Kyle Lucas of Carstairs, Alta., competes during tie-down roping rodeo action at the Calgary Stampede in Calgary, Alta., on July 3, 2026. The Canadian Press/Jeff McIntosh
The City of Calgary received 275 noise complaints during this year’s Stampede, after updated sound restrictions for event venues were recently introduced, as city officials monitored noise levels and issued one ticket for exceeding permit limits.
The 10-day event wrapped up on Sunday with one ticket given out to organizers at the Badlands Music Festival tent for exceeding their allowable maximum decibel limit, with the ticket later rescinded after an internal review.
“Community Safety Peace Officers continue to monitor noise levels at permitted events throughout Stampede and conduct noise measurements from nearby residential areas to assess compliance with approved Noise Exemption Permit conditions,” the City of Calgary wrote in a news release issued on July 12, the last day of the event, saying the update was as of 11 a.m. that day.
The most complaints, 165, were received for the Cowboys Music Festival. That was followed by the Badlands Music Festival, which generated 43 complaints. The fewest complaints were received for the Whiskey Rose and National Saloon events, which garnered six and one complaints respectively.
Ryan Pleckaitis, community standards chief for the city, said “bass levels remain a challenge” and added that the city was working with event organizers to tackle the issue.
“We will continue monitoring all venues closely with the goal of achieving compliance through working with operators or through enforcement, if necessary,” he said.
Under new regulations introduced in June, Stampede concerts must end at midnight on weeknights, with cool-down music permitted on outdoor speakers until 12:30 a.m. Last year’s permitted end times on Friday and Saturday nights remain unchanged, with music allowed until 1:30 a.m. and cool-down music until 2 a.m.
In addition, allowable noise levels (dBA) and maximum bass levels (dBC) were reduced from 75 dBA and 85 dBC to 70 dBA and 80 dBC before midnight, and from 65 dBA and 85 dBC to 65 dBA and 80 dBC after midnight.
Calgary Mayor Jeromy Farkas in a June 21 post on X defended the changes, saying that “Calgary still runs later than Coachella on weekends and weeknights,” referring to the popular annual festival held in the California desert that features live music of multiple genres combined with visual art displays including interactive displays over two identical weekends each April.
Farkas and Alberta Premier Danielle Smith had traded barbs over the noise rules, with Smith saying that the “fun police have struck again in Calgary.”
“Many major festivals and entertainment districts across North America successfully operate without these types of restrictions,” she wrote in a June 20 post on X.
Farkas hit back using similar wording in a criticism aimed at a provincial beer price hike ahead of the Stampede.
“Looks like the fun police have struck again in Alberta, this time targeting people trying to enjoy a pint,” he wrote.
In its news release on July 12, the city also reminded the public that there may be intermittent traffic delays on 9th Avenue S.W. between 14th Street and 11th Street S.W. until July 23 as event organizers disassemble their event spaces.
