HOW TO PARADE: Your guide to enjoying the Calgary Stampede Parade presented by Suncor

Calgary, AB (June 30, 2026) — It’s time to saddle up as the 2026 Calgary Stampede Parade presented by Suncor returns to officially kick off The Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth on July 3. Led by Parade Marshals and Canadian Olympians Courtney Sarault and Mikaël Kingsbury, more than 120 parade entries will fill Calgary’s downtown streets in a colourful celebration of community, Western heritage and Stampede spirit, giving spectators more sights, more sounds and more reasons to YAHOO louder than ever before.

“Each year, thousands of volunteers and participants come together to create an unforgettable experience for hundreds of thousands of spectators, making the Stampede Parade one of our city's most cherished traditions and the official start of the Calgary Stampede,” says Stuart O'Connor, President and Chair of the Board at the Calgary Stampede. “We're proud to welcome everyone as we celebrate the community spirit, Western hospitality and volunteerism that make the Calgary Stampede The Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth.”

The Parade kicks off at 9 a.m. on Friday, July 3, and travels from 9 Ave SE and 3 St. SE all the way to 6 Ave and 3 St. SE. The Parade will feature spectacular floats, hundreds of horses, world-class marching bands and cultural performers in a celebration unlike any other.

Before it begins, early Parade-goers will be treated to 34 acts that make up the Parade Prelude, starting at approximately 8 a.m. with live music, dance and cultural performances that set the stage for the main event.

Leading the 2026 Parade are Parade Marshals and Canadian Olympic medallists Courtney Sarault and Mikaël Kingsbury. Sarault made history at the 2026 Milano Cortina Olympic Winter Games as the first Canadian short track speed skater to win four medals at a single Olympic Games while Kingsbury cemented his status as the greatest moguls skier of all time by adding two more Olympic medals, including gold to his extensive collection.

Award-winning comedian, actor, producer and host Andrew Phung will serve as the Celebrity Judge for this year’s Parade, selecting his favourite entry from across all categories and sharing his experience with fans all over the world. Phung is best known for his award-winning role as Kimchee on the hit CBC/Netflix series Kim’s Convenience, earning five consecutive Canadian Screen Awards for Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series.

“The Parade is a tradition that is shared by the entire city,” says Keith Marlowe, Volunteer Chair of the Calgary Stampede Parade Committee. “As we prepare to welcome thousands of spectators, we encourage everyone to plan ahead and arrive early to enjoy the outstanding Parade Prelude, where a lineup of spectacular performers helps build the excitement ahead of the main event. Our volunteers work year-round to make sure families and visitors have a safe and unforgettable start to Stampede.”

Getting to the Parade like a Pro 
The best way to experience the Parade is live, in-person along the Parade route. In 2025, 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 2, and ending the morning of Monday, July 13, 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 noon on Thursday, July 2, with most roads in and out of the downtown core closing at 7:30 a.m. on Friday, July 3. Vehicle access to these areas will be restored after the Parade concludes and Calgary police determine it is safe to do so, around 2 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 3, 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 3 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Find additional information about the 2026 Stampede Parade, including a map of the Parade route, details about the Parade Marshals 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 2026 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 Tom Olsen, Stampede Parade Committee Media Coordinator at tolsen@cscommittee.ca or 403.990.2445