre last year. Surprisingly, it very rarely had a long line, so I think it’s still the best-kept secret…until now.
Have A Free Pancake Breakfast
Did you know you can get a free breakfast every day of the Stampede? Pancakes daily may not be the healthiest breakfast you could have, BUT you’re at Stampede, so it’s ok to treat yourself.
There’s usually a free pancake breakfast daily in Stampede Park. There are also free breakfasts happening every day all over Calgary. To set yourself up for the day, you can find out where they are all happening on the Calgary Stampede Caravan Committee website, which is http://caravan.calgarystampede.com/
The free pancake breakfasts are a great way to start your Stampede day, learn more about them here in my detailed guide.
Get Cheap Eats In Downtown Calgary
If you are not tied to a schedule of specific events back to back and have a little time to be leisurely, get on the C-Train and go eat downtown on Stephen Ave. There are a few places that offer cheap eats.
My favorite place in the past has been El Furniture Warehouse on Stephen Ave. The food is ridiculously cheap, really tasty, and very filling.
Enjoy Calgary Stampede Happy Hour Drinks
Dutton’s Original 16 Lounge at the Scotiabank Saddledome in Stampede Park has a daily Happy Hour that is a great way to have a couple of drinks and get your buzz pre-tents or concerts without splurging.
It does get busy, though, so if you are solo, you may have to sit at the bar – but I encourage that anyway as it’s the friendliest place to be in a bar when you’re alone.
Helpful Tips To Enjoy Calgary Stampede On A Budget
- Plan your trip to the Stampede around Value Days when you can get in for free (it’s usually the same days every year).
- Book your accommodation as far in advance as possible.
- Price out the activities you want to do that you will need to pay for separately.
- Prioritize the experiences you will have to pay for to just the ones you want to do the most.
- Set a daily budget for yourself, especially for food and booze, as that is what will eat up most of your money (pun intended)
- Always carry some cash on you as well as cards – Some food trucks on and off the park are cash only. I also found there were very cheap, decent hot dog vendors near the C-Train stations downtown for an end-of-the-night snack.
- Standing tickets are cheapest for the afternoon rodeo and evening show
You Can Enjoy The Calgary Stampede On A Budget
Calgary Stampede doesn’t have to cost an absolute fortune. If you want to go to the Calgary Stampede but you are concerned about costs, my best advice would be to secure and pay for your accommodations as far in advance as you can, as that will have the biggest impact on your budget. Then figure out your travel and any events you want to go to, like the rodeo. Rodeo and Grandstand ticket prices get extremely inflated due to resellers trying to make as much profit as possible on tickets.
Then set yourself a budget for everything: your clothes, your food, and alcohol, and just give yourself a bit of buffer. As a rough guide, if I am eating twice in the park but not drinking, I’ll spend anywhere from $25 to $40 roughly. If I’m drinking, although I am not a heavy drinker, I can easily spend $100 or more per day.
Both times I have gone to Stampede, the last time for all 10 days, I have been on a fairly tight budget. These are all the ways that I have saved money, sometimes significantly, and still had a great time. You will too, regardless of what your budget is, because there are just so many free things to do…and free pancakes, of course!
With all these budget-friendly tips, you can have an amazing time at the Stampede without blowing your budget. For more ideas on how to make the most of your solo trip, refer to my ultimate guide to enjoying Stampede alone.
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
- What Happens In Calgary During Stampede (Outside The Grounds)
- How To Enjoy The Calgary Stampede Midway Without The Rides
- How To Get Around Calgary Stampede Park As A First-Time Solo Visitor
- The Most Instagrammable Spots At Calgary Stampede
- Calgary Stampede At Night: What To Expect As A Solo Traveler
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Gemma Lawrence is a British expat, solo female travel blogger, and the creator of This Brit’s Life — a travel and lifestyle blog that helps women explore the world confidently, live abroad independently, and stay informed about global issues.
Born and raised in England, Gemma has been living in British Columbia, Canada since 2016 and has been traveling solo for over a decade. With a background in journalism and over ten years of experience in digital marketing and communications — including leadership roles with the International Association of Business Communicators (IABC/BC) — she brings both storytelling and strategy to her writing.
Through her posts, Gemma shares practical solo travel advice, expat insights, and confidence-building resources, while also covering broader topics like women’s rights, democracy, and self-care. Her goal is to inspire independence, awareness, and personal growth — one adventure at a time
