It’s here, party animals! After a year of anticipation, Stampede is upon us again and so are all of the exciting events that come with it! From the parade to music festivals, here are 15 of the very best things to do in and around Calgary this weekend!
WATCH THE CALGARY STAMPEDE PARADE
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Get your beauty sleep, Calgary. It’s going to be an early morning! In order to celebrate the first day of the Greatest Show On Earth, check out the annual Stampede Parade – a must-see event featuring floats, performers and crowds of people.
When: Friday, July 7th, 2023
Where: See the parade route above
Time: 9 am
Cost: FREE
RENT A GLOWING KAYAK
Need a break from the Stampede grounds this weekend? Those looking to explore, lounge, and experience something new can do so to the soundtrack of their choosing, from behind the paddle of a glowing boat. Gear up and head down for the magical glowing kayak experience on Waterfront Park.
When: Open now
Where: Waterfront Park – 5225 101 St NW, Calgary
Cost: $35+ / hour
SPONSORED PICK: SEE CHAD BROWNLEE, CAPITAL CITIES & MORE AT WILDHORSE SALOON
Get ready for an epic Stampede experience at Wildhorse Saloon! With unforgettable concerts, incredible private events, and more, this is the place to be this Stampede! Feel the energy as The Rural Alberta Advantage, Tokyo Police Club, Dean Brody, and Chad Brownlee ignite the stage with their sensational performances, host your private events, and enjoy their unreal space with activities like life-size Jenga, Connect Four, Cornhole, and more!
When: Thursday, July 6th-15th, 2023
Where: Wildhorse Saloon Stampede Tent – 500 6th Avenue SW
Cost: $25
PARTY FOR A CAUSE AT THE ACE HIGH STAMPEDE KICKOFF
It’s another year of Stampede, and this is a kickoff event you can feel good about. Ace High Stampede Kickoff is hosting its 2nd annual event to raise money for Trellis Society, a local nonprofit that provides community services in Calgary. The event will be hosted at the historic Deane House in Inglewood for upscale Western vibes only steps away from the Stampede grounds. Plus all food and drinks are included in the ticket price.
When: Friday, July 7th, 2023
Where: The Deane House, 806 9 Ave SE, Calgary
Time: 5 pm – 11:30 pm
Cost: $250 per person
SPONSORED PICK: CHECK OUT ASHANTI, LIL TECCA, DISCO LINES & MORE AT NATIONAL SALOON THIS STAMPEDE
We Calgarians all know & love National as one of the go-to spots for an incredible night out. Well, they’re bringing that same energy to National Saloon with their unreal concert series this Stampede & you don’t wanna miss it! With a diverse lineup of genres from country to EDM, there’s something for every music lover. Witness the dynamic performances of Lil Tecca on July 10, the iconic Grammy Award-winning Ashanti on July 13, the exhilarating show of Disco Lines on July 14, & more!
When: Thursday, July 6th-15th, 2023
Where: National Saloon Festival Tent – 330 11 Ave Sw
Cost: $10+
HIT THE CALGARY STAMPEDE
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YAHOOO! The midway, the food, the music, and the rodeo are back in action and we could not be more excited. This Friday giddy up for a celebration of resilience, and our city’s love for rides, deep-fried grub and denim.
When: Friday, July 7th – 16th, 2023
Where: 1410 Olympic Way SE
Cost: $23+
SPONSORED PICK: ENJOY FREE STAMPEDE BREAKFAST AND $5 CAESARS AT MOXIES
One of our go-to restos, Moxies, has joined in the Stampede celebration with our all-time fave Stampede tradition. Enter: Free Stampede Pancake Breakfast. Yes, the restaurant will be serving up free flapjacks at two of its locations. But that’s not the end of it! Moxies will also be serving up crowd-favourite Ceasers all Stampede long (July 7th-16th) for just $5 at all Calgary locations.
When: Saturday, July 8th
Where: Moxies Barlow & Mcknight: 29 Hopewell Way NE, Calgary | Moxies
Time: 8:30 am – 11 am
Cost: FREE
SEE SOME WILDSCAPES AT THE ZOO
You won’t believe your eyes! From 21-foot-tall giraffes and snakes made entirely of plants, Wildscapes at the Calgary Zoo is a topiary event that features large living sculptures that have been hand-crafted to look like familiar creatures. Get tickets at enjoy!
When: Until mid-September 2023.
Where: 210 St. George’s Drive NE, Calgary, AB T2E 7V6
Cost: $29.95
SPONSORED PICK: FIND FREE PANCAKE BREAKFASTS WITH THE INTERACTIVE 2023 STAMPEDE BREAKFAST MAP
Can you believe it’s been 100 years since the first pancake breakfast at the @calgarystampede? What started as a chuckwagon driver cooking flapjacks to entice people to learn about the sport has turned into a beloved tradition that brings our community together. Well, we’ve curated an interactive map filled with all of the stampede brekkies happening around the city to mark the occasion & you can check it out here!
When: Wednesday, July 5th-16th, 2023
Where: Citywide
Cost: FREE
SHOP THE FARMERS AND MAKERS MARKET
Want to get some non-donut-scented air? The Farmers and Makers market will be THE place! Support the community in a safe and fun environment and grab some grub at the food trucks!
When: Wednesdays and Saturdays
Where: 1221 2 St SW, Calgary, AB | 1627 10 Ave SW, Calgary, AB
Time: see times above
SPONSORED PICK: SHOP INCLUSIVE APPAREL AT THE MEYLI POP-UP
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Conscious swimwear and apparel brand Meyli is having its very first pop-up in Calgary – right in time for Stampede! Complete your Western fit, or just find a cute outfit with sizing from XS to XXL. There will be exclusive clothing, bikinis, accessories, and more to polish off your summer look.
When: Saturday, July 8th
Where: Outdoor Courtyard, District at Beltline, 11 Ave SW, Calgary
Time: 11 am – 5 pm
Cost: FREE to attend
FLOAT THE BOW
Grab your pals, a dingy, and some snacks then hit one of Calgary’s winding rivers! This weekend, kick back and enjoy the warmth on your face and the water on your toes on an obligatory summertime adventure!
CHECK OUT SYLVAN LAKE AQUA SPLASH
We’re in for a long hot summer and there’s no better place to escape it all than by taking a trip to the Sylvan Lake Aqua Splash Park – a giant inflatable on-water park with obstacles, trampolines, and launch pads.
Where: 5104 Lakeshore Drive, Sylvan Lake
Cost: $18 for one hour
SHOP HERITAGE PARK AFTER DARK
Every Saturday until September 2nd, Calgarians can spend an evening under the stars filling their bags with artisan goods and their stomachs with food and drinks from one of the attraction’s tasty eateries. From clothing to art, Heritage Park’s Night Market will practically have it all, making it what we can only describe as a ‘one-size fits all event,’ and it’s totally FREE!
When: Every Saturday until September 2nd, 2023
Where: 1900 Heritage Dr. S.W., Calgary
Time: 3 pm – 9 pm
Cost: FREE
RE-CENTER WITH AN OUTDOOR YOGA CLASS
Inhale, exhale, stretch and sweat at an all-ages free Yoga class in Stanley Park for FREE every Sunday – after all, there’s really a no better way to spend an afternoon than by winding down and breathing in some fresh air with your toes in the grass.
When: Every Sunday
Where: 1300 12 Street Northeast
Time: 1 pm
Cost: FREE
There you have it, 15 things to do in Calgary this weekend! It’s going to be good one, folks! Happy Stampeding!
