Come On Over! Stampede Starts Here: the 2025 Calgary Stampede Parade Presented by Suncor is Set to Roll

Are you ready, Calgary? The 113th Calgary Stampede Parade presented by Suncor, with its awe-inspiring display of floats, majestic horses and high-energy marching bands, marks the official start of the 2025 edition of The Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth, starting at 9 a.m. MDT on Friday, July 4, 2025.

Showcasing new surprises alongside fan favourites, the 2025 Parade promises another captivating lineup that is sure to entertain all ages through creativity and cultural flair. With more than 110 entries in total, the main Parade features 35 colourful floats, over 30 equine entries and nine marching bands, including the iconic Stampede Showband. More than 700 horses are anticipated to walk the five-kilometre route.

“Since 1912, the Stampede Parade has always been about more than just a parade — it’s a vibrant tradition that brings our community together in a celebration of Western heritage, creativity and civic pride,” says Stuart O’Connor, President & Chair of the Board at the Calgary Stampede. “Every year, it offers participants and spectators a one-of-a-kind experience of Calgary’s true spirit.”

The Parade kicks off on 9 Ave. S.E. at 3 St. S.E. and will run for about two hours, starting at 9 a.m. on Parade Day, Friday, July 4. Before the main Parade begins, early Parade-goers will be treated to the music, dance and vivid colours of more than 30 acts that make up the Parade Prelude, starting at 8 a.m.

“The Parade sets the tone for 10 unforgettable days in Calgary, and the more than 200 dedicated volunteers of the Calgary Stampede Parade Committee are proud to deliver an exciting show for everyone to enjoy”, says Blair Barkley, volunteer Chair of the Stampede Parade Committee. “We encourage those coming downtown to arrive early and take in the spectacular Parade Prelude — with its 27 acts featuring more than 1,500 mascots, acrobats, dancers and cultural performers — it’s really a show before the big show.”

Each year the Parade is led by the Parade Marshal, a special individual who exemplifies the values of the Stampede. Leading the 2025 Parade is Parade Marshal and Canadian-born country music superstar, Shania Twain. A five-time GRAMMY Award winner, Twain is one of music and fashion’s most renowned trailblazers. With six albums released and more than 100 million records sold worldwide, Twain remains the top-selling female country pop artist of all time and is set to bring her powerhouse performance as part of the Stampede Concert Series to the Scotiabank Saddledome on Saturday, July 5.

Calgary-born singer-songwriter Devon Cole will serve as the Celebrity Judge for this year’s Parade, selecting her favourite entry from all categories and sharing her experience with fans all over the world through her social media. In 2023, Cole was nominated for Breakthrough Artist of the Year at the Juno Awards and Favorite Breakout Artist at the Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Awards, before winning Amazon Music’s Breakthrough Canada Artist of the Year. Twain, Cole’s musical idol, tapped her to open the show on July 5 at the Scotiabank Saddledome.

Getting to the Parade like a Pro
The best way to experience the Parade is live, in-person along the Parade route. In 2024, the Stampede Parade presented by Suncor attracted over 350,000 spectators, and there is always room for more.

With ‘round the clock service beginning the evening of Thursday, July 3, and ending the morning of Monday, July 14, Calgary Transit is the most efficient means of transportation in and around downtown Calgary both on Parade Day and throughout the Stampede festival. Learn more about bus routes and CTrain services here.

Restrictions to street parking on the roads immediately south of downtown and in East Village come into effect at 6 p.m. on Thursday, July 3, with most roads in and out of the downtown core closing at 7:30 a.m. on Friday, July 4. Vehicle access to these areas will be restored after the Parade concludes and Calgary police determine it is safe to do so, usually around 1 p.m.

Those unable to attend the Stampede Parade presented by Suncor in person can enjoy a special live broadcast presented by Corus Entertainment and Global Calgary. Coverage begins at 8:45 a.m. on Friday, July 4, with the Global News Morning team and Corus Entertainment’s The Morning Show bringing viewers all the highlights from this year’s Parade route. Viewers can tune in to the broadcast on Global Television, the Global TV app, Globalnews.ca, the Global News YouTube channel, and Amazon Prime.

Following the conclusion of the Parade, guests can take advantage of Parade-to-Park presented by Suncor by going straight from the Parade to Stampede Park to receive free admission on Friday, July 4 from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Find additional information about the 2025 Stampede Parade presented by Suncor, including a map of the Parade route, details about the Parade Marshal and the Celebrity Judge, fun and historical facts about the Parade, the Parade lineup, road closure advisories, parking restrictions, and Calgary Transit guidance, in Your Guide to the 2025 Calgary Stampede Parade, available here: calgarystampede.com/parade

Notice concerning media accreditation for the Stampede Parade All media are welcome to cover the sights and sounds of the Parade. For the safety of all participants, both two- and four-legged, access to the Parade route is restricted to media pre-approved by the Stampede Parade Committee. For more information and to register, please contact Bob Young, Stampede Parade Committee Media Coordinator at csparademediacoordinator@gmail.com or 403.850.5575.

About the Calgary Stampede
The Calgary Stampede celebrates the people, the animals, the land, the traditions and the values that make up the unique spirit of the west. The Calgary Stampede contributes to the quality of life in Calgary and southern Alberta through our world-renowned Stampede, year-round facilities, western events and several youth and agriculture programs. Exemplifying the theme We’re Greatest Together, we are a volunteer-supported, not-for-profit community organization that preserves and celebrates our western heritage, cultures and community spirit. All revenue is reinvested into Calgary Stampede programs and facilities.

For media inquiries, please contact:

Bob Young
Media Coordinator
Calgary Stampede Parade Committee
T 403.850.5575
E csparademediacoordinator@gmail.com

Media Relations
Calgary Stampede
E media.relations@calgarystampede.com

Stampede Parade Social Media
Facebook: CSParade
X: @CSParade (#StampedeParade)
Instagram: @CSParade
Threads: @CSParade
Website: calgarystampede.com/parade