The Calgary Stampede, running from July 4 to 13, 2025, is not only a cultural celebration, but also a significant economic engine for Alberta. With its blend of world-class entertainment, culinary innovation and community spirit, the event invites residents and visitors to experience the “Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth” — all while fueling downtown restaurants, filling hotel rooms and driving millions into local businesses.
Sheryl Crow headlines Oxford Stomp
On July 11, 2025, Grammy-winning artist Sheryl Crow will headline the 35th annual Oxford Stomp at Prince’s Island Park in Calgary. Joining her are Canadian rockers The Sheepdogs, along with Dear Rouge and Hotel Mira. This milestone event not only offers a stellar lineup but also supports a good cause, with proceeds benefiting the Calgary Food Bank.
The Oxford Stomp is Calgary’s longest-running corporate event and one of the city’s most anticipated outdoor music festivals. Since its inception in 1982, the event has grown significantly, attracting thousands of attendees each year. In past editions, the Oxford Stomp has hosted over 12,000 guests, raising substantial funds for local charities through the Rotary Club of Calgary.
Attendees can expect a vibrant atmosphere with live performances, gourmet food options, and a variety of beverages. The event also offers VIP experiences, including private areas with stage views, picnic tables, shaded seating and exclusive bar services.
Tickets for the Oxford Stomp are available through the official website and authorized ticket vendors. Given the popularity of the event and the impressive lineup, tickets are expected to sell out quickly. Early purchase is recommended to secure attendance at this iconic Calgary celebration.
A taste of the unexpected
If there’s one thing the Calgary Stampede does as boldly as bronc riding, it’s food. The midway has long been a playground for the culinary curious, where deep-fried meets daring and outrageous becomes irresistible, and 2025 is no exception.
This year’s new lineup is as imaginative as ever. Foodies can sink their teeth into wagyu exquisite poutine, or bite into a Skittle dog. Yes, you read that right. It’s a hot dog. With Skittles. Because, why not?
For those craving seafood with a twist, the spicy salmon nori taco and lobster tornado offer coastal flavour with midway flair, while the Spam-pede bao reimagines a retro favourite in a fluffy Asian bun.
Of course, culinary experimentation is nothing new at the Stampede. In recent years, visitors have been both intrigued and amazed by dishes like the $100 Dog – Jalapeno Cheddar Gut Buster (yes, really), ketchup and mustard ice cream and the Peanut Butter Pickle Dog. The 2023 menu included over 50 new food creations, while 2024’s standouts included the Cowboyaki, a crispy teriyaki bite packed with meat floss and seaweed, and the Spider Bao, a golden-fried soft-shell crab drenched in garlic salted egg sauce.
Love it or leave it, the Stampede midway serves up more than snacks. It’s a feast for the adventurous spirit, and a perfect reminder that Calgary’s greatest show on Earth doesn’t just happen in the rodeo arena.
Rodeo thrills and western traditions
No visit to the Calgary Stampede is complete without experiencing the heart-pounding action of the rodeo. From July 4 to 13, 2025, the world’s largest outdoor rodeo returns to Stampede Park, showcasing top-tier athletes and animal competitors in a series of events that celebrate skill, strength and the rich heritage of the Canadian West.
Each afternoon at 1:30 p.m., cowboys and cowgirls face off in events such as bull riding, barrel racing, steer wrestling, saddle bronc, bareback, tie-down roping and the newly introduced breakaway roping.
These competitions not only highlight the athleticism of the participants but also pay homage to the traditions of ranching and cowboy culture that define the region.
The Stampede Rodeo is renowned for its high stakes, with a total prize pool of $2.17 million up for grabs. Each event builds towards Showdown Sunday, where the top competitors vie for the championship title in front of a packed grandstand.
Beyond the rodeo arena, the Calgary Stampede honours its western roots through various cultural exhibitions and events. The Indigenous Relay Races, introduced in 2017, showcase traditional horsemanship skills, with teams of riders performing intricate maneuvers that have been passed down through generations. The Lady Warrior Race, added in 2023, highlights the strength and agility of female riders in a thrilling bareback race around the track.
Whether you’re a seasoned rodeo fan or a first-time attendee, the Calgary Stampede offers an unforgettable experience that captures the spirit of the West. With its blend of competition, tradition and community, the rodeo is a testament to the enduring legacy of Calgary’s cowboy culture.
Economic impact and community engagement
The Calgary Stampede is more than a beloved cultural celebration — it’s an economic powerhouse that fuels Alberta’s prosperity every summer and beyond.
In 2024, the Stampede shattered attendance records with nearly 1.48 million visitors pouring through its gates over 10 days, breaking the previous record set in 2012. That wave of foot traffic translated into an estimated $540 million in economic activity across the province, with Calgary itself benefiting from roughly $282 million of that total. From hotel rooms and restaurants to transit and local attractions, the ripple effect was felt far beyond the Stampede grounds.
But the economic impact doesn’t end when the dust settles in the rodeo arena. Stampede Park is a year-round venue that hosts more than 1,200 events annually, drawing over four million people and generating consistent economic momentum throughout the calendar year.
The Stampede also plays a key role in local employment. Each year, it creates more than 3,500 seasonal jobs, many of them filled by young people entering the workforce for the first time. These roles offer not only paycheques, but valuable experience in customer service, logistics and event operations.
In a province often defined by its boom-and-bust economic cycles, the Stampede stands out as a reliable and robust contributor to Calgary’s economic resilience — one that blends tradition with tangible financial benefits for thousands.
Plan your visit
Tickets for the 2025 Calgary Stampede are available now, with a range of options depending on what you’re looking to experience. The event runs from July 4 to 13, and given last year’s record-setting attendance, if you haven’t booked your trip to the Stampede yet, it’s time to take the bull by the horns and start planning.
Details on ticket prices, daily schedules, and venue maps can be found on the official Calgary Stampede website. Whether you’re a returning visitor or planning your first trip, it’s worth checking out what’s new this year and considering weekday visits or advance bookings to avoid crowds and last-minute price spikes.
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This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.
