15 Reasons Why You Should Go To Calgary Stampede

I love the Calgary Stampede. Some experiences truly capture the fun and adventure of solo traveling, and the Stampede is one of them. If you’ve ever thought about watching a live rodeo, soaking up cowboy culture, and dancing your heart out to country music, then the Calgary Stampede should be on your bucket list.

As Calgary’s top summer event and one of the best rodeos in the world, it’s an experience like no other. It is “The Greatest Show On Earth” after all. The Stampede doesn’t just offer a huge rodeo featuring some of the best rodeo cowboys in the business, it also attracts a lot of big names in the music industry. If that isn’t enough to convince you, it also includes a spectacular evening show, a midway full of rides, weird and wonderful food offerings, an exciting celebratory atmosphere, huge nightly fireworks, and a lot of Western Culture.

After experiencing it myself several times, I can also tell you firsthand that it’s one of the most welcoming, exciting, and safe festivals you could ever attend as a solo female traveler. From the friendly locals to the wide variety of events, there’s so much to do that you’ll never feel out of place or bored. Whether you’re watching world-class rodeo stunts, savoring a quiet moment with a drink while watching the sunset over Calgary’s skyline, eating delicious BBQ, or enjoying live music, it’s impossible to not have fun.

If you still need a little convincing before you put on cowboy boots with a cute cowboy hat and head to Calgary, Alberta, here are all the reasons why you should go to the Calgary Stampede at least once.

1. The World-Famous Rodeo

The daily afternoon rodeo at the Calgary Stampede is one of the biggest in North America. It attracts the world’s best rodeo competitors who are carefully selected to take part. This rodeo is also one of the richest with a huge prize money pot every year. In 2024, the prize money is $1.85 million for the 6 events.

Some of the world’s toughest rodeo cowboys will compete in Bareback, Saddle Bronc, Barrel Racing, Tie-Down Racing, Steer Wrestling, and my personal favorite…Bull Riding.

The atmosphere at the rodeo is always electric, and it’s great fun to watch the incredible skills of so many top cowboys. It’s also great eye candy if you are into cowboys.

2. The Attractive Views Everywhere You Go

Speaking of eye candy, there are lots and lots of men in cowboy hats all day every day during Stampede! So if seeing attractive men in cowboy boots is your jam you will LOVE the scenery.

Firstly, there are all the cowboys competing in the rodeo. Then there are all the other cowboys you will see in the agricultural areas. That’s just the professionals. You will also see hundreds of men in Stampede Park, tents, and around Calgary in cowboy hats.

If you are single, I challenge you to go anywhere with more men in cowboy hats at any one time.

I think cowboy hats make men hotter, so it’s essentially attractive men everywhere you turn. So, ladies, you’re welcome.

3. Western Culture Everywhere

If you are even remotely interested in Western Culture, then you will love the Calgary Stampede. It is the perfect place to immerse yourself in cowboys, rodeos, agriculture, and live country music. This is your sign to put on a cowboy hat and/or boots and let your hair down the country way.

Again, lots of men in cowboy hats everywhere… in case you missed that part it’s worth repeating 😉

4. The Atmosphere Is Unmatched

There is something about the energy and atmosphere at the Calgary Stampede that is special. I have never experienced anything like it anywhere else on my travels. There is a high energy, huge excitement, and general happiness “best thing in the world” vibe everywhere. It is contagious.

Everyone is just so darn excited to be at the Stampede. It is such a big deal to Calgarians, all the organizers, volunteers, and participants. They are all just enthusiastic and happy to be a part of it.

Generally, people are friendly and welcoming too. If you are comfortable talking to strangers, it’s possible to meet new people and friends there. Although it’s a huge event, I have always found it to be safe and solo-traveler friendly.

5. World-Class Artists & Performances

There is always a lot of high-caliber entertainment at Stampede. A large chunk of it is included with your gate admission.

The cowboys who are in the rodeo are world-class and come from all over North America to compete. Only the best of the best get an invite to do the Stampede so it’s a big deal.

It also attracts popular musical artists across country music, pop, rock, and other genres. You might even get to see some of your favorites during Stampede. For example, in 2023 I saw Billy Currington for free, and Sam Hunt for only $25…both front row.

6. There’s Lots Of Live Music During Stampede

This brings me to the next big reason to go to the Calgary Stampede at least once. There is SO much live music available for you to enjoy, and a lot of it is free.

Live Music At Stampede Park

Nashville North is the original party tent. It offers non-stop Country Music from late afternoon to closing with a headliner usually around 10 pm or 10:30 pm. Last year’s headliners included Billy Currington, High Valley, and Eli Young Band. I have practically lived in this tent many times when I have been at the Stampede as I just love Country music.

The Coca-Cola stage is an outdoor stage near the Westjet Skyride. It tends to offer a mix of artists ranging from relative unknowns to popular names with recent hits. The stage seems to lean more towards pop music.

There is also the Big Four Roundhouse which is pretty diverse in its offerings. You will find pop, rnb, rock, and soul artists in the line-up. It seems to be the more “something for everyone” older crowd music venue compared to the Coca-Cola stage.

And that is just the free music available. There is also the annual Stampede Concert Series. The concert series is bigger names like Blake Shelton, Garth Brooks, Nickleback, and the Jonas Brothers to name a few.

Live Music At Other Venues During Stampede

Plus, the World Famous Cowboys Dance Hall, Calgary’s biggest nightclub, puts on its own Music Festival during Stampede. They set up a huge outdoor tent close to the Stampede Park grounds. The Cowboys Festival offers a fairly diverse mix of big-name artists every night. It’s mostly Country artists here, with some pop, rap, etc mixed in too. It’s not the only music festival in Downtown Calgary either as there is also the Badlands Music Festival

As if all of this wasn’t enough, there are other options too. There are other tents like the Wildhorse Saloon and the National Saloon. There are also popular venues such as Ranchmans offering live music as well.

Quick Stampede Tip: Ranchman’s is a key venue during the Stampede so it’s worth checking out at least once. I highly recommend checking out the Cowboys vs Firefighters auction and pole climb event in particular.

You will be spoilt for choice when it comes to live music every day of Stampede

7. The Community Spirit of Stampede

If you come to the Stampede you will quickly discover that it isn’t just a massive outdoor event. It is a city-wide celebration. Everyone seems to get involved in it. So wherever you go you will see something Stampede related. From parades, and community events, to clothing, drink, and food specials, it brings all kinds of people together.

So whether you go solo or in a group, you will have fun and some interesting experiences. Just immerse yourself in all the festivities, and let your hair down.

8. There Is Something For Everyone Everyday

The Stampede offers a uniquely diverse range of events and activities for all ages and all interests. You have the rodeo, agricultural exhibitions, parades, live music, and stage shows mixed in with the huge fairground, dog shows, motocross, wrestling, art exhibitions, flower displays, powwows, shopping and so much more. It is seriously next level, and it’s gotten much bigger since the first time I went as they keep adding new programming.

I challenge you to be bored for even a minute at Stampede because there is just so much to see and do for everyone.

To be honest the only issue you will have is choosing what to see and what to miss because there is just so much happening all day and night every day at the same times that it’s a constant game of pick and choose.

I went for all 10 days last year, and I still managed to miss a couple of things I wanted to see because it’s hard to fit it all in especially if you don’t want to be rushing around.

My advice, if you want to see and do as much as possible without any stress and overwhelm of rushing around, is to go for a minimum of 2-3 days. It will fly by.

9. A Rich Heritage and Traditions

Did you know that the Calgary Stampede dates back to 1912? or that the first annual Calgary Stampede, exhibition and rodeo was held in Calgary in 1923?

This world-famous rodeo festival was started by a former cowboy from Wyoming called Guy Weadick with the support of influential cattlemen in Alberta.

Since its inception, it has been a celebration of Western culture, heritage, and traditions, offering everyone a chance to experience cowboy life through the rodeo, and all the agricultural events.

It has grown immensely over the years, and it’s now a huge event that is organized by thousands of volunteers. It isn’t just one of the richest rodeos in the world. It is also one of the biggest festivals in Canada every year and a significant tourist attraction. It is so popular that the rodeo and chuckwagon racing is televised across Canada every year.

10. All The Fun Of The Fair

There is a huge fairground area in Stampede Park during the Calgary Stampede called ‘The Midway’. It’s called the Midway because it roughly runs down the middle of Stampede Park with many of the main buildings on either side.

It is full of lots of different rides and fairground games for all ages, and it’s open until pretty late every day. This is also where you will find the majority of the food trucks.

11. So Much Food, Glorious Food

Like everything at this event, Calgary Stampede food is seriously next level. Firstly, there is a vast variety of food options so I challenge you to not find multiple things you want to eat.

Secondly, the food trucks seem to compete between themselves on who can come up with the weirdest but most delicious Stampede foods. So every year, you are treated to food concoctions that I doubt you would be able to try anywhere else.

Stampede is a foodie’s paradise from the unique offerings and classic carnival treats to award-winning BBQ and many gourmet offerings.

12. Stunning Fireworks Every Night

Every evening of Stampede is marked by an impressive fireworks display that can be seen across the city.

It is the finale of the Grandstand show, but also a fun way to end every day. It does conflict with the live music events in venues like Nashville North and The Big Four Roundhouse though so as with everything at Stampede you have to decide what you want to see more.

13. Free Pancake’s Breakfasts Every Morning

The cowboy way to start your day is with pancakes. So, across the city free breakfast events are held every day. It’s a delicious and social way to start a Stampede day – but it does require fairly early mornings. Calgary takes these breakfasts very seriously and there is even a Stampede Pancakes app listing the 100+ breakfasts available.

14. Indigenous Cultural Experiences

A key feature of the Calgary Stampede is the Elbow River Camp, which celebrates indigenous culture. You will be able to find out more about the heritage and traditions of First Nations, try indigenous foods, and maybe watch a powwow or two.

15. It’s A Very Social Event

Generally, everyone is very friendly at Stampede, and I have found Albertans to be very welcoming. If you keep yourself open to talking to strangers, you will find that the Stampede is very social. Of course, like anywhere, you will encounter the occasional mean girl or rude person, but I have always had more positive encounters than negative ones on the days that I have been there by myself. Both times that I have gone I have made new friends.

These Are Just A Few Of The Reasons To Go To The Stampede

There are honestly so many reasons to add the Calgary Stampede to your travels, especially if you have any interest in Western Culture. These are just some of the highlights as to why it truly is “the greatest show on earth”.

If you are keen to go, but the prospect of being there alone is daunting, there are lots of things that you can do to build up the courage such as going to smaller events on your own. It’s worth stepping out of your comfort zone for.

And if you are already going, maybe I will see you there!

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Gemma Lawrence

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.