CNE Toronto — the Canadian National Exhibition — is one of North America’s leading annual fairs and Toronto’s definitive end-of-summer tradition. Running 18 days from late August through Labour Day at Exhibition Place, “The Ex” combines a midway with rides for children, families and thrill seekers, the legendary Canadian International Air Show, multiple performance stages, Kids’ World, the iconic SuperDogs show, the Food Building (with its outrageous deep-fried creations), the historic Princes’ Gates entrance, the indoor exhibits, the agricultural showcases, and a closing fireworks display. This complete guide covers CNE Toronto in 2026 — tickets, must-see attractions, dates, food highlights, and answers to the questions visitors ask most. For broader context, see our complete Toronto events and festivals guide.
For the official Canadian National Exhibition website, see the official CNE website.
CNE Toronto: Quick Facts
Festival Period: 18 days from late August through Labour Day Monday.
2026 Dates: August 21 (Friday) through September 7 (Labour Day Monday), 2026. Check theex.com for the 2027 dates.
Location: Exhibition Place, Toronto.
Attendance: 1.604 million visitors in 2023; numbers vary from year to year.
Founded: 1879 as the Toronto Industrial Exhibition, with wartime and pandemic interruptions since.
Best for: Families with kids, fair lovers, food adventurers, summer Toronto traditions, late-summer entertainment.
CNE Toronto: Tickets & Pricing
General Admission
Adult single-day general admission includes entrance to all CNE buildings, exhibits, and outdoor areas. Does NOT include midway rides (separate tickets). Check the current price on the CNE’s ticket page before you go.
Ride All Day Pass
Unlimited midway rides for one day. Best for families committed to the rides. Available with general admission.
Family Pass
Multiple family pass packages combining admission and ride passes for groups. Often discounted vs individual tickets.
Multi-Day Passes
Planning more than one visit? Look at the ticket options for the edition you’re attending to see whether a multi-visit product beats buying single days.
Discount Days
Senior discount Wednesdays. Various special-themed discount days throughout the festival. Check theex.com for current pricing.
Online Booking
Online tickets are typically cheaper than gate. Book at theex.com to skip box-office lines.
CNE Toronto: Must-See Attractions
The Midway
Rides for children, families and thrill seekers, from gentle kiddie rides to high-thrill attractions. Major rides include the Sky Ride (open chairs like a ski lift, with panoramic CNE views), the Polar Express, the Crazy Mouse, the YoYo, and various roller coaster-style attractions.
CNE Air Show / Canadian International Air Show
Billed by its organisers as North America’s longest-running air show, held annually on the Labour Day weekend. Features the Canadian Forces Snowbirds, the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds (in selected years), and various aerial performances. Free public viewing from many CNE-area locations.
President’s Choice SuperDogs
Iconic CNE entertainment featuring trained agility dogs performing tricks, races, and obstacle courses. Family favourite that runs multiple shows daily.
Bandshell Stage Concerts
Free concerts at the Bandshell Stage throughout the festival. Diverse lineups including major Canadian and international acts.
CNE Food Building
The legendary indoor food experience. Famous for outrageous deep-fried creations including past hits like the Cricket Sandwich, Cronut Burger, Ramen Burger, deep-fried Kool-Aid balls, the Nutella Pizza, and dozens of new creations each year.
Garden Show & Floral Hall
Indoor floral displays, garden showcase, and horticulture demonstrations.
Animal Pavilion
Agricultural showcase including livestock displays, the famous CNE Cow on the Roof (a fixture for decades), and farm-animal exhibitions.
CNE Casino
The historic CNE Casino offers gaming throughout the festival.
Marketplace & International Pavilion
Shopping pavilions featuring vendors from around the world, ethnic food showcases, and cultural performances.
Closing Fireworks
Labour Day Monday closing fireworks display along the Toronto waterfront.
CNE Toronto: Famous Foods
Outrageous Deep-Fried Creations
Each year the CNE introduces new creative foods. Past hits include:
Cronut Burger: Burger on a cronut bun. The original CNE viral food.
Ramen Burger: Burger on a ramen-noodle bun.
Cricket Sandwich: Burger topped with crickets.
Deep-Fried Kool-Aid Balls: Self-explanatory.
Cricket Mac & Cheese: Mac and cheese with crickets.
Nutella Pizza: Pizza with Nutella.
Deep-Fried Mars Bars: The classic.
Classic Fair Food
Mini-doughnuts, blooming onions, corn dogs, candy floss, caramel apples, popcorn, lemonade, and dozens of other classic fair foods.
Tinker Belle Bakery
Iconic Tiny Tom Donuts. Cult-favourite mini donuts.
International Pavilion Food
Cultural foods from around the world. Caribbean, Asian, European, and Latin American specialties.
CNE Toronto: How to Get There
By GO Train
Exhibition GO Station is at the grounds. Check gotransit.com for the schedule from Union Station during the fair.
By Streetcar
The 509 Harbourfront and 511 Bathurst streetcars stop at Exhibition Place.
By Subway + Streetcar
Subway Line 2 Bloor-Danforth to Bathurst Station, then 511 Bathurst streetcar south to Exhibition Place.
By Car
Multiple paid parking lots ring Exhibition Place, with rates of $40–$50 across the grounds during the CNE. Public transit is generally easier.
By Bike or Walk
The Martin Goodman Trail along the waterfront connects directly to Exhibition Place.
CNE Toronto: Best Time to Visit
Weekday Visits
A weekday visit is worth considering for families with young children; check the daily schedule on theex.com before you go.
Mornings (10 a.m.–1 p.m.)
In 2026 the buildings opened at 10 a.m. and the midway at 11 a.m. on weekdays and 10 a.m. on weekends.
Late Afternoon / Evening
Cooler weather, atmospheric lighting, evening concerts. Each Bandshell artist has a set time on the performance schedule.
Labour Day Weekend
The closing weekend brings fireworks. Air shows feature the major military performances.
CNE Toronto: Tips for Visitors
Buy tickets online ahead. Saves money and avoids gate lines.
Get the Ride All Day Pass for kids. Pays off after 8–10 rides.
Plan around the Air Show. The Canadian International Air Show happens Labour Day weekend; major attendance bump.
Bring sunscreen and water. Most CNE areas are exposed.
Eat at the Food Building strategically. Pick 2–3 outrageous creations rather than 8–10. Save room.
Catch a SuperDogs show. Multi-generational family favourite.
Use Exhibition GO. Direct GO Train access to the CNE saves driving stress.
Don’t miss closing fireworks. Labour Day Monday closing display is iconic.
Wear comfortable shoes. Exhibition Place is a big site, and you will cover a lot of ground on foot.
Plan around the Bandshell schedule. Free concerts; check schedule for major acts.
CNE Toronto: For Different Visitors
Families with Kids
Ride All Day Pass + Mighty Casey’s rides for younger kids + SuperDogs shows.
Foodies / Food Adventurers
Spend a half-day at the Food Building. Try 3–4 outrageous deep-fried creations and 1–2 international pavilion foods.
Air Show Enthusiasts
Plan a Labour Day weekend visit specifically for the Canadian International Air Show. Snowbirds, Thunderbirds (some years), and various performances.
Music Lovers
Bandshell concert programming throughout the festival. Bell SOUNDSTAGE at the Bandshell shows are free with CNE admission; Front Row VIP add-ons cost extra.
Toronto Tradition Maintainers
Annual visit for end-of-summer tradition. Closing Labour Day fireworks.
First-Time Visitors
Day-long visit covering the Food Building, midway, SuperDogs, Bandshell, and key buildings.
CNE Toronto: History
The Canadian National Exhibition began in 1879 as the Toronto Industrial Exhibition, designed to showcase Canadian agriculture, industry, and innovation. The 1903 fair was the first held under the Canadian National Exhibition name. Throughout the 20th century, the CNE grew from regional fair to one of North America’s leading fairs.
The famous Princes’ Gates — the iconic entrance to Exhibition Place — were built in 1927 for the diamond jubilee of Canadian Confederation and named for Edward, Prince of Wales (later King Edward VIII), and his brother Prince George. The Gates remain Toronto’s most iconic festival entrance.
Today the CNE operates under the Exhibition Place Board and continues as one of Toronto’s most beloved cultural institutions.
CNE Toronto: Beyond the CNE
BMO Field & Liberty Village
BMO Field (Toronto FC, Toronto Argonauts) is on Exhibition Place. The CNE often coincides with home games. Liberty Village is close by. See our Liberty Village guide.
Toronto Waterfront
The Martin Goodman Trail along the Toronto waterfront connects to the CNE. Combine with a walk or bike ride. See our Toronto waterfront guide.
Hotel X Toronto
The 404-room hotel directly on Exhibition Place. Convenient if staying for multiple CNE days. See our family hotels Toronto guide.
Frequently Asked Questions: CNE Toronto
When is CNE 2026?
The 2026 Canadian National Exhibition ran from Friday, August 21 through Labour Day Monday, September 7: 18 days in all.
How much does the CNE cost?
General admission and the Ride All Day Pass are priced separately for each edition; the CNE’s ticket page has the current figures. Online tickets are typically cheaper than gate prices.
What is the CNE Food Building?
The legendary indoor food experience featuring outrageous deep-fried creations and classic fair food. Past hits include the Cronut Burger, Ramen Burger, Cricket Sandwich, and dozens of new creations each year.
When is the CNE Air Show?
The Canadian International Air Show runs Labour Day weekend at the close of the CNE. Free public viewing from many waterfront locations.
How do I get to the CNE?
Exhibition GO Station is at the grounds. The 509 Harbourfront and 511 Bathurst streetcars also serve Exhibition Place.
Where is the CNE held?
Exhibition Place in southwestern downtown Toronto, along the Lake Ontario waterfront. The Princes’ Gates are the iconic main entrance.
Is the CNE family-friendly?
Yes — the Mighty Casey’s area is dedicated to younger kids, the SuperDogs show is multi-generational, and the Food Building entertains all ages. The Air Show is especially popular with families.
How long should I plan for a CNE visit?
In 2026, buildings were open 10 a.m.–10 p.m. (7 p.m. on Labour Day), and a full day is recommended for first-timers. Half-day visits work for season-pass-style repeat visitors targeting specific exhibits.
What food should I try at the CNE?
Tiny Tom Donuts (mini-doughnuts), the Food Building’s outrageous deep-fried creations, classic fair food (corn dogs, blooming onions), and international pavilion specialties.
When did the CNE start?
The CNE began in 1879 as the Toronto Industrial Exhibition and first ran under the Canadian National Exhibition name in 1903.
The same grounds host a second, very different fair in the autumn. The Royal Agricultural Winter Fair runs for ten days in early November — 6 to 15 November in 2026 — and where the CNE is a midway with livestock attached, the Royal is a working competitive livestock show that happens to let the public in. It is indoors, it is warm, and the horse barns are free to wander. Our Royal Winter Fair guide covers the dates, tickets and the GO combo pass.
Plan Your CNE Toronto Visit
The Canadian National Exhibition is one of Toronto’s most beloved annual traditions and a complete late-summer destination. The combination of midway rides, the Food Building’s outrageous creations, the Canadian International Air Show, free Bandshell concerts, the SuperDogs, and the Princes’ Gates iconic entrance makes the CNE a bucket-list summer experience for both Toronto residents and visitors. For first-time visitors, check the day’s schedule on theex.com, get the Ride All Day Pass for kids, plan 3–4 Food Building creations, and don’t miss the Labour Day weekend Air Show. Whatever your style, the CNE delivers Toronto at its most enthusiastically traditional.
For more cultural inspiration, see our complete Toronto events and festivals guide, our Toronto with kids guide, and our Toronto waterfront guide. The Ex closes a summer that also brings Caribana and the Toronto marathon.
