The City of Calgary has rescinded a noise bylaw ticket issued to one of the music venues operating during the Calgary Stampede, even as the number of noise complaints has increased compared with last year.

City officials reported that 186 noise-related complaints had been received by Thursday morning, up from 124 during the same period of the 2025 Calgary Stampede. The majority of the complaints were linked to the Cowboys Music Festival, while Badlands Music Festival, Whiskey Rose, National Saloon, and other city events also generated reports.

Despite the increase in complaints, some nearby residents say the overall situation has improved. Local resident Michael Dettner-Owens said this year's festival has been noticeably quieter than last year's, suggesting changes to sound direction and stricter enforcement may be helping reduce the impact on surrounding neighbourhoods.

To monitor compliance, City of Calgary peace officers have been measuring sound levels from nearby residential areas throughout the festival. Although a noise bylaw ticket was initially issued to organizers of the Badlands Music Festival, city officials later withdrew the penalty after reviewing the circumstances.

Community Standards Chief Ryan Pleckaitis said recent monitoring has shown a reduction in overall decibel levels, though excessive bass continues to be an issue. The city plans to continue working with event organizers to ensure compliance and will take enforcement action if required.

Noise regulations introduced for this year's Stampede allow amplified sound up to 75 dBA before midnight, while bass levels are capped at 82 dBC. Live concerts must end by midnight, including on weekends, although limited outdoor speaker music is permitted for a short period afterward. These rules apply to Stampede-adjacent venues but not to events held within the official Stampede grounds.

Calgary Mayor Jeromy Farkas said the midnight concert curfew appears to be helping reduce late-night disturbances while allowing the city's signature festival to remain vibrant. He added that the goal is to balance entertainment with the quality of life for nearby residents.

The city will release a full review of noise complaints and enforcement activity after the 10-day Calgary Stampede concludes.