What you need to know as the 2025 Calgary Stampede parade hits the streets

The Calgary Stampede is saddling up for 10 days of action, kicking off Friday as the 113th annual Stampede Parade winds its way through downtown Calgary.

Visitors should expect large crowds hitting the streets for the parade, which always attracts a massive number of spectators. In 2024, the parade drew an audience of around 350,000 people.

This year's parade is led by Canadian country-pop icon Shania Twain, who is also performing at the Scotiabank Saddledome on Saturday night.

Festival organizers promise more than 110 parade entries, including over 700 horses, 35 floats, and nine marching bands, including the Stampede Showband. 

Parade-goers are encouraged to arrive early to take in the parade prelude at 7:45 a.m. on Friday. It will include acrobats, dancers and cultural performers. Free-of-charge seating is available on a first-come, first-served basis.

• There are four parade prelude spots: 6th Avenue and 5th Street S.W., 9th Avenue and 5th Street S.W., 6th Avenue and 10th Street S.W., and Centre Street and 9th Avenue. 

The main parade will kick off at 9 a.m., starting at 9th Avenue from 3rd Street S.E. before heading north at 10th Street S.W. toward 6th Avenue and east toward the parade's end at 4th Street S.E.

Road closures will be in effect downtown and officials say all roadways are expected to reopen by approximately 2 p.m. 

Those heading to the parade are encouraged to walk, bike, carpool or take transit, and those driving should plan to arrive well before roads close, or park outside the closed area.

Water stations will be available along the route, but organizers are encouraging attendees to bring their own water bottles.

Calgary Transit is offering 24-hour CTrain service and two express Stampede routes during the festival. But during the parade, many routes that travel downtown will be on detour.

Once the parade wraps up, attendees can go straight from the parade route to Stampede Park and receive free admission from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Here's more of what you need to know as the Stampede kicks into high gear:

Picking your entrance

In an effort to reduce congestion, the Stampede is reminding visitors there are multiple ways to enter the park.

• Erlton entry: Closest to the rodeo and evening show in GMC Stadium, as well as Nashville North and the Coca-Cola Stage.
• Victoria Park entry: Best for midway games and food.
• Stampede Trail entrance: Ideal for those heading to Saddledome concerts, the Elbow River Camp and the motocross show.

The Calgary Stampede is also offering an app which allows users to create a personalized schedule.

More to keep in mind

Should the weather not co-operate with your visit, organizers said there are a few options available.

The Range Food Hall in the lower level of the Big Four Building, the Nutrien Western Event Centre and the community stage in the BMO Centre are air conditioned spots for guests to sit down.

If you're riding a bike or scooter to the grounds, parking will be available at the Erlton and Stampede Trail entries.

Public parking is also available for day use for $30 per entry.

Finally, there are pick-up and drop-off zones for Stampede-goers arriving by Uber or taxi.

Rodeo and live music

Historically, the Stampede is best known for its rodeo, which includes seven events over 10 days this year. Beginning at 1:30 p.m. each afternoon, the events include bull and bronc riding, barrel racing, steer wrestling and calf roping.

Afterward, the Stampede's evening show at 7:30 p.m. features chuckwagon racing, horseback relay races and the Grandstand Show of song, dance, acrobatics and fireworks.

Along with its rodeo, the Stampede's concerts have garnered increased attention in recent years.

LISTEN | This Is Calgary talks Stampede's growing popularity as a music festival: 

This is Calgary19:38Is the Calgary Stampede a music festival?

It’s many things to many people. A rodeo, a midway or maybe even a headache... but would you call it a music festival? On this week’s episode we tease out the identity of the Calgary Stampede, and its outsized impact on music in this city.

This year, the self-proclaimed "Greatest Music Festival in the West" includes more than 100 artists playing at the Saddledome, the outdoor Coca-Cola Stage, the Nashville North tent and the Big Four Roadhouse. Jason Isbell, TLC, Natasha Bedingfield, Arkells, Diplo and De La Soul highlight the lineup.

Over the course of the Stampede's 10 days, the event will also include a powwow at the Saddledome on July 12 and 13, featuring First Nations dancers and drummers competing from across Canada and the U.S., as well as a freestyle motocross show, the annual dog bowl, and a variety of agricultural contests and showcases.

This year's Stampede runs July 4 to 13.