What’s happening during the first weekend of the Calgary Stampede

After some Thursday night concerts and sneak-a-peek-at Stampede Park, the 2024 Calgary Stampede officially kicks off on Friday.

The parade sets the stage for the first weekend of the greatest show on earth and there are plenty of shows, events and pancake breakfasts to break out the boots and wranglers for during the first few days of the 10-day event.

Here’s what’s happening on the first weekend:

Calgary Stampede Parade

The parade will take over the downtown core on Friday morning and will run from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and is free to attend.

There will be plenty of road closures in the core from the early morning until 2 p.m. Vehicles in parkades and residences along those roads won’t be able to leave until the entire parade is finished.

CTrain service runs before, during and after the parade. All downtown CTrain stations are within one block of the parade route.

A full list of road closures and everything else you need to know about the parade can be found here.

Anyone who goes straight from the parade to Stampede Park will get free admission before 1:30 p.m.

Tim Horton’s Family Day

Admission to Stampede Park is free on Sunday, July 7 until 11 a.m.

There is also a free pancake breakfast at the GMC Stadium courtyard from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m., and free variety show at the stadium from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m.

More information on Stampede value days can be found here.

Concerts

Badlands Music Festival

July 5 – Chris Lake & Elderbrook

July 6 – SLANDER, Chase and Status & Ahadadream

July 7 – Swedish House Mafia

Big Four Roadhouse

July 5 – Melanie C (DJ Set)

July 6 – Vavo & Cash Cash

July 7 – Shakey Graves & The Dead South

Burwood Music Festival

July 5 – Gary Levox from Rascal Flatts

July 6 – DJ Hurricane (Beastie Boys)

July 7 – Buckcherry

Coca-Cola Stage

July 5 – Ocean Alley & Dean Lewis

July 6 – Logic

July 7 – Billy Talent

Cowboys Music Festival

July 5 – Tate McRae

July 6 – Riley Green & Tucker Wetmore

July 7 – PartyNextDoor, Sexyy Red & Busta Rhymes

Nashville North

July 5 – Tyler Joe Miller

July 6 – Owen Riegling

July 7 – Brothers Osborne

Stampede pancake breakfasts

New Horizon Mall at 260300 Writing Creek Crescent: July 5, 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Westside Rec Centre at 2000 69 Street SW: July 6, 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.

Cavalry FC Regional Field House – Aldersyde at 125 Field House Drive E: July 6, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Seton YMCA at 4995 Market Street SE: July 7, 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.

A full list of pancake breakfasts throughout the Stampede can be found here.

Rodeo, Chuckwagon Races & Grandstand Show

The rodeo kicks off Friday at GMC Stadium and runs daily throughout the Stampede — beginning at 1:30 p.m. each day.

The Evening Show, including the chuckwagon races and Grandstand show, also begins Friday and follows the rodeo each day at GMC Stadium at 7:45 p.m.

Separate tickets are required for each event.