The Calgary Stampede might be the “Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth,” but if you’re not careful, it can also be the greatest money pit on earth. Between admission prices, greasy food and outrageous drink costs, it’s easy to drop hundreds of dollars at the 10‐day extravaganza.
Fear not, frugal Stampede savers. Experiencing Stampede on a budget doesn’t mean you have to skip the glitter and glam — it just means you have to be a savvy cowpoke. Show up early, bring snacks, plan ahead and chase the free stuff like a seasoned cowboy or cowgirl. Here’s how to ride out the 2025 Calgary Stampede on a budget.
ADMISSION
First rule of Cheapskate Club: Never pay full price for admission at the Stampede. There are plenty of opportunities to get in for free or for less.
• Sneak‐a‐Peek Night kicks off the Stampede on July 3 with admission for just $13 after 5 p.m. Then there are the classic Value Days:
• Parade Day: Kick off the Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth after catching the parade on Friday, July 4 with free admission from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
• Family Day: July 6, bring the family to the Calgary Stampede and enjoy free admission until 11 a.m. Family Day also features a free pancake breakfast in the GMC Stadium Courtyard from8 to 10a.m. while quantities last, and a free family-friendly variety show from 8 to 10 a.m. in GMC Stadium.
• Community Day: On July 8, enjoy free admission between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. and free admission all day with free coffee and donuts for seniors 65+ and military veterans in the BMO Plaza until 11 a.m.
• BMO Kids Day: On July 9, enjoy free breakfast and a free variety show in the GMC Stadium Courtyard from 8 to 10 a.m. Gate admission is free before 10 a.m. and kids 12 and under are free all day.
Pro tip! Get yourself a Stampede SuperPass. It’s around $49 and boasts unlimited admission for all 10 days, so it pays for itself if you plan to attend two or more times.
RIDES
The rides are fun but pricey. If you are a thrill-seeker, buy the Ride-All-Day wristband from Safeway or Sobeys ahead of time for around $45. It’s cheaper than buying coupons on-site.
Are you only planning to do a few rides? Split a Ride and Play card with a friend.
Pro tip: Wait until the afternoon for shorter ride lines so that you can take advantage of more rides with fewer crowds.
Costco sells Stampede Bucks valued at $50 for $39.99, which can be used for food, rides and games. It’s like getting $10 as a bonus off the top, and you get to beat the lines, too.
FOOD
Let’s be honest, the food is a significant attraction, and it’s not cheap — for example, the $20 deep-fried cheesecake. But you don’t have to miss your rent payment to try some of those disastrous concoctions. Bring a reusable water bottle to quench your thirst instead of spending up to $5 for a bottle.
If you head indoors, the Stampede’s vintage food strip, Weadickville, offers lower food prices, and the portions are often bigger and more satisfying.
It’s also nice to enjoy some air conditioning when it’s hot out.
You can save big by bringing your own lunch from home and packing some snacks.
Alternatively, eat outside the ground. There are dozens of affordable restaurants along 17th Ave.
Want to eat so many pancakes that you won’t want to eat any more for the rest of the year?
A variety of organizations host daily Stampede breakfasts across the city, and most are free or by donation. Check out stampedebreakfast.ca to schedule your plan of attack.
FREE STUFF
You don’t have to spend a dime to enjoy your time once you’re inside the Stampede gates. There are dozens of free shows throughout the day, including live music at the Coca-Cola Stage, country jams at Nashville North, Indigenous performances, agricultural demos, SuperDogs and more.
The nightly fireworks are free for the entire city to see, including those who choose to watch them from Scotsman’s Hill or Nose Hill Park.
The Stampede app is a helpful planning tool, identifying when and where the free shows are.
