The Calgary Stampede officially kicks off on Friday, July 3 with the Stampede Parade presented by Suncor, and with more than 120 entries, hundreds of horses, world-class marching bands, and cultural performers, it's shaping up to be one of the city's biggest celebrations of the year.

Leading the parade are Canadian Olympic medallists Courtney Sarault and Mikaël Kingsbury. At the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Games, Sarault became the first Canadian short track speed skater in history to take home four medals from a single Olympics, while Kingsbury — widely considered the greatest moguls skier to ever compete — added two more medals to his collection, including gold. Andrew Phung, best known for playing Kimchee in Kim's Convenience, will serve as Celebrity Judge.

The parade steps off at 9 a.m. from 9 Ave SE and 3 St. SE, with a Parade Prelude of 34 acts starting at approximately 8 a.m. For those driving, most roads in and out of downtown close at 7:30 a.m. Calgary Transit is running 24-hour service from the evening of July 2 through the morning of July 13.

After the parade, head straight to Stampede Park for free admission from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. through the Parade-to-Park program. Those who can't make it in person can watch the live broadcast on Global TV starting at 8:45 a.m.