Lethbridge’s biggest community festival is back this summer with a slightly shorter run. Whoop-Up Days 2026 will take place from August 18 to 22, offering five days of rides, rodeo action, and family fun. This is one day less than the six-day events of past years. Advance tickets are on sale now, giving Southern Albertans a chance to save money before the gates open.
A general admission ticket bought in advance costs $12, compared to the regular price of $17. Seniors 65 and older pay $15, and kids 10 and under get in free any time. The savings on midway rides are even bigger. A ride wristband is $47 when bought ahead of time at Gas King locations, but the price jumps to $58 if you wait to buy on-site. All advance pricing ends at 11:30 p.m. on Monday, August 17.
To help families visit without breaking the bank, the first three days of the festival (August 18, 19, and 20) feature free gate admission from noon to 3 p.m. The free entry period is fuelled by Gas King. Organizers say the goal is to make the long-running festival accessible to everyone in the community.
This year marks the fifth anniversary for two major attractions. The Lethbridge & District Pro Rodeo offers nearly $100,000 in cash prizes and nightly relay races. The Siksikaitsitapi Pow Wow and Princess Pageant, held in partnership with the Blackfoot Confederacy, features more than $70,000 in prize money and draws dancers and drummers from across Canada and the United States.
One new twist for 2026 is how the parade marshal is chosen. This year, community members can nominate individuals or groups for the honour. A selection committee will pick the winner from those nominations. The festival wraps up on Saturday, August 22, with a fireworks finale at 11 p.m., presented by West Coast Amusements.
Whoop-Up Days has been a Lethbridge tradition for more than 125 years. The event is run by Excite Lethbridge at the Lethbridge Trade & Convention Centre on Exhibition Way South. Last year’s festival set a modern attendance record with 54,865 people, a 36 per cent jump over the previous year. All tickets and full event details are available at whoopupdays.ca.
