Bass levels ‘remain a challenge’ during Stampede: Calgary bylaw

The Cowboys Music Festival in Calgary.

Thursday marks day seven of the 2026 Calgary Stampede, and city officials say noise complaints received now total 186.

The City of Calgary adjusted Stampede noise exemption permit conditions this year, with noise levels during concerts (which must wrap by midnight) capped at 75 dBA and bass levels capped at 82 dBC.

After midnight, outdoor speaker music can be played at reduced levels (65 dBA and 80 dbC) until 1:30 a.m. on Friday and Saturday nights, and from midnight to 1 a.m. on Sunday to Thursday nights.

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The decibel limits are measured at the resident locations where complaints are received.

The City of Calgary says most of the complaints received by Thursday at 7 a.m. were for popup Stampede tents:

• 124 were for Cowboys Music Festival;
• 27 were for Badlands Music Festival;
• Six were for Whiskey Rose; and
• One was for National Saloon.

A total of 18 complaints were filed for other events.

City officials said Thursday that a ticket issued to organizers of the Badlands Music Festival has been rescinded after an internal review.

“We are encouraged by the reduction in decibel levels over the past three nights,” Ryan Pleckaitis with Community Standards said in a news release. “However, bass levels remain a challenge.

“We will be monitoring this venue closely with the goal of achieving compliance through working with operators or through enforcement, if necessary.”

Residents who wish to report noise concerns can use 311 to do so.

The Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth officially kicked off last Friday and wraps up on Sunday.