In the wake of a pact with Stampede week music tents meant to curb public outcry, city officials said Monday they have logged 70 decibel complaints and issued one violation ticket over the first four days of the 2026 Calgary Stampede, including sneak-a-peek Thursday night.
Complaints Concentrated at Cowboys and Badlands Tents
Of the complaints, 40 were aimed at the Cowboys tent, located in the park by the same name in the downtown west end — close to the 39 generated by the festival in the same amount of time last year. However, inspectors said they found no violations there. The Badlands Music Festival tent garnered 15 noise complaints, compared to six in the comparable 2025 time span.
“We’re pleased to report that every noise reading taken for Cowboys Music Festival has been below their allowable maximum decibel limit as prescribed in their Noise Exemption Permit,” the city said in a press release Monday.
First Ticket Issued to Badlands After Multiple Warnings
Where city officials did find an alleged noise violation was at the Badlands Music Festival tent. “After multiple warnings, a ticket was issued last night to event organizers at Badlands Music Festival tent for exceeding their allowable maximum decibel limit. That ticket is now under review,” stated the city. “We strongly encourage event organizers to adjust decibel levels to comply with their noise exemption permit and to avoid escalating enforcement action.”
Other Noise Complaints Distributed Among Venues
Of the other noise complaints, 15 came from the National Saloon, five for Whiskey Rose and one for Mexifest, said the city.
Background: New Rules and Compromise
Three festival tents located in the downtown core during last year’s Stampede generated more than 200 public complaints from nearby residents concerned about loud noise, vibrations that rattled their homes with resulting property damage, and loud, inebriated patrons. Just prior to the 2026 Stampede week, the operators of the Cowboys tent had complained about new rules rolling back operating hours and a reduction in allowable decibel levels, insisting they would impair the customer experience and their ability to maintain employment.
But in a compromise reached in late June, it was determined music would end at midnight on both weekdays and weekend nights, which is 90 minutes earlier than last year, with a cooling-off period running until 1 a.m. Last year, that cooling off lasted until 2 a.m. In the pact, the allowable decibel levels will remain the same as they were in 2025 but with the bass volume reduced, said the mayor.
