Toronto’s iconic summer celebration, the Canadian National Exhibition (CNE), kicks off August 17 to September 3 with all-new and more diverse programming than ever before. In celebration of the 2018 Canada-China Year of Tourism, the CNE is home to one of the world’s largest indoor lantern festivals featuring 17 illuminated large-scale art installations on display daily inside the Enercare Centre, as well as an outdoor TELUS Asian Market transforming Princes’ Blvd. into a bustling and lively marketplace for artisanal crafts and authentic street foods from Aug. 30 to Sept. 3.

Returning to its destination beside the Princess Margaret Fountain is the eight-feet tall CNE sign. A new popular ‘selfie’ photo opportunity at The Ex is the Nook of Gnomes inside Heritage Court, where visitors can find unexpected encounters with six- and 12-feet giant gnome statues decorated in greenery. Innovation is also a strong theme this year with the return of the CNE Innovation Garage and the Emerging Innovators Pitch Competition; a new Genius Lab Playground and Nintendo Kids Tech Zone; more play-to-win tournaments at Gaming Garage; and an exciting new robot competition where high school teams showcase their robotic creations for top honours.

NEW CNE Highlights

Legends of the Silk Road Come to Light!

The CNE will “come to light” this year with a spectacular indoor lantern festival! A stunning series of 17 illuminated sculpture installations will create a kaleidoscope of colour, themed around legends and myths associated with the ancient Silk Road. The awe-inspiring displays were created by 90 artists using 4,000 metres of synthetic silk, 55 metres of steel, and arrived in eight shipping containers that travelled more than 12,000 km from China to Toronto! The indoor lantern festival is co-produced by DDM Entertainment and Events Inc.

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TELUS Asian Market

Colourful, aromatic and bustling with energy, the TELUS Asian Market at the CNE takes over Princes’ Blvd. starting Thurs. Aug. 30 through to Labour Day with an eclectic mix of vendors, artisanal crafts, cultural entertainment, and authentic international street food to feast on.

Flip Flop Sculptures

Beautiful art, with a cause. Abandoned flip-flops retrieved from the Indian Ocean are transformed into whimsical animal sculptures by Kenyan artisans. Watch their creativity at work throughout the 18-days of the CNE inside the Enercare Centre, Hall A.

Silent Disco

Dance the night away on Princes’ Blvd. to tunes that only you can hear at the CNE’s first-ever Silent Disco, Aug. 27 and 28. Participants are encouraged to don a pair of the 300 headphones that will be available on a first-come, first serve basis (deposit required), and let loose to the music of two energized DJs spinning a variety of genres and songs.

The Zipper

Celebrating its 50th anniversary as one of most popular amusement park rides worldwide, the Zipper debuts its new makeover at the CNE this year. Thrill seekers can now ride the vertical G-forces (without the enclosed cage) surrounded by illuminated LEDs, music and ‘screams.’ Be one of the firsts to experience the new-generation Zipper!

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RETURNING CNE Highlights

CNE Gaming Garage Powered by AMD

Back by popular demand, the Gaming Garage Powered by AMD is bigger and better. From Aug. 24 to 26, gamers can rally in eSports tournaments and compete in pinball tournaments for a shot at prize money, enjoy play-to-win tabletop games, interactive VR experiences, gaming demonstrations, and more.

East Coast Kitchen Party

Get ready for a tidal wave of Maritime merriment throughout opening weekend, Aug. 18 and 19 as the East Coast Kitchen Party returns to the CNE! Indulge in East Coast cuisine and craft beers, watch the city’s best mixologists face off in a Caesar competition or cheer on a race to see who can shuck the most oysters for bragging rights. Seal the experience with a Newfoundland tradition by kissing a cod and getting screeched in!

CNE Innovation Garage

This year the Innovation Garage adds a number of exciting additions including the new Genius Lab Playground and Nintendo Kids Tech Zone for the young and curious who want to learn more about STEM and coding. Visitors can also explore Maker Spaces showcasing ideas and products, interactive displays, and an exciting new robot arena where high school teams showcase their robotic creations to compete for top honours.

69th Annual Canadian International Air Show

The 69th annual Canadian International Air Show soars over Lake Ontario on Labour Day weekend with another awe-inspiring show. This year, the aviation extravaganza is bookended by two of North America’s best aerobatic jet teams: The Canadian Forces Snowbirds and the United States Air Force Thunderbirds. This will be the Thunderbirds’ only performance outside of the USA in 2018 and first time back at the CNE in 15 years. Celebrating the 60th Anniversary of NORAD (North American Aerospace Defense Command), the CNE Air Show will be a shining example of US-Canadian military cooperation.

Bandshell Concert Series

The CNE Bandshell stage is ready to rock this summer with a line-up of music royalty including Dennis DeYoung founding member of STYX, Blood, Sweat & Tears, Nancy Wilson of Heart, Kansas, and Canadian rock group Moist. International reggae icon Freddie McGregor and country music chart-toppers Emerson Drive also headline, along with homegrown talent from Big Sugar, Bedouin Soundclash, The Trews, Hollerado, and Toronto rapper Fateh. Click here for the full Bandshell line up.

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Tickets – Prices

Purchase your tickets before August 16 at midnight and save!

Save before August 16:

• General Admission – $15 ($4.99 Savings)
• Ride All Day (RAD) Pass – $41 ($24.99 Savings)

August 17 – September 3:

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• General Admission* – $19.99
• Adults 65 & Better – $16
• Children (13 & under) – $16
• Children 4 & under – Free
• CNE Family Pass – $59 (2 adults & 2 children or 1 adult & 3 children)
• On-Site Ride All Day Pass – $46 plus admission

*Persons with disabilities will receive 50% off regular gate admission; and complimentary admission for their support person upon presentation of an Access 2 Entertainment Card.

Tickets – Where To Buy

Before the CNE:

• Online at TheEx.com
• All GO Transit stations and Union Station CNE Gift Card Tickets will also be available at Canadian Tire, and major grocery and drugstores in the GTA

During the CNE:

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• Online at TheEx.com
• GO Transit stations and Union Station (not at Exhibition Station)
• On-site at the CNE gates

WEBSITE: For more information about the 2018 CNE, tickets, programming, directions and hours, visitwww.TheEx.com