CNE – Canada’s Largest Fair
Start Date: August 16, 2024
End Date: September 2, 2024
Price: Admission prices vary.
Address: Exhibition Place, Toronto, ON
Phone: 416-263-3330
Events Description
Toronto’s iconic summer tradition, the Canadian National Exhibition (CNE) with all-new features and popular favourites that continue to attract more than 1.5 million visitors annually.
Taking place over the 18 days leading up to and including Labour Day, the CNE offers a wide variety of entertainment and events including Bandshell concerts, celebrity chef demonstrations, an aerial acrobatics and ice skating show, a dog show, a working farm, parades and a three-day Air Show, all of which are FREE with admission to the CNE.
2024
This year’s attractions are bringing all the thrills with extreme sports taking centre stage. On the heels of the Paris Olympics, the oldest competing skateboarder this year, 51-year-old Andy Macdonald of Great Britain, will make his CNE debut joining an exciting line-up of pro-skaters, BMX bikers and in-line skaters for The EX Games. A massive 12ft half-pipe will be the playground for some of the world’s best extreme athletes who will put on a high-flying show daily in front of the iconic Princes’ Gates.
There’s plenty more EX-hilaration from sea to sky with the return of the popular waterskiing show, CNE Aquarama, on the West Channel of Lake Ontario – showcasing incredible flips, spins, flyboarding and human pyramids on the water; as well as the 75th anniversary of the Canadian International Air Show, featuring the beloved Canadian Forces Snowbirds, Royal Air Force Red Arrows, and the United States Air Force F-22 Raptor. Three-time world champion skater Elvis Stojko is back with an all-new Aerial & Acrobatic Ice-Skating Show “ACTION!”; and icons of wrestling will be ringside to sign autographs and put on a show at Classic Championship Wrestling including WWE Hall of Famers Jimmy “The Mouth of the South” Hart, Tito Santana, and Jerry “The King” Lawler; along with Canadian legend “The Mountie” Jacques Rougeau, and Mexico’s AAA wrestling superstar Sam Adonis.
And for those who want to ‘fight’ their way to the top of the leader board, the CNE Gaming Garage, sponsored by Intel, is back with the first-ever national CNE Master Clash ft TEKKEN 8 Tournament. In collaboration with Intel, MSI, and Best Buy, preliminary rounds will take place in Calgary, Vancouver, Edmonton and Montreal and top qualifiers will receive a trip to Toronto to compete at the CNE Finals for the $12,000 prize pool. Registration is still open, with the Last Chance Qualifiers taking place at the CNE on August 24. Families and young gamers can also enjoy interactive play in the new Byte Sized Gaming Zone, watch the FIRST Robotics Competition, or go ‘old school’ with retro arcades.
Speaking of retro, visitors can learn about the history of television and marvel at TVs of yesteryear at the MZTV Museum of Television Exhibit; or ‘step right up’ to the Carnival Exhibit of quirky artifacts from the Conklin company, that was once one of the oldest travelling carnivals. In association with the Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO), the CNEA’s Withrow Common Gallery will feature “Bridging Eras & Galleries” – exhibiting images of important artworks by Group of Seven and other distinguished artists that were once owned by the Canadian National Exhibition, before the historic art collection was transferred to the AGO in the 1960s. Through various art displays, exhibits, walking tours, and even ghost walks, visitors are encouraged to discover the CNE’s heritage, history, and influence.
Bell CNE Bandshell Line-Up: Some of the most exciting touring acts in music this year are coming to the Bell CNE Bandshell stage including Manchester Orchestra, Big Boi, Brittany Howard, Big Wreck, and Sloan with special guest, The Hip’s Paul Langlois. Canada’s Down With Webster, MacKenzie Porter, Bahamas, Born Ruffians, Ruby Waters, The Reklaws, and April Wine (to name a few) have also been announced to headline; along with the return of Drag EXtravaganza with Tynomi Banks and Sapphira Cristál, Soca Night with stars from Trinidad and Tobago, Destra and Farmer Nappy, with DJ Dr. Jay, and a Tribute to Bob Marley by Classic Albums Live with support from Canadian reggae favourite, Jay Douglas.
The CNE SuperWheel is Back!: Last year’s debut of the CNE SuperWheel instantly became a hotspot for Instagram-worthy photos, matched only to the views from the iconic CNE Sky Ride. North America’s tallest travelling Ferris wheel to grace the Toronto skyline is back, soaring 150 ft high at its tallest viewpoint with air-conditioned pods and picture-worthy panoramic views of the CNE and city.
Kitchen Stage: Top celebrity chefs and some of Toronto’s favourite restaurateurs will be sharing recipes, kitchen hacks, and advice on everything from wine and cheese to sourdough and sustainability. Daily presentations will feature the likes of Fire Masters judge Andrea Nicholson, Food Network Canada’s Afrim Pristine, The Great Chocolate Showdown producer and chef Lindsay Greflund, and more!
Ribfest: Back by popular demand, Bandshell Park will be home to some of the city’s best ribs. This year, RibFest takes on an international theme with flavours from the Philippines and Caribbean, Asian-fusion and Halal ribs, and traditional smoked ribs. Grab a napkin and get ready to bite into RibFest.
CNE Casino Presented by PokerStars: The CNE Casino is now open! Operating for an additional two weeks through to September 8th, the CNE Casino features a variety of games including Multi-Action Blackjack, Roulette, WAR, Spanish 21, Three Card Poker, and OmahaPoker. The CNE Casino is also holding a No Limit Hold’em with a maximum prize pool of $320,000 with the winner receiving a poker experience of a lifetime – a trip to Las Vegas for the North American Poker Tour (NAPT). Guests can also enjoy nightly live entertainment on the licensed outdoor patio.
Food Truck Frenzy and Craft Beer Fest: More than 20 food trucks and craft breweries will take over Princes’ Blvd starting Saturday, August 17. No need for globetrotting, foodies can feast on fare from around the world right here at the CNE. From Egyptian street food to Vietnamese-Latin fusion, butter chicken samosas to Caribbean roti, and everything in between. Take a break and enjoy a cold craft beer from one of the 10 local breweries, and don’t forget to end off with a sweet treat with Beavertails or Craig’s Cookies to name a few.
Biinaagami AR Exhibition: Biinaagami (Anishaabemowin) that translates to “clean water”, is an immersive exhibit activated by Augmented Reality that takes visitors through the discovery and exploration of the Great Lakes with Indigenous narratives that highlight the importance of water preservation. The AR experience transports participants to Canada’s vast and beautiful oceans, lakes and rivers such as the St. Lawrence estuaries; encounter true-to-scale Canadian wildlife; and play digital games to learn about the impact of plastics on the environment.
“Mr. T” is coming to the CNE Farm: The CNE Farm in the Better Living Centre has long been a go-to destination for all ages to learn about where our food comes from, watch daily demonstrations such as sheep shearing, meet Ontario farmers and learn how they care for their animals, get inspiration for balcony gardens, and kids can have plenty of fun playing farmer for a day with interactive games, an inflatable corn maze and haystack pyramid. New this year, meet the adorable shaggy-haired three-year-old Highland cattle, affectionately dubbed “Mr. T.”
Who is it for?
all-ages
HOW MUCH
Tickets :
Advance Sale Admission Pass – Includes grounds admission, and access to all shows and exhibits on any one day of the 2024 CNE. ALL AGES.: $22.12
Advance Sale Ride All Day Pass – Includes grounds admission, access to all shows and exhibits and unlimited midway rides on any one day of the 2024 CNE. ALL AGES.: $44.25
How to get tickets?
Buy Online
WHEN & WHERE
Date & Time: August 16 to September 2, 2024
Regular Hours /Labour Day Hours
Gates 10 am – 10 pm /10 am – 5 pm
Grounds 10 am – Midnight/ 10 am – 9 pm
Rides
Weekdays: 11 am – Midnight
Weekends: 10 am – Midnight
Labour Day: 10 am – 9 pm
Venue: Canadian National Exhibition
Exhibition Place, 210 Princes’ Blvd
Toronto, ON M6K 3C3
Paid Parking
The CNE has two off-site lots and a number of on-site lots.
Public transport accessible
SOURCE and FOR MORE INFORMATION: CLICK HERE
