Whoop-Up Days returns August 19-23, 2025. (Photo: Lethbridge News Now)

By David Opinko

Whoop-Up Days returns Aug. 19-23, 2025

May 29, 2025 | 12:39 PM

Lethbridge’s largest summer festival is coming back in just a couple of months.

Whoop-Up Days gets underway on Tuesday, August 19, kicking off with the parade. It starts at 9:00 a.m. at the Park Place Shopping Centre and goes throughout the downtown core and into the north side.

The theme of the parade is “Hometown Heroes,” which celebrates the everyday champions who shape our future, who care for others, teach, coach and help.

“Whoop-Up Days is an event that needs to be inclusive of our entire community,” says Paul Kingsmith, Lethbridge & District Exhibition Director of Event Development. “By bringing these organizations to Whoop-Up Days, we are helping to expose the great things happening in our community to a larger audience. This programming will complement the many great community breakfasts, BBQs and other events that take place during Whoop-Up Days every year.”

The event will include several returning favourites like the Lethbridge & District Pro Rodeo from August 21-23, the Siksikaitsitapi Princess Pageant on August 19, the Powwow on August 20-21, and more.

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The Original 16 Stage music festival will be headlined by Canadian rock legends Trooper, along with Chad Brownlee, Econoline Crush, and Lethbridge’s own Trevor Panczak.

West Coast Amusements will bring more than 30 rides and games to the midway, including some new additions that have never been seen in Lethbridge before.

The Lethbridge & District Pro Rodeo is heralded as one of the largest in the country and features some of the top names from around the world.

The Whoop-Up Days Marketplace and Family Fun Zone have been revamped for this year. Officials say it will be larger than in previous years and will feature a new agriculture-themed magic show, an interactive kids’ Pedal Tractor Pull, and local entertainers.

For the first time, those in attendance can check out the Extreme Lumberjacks show.

Other highlights include Pure Power Wrestling’s Hot Summer Night on August 22, Jumbo Ears, and the Food Truck Zone.

Fireworks will cap off the festivities on August 23.

A new addition this year is the Whoop-Up Wrap Up, an extra day of reduced programming on Sunday, August 24. Although it is a pared-down experience with admission costing just $5, guests will still be able to take in the midway, food trucks and the Original 16 Beer Garden.

Another opportunity to make the festival experience more affordable is “Free ‘Til 3,” where admission will be free from noon until 3:00 p.m. on August 19-21. There will also be admission tickets and unlimited ride wristbands at Gas King locations across the Lethbridge area, as of June 27.

More details at WhoopUpDays.ca

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