10 things to do at Cloverdale Rodeo & Country Fair May 14-18

Published 2:22 pm Thursday, May 7, 2026

The expanded 2026 edition of Cloverdale Rodeo & Country Fair runs five days this year, Thursday to Monday at the fairgrounds off Highway 15 in Surrey, promising “An Original Kind of Country” on the Victoria Day long weekend (May 14-18).

Here are 10 things to do, see, taste and hear at one of Western Canada’s biggest community events:

1. Thursday night’s Country Fair Kickoff Concert brings Brett Kissell and Cooper Alan to the Longhorn Saloon stage, along with Morgan Klaiber and DJ Jack Daniels. Tickets for the 19+ concert include access to fairground festivities, too, with a rodeo “sneak-a-peek” of trick riders, entertainment and animal stars at Stetson Bowl.

2. Check out the new Rodeo Drone Show on Friday (10 p.m.) and Sunday (9:20 p.m.), free with fairgrounds admission. Presented by Fruiticana, the show on Friday follows the headline set by k-os, while the Sunday drone show is scheduled to light the skies between headliners Gord Bamford and The Road Hammers, among more than 100 performers on seven stages at this year’s rodeo.

3. West Coast Lumberjacks, demolition derby drivers and Global FMX freestyle motocross stunt riders will draw crowds to the new Backstretch Action Zone, set up west of Stetson Bowl. Visit cloverdalerodeo.com for show times at the all-ages venue, where Green Timbers Pub presents an Outlaw Bar.

4. The annual Rodeo Sunday Pancake Breakfast, hosted by the Cloverdale Rodeo Youth Initiative Foundation, is a place to eat by-donation pancakes and get free admission to the fairgrounds for the day. Gates open at 8 a.m, breakfast served at 8:30 a.m. and wrapped up by 10 a.m., so get there on time.

5. Catch the 78th Rodeo Parade on Saturday (May 16, 10 a.m.) starting in front of the Museum of Surrey on 56A Avenue, then winding north and east through Cloverdale Town Centre. This year’s parade grand marshal is country musician Morgan Griffiths, winner of several B.C. Country Music Awards a couple weeks back.

6. Visit Rodeo Reds, an expanded space under the big tent beside the Agriplex. All ages are welcome by day, then Rodeo Reds transforms into a 19+ hotspot after 10 p.m. with a VIP vibe (don’t be surprised if you see rodeo contestants here). Expect line dancing lessons and live music by North Country Collective’s Rodeo Roundup artists.

7. B.C.’s biggest rodeo will bring 96 of the world’s best cowboys and cowgirls to Stetson Bowl for five performances Friday to Monday. Events include Bareback, Saddle Bronc, Bull Riding and Ladies Barrel Racing, with Mutton Bustin’ too. Consider bucking up additional dollars for the Wild Mustang VIP viewing area. Rodeo finals are 2 p.m. Monday, following shows 2 p.m. Sunday, 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday and 7:30 p.m. Friday.

8. The 2026 fair will feature more than 50 food options at eight locations on the fairgrounds, including a Main Food Truck Court, Rib Fest, CR Coral, Indigenous Village and more. Fun fact: In 2025, fair food vendors served up 125,000 mini doughnuts, 2,000 ears of corn, 5,000 slushies, 4,600 burgers and 5,000 lemonades.

9. Cloverdale Curling Rink transforms into an all-ages Roll-A-Rama roller skating rink on rodeo weekend. Greater Vancouver Roller Derby Association skaters will be there, and public skating sessions include Roller Disco Parties at 6 p.m. daily (except Monday). Skate rentals are by donation to Storehouse Community Hub Society.

10. The CR Corral beside the main stage is where fans will find All-Star Wrestling action this year. Featured wrestlers include Mexico’s Microman, The Headbangers and more, Saturday through Monday, six shows in all.

For rodeo & country fair tickets, show times and more details, visit cloverdalerodeo.com.

—with files from Malin Jordan