#FIRSTLOOK: THE CANADIAN NATIONAL EXHIBITION ANNOUNCE 2025 ATTRACTIONS

This year, the sky’s the limit — from aerial acrobatics to aerial gastronomy, the Canadian National Exhibition is raising the bar for 2025. Canada’s largest fair and Ontario’s beloved end-of-summer rite of passage returns for its 146th year, taking over Exhibition Place from August 15 to September 1, 2025. While the well-kept secret of new food items won’t be revealed from its cabinet of curiosities yet, The EX is already serving up all the thrills with the CNE’s Drag Brunch EXtravaganza featuring a rare reunion of the OG’s of Canada’s Drag Race Season 1; an exhilarating Dinner in the Sky experience; MYTHOS, an immersive journey of cultural stories; and all of the beloved attractions that CNE fans return for including epic – Ice Skating & Acrobatic Show starring Elvis Stojko, SuperDogs, Gaming Garage, Classic Championship Wrestling, Canadian International Air Show, and so much more.

This week, the CNE Board of Directors announced Mark Holland in the role of CNE Chief Executive Officer. Mark has dedicated his career to public service in municipal and federal levels, most recently as Minister of Health, and from his work in the not-for-profit and charitable sectors. “Mark is deeply committed to community, and his values align with the values and goals of the CNEA’s strategic plan,” said Randy Bauslaugh, CNEA President. “He brings a wealth of experience, and we are confident that Mark’s leadership will further strengthen the CNE as a leading destination and time-honoured festival while continuing to forge new opportunities ahead.”

NEW and Noteworthy Attractions at This Year’s CNE:

NEW – Buckle up for the CNE debut of Dinner in the Sky – An exhilarating feast for the senses that is truly next level. This high-flying dining experience is suspended 150-feet in the air to breathtaking 360-views of the Midway, and offers the opportunity to sip and dine in a “Chefs Table” environment where each course is prepared and served in front of an intimate group of guests, up to 22 seats. Several ‘flights’ will take place daily on the grounds near Hotel X, beginning every afternoon from 3pm onwards including sunset-hour dinners and cocktails at night among the neon lights of the Midway. Dinner in the Sky is a ticketed experience with menu & flight packages starting from $110 per person. (Daily at Stanley Barracks).

The CNE is the first-ever festival in Canada to offer Dinner in the Sky, a concept and tourism attraction that has been hugely popular in cities such as Dubai, Tokyo, and Athens.
NEW – CNE’s Drag Brunch EXtravaganza will be serving up mimosas and glam with a reunion of some of Season 1 Queens of Canada’s Drag Race. BOA, Juice Boxx, Kyne, Lemon & Tynomi Banks will on hand to reminisce and entertain, all for a good cause, hosted by Devine Darlin. Drag Brunch tickets are $100 per person – proceeds from tickets sold will be donated to a 2SLGBTQIA+ charity in the GTA. (Sun. Aug. 17, 11:30am at Annabel’s next to the Queen Elizabeth Theatre).

*CNE’s Drag Brunch Extravaganza and Dinner in the Sky experiences are separate ticketed offerings. A purchase of Drag Brunch or Dinner in the Sky ticket includes CNE gate admission. To purchase these experiences and for more information, go to TheEx.com.

There are more than 1,000 entertainers and 100 attractions, shows, and concerts included with CNE admission.

NEW – The Canadian premiere of MYTHOS – A visually stunning immersive experience where cultural stories and interactive art intersect. Take a journey through the Chinese zodiac tale of The Great Race; discover the divine spirit of Oshun, the revered goddess of Nigeria’s sacred river; and witness the Haudenosaunee creation story, beginning with Sky Woman’s fall to Earth. MYTHOS weaves together cinematic visuals, evocative music, moving narration, and interactive elements to create a living tapestry of cultural memory. The show is an invitation to feel, reflect, and connect with the stories that have transcended continents and generations. (Daily inside Enercare Centre, Hall G).

NEW – Aerial Ballon Show “Evolution” – A dynamic aerial acrobatics show featuring a massive 20ft-diameter balloon floating over 40-ft in the air. Through gravity-defying stunts, evocative music and dazzling visuals, “Evolution,” is a tribute to over a century of tradition, innovation and imagination of the CNE. (Daily performances at the Princes’ Gates).

The 76th Annual Canadian International Air Show – North America’s longest-running air show will once again animate the skies over Lake Ontario August 30 – September 1 with a jam-packed aerial show featuring jaw-dropping stunts by the Northern Stars Aerobatic Team, Trevor Rafferty and his homebuilt Pitts Special, Luke Penner in an Extra 330SC, a CF-18 Tactical Demonstration, and of course, the beloved Canadian Forces Snowbirds.

Bell CNE Bandshell Line-Up: This year’s CNE music line-up is brimming with talent from the likes of international superstars such as Luciano, 98 Degrees, Bishop Briggs, and The Commodores, to multiplatinum selling Canadian artists including Chantal Kreviazuk, Moist, Shawn Desman, July Talk, Jessia, Rêve, Aqyila, Loverboy, Marianas Trench and many others. (Aug. 15 – 31 at the Bell CNE Bandshell Stage).

Bell CNE Bandshell concerts are FREE with gate admission!
NEW – CNE Coffee Party, presented by Nabob: Jump start the day with the ultimate Coffee Party featuring a live DJ spinning high energy tunes, tasty treats such as free Tiny Tom Donuts, and fresh brew from Canadian-made Nabob Coffee to deliver the ultimate jolt to kick off a day at The EX. (Sun. Aug. 24, 10am – 12:30pm at Bandshell Park)

NEW – Goat Yoga at The Farm – Get ready to stretch, smile and snuggle with the cutest yoga partners around – baby goats! Goat Yoga sessions are a playful and relaxing wellness experience led by certified instructors from Yoga Kawa. The CNE’s Farm features interactive exhibits showcasing trends in urban agriculture while at the same time providing an opportunity to meet approximately 100 farmyard animals ranging from cows, sheep, goats & more! (Daily at The Farm, Better Living Centre).

NEW – Powwow Dance Workshops: Celebrate Indigenous culture through the beauty of dance and story with Powwow Dance Workshops led by renowned Ojibwe dancer, Deanne Hupfield from Temagami First Nation. Experience the power of connection and learn about the importance of powwow to Indigenous Communities across Turtle Island. (Aug.18th -21 & 25-28 at Kids’ World Park).

NEW – Emma Memma’s Live Show! – Get ready to twirl, sing and smile with Emma Memma. The beloved children’s entertainer makes her Canadian live show performance debut at the CNE! Formerly known as Emma from The Wiggles, Emma Watkins is an ARIA award-winning performer that has become a household name for families around the world. Now, as Emma Memma, she brings life to a colorful world filled with catchy songs, loveable characters, and gesture-based choreography that captivates young audiences. (Aug 15-19 at CNE Kids’ World Stage)

NEW – Chocolate Sculpture and Cake Decorating Competitions:
Reminiscent of the butter sculptures at the CNE, visitors can see art come to life in chocolate form! The CNE is presenting its first-ever Chocolate Sculpture Competition and new Cake Decorating Competition to be judged by iconic Canadian pastry chef Anna Olsen. Visit the Kitchen Stage to watch contestants work on their confectionary creations; learn from award-winning chocolatier Aravinda Leelarathna and Sarah Fortunato; participate in the Chocolate Sculpture Challenge led by Succulent Chocolates; and get creative with Free Cupcake Decorating Classes hosted by Le Dolci Culinary Classroom. The finals of the Chocolate Sculpting is on August 23 and Cake Decoration Competitions is on August 31. (Daily at Kitchen Stage, Enercare Centre Hall A).

Food Truck Frenzy and Craft Beer Fest: Six new food trucks join the Frenzy taking over Princes’ Blvd alongside more than 20 food trucks and craft breweries lining the street with cold brews and tasty treats beginning the evening of Saturday, August 16 through to September 1.

Classic Championship Wrestling- Don’t miss meet and greet appearances with Demolition (Ax & Smash), “The Bad Boy” Joey Janela, Powers of Pain (The Barbarian & The Warlord), and WWE Hall of Famer “The Mouth of the South” Jimmy Hart, and “The Million Dollar Man” Ted DiBiase.

CNE Foundation’s Grand CNE 50/50 Raffle: The CNE Foundation’s Grand CNE 50/50 fundraiser is back with another guaranteed $100,000 minimum cash grand prize! Every purchase supports the CNE Foundation’s community and youth programs such as Pee Wee Baseball and 3-on-3 Basketball tournaments, community grants, scholarships, and Smiles on Faces program that treats kids facing serious illness to a day of fun at the CNE. Grand CNE 50/50 tickets will be available on-site during the CNE, and online at cnefoundation5050.com beginning July 31 at 10 a.m., with the winner selected on September 1 at 5 p.m.

For full programming information, schedules and tickets, go to TheEX.com. The 146th annual CNE takes place from August 15 to September 1, 2025 at Exhibition Place in Toronto, Canada.