A 3-day music festival has turned parts of Calgary into a battleground between entertainment and sleep, as nearby residents voice increasing frustration over late-night noise from the Cowboys Music Festival.
The annual event, running alongside the Calgary Stampede, has drawn thousands of concert-goers to enjoy headline performances. But for those living in nearby condominiums and apartments, particularly in Victoria Park and the Beltline, the experience has been far from celebratory.
“It’s been three nights of barely any sleep,” says Marissa Chen, who lives in a condominium about four blocks from the venue. “My windows literally vibrate until 2 a.m. I’m all for the Stampede spirit, but this is beyond reasonable.”
According to the City of Calgary’s noise bylaw, special events can receive exemptions during Stampede season, allowing them to operate outside normal quiet hours. However, residents argue this year’s volume levels have exceeded tolerable limits.
The Calgary Police Service confirmed they’ve received over 40 noise complaints since Friday when the festival began. Most calls came between midnight and 2:30 a.m., when many residents were attempting to sleep before workdays.
Ward 8 Councillor Courtney Walcott acknowledged the tension in a statement to local media: “We recognize the cultural and economic importance of Stampede events while also understanding resident concerns. We’re working with organizers to find a better balance for everyone.”
The Cowboys Music Festival organizers responded to inquiries by noting they had invested in directional speaker technology this year specifically to reduce noise pollution in surrounding neighborhoods.
“We’ve actually reduced overall decibel levels by 15% compared to previous years,” said festival spokesperson James Addison. “We’re continually monitoring sound levels and making adjustments, but it’s challenging to host a music festival that’s completely silent to nearby properties.”
For downtown resident Tom Bakker, the explanation falls short. “I measured 85 decibels inside my bedroom at 1:30 a.m. on Saturday. That’s like having a blender running beside your pillow all night. I’m all for celebrating Stampede, but there needs to be reasonable cutoff times.”
The situation highlights growing pains as Calgary’s downtown residential population increases alongside entertainment districts. Census data shows downtown residential occupancy has increased nearly 30% over the past decade, creating new proximity challenges for events that historically operated with fewer nearby residents.
Calgary’s urban planning department has acknowledged this emerging issue in their recent downtown revitalization strategy, noting that “mixed-use development success requires thoughtful management of competing resident and entertainment needs.”
Some residents have proposed solutions rather than simply complaining. A community-led petition with over 200 signatures suggests ending amplified music at midnight rather than 2 a.m., and reducing bass frequencies after 11 p.m.
“We’re not asking them to cancel anything,” explains petition organizer Samantha Wells. “Just acknowledge that thousands of people need to function the next day. The compromise seems obvious.”
The festival continues through Wednesday, leaving affected residents bracing for more disrupted nights. The situation may also prompt City Council to revisit noise exemption policies before next year’s Stampede season.
Until then, Chen says she’s temporarily relocated to her sister’s house in the suburbs. “I couldn’t face another night of it. Some of us don’t have that option though – especially shift workers and families with young children.”
This tension between vibrant urban events and residential quality of life represents a growing challenge for Calgary as it continues developing its downtown core as both an entertainment destination and a neighborhood people call home.
