The Calgary Stampede is an annual summer rodeo and festival held in Calgary, Alberta. Having grown out of the agricultural fairs of the early prairie settlers, it is now one of the largest events of its kind in the world, drawing well over a million visitors each year, many of whom come to Canada just for the lively ten-day event. Thanks to the Stampede, hundreds of millions of dollars flow into Alberta annually, a sizable share of which returns to the city and the province through taxes and tourism.

The Stampede traces its roots to 1912, when an American trick-roper named Guy Weadick organized the first show as a tribute to the vanishing way of life of the open range. It celebrates not only ranching and rodeo, but also the heritage of the First Nations of the plains, who have taken part since the very first year and whose presence remains central to the event. Since the 1920s, however, the Stampede has grown to include a midway, agricultural exhibits, and stage concerts, drawing performers and contributions from far beyond Alberta.