The Calgary Stampede says this year’s parade was the largest on record, with an estimated 315,000 people lining the streets of downtown Calgary on Friday.
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The 114th Calgary Stampede Parade presented by Suncor marked the official start of the 2026 Calgary Stampede and featured 125 entries.
“One route. One morning. 125 unforgettable entries. When the streets of downtown Calgary come alive with the Calgary Stampede Parade, the city doesn’t just host a celebration, it becomes one,” Keith Marlowe, chair of the Stampede Parade Committee, said in a release.
“Today we hosted the largest Stampede Parade this city has ever seen and we are so grateful to all the volunteers, community partners and parade participants who helped make it happen.”
Opening day attendance
The crowds continued onto the grounds, with the Stampede reporting 155,518 visitors on Friday.
Total attendance for the 2026 Calgary Stampede sat at 187,542 after Friday.
This year’s parade marshals were Courtney Sarault and Mikaël Kingsbury. Andrew Phung was named honorary parade marshal.
The Stampede said representatives from multiple volunteer committees also walked in the parade as part of a celebration of the International Year of the Volunteer.
Markets open near parade route
Before the parade began, the Calgary Stampede also helped open TMX Markets from downtown Calgary, near the parade starting line.
The event included Sarault, Kingsbury, Phung, members of the Parade Committee, Calgary Stampede elected officers and board members, Stampede Royalty, Harry the Horse, Calgary Economic Development and the Calgary Chamber of Commerce.
The Stampede said the event celebrated both the official start of Stampede and Calgary’s business community.
Competition begins
The first day of rodeo action also brought an early win for Garrett Shadbolt.
The Nebraska cowboy won the opening round of bareback riding Friday, earning $7,000.
The Stampede said Shadbolt took home $22,000 from Calgary last year.
The 2026 Rangeland Derby Chuckwagon Races presented by Play Alberta also began Friday night, with Jaimie Laboucane posting the fastest time of the night at 1:10.98.
The Stampede said Laboucane edged Chanse Vigen by 0.08 seconds.
In the ENMAX Relay Races, Poitras Relay posted the fastest time of the first night at 3:04.71.
In It 2 Win It finished at 3:05.46, while Two Medicine posted a time of 3:06.45.
Midway food winners announced
The Stampede has also announced the winners of its Best Food on the Midway competition.
Dubai Pistachio Coconut Ice Cream from So Cute Ice Cream won the International Delight category.
Crispy Ginger Beef Perogies by International Perogies won the Traditional with a Twist category.
Buldak Stuffed Grilled Cheese from Melt Town Grilled Cheese won the Wild & Wacky category.
Saturday highlights
Saturday’s Stampede schedule includes Pride Day at Nashville North from 2 to 6 p.m.
The Stampede said the 13th annual Pride Day is supported by BMO, Mott’s and WCD.
A$AP Rocky is scheduled to perform Saturday night at the Scotiabank Saddledome.
According to the Stampede’s Saturday update, a few tickets remained available.
Saturday’s agriculture and Western events include the Heavy Horse Show at 11:15 a.m., 1:30 p.m., 7 p.m. and 9 p.m.
Team Cattle Penning presented by Petrus Resources is scheduled for 4:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. in the Nutrien Western Event Centre.
The Stampede has said admission to Stampede Park includes access to agriculture and Western events in the Agriculture Zone, the Nutrien Western Event Centre, AltaLink Hall and the Northern Lights Arena.
Saturday music lineup
Saturday’s Coca-Cola Stage lineup includes SHY FRiEND at 12:30 p.m., Sea of Lettuce at 1:45 p.m., Dax at 6 p.m., PVRIS at 7:30 p.m. and All Time Low at 9 p.m.
Nashville North is scheduled to feature Foxx Worthee at 6 p.m. and 10:45 p.m., Blackjack Billy at 7:45 p.m. and Redferrin at 9:15 p.m.
The Big Four Roadhouse lineup includes Danny Nix and the Heat at 4 p.m., 5:15 p.m. and 6:30 p.m., Colin James at 9 p.m. and Nickola Magnolia at 11 p.m.
Event times can change. Visitors should check the Calgary Stampede schedule before heading to the grounds.
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