A welcoming committee dressed in Western wear happily greets me at the airport just outside Customs, upon arrival on an easy three-hour direct flight from Los Angeles. These volunteers from Calgary cheerfully greet arriving visitors daily. “Yahoo” is the friendly Canadian shout out here.
So began my experience of the “Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth” – the Calgary Stampede. Part rodeo, part live music show, part carnival, part wacky food inventions, part celebration of Indigeneous Nations, part Western-wear shopping, the annual festival began in 1912 and grew out of farming exhibitions and rodeos that took place every summer in Calgary since 1886. Today, the July event – celebrating Canadian Western heritage, culture, and community – draws close to 1.5 million visitors, nearly doubling the population of the cosmopolitan Alberta city.
The Stampede is a festival of the senses where Calgary goes Western for 10 rodeo-filled days. I quickly learned why Calgary is deemed the world’s friendliest city. Thank you to Tourism Calgary for hosting me so that I could write about the experience.
Making the most of Calgary during the Stampede
Soon after checking into the boutique Westley Hotel downtown, I was privileged to participate in Calgary’s signature White Hat ceremony, an honorary welcome that has been given to dignitaries, royalty and even the Dalai Lama, Oprah and the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. Since the 1950s, the white felt cowboy hat has been a long enduring and internationally recognized symbol of Calgary’s warm hospitality. I proudly wore my white hat all weekend, in heartfelt connection with the city.
Dubbed “CowChella” by some, the citywide phenomenon of Stampede is part of Calgary’s identity. Expect 10 days of high adrenaline rodeo events, chuckwagon races, carnival rides, crazy food concoctions, and live music at many venues. Join the hoopla and be amazed at the bravery of the young agile cowboys and cowgirls, who show a tremendous amount of wrangling skill and grit by hanging on bucking horses, wrestling steers and tying up calves.
Enjoy the outdoors and walk Calgary’s extensive urban pathway along the riverfront, to admire square dancing on the street and stylish couples in cowboy gear cruising by on e-scooters. Explore the Elbow River Camp, the First Nations Village, where 25 uniquely designed tipis represent the 5 nations of Treaty 7, and where local artisans sell jewelry, art, bannock and Saskatoon berry jam.
Loads of pancakes (even some with bacon in the middle) are dished for free, from street-side chuckwagon stands all over town. This 102-year-old Calgary tradition stems from rancher Jack Morton, who served the first pancakes off a camp stove from the back of his chuckwagon. That custom continues today with thousands of volunteers serving over 200,000 pancakes during the 10-day Stampede.
A key highlight of the Stampede are the fun food options. Create your own food tour by exploring some wild flavors on the Midway, with a huge emphasis on fried pickles. Sample deep-fried Oreos with pickles inside, pickle donuts, pickle soda, pickle pizza, and one of our favs, Mac and Cheese with fried chicken and fried pickles. Dig into a hot dog that’s oozing with cheese and covered with fruity pebbles, or try a Bao bun loaded with shrimp tempura, fried SPAM, pineapple, and seaweed. One of our favorite dessert finds was a stand selling mango soft serve with candied jalapenos. Part of the fun is sampling this downright daring cuisine!
At the Stampede Rodeo and Grandstand Evening Show, book an upscale multi-course dinner at Lazy S in the stands, while the traditional chuckwagon races careen by and the crowd goes wild. Then, bareback Indigenous riders with painted bodies jump onto a new horse before every relay race lap. A night of Alberta beef, Ceasar Salad and Caesar cocktails is amplified with song and dance numbers, acrobatics and a fireworks finale.
Pick up some stylish handcrafted boots and vintage cowboy couture
Alberta Boot Co. should be the first stop for all-natural leather kicks. Experience the art of boot making with a behind the scenes old-world boot making tour. Since 1978 this Calgary brand has handcrafted premium leather western boots – water resistant and available in an assortment of colors with unique stitching. Each year, a signature Stampede Founder’s collection is designed along with an annual Calgary stampede poster. Live your best western life by customizing your own boot design (just order ahead as the wait time can be months), designing a branded hat, and choosing some unique cowboy couture pieces. Discover popular, ethically sourced leather options like kangaroo, along with exotic leathers such as ostrich, python, alligator and fish. Some boots really do speak louder than words.
Don’t miss strolling one of the oldest neighborhoods for cowboy couture and vintage finds. Founded in 1875, Inglewood boasts a small town feel stuffed with eclectic shops in heritage buildings, hip restaurants, galleries, Indigenous art, and live music venues. This walkable neighborhood sits at the confluence of the Bow and Elbow Rivers.
Dine on Alberta beef
Known for its tenderness and flavor – often attributed to the cattle’s grain-based diet and high-quality water used for irrigation – exceptional Alberta beef leads Canada in beef production. And it can be found on menus all over town.
Since 1972, Caesar’s Steak House has been an institution, serving the best aged beef that Alberta has to offer. This Calgary staple – with its buzzy atmosphere and red leather seats – was started by a Greek immigrant. Now run by his daughter and son-in-law, they still use the secret, house-made steak spice at both locations. Since opening their doors, Caesar’s has used the same Alberta beef supplier. Meat is aged a minimum of 28 days before being cooked to perfection on an open flame grill in the middle of the dining room for all to watch. Pair your steak with tableside Ceasar Salad – where the show begins with anchovy paste sticking to an upside-down bowl – and the twice-baked potatoes plated in front of you with bacon, chives, and sour cream accoutrements. Choose from the Caesar drink menu, boasting varieties of Canada’s beloved cocktail, like the Classic Caesar – concocted with vodka, clamato juice, spices, celery salt rim, lime – and garnished with celery stalks or a fun alternative like candied bacon.
Get high above the city for panoramic dining views
High on the 40th floor, with jaw-dropping views of downtown Calgary and the Rocky Mountains, Major Tom Bar is a perfect spot to get a taste of world-famous Alberta beef, paired with sweeping city views. All steaks are brushed with MT Steak Butter, and broiled at 1800 degrees for a deeply caramelized crust.
Major Tom’s energetic vibe feels like the place to be, with a stellar inventive cocktail menu touting medleys like a Peach Old Fashioned, Pomegranate Negroni, Espresso Martini with Koloa coconut rum and cold brew, and Former Glory made with mellow corn whiskey, apricot, sweet corn, Mezcal, lemon, and clarified milk. Admire the views at Golden Hour every day from 3-5 PM with special prices. Cheers to a bar full of cowboy hats.
The menu tantalizes with fresh ingredients and memorable dishes like Alberta Angus Steak Frites, Beef Tartar, Beef and Pork Rigatoni Bolognese, Ceasar Salad with hot smoked bacon, fluffy Cheese Toast, tots with smoked sturgeon, and salads such as Cucumber and Strawberry Heirloom Tomato. For a sweet finale, share the Baked Alaska with bourbon, caramel, and pecan. And if you happen to be here at the right time, you might just see a double rainbow cascade across the skyline hugging the Calgary Tower. We did!
Savor Calgary’s finest sips and best bites
Start the day with a coffee at Higher Ground Café, where beans are sourced ethically from farms with organic and fairtrade practices. Celebrate breakfast at Monki Bistro, a cheery restaurant dripping in plants, in the Inglewood neighborhood. The cheeky menu is loaded with incredible options and riffs like prosecco hollandaise and booze banana coffees. Share signature dishes like beef brisket tacos with birria dip and brioche French Toast stuffed with caramelized banana, hazelnut chocolate and creamed cheese. Try a Waffocado Toast, a Bacon Caramel Pancake stack, Hot Honey Chicken and Waffles, or Perogies and Kielbasa with sweet onions.
Step into Lula Bar in the vibrant Beltline District on 17th Avenue for a taste of the Pacific. This airy mid-century meets surf shack concept is a merry lunch and dinner spot where Chef Joseph Sokoloff channels Pacific Ocean influences from Asia, Hawaii, California, and British Columbia – with dishes like Chil Crab Noodles, Steamed Lobster Dumplings, Taro Tots, and Crispy Chicken Wontons. Creative tiki style cocktails are part of the fun. Sip a P.O.G Daquiri, a Pineapple Negroni, a Lilikoi Mojito, or Cat People(that arrives in a pink cat mug with Park vodka, plum sake, salted guava, vanilla, and lime). Impossible not to take photos of these festive drinks.
Nominated as one of the best bars in Canada in 2025, Proof groups cocktails on their menu according to base liquor, with whimsical names and specialty concoctions. Giddy up in this intimate space with your closest pals to sample some playful next-level cocktails – like Ramenito, made with ramen infused tequila, tortilla infused mezcal, marin, lime, bell pepper water, firewater bitters and a splash of Okami Kasu. The Pancake Breakfast includes butter-infused whiskey and maple syrup, while a Ring Toss sports Cheerio-infused vodka. Drink surprises include everything from winning a pair of sunglasses to popping a sea buckthorn meant to be consumed after a sip. From the Tequila & Mezcal section, try Holy Healing with Palo-Santo infused tequila or the earthy House Plant with mezcal, Bitter Bianco, banana leaf, and apple. Cheers to the most mind-blowing cocktails!
When your energy runs low during Stampede weekend, behave like a tall, dark, and cool Canadian by ordering The Shaft, also known as “the drive by” at The Living Room, where the drink was invented in the early 2000s. This Kahlua, cream, and cold brew or espresso (and sometimes vodka) combo is poured in less than 5 minutes. The caffeinated pick me up is expected to be slurped down by straw in under 5 minutes – “like a classy Red Bull,” a friend said.
Explore the city
Hop in a vintage style sidecar motorcycle to explore the city with a guided and narrated tour. Locally owned Rocky Mountain Sidecar Adventures whisks you through various neighborhoods, city streets, and a bird’s eye view of the city and Calgary Stampede. Tours run from May through September and can be customized. Feel the wind in your face as you enjoy the ride.
Bike or walk the largest urban pathway in North America with over 600 miles of trails and pathways connecting various parks, green spaces, and neighborhoods throughout the city. Cruise along the Bow River to get views of the skyline and pass through sites like the Peace Bridge, Edworthy Park, and Kensington neighborhood.
Connect with nature
Paddle the refreshingly cool glacier-fed Bow River to see the city from a different vantage point. Rent rafts, kayaks, and SUPs with all the safety gear you need, from The Paddle Station along the riverside. Cruise by Canadian geese, happy dogs, locals resting along the riverbanks, and festive floaters, even a group sporting a Canadian flag on a hockey stick. It’s easy to get your tan on in “Blue Sky City” with 233 days of sunshine a year. And with 80-degree weather in July, there is no better place to be.
Just one hour from the city, the mountains are calling you! Boundary Ranch in Kananaskis Country offers guided horseback rides through some of the most breathtaking backcountry trails in the Rockies. Whether you’re a novice or an experienced rider, you’ll enjoy the a one-hour scenic loops or multi day pack trips featuring comfortable campsites and hearty home cooked meals.
