April 24 - 27, 2025
Stampede Park
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CALGARY EXPO POW!
PARADE OF WONDERS
Co-Presented by The Victoria Park BIA & The Culture + Entertainment District
Friday, April 25, 2025
Parade Start: 10:30 AM
Opening Ceremony Start: 11:15 AM
JOIN US
Calling all fans to the POW! Parade of Wonders, Canada’s biggest cosplay parade celebrating all things pop culture and creativity in the heart of Calgary.
Want to walk in the parade? Grab your favourite costume and take your spot! Not interested in dressing up? No problem! You can watch thousands of incredible cosplayers (and a few CALGARY EXPO special guests) along the (**all new) parade route. The parade welcomes all to bask in the wonder, with designated accessible seating and viewing areas in the FAN ZONE.
The POW! Parade of Wonders is FREE. Join us for the official kick-off to CALGARY EXPO.
*NEW* PARADE ROUTE
For the first time, the POW! Parade of Wonders will be parading right to the steps of CALGARY EXPO. Join us as we launch in Victoria Park's Haultain Park for our biggest and best Parade kick off yet.
The Victoria Park Fan Zone is the centre of the action during parade day. Located along 13th Avenue at First Street SW, the Fan Zone hosts live interactions with special guests in the parade as they pass through, and shares amazing prizes and merch with fans. The Fan Zone also has a small collection of bleachers available for the public to sit on beginning at 9:00 AM MT on parade day.
Past the Fan Zone the parade will travel south on Centre Street and east along 17th Avenue SW. It's the perfect opportunity to connect with neighbours and friends, people watch with your dog, enjoy a coffee and be inspired by Calgary's cosplay community's creativity.
The parade concludes with the CALGARY EXPO's Opening Ceremonies in The Culture + Entertainment District at the BMO Centre's Grand Staircase on Stampede Park. Don't miss this free family-friendly opportunity to see enthusiasts and fans, and our favourite cosplaying marching band unite with celebrity guests to celebrate the beginning of the CALGARY EXPO.
THE PARADE OF WONDERS FAQ
What is it like to walk in the parade?
It is fun and delightful; you meet many different characters, and many of our parade attendees end up making new friends and getting new ideas for cosplay. One person even got offered a job at the parade.
You’ll walk about 7 blocks total and enjoy entertainment at the start and end of the parade, finishing at the Grand Staircase at the BMO Centre.
Who can participate in the parade?
Come one, come all! Anyone in full cosplay/costume is welcome to register and walk in the parade. Tall or small, all ages are welcome. We just ask that all participants under the age of 14 be accompanied by a parent or guardian. We would highly recommend that all accompanying parents or guardians wear cosplay themselves — even something simple like a superhero cape or Harry Potter cloak can be a fast cosplay.
Does it cost anything to walk in the parade?
Absolutely not! We’re happy to say that thanks to our incredible sponsors and partners, the Parade is a completely free experience for participants and attendees.
What qualifies as “full cosplay”?
Definition of Cosplay: the art or practice of wearing costumes to portray characters from fiction.
With that being said, keep in mind that your Batman pyjamas are not cosplay, nor is your Storm Trooper baseball hat (even though they’re probably awesome!). Full cosplay is a full costume, which may or may not have masks and may or may not be built and designed by the wearer.
We also ask that you keep in mind that the POW! Parade is a family-friendly, public event and will take place rain, or snow, or shine.
How can I register for the parade?
We’re thrilled to have you join us! Simply click here to submit your application. Pre-registration is very much encouraged and appreciated, so we can better plan the parade each year. All applications will be reviewed for approval by the parade organizers. A member of the parade team will connect with you within a week of your application being submitted. Questions? Email: info@fanexpohq.com
Can my business / club / organization walk or drive in the parade?
Yes! However, there are limited spots available for organizations to walk in the parade as a group, and all organizations must adhere to parade guidelines (ie: all participants must be in full cosplay, etc.). Connect with our team at info@fanexpohq.com to find out if spots are still available! Floats and vehicles will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
Can I carry my props and/or prop weapons in the parade?
For your safety and to prevent your props from being damaged, please do not bring your props or prop weapons to walk in the parade. There is no official prop or prop weapons check at the Parade, but The Calgary Police Service will be on-site, and we rely on their discretion as to what is appropriate and inappropriate to include in a public parade. Any props or prop weapons that look realistic from even a few feet away may be declined, and no storage options are available along the parade route.
Can I volunteer for the parade?
Yes! We would love to have you join our parade volunteer team. We have a variety of roles available for fans who are interested in getting involved with the POW! Parade and CALGARY EXPO. Please reach out to info@fanexpohq.com for more information on available opportunities.
Where is & what's at the *new* Fan Zone?
The Fan Zone is the centre of the action during parade day. For 2025 it will be located in Victoria Park at 1st Street SW & 13th Avenue. The Fan Zone hosts live interactions with special guests in the parade as they pass through, and shares amazing prizes and merch with fans! The Fan Zone also has a small collection of bleachers available for the public to sit on beginning at 9:00 AM MT on parade day.
The parade route is accessible for people with disabilities, and special viewing areas are designated in the Fan Zone.
What's the best way to navigate Victoria Park on Parade day?
If you are walking in the parade, or just taking it in as a spectator you can find accessible and affordable ways to navigate parking, transit and cycling — Visit Victoria Park’s website to plan your travels, and be aware of road closures.
I would like my business to be featured during the parade. Are there sponsorship opportunities?
You bet — Want to be a part of the magic? Consider being a sponsor — Contact info@fanexpohq.com to see how your company can contribute to this celebration of fandom.
I am coming from out of town to participate in the POW! Parade of Wonders. Any tips?
We’re thrilled to have you join us! If you are coming from out of town to enjoy CALGARY EXPO, be sure to check out the exclusive discounted rates from our hotel partners.
Our new location in Victoria Park has world-class restaurants and cafes along 1st St SW. Meet up with friends or neighbors for breakfast before the parade or enjoy lunch on a patio after the parade before heading to the show floor of CALGARY EXPO.
Want to see what it's like? The POW! Parade of Wonders features thousands of people hitting the streets to march through the city and share their fandom! These are some of our favourite moments from the CBC Calgary livestream of CALGARY EXPO POW! Parade of Wonders, 2024, which took place on Stephen Avenue, co-presented by Downtown Calgary. Watch the full stream here.
We would like to thank our 2025 Parade Partners:
