Crowds pile into downtown core for 2026 Calgary Stampede parade

It’s the tradition that thousands of Calgarians have been waiting for: It’s Stampede parade day!

Since the early morning hours, people have been staking out their spots along the parade route through downtown Calgary.

“I got here at 6 a.m., but Al got here earlier,” said Matthew, a visitor from England taking in his first parade.

“(My favourite is) just seeing all the cultures, really, it’s a lot different from England.”

It began at 9 a.m. at Ninth Avenue and Third Street S.E., then proceeded down to 10 Street S.W., turning and heading to Sixth Avenue S.W., where it headed back east to the finish line at Fourth Street S.E.

Hundreds of thousands of spectators gathered to watch the event, with millions more watching online from around the world.

“It definitely was (on my bucket list), I’m so excited to be here,” said another visitor, from South Africa.

“I’m loving all the ancient stuff, like the carriages, and the horses look very different, they’re very healthy, I love the fur on their feet.”

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Many of the participants were up even earlier than the earliest of risers on Friday, having been busy getting ready for the big event.

Among the participants was federal Conservative Party Leader Pierre Poilievre, who says he’s always happy to return to the city he was born and raised in.

“It’s great to be home, my earliest memories are actually cleaning up garbage at the Stampede making minimum wage. It’s great to be in my hometown celebrating the pioneers, the freedom, the hard work, the independence,” Poilievre said.

More than 120 entries are taking part this year, including dozens of elaborate floats, marching bands, cultural performers and lots of horses.

“We’re expecting over 300,000 people along the parade route today,” said Keith Marlowe, chair of the Stampede Parade committee.

“It’s the biggest single-day event in Calgary and people are already pretty excited.”

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Weather for the big day is expected to be a bit windy, but clear, but by the end of the parade, there is a chance of showers.

Parade marshals Courtney Sarault and Mikaël Kingsbury, both multiple medallists from Milano Cortina 2026, led the parade.

Sarault says their experience at the Olympics helped provide them with the opportunity to participate in an event like the Calgary Stampede parade.

“It’s both our first one and to go like this, it’s the best way possible to do it.” she said.

Kingsbury is only used to seeing Calgary in the winter, so coming to the city in the summertime is a change.

“What better way to attend my first Stampede than as marshal alongside Courtney?”

Once the parade wraps up, there will be free admission to Stampede Park from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

“The wonderful thing about Stampede is that its a music festival, it’s a cooking competition, it’s an art show. There’s a little bit of something for everybody,” Marlowe said.

Last year, more than 350,000 people watched the parade in person.

Early estimates from the Stampede suggest 315,000 watched the parade in person.

Thursday, July 2 - Attendance Numbers

Guests snuck-a-peek at Stampede 2026, during Sneak-a-Peek!

• Daily Attendance: 32,024
• Total 2026 Stampede Attendance to Date: 32,024