The Canadian National Exhibition, also known as the CNE, the Ex, and the Exhibition, is back for its annual event at Exhibition Place in Toronto! The CNE is Canada’s largest community event and one of North America’s top agricultural fairs. From rides to innovation competitions, to cultural celebrations, the CNE has always been the place to experience something new and exciting. The Canadian National Exhibition has been entertaining Canadians since 1879. Although the CNE has changed over the years, it is still one of Ontario’s greatest annual traditions. This 18-day fair has its spot at the end of August leading into the beginning of September and has been affectionately embraced as the end-of-summer celebration.
- Hours
- New This Year
- Returning Favourites
- Rides and Games
- Tickets
- How to Get to the CNE?
- Things to Remember
Located at Exhibition Place, the CNE will run from August 16th to September 2nd. Classic events, attractions, and shows will be returning this year along with new exhibitions and installations that will wow the crowd. Here we have provided all the information you need to know before planning your trip to the Ex!
All shows and exhibits are free with admission! * Rides, games and Comedy Night may be extra
Hours
New This Year
50 Greatest Photographs of National Geographic
Location: Arts, Crafts & Hobbies Pavilion
Date and Time: Daily
The CNE proudly presents this new exhibition that will showcase National Geographic’s most compelling and stunning photographs!
Raccoons Reimagined
Location: By the Princess Margaret Fountain
Date and Time: Daily
Twelve three-dimensional large fiberglass raccoons that were decorated by persons with disabilities will greet guests as they enter the west end of the grounds.
The EX Race
Location: Outside, West of the Food Building
Date and Time: Monday – Thursday at 1:30, 4:30, 7:30
Friday – Sunday at 1:30, 3:30, 5:30, 7:30
September 2nd at 1:30, 3:30, 5:30
This year you can experience an adrenaline-fuelled series of stunning human feats as competitors race against the clock while they navigate a course of impossible obstacles.
Godzilla
Location: On the Waterfront
Date and Time: Daily
For those that are into god-sized monsters, the CNE this year will have a large scale replica of Godzilla. This replica will tower over guests along the Lake Ontario Waterfront, in celebration of the 65th birthday of Godzilla.
FAN EXPO Picnic and Parade
Location: Bandshell Park
Date and Time: August 19th from 12:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Calling all cosplayers! The CNE and FAN EXPO are hosting a Cosplay Day picnic and parade. Look out for costumed characters from around the galaxy and fantasy worlds. Play games and listen to your favorite tunes from famous sci-fi and fantasy movies performed live by musician Brigit O’Regan. Also included is a celebrity car show as FAN EXPO Canada pays tribute to iconic cars from famous pop culture movies and TV shows. The Cosplay Parade leaves from the east side of Bandshell park at 3:30.
Oktoberfest
Location: Princes’ Boulevard
Date and Time: August 29th – September 1st from 11:00 am – 10:00 pm
September 2nd from 10:00 am – 8:00 pm
New this year to the CNE is their very own Oktoberfest! This festival is inspired by traditions that started in Germany over 200 years ago. The CNE plans to bring these festivities to the fair through food, performances, and overall merriment. Featuring George Kash who will host Oktoberfest’s activities. Click here for a full brewer and food truck list!
Returning Favourites
Opening Ceremonies
Location: Princes’ Gates
Date and Time: August 16th at 10:00 am to 11:00 am
To launch the beginning of the 141st year of the Canadian National Exhibition Association, the official opening ceremony will take place in front of the historic Princes’ Gates.
Warrior’s Day Parade
Location: Starts at Princes’ Gates
Date and Time: August 17th from 10:30 am – 11:30 am
The longest-running veterans parade has been part of the CNE since 1921. This year we commemorate the 75th anniversary of D-Day and the 76th anniversary of the beginning of the Italian Campaign.
Casino
Location: Better Living Centre
Date and Time: July 27th – September 2nd
The CNE Casino holds a variety of games including blackjack, lucky ladies, Spanish 21, Hold ‘Em Poker, and many more. You need to have purchased admission to the park before you enter the casino. If you’re feeling lucky, head over to the CNE Casino!
CNE Gaming Garage
Location: Hall F, Enercare Centre
Date and Time: August 16th – 18th
For all those gamers out there, the CNE may have just created your perfect idea of heaven. With old school arcade games, board games, dungeons and dragons, video games, virtual reality, and much more, the gaming garage holds a variety of activities that will entertain anyone! To gain access to the Gaming Garage, an additional ticket charge applies! Click here for more information.
Innovation Garage
Location: Hall F, Enercare Centre
Date and Time: August 23rd – 25th
The CNE Presents the 4th year of the Innovation Garage which is a 3-day event that encourages emerging innovators to pitch their products in competition. The worlds most imaginative and inspiring innovators compete for prize money. With interactive displays, robots, and all the innovator’s toys to play with, we welcome you to the future!
Canadian International Air Show
Location: The space west of CNE’s Rose Garden
Date and Time: August 31st – September 2nd
The CNE presents the 70th anniversary of the Air Show this year. For those looking for all things aviation, head over to the Rose Garden or keep your eyes on the skies!
Legends of the Silk Road
Location: Coca-Cola Coliseum
Date and Time: August 16th – September 2nd
This year the CNE again presents a magical maze of luminous lantern installations. A stunning series of 16 illuminated synthetic silk sculpture installations created by artists in China, made from local materials, bring a magical element. These Chinese lanterns and sculptures are themed around legends and myths associated with the ancient Silk Road and create an exploratory experience you aren’t likely to forget.
CNE Woodstock Weekend
Location: Bandshell Park
Date and Time: August 17th – 18th
On August 15th, 1969, an iconic 3-day experience opened on a dairy farm in New York State. This event would later be known as “Woodstock” and would become synonymous with the counterculture movement of the 1960s. The CNE celebrates the 50th anniversary of this event with musical tributes to the iconic artists who performed at the Festival including: Janis Joplin, Creedence Clearwater, Sly and the Family Stone, The Band, Crosby Stills Nash and Young (Neil Young), Paul Butterfield Blues Bands, Santana, The Grateful Dead and Jimi Hendrix. Time to break out those beads, flower crowns, tie-dye, and your inner-hippie! Also, check out Woodstock’s Eats and Treats in Bandshell Park to grab some 60s style clothes, retro collectibles and see some cool 60s cars.
Bandshell Concert Series
Location: Bandshell Stage
Date and Time: Daily performances at 7:30
Many artists and musicians are set to grace the stage at the CNE. There will be different performances each night and all concerts free with admission. Here’s a list of some of the performers:
- Burton Cummings and Band with Spencer Burton on August 16th
- Woodstock Weekend on August 17th – 18th from 2:30 pm – 10:00 pm
- Rival Sons with the Standstills on August 19th
- Johnny Orlando with Ryland James on August 20th
- Ken Boothe with Jay Douglas on August 21st
- Tyler Shaw and Delaney Jane on August 22th
- April Wine on August 23rd
- Jan Arden with Havelin on August 24th
- MAGIC! with Jon Vinyl on August 30th
- Walk Off The Earth with Gabriela Bee on August 31st
Click here to see more!
The CNE has 5 different stages throughout the fair with different performances. If you’re not interested in the Bandshell stage, there are also country performances at the Northern Comfort Saloon. Other stages include the Glow bar and Midway stages. For a more relaxing vibe head over to the Wine Garden, the Beach Bar, the Casino Patio, or the Festival Bar.
Silent Disco
Locations, Dates, Times:
Beach Bar on August 16th-20th, 22nd-26th, 29th from 7:30 pm – 10:00 pm
Festival Plaza on Princes’ Boulevard on August 21st, 27th, 28th, from 7:30 pm – 10:00 pm
Kid’s World on August 16th to September 1st from 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm
The Silent Disco returns to the CNE where guests are encouraged to put on some headphones and dance to music only they can hear. Based on first-come, first-serve, these little discos happen twice a day and are located throughout the fair.
Food Truck Frenzy
Location: Princes’ Boulevard
Date and Time: August 22nd – 26th from 11:00 am – 11:00 pm
Food Truck Frenzy returns to the CNE to bring you yummy food and delicious treats. Check out the full list of vendors here!
Craft Beer Fest
Location: Princes’ Boulevard
Date and Time: August 22nd – 26th from 11:00 am to 11:00 pm
Join more than a dozen master brewers at the CNE as they sample their locally crafted beers next to the Food Truck Festival. Eat and drink your day away!
Click here for a list of brewers that will be there.
Toronto International Festival of Authors
Location: Heritage Court in the Wine Garden
Date and Time: 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Take a look into the illustrious career of Drew Hayden Taylor as he takes the stage with fellow author Kevin Hardcastle. He discusses his work as an Indigenous writer, filmmaker, journalist, and playwright.
East Coast Kitchen Party
Location: Princes’ Boulevard
Date and Time: August 17th from 5:00 pm – Midnight
August 18th – 20th from 11:00 am – Midnight
Ready for some fish, fritters, fiddles, and fun? The CNE is hosting the 3rd annual East Coast Kitchen Party that brings you favourite food trucks, craft beer, and wine from the East Coast. Combine that with East Coast music and Newfoundland Screech to fully embrace our eastern neighbours! Full food truck and brewery list can be found here!
Comedy Night
Location: Queen Elizabeth Theatre
Date and Time: August 29th from 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Come and see some of Canada’s top comedians at Comedy Night at the CNE. They’ll tell you what they really think of the world from their Canadian viewpoint. Hosted by Sean Cullen, other comedians in attendance include Ali Hassan, Arthur Simeon, Derek Seguin, Joe Vu, and more! Tickets are $40, but that includes CNE Admission as well! Seating is on a first-come, first-serve basis so make sure to get there early to embrace a night of laughter. Click here to get tickets!
The Farm
Location: Better Living Centre
Date and Time: Daily
Check out the latest trends in urban agriculture! Also, have the chance to be a farmer for a day and meet some super cute farmyard animals. New this year to the CNE’s Farm is Aquaculture in Ontario and an Indigenous Garden.
Sports Games
Location: BMO Field
Date and Time: August 16th at 7:30
Watch the Toronto Argonauts face the Edmonton Eskimos at the BMO Field! Anyone with an Argos ticket gets free admission into the CNE!
Location: BMO Field
Date and Time: August 24th at 7:30
Watch the TFC go up against the Montreal Impact, plus get free admission into the CNE with a TFC ticket.
And more!
Check out the CNE website to get a full list of all parades, exhibits, shopping, park performances, sports games and tournaments, stunt and talent shows, and heritage and ghost walks!
Rides and Games
CNE Classics
Here’s a list of all the rides that the CNE has this year! These CNE Classics will make your night full of excitement and fun. Included this year are:
- Alpine Bobs
- Blitzer
- Bonsai
- Crazy Mouse Roller Coaster
- Euro Slide
- Mach 3
- Mega Drop
- Niagara Falls Flume
- Pharaoh’s Fury
- Polar Express
- Ring of Fire
- Sizzler
- Sky Ride
- Swing Tower
- Twister
- Wave Swinger
- Zipper
- Himalaya
Sky Ride
The favourite Sky Ride returns again! Suspended 40 feet above the ground, the Sky Ride is a ski-lift style ride that elevates visitors into the air where they can sit and enjoy the CNE from an above view. Sky Ride transports guests across the grounds to the Princes’ Gates or west towards the BMO field.
Star Dancer
A brand new ride this year called the Star Dancer will get your head spinning! With over-the-top spinning motion, this one is for those adrenaline junkies.
Kid’s Rides
The CNE has a section dedicated to rides for little ones. Called the Kiddie Midway, east of Kid’s World and at the west end of the CNE grounds, there are 30 rides that are suited for kids.
Other Information
Rides and games costs between 4 – 8 coupons or tickets each. Most rides also have height requirements!
Tickets
How to Get to the CNE
The CNE is located at Exhibition Place which is North of Lake Shore Boulevard West, between Strachan and Dufferin Streets.
By Public Transit
The CNE is directly accessible by public transit and guests are encouraged to take it. The GO Train is a relaxing and easy way to get to the CNE. It is in walking distance from the Exhibition Station stop along the GO Train line. There is a special train service to and from Exhibition Station on the Milton, Kitchener, Stouffville lines on Labour Day weekend. New this year is the ability for children 12 and under to ride the GO for free.
TTC buses and streetcars offer direct service to the CNE, dropping off passengers at the Dufferin Gate Loop on the west end or the Exhibition Loop on the north end. Many TTC subway stations offer free parking on the weekends!
By Bike
Riding your bike is another perfect option for those that are close enough to do so. Take the Martin Goodman Trail right to the CNE! Bike parking is available at the Saskatchewan and Princes’ Gates.
By Car
Exhibition Place is accessible by the Gardiner Expressway, however, at the fair parking is limited and costs between $30 – $35. For more driving and parking tips click here.
Things to Remember
CNE is huge, so having a map is definitely a must! The 2019 map hasn’t been released yet, so here’s the 2018 one to give you an idea.
Many vendors only accept cash so be sure to have lots on hand. If you do run out, there will be Interac ATMs throughout the fair. Their locations will be shown on the CNE map.
The CNE does NOT allow the following items into the fair:
- No alcoholic beverages can be brought in
- Bicycles, skates, scooters, skateboards, and hoverboards are NOT allowed
- You may bring your own food and drinks, but bags and coolers can be subjected to search
- Pets are NOT allowed
- Drugs and weapons are NOT permitted
We’ve also put together a list of things that will be handy to bring!
- Water
- Sunscreen
- Sunglasses
- Hat
- Cash
- Comfortable shoes
- Snacks
- A big appetite for fun, food, and drinks
The CNE has always been a big part of Toronto and it continues to grow every year! With something fun and interesting around every corner, it’s not a mystery why 1.5 million people visit every year! So grab your friends and your sunnies and let’s go to the Ex!