Drew & Rita's 50th
The Great Canadian Adventure
Late June to Early July 2026
Vancouver to Calgary
We're doing this properly -- and we'd love you there for it.
Late June 2026
Vancouver & FIFA World Cup
We're arriving in Vancouver right in the middle of the FIFA World Cup. No match tickets needed to feel it -- the whole city will be buzzing.
Fan Festival at Hastings Park -- free entry, big screens, live music, fans from every corner of the world.
Canada plays at BC Place -- June 18 and June 24. Even from outside the stadium the atmosphere will be unreal.
Street parties all week -- one of those "I was there" summers you don't forget.
One Week Through Western Canada
The Road Trip
After Vancouver, we're spending a week driving to Calgary through wine country and the Rockies. Taking it slow -- no rushing, big skies the whole way.
~1,000 km of mountains
Banff National Park
Vancouver, BC
Arrive late June. World Cup city, waterfront, Stanley Park, mountains on every horizon.
Arrival + FIFA World CupOkanagan Valley
Canada's wine country -- Kelowna, Penticton, vineyard tastings, lakeside lunches. Two nights.
Wine CountryRevelstoke / Rogers Pass
Into the Columbia Mountains. Glaciers, rivers, mountain passes that make you pull over every five minutes.
Mountain PassBanff & Canmore
A couple of nights in the Rockies before celebrations begin. Hot springs, turquoise lakes, the whole deal.
Canadian RockiesCalgary, AB
Arrive for the start of the birthday festivities. Stampede is in full swing and so are we.
The Main Event BeginsWant to join the road trip?
Roughly a week starting late June in Vancouver. You can join for the whole thing or just a leg -- wine country, the mountain pass, or Banff before Calgary.
July 4-6, 2026
The Celebration
Three days of birthday festivities during Calgary Stampede. Pick and choose whatever works for you -- every single event is optional.
YAHOO!
Calgary Stampede Weekend 2026
Friday, July 4
The Birthday Dinner
Private Birthday Dinner
An intimate dinner for the group -- private room, custom menu, the real birthday moment. Venue options include chef's table experiences and private dining rooms in downtown Calgary. Final venue confirmed once I know numbers.
Dress up. This one's special.
Drinks / Concert
After dinner we'll find somewhere great for drinks or catch whatever's on. Calgary during Stampede week has no shortage of options -- details to follow.
Saturday, July 5
The Full Stampede Day
Stampede Pancake Breakfast
The most Calgary thing you'll ever do. Hundreds of free community pancake breakfasts pop up across the city -- pancakes, sausages, live western entertainment, thousands of people in full cowboy gear.
Wear your western gear. Everyone does.
Stampede Rodeo -- Corona Skydeck
The world's greatest rodeo -- bull riding, barrel racing, chuckwagon races -- watched from the Corona Skydeck rooftop party deck on top of GMC Stadium. Food bites included, cash bar for drinks.
Includes Stampede Park admission.
Dinner
We'll sort dinner before Nashville North. A few good options nearby on Stampede Park or in the Beltline.
Nashville North -- VIP Platform
Calgary's legendary Stampede party tent. VIP Platform gets you elevated views of the stage, private entry, dedicated bar. Live country music until the early hours. 18+ only.
VIP access from 4 PM. Includes Park admission.
Sunday, July 6
Rocky Mountain Farewell
Charter Bus to Banff
Private coach picks everyone up from Calgary hotel. One hour through the foothills as the Rockies grow on the horizon -- then back at the end of the day.
Round trip: Calgary hotel to Banff to Calgary hotel.
Farewell Brunch in Banff
Private group brunch in the heart of the Canadian Rockies. Top contenders: the 360 Dome at Fairmont Banff Springs or The Maple Leaf with private rooms.
The Fairmont is a literal castle in the mountains.
Free Time in Banff
Walk Banff Avenue, ride the Gondola up Sulphur Mountain, soak in the hot springs, or just sit by the Bow River staring at mountains before the bus heads back.
You in?
Mark the events above, drop your name below, and we'll handle the rest. Hotel recs, group chat, and all the details coming once we hear from everyone.