It’s week two of Stampede — are you managing to hang in there?
Despite all of the cowboy shenanigans that have hit the city in full storm, there are actually quite a lot of things going on that are non-stampede related as well! Grab your bike for a large cycling festival, shop the many summer markets, or head up to the mountains for some fun in the great outdoors!
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For those who aren’t Stampeded-out there are a variety of concerts to see, food items to try, and exciting live shows to catch. The grounds will be buzzing all week long so be sure to hit them up at least once!
We have put together 34 of the most exciting events happening in Calgary this week. If you’re looking for a well filled strictly with stampede festivities check out our ultimate Stampede schedule here!
Monday, July 9
The 36th Annual Cowboys VS. Firefighters Charity Pole Climb
What: Ladies, we know you’ll enjoy this one! This annual event features 10 Pro Rodeo Contestants that go up against 10 Calgary Firefighters in a timed flagpole climb. All the proceeds from the event will go directly towards The CPRA Cowboy Benefit fund and the Firefighter Charitable Society.
When: Monday, July 9
Time: 6 pm
Where: Ranchman’s Cookhouse and Dancehall – 9615 Macleod Tail SE
Tickets: Complimentary with admission
Emerson Drive
What: With well-known hits such as, “The Extra Mile,” “If You Were My Girl,” “That Kind of Beautiful,” and, their most recent, “Just Got Paid,” you’ll be stomping your feet and singing along till the wee hours of the morning with Emerson Drive.
When: Monday, July 9
Time: 5 pm
Where: Wildhorse Saloon – 500 6th Avenue SW
Tickets: Online, $20
Bitcoin Rodeo
What: What is bitcoin? Learn all about it, along with blockchain and cryptocurrency, at this bitcoin and blockchain conference.
When: July 9 and 10
Time: 9 am
Where: The Palace Theatre – 219 8th Avenue SW
Admission: Online, $100 to $225
Tuesday, July 10
Brett Kissel
Brett Kissel/Surrey Canada Day
What: This Albertan Heart Throb is back again! He will surely have your heart after hearing his romantic country beats and a night full of dancing.
When: Tuesday, July 10
Time: 7 pm
Where: Knoxville’s Tavern – 840 9th Avenue SW
Tickets: Online, $25
Bootleggin’ Breakfast
What: The largest indoor corporate party during Stampede! This legendary breakfast is held at the Westin and features a unique VIP performance by a Canadian Country Music start — last year was Gord Bamford and Adam Gregory. Who will it be this year? This one-day ticket includes a VIP Stampede breakfast, six VIP drinks, special performances from award-winning musicians, and VIP entrance to the afterparty at the Cowboys Tent. This year all the proceeds will go to support Zero Kids, a not-for-profit working to feed hungry kids and provide them with a healthy meal or snack to get them through the school day.
When: July 10 and 12
Time: 8 am
Where: The Westin – 320 4th Avenue SW
Tickets: Online, $145 to $2,000
The Market on Stephen Avenue
What: Shop up to 60 vendors offering fresh food, spices, sauces, treats, art, fashion, and more. Enjoy shopping the walk!
When: Tuesday, July 10
Time: 10 am to 4 pm
Where: Stephen Avenue – 1st Street SE to 2nd Street SW
Admission: FREE
Macaron 101
What: Ever wondered how to make a French macaron? Look no further. Everyone’s favourite macaron shop, Ollia, hosts Macaron Baking Classes, offering exclusive lessons on how to properly engage in some macaronage, get the perfect shell, and create a variety of flavours. Bon appetite!
When: Tuesday, July 10
Time: 6 pm
Where: Ollia Macaron and Tea – 810c 16th Avenue SW
Tickets: Call to reserve your spot, $100
Wednesday, July 11
Southcentre PINK Stampede Breakfast
@calgaryvegan/Instagram
What: Come out to support the Canadian Cancer Society for Breast Cancer Awareness, dressed in your best pink Stampede ensemble and enjoy a complimentary pancake breakfast to boot! There will be live music and exciting festivities happening for the whole family.
When: Wednesday, July 11
Time: 9 am to 11 am
Where: Southcentre Mall’s south parking lot – 200 Anderson Road SE
Admission: FREE
2018 Buckin’ Breakfast
What: Enjoy an amazing all-you-can-eat buffet as you tap your toes to amazing live entertainment and even hit the dance floor for some early morning moves as you help raise money for Big Brothers and Big Sisters. Afterward, board a bus and head to Wildhorse Saloon to continue the party!
When: July 11 and 13
Time: 8 am to 1 pm
Where: The Palace Theatre – 219 8th Avenue SW
Tickets: Online, $125 to $6,000
Freelance Stampede Party
What: Calling all self-employed workers, freelancers, and small business owners! The Stampede Office Party is one of the most looked forward to events in any office or corporate atmosphere — but what if you don’t have an office? We got you! Join Calgary bloggers Kait Kucy and Mike Morrison for the first ever Freelance Stampede Party. Hob-knob with Calgary’s movers and shakers as you celebrate Stampede in the most traditional way possible!
When: Wednesday, July 11
Time: 12 pm to 2 am
Where: Cowboys Music Festival Tent – 421 12th Avenue SE
Tickets: Online, $50
Roundup Music Fest
What: Come see The Wallflowers, Train, The Grapes of Wrath, and The Goo Goo Dolls. Now that’s a stacked line-up if we have ever seen one!
When: Wednesday, July 11
Time: 3 pm
Where: Shaw Millennium Park – 1220 9th Avenue SW
Tickets: Online, $103
Thursday, July 12
Adults Only Night: Through the Haze (Myths and Science behind Cannabis)
Image: Telus Spark
What: Cannabis is a smoking topic right know! Come out to learn all about THC, how it’s used medicinally, the social implications around the new legal changes, and why the heck cannabis gives you the munchies!
When: Thursday, June 14
Time: 6 to 10 pm
Where: Telus Spark – 220 St. George’s Drive NE
Tickets: Online, $26
Kip Moore
What: This country heartthrob just dropped his latest album! Hear it for the first time live at the Cowboys Tent!
When: Thursday, July 12
Time: 7 pm to 2 am
Where: Cowboys Music Festival Tent –421 12th Avenue SE
Tickets: Online, $60
The Dead South
What: Originally from Regina, this folk-bluegrass band always steals the show when they hit the stage!
When: Thursday, July 12
Time: 7 pm
Where: Knoxville’s Tavern – 840 9th Avenue SW
Tickets: Online, $25
Friday, July 13
Brad Paisley
What: He’s a country classic and he’s been visiting Calgary since the very start of his career! Spend an evening with the one-and-only Brad Paisley and get a true taste of country both new and old. Plus, he’s an unreal guitar player — you’re in for a treat!
When: Friday, July 13
Time: 7:30 pm
Where: Scotiabank Saddledome – 555 Saddledome Rise SE
Tickets: Online, $74 to $252
The Oxford Stomp
What: Come celebrate 30 years of the Oxford Stomp! See the Skydiggers, Barney Bentall, John Fogerty, and Melissa Etheridge.
When: Friday, July 13
Time: 3 pm
Where: Shaw Millennium Park – 1220 9th Avenue SW
Tickets: Online, $99
Inglewood Night Market
@inglewoodnightmarket/Instagram
What: Calgary’s favourite night market is back! Check out the second market of the summer on July 13 and enjoy live entertainment on both the Main Stage and the Variety Show Stage, and delicious food truck eats, all while shopping some of Calgary’s best local makers and artists. New to the market this year is a licensed area in collaboration with Village Brewery. Be sure to grab a brew and enjoy the line-up of incredible local talent!
When: Friday, July 13
Time: 5 pm
Where: Between 9th Avenue and 10th Street SE
Admission: FREE
Summer Market Presented by Southcentre and Curated
What: Southcentre Mall and Curated market have partnered up together to bring four uniquely curated artisan markets to YYC this summer. You can look forward to shopping from many talented makers and artists, treating yourself to delicious foods from YYC Food Trucks, and enjoying live entertainment, all in the south parking lot of Southcentre Mall!
When: July 13, 14, 27, and 28
Time: 5 to 10 pm
Where: Southcentre Mall – 100 Anderson Road SE
Admission: FREE
Cyclepalooza 2018
What: 10 days of biking fun — are you ready? From bike tours (which may include ice cream) to camping trips, you’ll enjoy this bike festival this summer, so get ready to use those two wheels like you’ve never used them before.
When: July 13 to 22
Time: Varies per event
Where: Varies per event
Admission: Varies per event
Calaway Comicfest for Kids
What: Calling all mighty superheroes! Come dressed in your superhero costume, which includes superheroines, princesses, princes, and of course sidekicks. Shop the artist market for locally made goods, stop by the Photo Op Zone to be transported to a world far far away, or try your hand at the Superhero in Training course!
When: July 13 to 15
Time: 10 am to 7 pm
Where: Calaway Park – 245033 Range Road 33
Admission: Regular admission to the park
Alberta Brewery Concerts Presents: Origami Army at Common Crown
What: Local craft beer and live entertainment — is there any better combination?
When: Friday, July 13
Time: 7 to 9 pm
Where: 943 28th Street NE
Admission: Free, RSVP your spot here
Saturday, July 14
Luke Bryan
What: Come shake-it with the man that shakes it the best!
When: Saturday, July 14
Time: 7:30 pm
Where: Scotiabank Saddledome – 555 Saddledome Rise SE
Tickets: Online, $115 to $352
Stampede on 17th
What: Take a break from the grounds and head over to 17th for some #YYC country fun! Enjoy a stampede breakfast for the first 500 people, live entertainment, games, dancing, a mechanical bull, and so much more!
When: Saturday, July 14
Time: 10 am to 4 pm
Where: Tomkins Park
Admission: FREE
Chimney Dog Eating Contest
@utcachimneycakes/Instagram
What: Join in on the first ever Chimney Dog Eating Contest and you could win $100, plus free chimney dogs for a year from UTCA Chimney Cakes.
When: Wednesday, July 14
Time: 6 pm
Where: Utca Chimney Cakes – Coffee House – 207 13th Avenue SE
Tickets: Online, $10 registration
10th Annual Chili Cook-Off
What: It’s time to put your taste buds to the test and determine who rightfully deserves to win the 2018 Chili Championship. Come down to the Calgary Farmers’ Market, make a donation in support of the Calgary Interfaith Food Bank’s, support the Boots to Hunger Campaign, and try out the six competing chilis prepared by local vendors and restaurants!
When: July 13 to 14
Time: 11 am to 3 pm
Where: The Calgary Farmers’ Market – 510 77th Avenue SE
Admission: Free with donation
Sunday, July 15
Billy Talent
What: Calling all 90s kids — get ready as your favourite Canadian Rock Band closes out the Stampede with a bang!
When: Sunday, July 15
Time: 7 to 11 pm
Where: Coca-Cola Stage – 1410 Olympic Way SE
Tickets: FREE
MARSHMELLO
What: The famous white marshmallow, aka Christopher Comstock, is hitting the Cowboys Music Festival for a night electronic, house, trap. The dance floor will surely be lit!
When: Sunday, July 15
Time: 6 pm to 2 am
Where: Cowboys Music Festival –421 12th Avenue SE
Tickets: Online, $65 to $79
Sunday Brunch
What: Enjoy your benny surrounded by history at the Officers Mess at Fort Calgary, just as they did back in the day. Brunch includes complimentary access to the museum, so you can make a whole day of it!
When: Every Sunday
Time: 10 am to 1 pm
Where: Fort Calgary – 750 9th Avenue SW
Tickets: Phone 403-290-1875 for reservations, $30 per person
Any other day of the week
Hit up the Calgary Stampede
What: It’s the Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth — need we say more?
When: July 6 to 15
Where: Stampede Park – 1410 Olympic Way SW
Admission: Online, $9 to $18
Grab a “Bats in the Belfry” from The Nash
What: For the length of Stampede The Nash will be featuring this very special cocktail called the “Bats in the Belfry.” It features chocolate marshmallows, banana beignets, and cold brew — is this a dessert or a drink? This is the perfect energizer to get you pumped up and ready to hit the grounds!
When: July 6 to 15
Where: The Nash – 926 11th Street SE
Take the Leap at WinSport
What: WinSport’s latest adrenaline-filled adventure is now open – Free Fall. Climb up an eight-story platform, secure yourself in a bungee harness, and jump off the platform feeling a sensation similar to that of leaping out of an airplane. Any adrenaline junkies out there?
Where: 88 Canada Olympic Road SW
Admission: One jump: $25, two jumps: $35
Rent a bike and go on a river adventure
Biking/Shutterstock
What: Grab your squad, get yourself some wheels, and put those bike paths to good use — all while seeing the city from a different perspective.
Where: Rent bikes at these locations: Rath Bicycle and Bike and Brew
Take a ride in Handsome Andy with Moose Trail Overland
What: Join local experts and firefighters Mike and Ryan as they show you all their favourite spots in the area and take you on a thrilling adventure in Handsome Andy, a 4×4 Ford E350. Don’t expect your typical cookie cutter tour, as these two are keen to take you off the beaten path and bring your dream of adventure to life.
Price: Varies per tour, book online
Take a float down the Bow River
What: This is a tradition most of us Calgarians look forward to doing at least once during the summer. Plus, it’s the ultimate refresher in the midst of a Prairie heat wave!
Tips: Make sure that you have enough life jackets for your entire group, book your raft ahead of time, park a vehicle at the beginning and the end of your route, and check weather advisories before heading out.
Where: Lazy Day Raft Rentals, Sports Rent, The Paddle Station and the Outdoor Centre at the University of Calgary
Shop Local at Southcentre Mall
What: From the creators that organize the Curated market, there is now a Curated Shop. Shop over 50 of your favourite local artists, makers and handmade businesses, such as Salt Water Tea, RC + Smith, Jennifer Joan Skincare, Bark YYC, Simply Love, and more.
Where: Southcentre Mall – 100 Anderson Road SE
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