The lights of the Midway have dimmed, and the aroma of freshly made Tiny Tom Donuts is gone, but there’s still plenty of activity at the Canadian National Exhibition as hundreds of vendors begin the process of loading out and concluding another successful season.

Today, the CNE in partnership with Second Harvest, Canada’s largest food rescue organization, along with participating food vendors donated more than 25,000 lbs of surplus produce, canned goods and leftover prepared foods to be distributed to communities experiencing food insecurity. This is the CNE’s 2nd annual food rescue with Second Harvest; last year, nearly 30 CNE vendors helped to pack a truckload full of food to feed families across the GTA and surrounding communities.

As Canada’s largest community event, the CNE recognizes its responsibility to the community to ensure that any waste it produces, during its 18-day event, including food surplus, can be offset to promote a circular economy.

The food rescue initiative is part of the CNE’s overarching commitment to environmental stewardship. Over the past year, the CNE conducted a comprehensive evaluation of its sustainability initiatives and waste diversion practices and identified opportunities to set ambitious, measurable goals to significantly reduce waste, enhance operational efficiency and champion sustainable practices.

This year (as of Aug. 29) the CNE has diverted more than 25 metric tonnes of waste from landfills, as a result of its sustainability efforts.

CNE Firsts:
2008: CNE was the first event at Exhibition Place to introduce organic recycling for food waste and organic materials
2008: CNE introduced new solar powered concessions games on the midway
2010: CNE eliminated all Styrofoam packaging
2018: CNE begins to collect waste from cooking oils to be processed, refined, cleaned and repurposed for a variety of agricultural productive uses including animal feed, biofuel, and soil for Ontario farms
2022: CNE bans the use of plastic straws, encouraging compostable straws, utensils, containers, plates and cups
2025: CNE introduces a waste diversion program mandating all food vendors to use a third-party certification that ensures all food serving packaging is 100% compostable
2025: The CNE, through a partnership with Coca-Cola introduced Oscar AI machines to help guests sort and identify the proper bin to dispose of their food, plastics, and waste

Today, the Canadian National Exhibition (CNE) announced its newest Inductees to the 2025 CNE Food Hall of Fame, continuing a newfound tradition of commemorating the iconic, the innovative and the creative foods that have shaped the culinary reputation of Canada’s favourite fair. It’s no secret that the CNE is synonymous with food.

From the atypical to the downright zany, the CNE has offered some of the most memorable culinary creations over the course of its history – with a pulse on popular culture, food trends, and the unique ability to pair flavour profiles that both ‘shock’ and ‘awe.’

The CNE Food Hall of Fame was established last year in celebration of the 70th Anniversary of the Food Building, and to recognize the foods that have made an impact and influence on CNE food culture.

The inaugural Class of 2024 Inductees included the likes of Deep-Fried Butter, Primo Spaghetti, Tiny Tom Donuts, Ice Cream Waffle Sandwich, and Pickle Pizza. Their banners currently hang from the rafters of the iconic Food Building as a lasting legacy.

This Year’s 2025 CNE Food Hall of Fame Inductees Are:

Rainbow Grilled Cheese – One of the first picture-perfect foods created for the ‘gram in 2019. The Rainbow Grilled Cheese took social media by storm for its epic cheese-pull that would reveal brightly coloured stripes of cheese – an irresistible snapshot that still has food influencers rejoicing. Adal Aguilar, owner of Pancho’s Bakery who has perfected the Rainbow Grilled Cheese, will be offering a limited edition Red & White Grilled Cheese, in celebration of the 60th anniversary of the Canadian Flag available at his “I Love Churros” booths across the CNE.

The Colossal Onion – What would the CNE Food Hall of Fame be without a deep-fried representative. This year, the deep-fried icon is The Colossal Onion, celebrated for its design ingenuity of slicing an onion into perfectly sharable, tear-able, bite-sized ‘petals’ of onion wedges that are the perfect shape for dipping into any sauce. The concept was invented in 1988 in Texas; and made its CNE debut in 2012 with The Colossal Onion – made by a family-owned and operated Canadian company that annually delivers “the crispy treat that is fun to eat!”

Corn Dog – The humble Corn Dog is a pillar of Fair fare and OG of food-on-a-stick that has inspired endless adaptations. From recent creations of Pickle Dogs to Peanut Butter Chocolate Corn Dogs and this year’s Maki Sushi Corn Dog, the evolution of the Corn Dog continues to reach new heights; but for CNE purists, there’s nothing better than a good ‘ol fashioned corn dog without the frills.

The Bug Dog – Hot Diggity! While hot dogs at the CNE have seen all sorts of creative toppings from cherries and whipped cream to Captain Crunch cereal – The Bug Dog will forever reign supreme for having the most talked-about accoutrement…crickets! The all-beef frank, blended with cricket protein and topped with crispy crickets, was a culinary curiosity from Bug Bistro, that offered a truly progressive menu of arthropod-forward snacks including cricket tacos and beetle smoothies. While Bug Bistro is no longer available at the CNE, owner Sheldon Cohen has passed the creative torch to son Adam Cohen who has seven booths in the Food Building serving up his own unique food inventions such as this year’s Hash Brown Ice Cream Sandwich.

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.

From ‘winning’ bells on the Midway to wedding bells. The sights and sounds of the CNE bring fond memories for many of going to the Fair as an end of summer tradition; for others as a rite of passage working their first job or getting their first taste of a warm ice cream waffle sandwich; and for some, it’s where they fell in love and found their soul mate. This year, the Canadian National Exhibition is looking for couples who have a love story or special connection to the Fair, or fans of the CNE who want to celebrate their commitment to each other in an unforgettable way with a “Marriage on the Midway.”

Beginning today, couples can submit their love story online to be selected for an all-expense paid wedding celebration to take place on Saturday, August 23, 2025 at the CNE.

The Marriage on the Midway Contest will include a vow ceremony under the backdrop of the iconic SuperWheel, an official wedding photographer, and wedding cake designed by a local bakery as part of the CNE’s inaugural Cake Decorating Competition. The winning couple and up to 20 of their invited guests will also receive unlimited rides to enjoy for the day courtesy of North American Midway Entertainment, $500 in food vouchers to spend, and reserved seating at the Bell CNE Bandshell to experience 98 Degrees in concert, serenading their hit wedding ballad, I Do (Cherish You).

“Every year we meet and hear from visitors who tell us that they had their first date at the CNE or met their partners while working their summer job; and we even know of a few vendors, some who have been married for more than 50 years, who first met and fell in love at the CNE,” said Jane Matthews, CNE Marketing Director. “We’ve had wedding proposals at the CNE, so this year we thought, why not a wedding ceremony?!”

The Marriage on the Midway Contest* is open to Ontario residents ages 18 and older. Deadline to submit is August 8, 2025 at 11:59pm ET; and the winning couple will be selected by August 15th. For contest information and submissions, go to https://www.theex.com/marriage-on-the-midway.

*Marriage on the Midway is presented as a symbolic celebration of love; and is not intended as a legally binding marriage or ceremony that recognized by the court of law.

Toronto may be in the midst of a heat wave, but summer festival season is about to get hotter by 98 Degrees. The mercury and excitement is rising for Canada’s favourite fair as the Canadian National Exhibition announces its full 2025 Bell CNE Bandshell line-up set to hit the stage beginning August 15th. Offering the best of homegrown talent to international music superstars, this year’s CNE concert line-up has something for everyone including chart-topping ballad hitmakers 98 Degrees; Canadian supergroup Trans-Canada Highwaymen made up of Moe Berg (The Pursuit of Happiness), Chris Murphy (Sloan), Craig Northey (Odds), and Steven Page (ex-Barenaked Ladies); Vancouver’s iconic alt-rock band Moist led by David Usher, returning to the Bell CNE Bandshell stage since their last appearance in 2018; as well as California’s Cold War Kids and Hamilton’s The Dirty Nil.

From supergroups to super-pairings: Toronto’s Queen of R&B Soul Jully Black will open for legendary “Brick House” Motown group The Commodores; the Godfather of Canadian reggae Jay Douglas teams up with one of Jamaica’s most iconic figures of roots reggae, Luciano; folk-rockers The Rural Alberta Advantage pair up with special guest Yukon Blonde; and Grammy-winning Canadian singer-songwriter Chantal Kreviazuk headlines with Toronto-based indie ensemble Stars, who are extending their 20th anniversary tour of their critically acclaimed album, Set Yourself on Fire. Celebrating ‘Hot Girl Summer 2.0’ and putting female empowerment front and centre on the Bell CNE Bandshell Stage will be the trifecta of Rêve (“Ctrl + Alt + Del”), Jessia (“I’m Not Pretty”), and Aqyila (“Bloom”).

Previously announced headliners include Shawn Desman, Loverboy, July Talk, Bishop Briggs, Dean Brody, and Marianas Trench. Three Dog Night was announced to perform at the CNE; however, due to unforeseen circumstances, their show scheduled for August 23 at the Bell CNE Bandshell has been cancelled.

2025 Bell CNE Bandshell Concert Series
Bios available at https://www.theex.com/performances/music/

Friday, August 15 – Shawn Desman w/ Ari Hicks
Saturday, August 16 – Loverboy
Sunday, August 17 – STARS & Chantal Kreviazuk
Monday, August 18 – Moist
Tuesday, August 19 – Rêve, Jessia, Aqyila
Wednesday, August 20 – Trans-Canada Highwaymen
Thursday, August 21 – Luciano & Jay Douglas
Friday, August 22 – July Talk w/ The Darcys
Saturday, August 23 – 98 Degrees w/ Alyssa Reid
Sunday, August 24 – The Commodores with Jully Black
Monday, August 25 – Cold War Kids
Tuesday, August 26 – Bishop Briggs
Wednesday, August 27 – The Dirty Nil w/ Ben Quad
Thursday, August 28 – The Rural Alberta Advantage w/ Special Guest Yukon Blonde
Friday, August 29 – Marianas Trench w/ Nicolina
Saturday, August 30 – Dean Brody
Sunday, August 31 – Soca Night ft. GBM Nutron, Mical Teja, Coutain, with DJ Ana, Ultra Simmo and Dr. Jay
Monday, September 1 – No concert on Labour Day

More supporting acts may be added. In addition to the Bell CNE Bandshell stage, there are five other music stages throughout the CNE to entertain visitors during the 18-day fair, taking place August 15 – September 1, 2025. For more information, go to www.TheEx.com.

Today, the Canadian National Exhibition announced the inaugural Inductees to the 2024 CNE Food Hall of Fame, a new legacy commemorating the iconic, the innovative, the creative, and the memorable foods that have shaped the culinary reputation of Canada’s favourite fair. The introduction of the CNE Food Hall of Fame is in celebration of the 70th Anniversary of the Food Building, and in recognition of foods that have made an impact and influence on CNE food culture – deserving of being immortalized in the building that started it all.

With a plethora of carnival treats to choose from that have been enjoyed over the decades by generations of visitors, the CNE plans to make the CNE Food Hall of Fame an ongoing tradition to select a handful of food items to induct each year. Each Inductee will be recognized with a banner that will hang in the iconic Food Building year-round, and for years to come.

The 2024 Class of Inductees to the CNE Food Hall of Fame Are:

Tiny Tom Donuts – Since making their CNE debut in 1960, Tiny Tom Donuts have captivated fairgoers as they watch perfectly-piped miniature donuts float down its signature conveyor belt in the Food Building – churning out tens of thousands of donuts over the 18-days of The EX. The smell of deep-fried dough and cinnamon is synonymous with the CNE, and what makes Tiny Tom Donuts a CNE Food Hall of Famer.

Ice Cream Waffle – The combination of good ol’ fashioned vanilla ice cream sandwiched between warm freshly made waffles is a match made in CNE heaven. It’s hard to believe that the Ice Cream Waffle has been a staple at the CNE for more than 80 years! The first Ice Cream Waffle sandwich was served in 1940, out of the original Conklin booth in the Midway; and its recognizable cow-patterned booth is still go-to destination in the Midway, and still serving the original recipe that has stood the test of time.

Pickle Pizza – A relatively recent food item that made a name for itself in 2019, the Pickle Pizza was not just a novelty, it was downright delicious. The wood-fired pizza made fresh to order in the Midway, consisted of a dill-ranch sauce base, pickles, cheese and sprinkled with more dill on top. It would become one of that year’s best-selling food items, and inspired the creativity of CNE food vendors alike, as pickles have found their way into almost every sort of food iteration one can imagine.

Primo Spaghetti – In a cornucopia universe of outrageous foods, deep-fried delights, and carnival staples, it’s amazing how a humble cup of perfectly al dente spaghetti with tomato sauce can evoke such nostalgia for so many generations of CNE visitors. For more than four decades, the Primo booth was known as the home of 99 cents spaghetti, a budget-pleasing price that that remained the same since the early ‘80s; but not even a mighty cup of spaghetti could beat inflation food costs – so while it is now $1.99 spaghetti, it is still a fan favourite.

Deep-Fried Butter – The one that started it all…Deep-Fried Butter was introduced at the CNE in 2010 as a novel food item offered by Vicky Skinkle’s Sweet Treats concession stand in the Midway. She perfected the recipe to deep fry frozen butter in funnel cake batter to create the perfect consistency. Deep-Fried Butter was an instant hit with fans who flocked to the CNE for the unapologetically outrageous treat, and media were just as fascinated for the attention-grabbing headlines.
AND – To celebrate the inaugural year of the CNE Food Hall of Fame, the CNE is bringing back Deep-Fried Butter starting today until September 2, or until quantities last; available at the Deep Fried booth in the Food Building, and Legend Dairy in the Midway.

Although the subject of wacky foods has become synonymous with the CNE in recent decades, the fact is that food has played a significant role at the Fair since the inception of what was introduced as the Food Products Building, that was funded and built by the Canadian National Exhibition in 1954.

The Food Products Building replaced the old Pure Food Building that was demolished in 1953 to make way for an ultra-modern architectural marvel, designed by H.H. Angus & Associates. At a cost of $1.5 million, the new structure boasted 138,000 sq.ft. of floor space, high ceilings, spacious aisles, and beautiful interior features that would attract visitors. It was advertised as a prestigious place to showcase Canada’s innovative food industry, and where companies could introduce and sell produce, supplies, and food products to the masses. CNE organizers prophetically touted that “The Food Building will be the talk of Canada…and a source of interest for many years to come.”

Some of the interesting products offered in the Food Building in the ‘50s and ‘60s included:

The introduction of Heinz’ Cream of Tomato canned soup
Canned Fish
Ketchup
Liquorice Confections
Corn Syrup and Starch
One-A-Day Vitamins
Chili Sauce
Maraschino Cherries
Fruitcake
Alka-Seltzer

CLICK HERE for more archival images of Food Building
The 145th annual CNE runs from August 16 to September 2, 2024. Let’s go to The EX!

About the Canadian National Exhibition
The Canadian National Exhibition (CNE) is governed by the Canadian National Exhibition Association (CNEA), comprised of a volunteer Board of Directors. The CNEA is responsible for the planning and presentation of the annual Canadian National Exhibition at Exhibition Place in Toronto, Ontario. Founded in 1879, the CNE generates an economic impact of approximately $112 million for the Greater Toronto Area and $143 million for the province of Ontario each year (when in operation). In 2023, the CNE attracted a record-breaking 1.604 million visitors to its 18-day fair, the highest-ever attendance in the past 25 years.

So excited to preview some of the innovative delights to be enjoyed at the 2024 Canadian National Exhibition! The EX is back on this weekend, August 16, 2024 to September 2, 2024. You won’t believe your eyes… and mouth some of the amazing things we tried today at the Media Preview of the end-of-summer celebration!

In addition to the return of The EX Games, Aquarama, the Canadian International Air Show, Elvis Stojko‘s all-new Aerial & Acrobatic Ice-Skating Show “ACTION!”, 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 let’s not forget fan favourite, SuperDogs Hollywoof: A Night At The Pawscars!

Acts to appear at the CNE Bandshell this year include 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 also will take the stage. Drag EXtravaganza returns also with Tynomi Banks and Sapphira Cristál, along with more.

Ribfest, Craft Beer Fest and Food Truck Frenzy highlight some exciting food options, in addition to a litany of exciting food options available at the historic Food Building.

Delectables we enjoyed at the Media Preview included: Butter Chicken Lasagna (Rick’s Good Eats); Deep-fried Pickle Oreos (Sam’s Grill); Birria Bomb and The Uncrustable Bacon Cheeseburger (Deep Fried Co.); Jalapeño Lemonade (Alejandro’s); Ube Crack Drink (O•Mochi); Fizz Fest and Matcha Fiesta Drinks (Yogen Fruz); Unicorn Street Corn (Roasted Fresh); Banh Mi Crispy Fish Taco (Los Vietnamita); Superfly Bowl (Super Noodle Company); Karage Soft Shell Crab (Farm to Fryer) and several more.

Some highlights from the Media Preview:

Tickets and more details here.

(Photo/video credit: Mr. Will Wong)

Back for its 145th year, Ontario’s favourite fair and end-of-summer rite of passage, the Canadian National Exhibition (CNE) is set to make its grand return, August 16 to September 2, 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.

The EX Games will be located at Princes’ Gates. Three performances daily at 1:30pm, 3:30pm and 5:30pm.
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.

Classic Championship Wrestling will be located East of BMO Field. Three performances daily at 2:30pm, 4:30pm, and 6:30pm.

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.

For full programing details, CNE opening hours, show times and ticket information, go to TheEx.com.
MORE NOTEWORTHY HIGHLIGHTS:

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.”

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 the Pee Wee Baseball and 3-on-3 Basketball tournaments, scholarships, and Smiles on Faces program that treats vulnerable kids to a day of fun at the CNE. Grand CNE 50/50 tickets will be available on-site during the CNE, and online at CNEF5050.com beginning August 1 at 10am, with the winner selected on September 2 at 5pm.

The 145th annual CNE takes place from August 16 to September 2, 2024 at Exhibition Place in Toronto, ON.

It’s a ‘90s/2000s revival on the Bell CNE Bandshell Stage as the final round of headliners are announced to cap off the summer music festival season. Some of the biggest names in music that influenced an entire generation are marking their comeback with new music, new fans, and renewed popularity. Just added to perform at the Canadian National Exhibition taking place August 16 to September 2, include one of Canada’s top-selling bands from 1996 to 2016, Sloan. The JUNO and East Coast Music Awards-winning band are set to kick off Opening Day, Friday, August 16, on the Bell CNE Bandshell Stage with renowned guitarist Paul Langlois of The Tragically Hip as their opening act.

Music fans can also ‘rock on’ with Big Wreck on August 28; also, indie collective The New Pornographers on August 24 with Toronto’s Born Ruffians as special guests; and Montreal rockers Half Moon Run headlining on August 26. The newest additions come on the heels of a stellar line-up of iconic bands across the music spectrum previously announced including Manchester Orchestra, Down With Webster, and April Wine.

Big Boi, Grammy-winning rapper and one-half of the groundbreaking group OutKast, will bring his high-energy show to the Bell CNE Bandshell on August 25. The CNE will be Big Boi’s first and only Canadian stop announced to-date on his 2023/24 tour.

Big Boi will bring his high-energy show to the Bell CNE Bandshell on Sunday, August 25.
Last year’s first-ever Drag EXtravaganza at the CNE was a huge hit among fans and returns even more fierce with a mix of comedy, fashion, and entertainment with Tynomi Banks with musical performances by classically trained opera singer and composer Sapphira Cristál. And wave your hands and jump up to Soca Night on August 29 headlined by internationally renowned Soca stars from Trinidad and Tobago, Destra and Farmer Nappy, with DJ Dr. Jay and more. A newly added Tribute to Bob Marley will see Classic Albums Live perform his celebrated album Legend, with opening support Canadian reggae favorite, Jay Douglas.

There’s plenty more music concerts at the CNE with indie-folk-pop singer Ruby Waters with 2024 JUNO Songwriter of the Year artist, Aysanabee; acclaimed country music siblings The Reklaws; as well as recently announced powerhouse Brittany Howard (Alabama Shakes) and country star Mackenzie Porter.

Mark your calendars for the 2024 Canadian National Exhibition, August 16 – September 2, to experience an electrifying line-up of the Bell CNE Bandshell concerts that has something for everyone. All CNE concerts are free with admission to the Fair.

Full line-up for 2024 Bell CNE Bandshell Concerts Announced!

2024 Bell CNE Bandshell Concerts:
Friday, August 16: Sloan with Paul Langlois Band
Saturday, August 17: Brittany Howard with Julian Taylor
Sunday, August 18: Bahamas with Jeremie Albino
Monday, August 19: MacKenzie Porter with Nate Haller
Tuesday, August 20: Drag EXtravaganza ft. Tynomi Banks, Sapphira Cristal, VENUS, Devine Darlin’ and Saltina Shaker
Wednesday, August 21: Down with Webster with Dee Holt
Thursday, August 22: Classic Albums Live performs Bob Marley’s Legend with Jay Douglas
Friday, August 23: Manchester Orchestra with Moneen
Saturday, August 24: The New Pornographers with Born Ruffians
Sunday, August 25: Big Boi with SonReal
Monday, August 26: Half Moon Run with Ghostly Kisses
Tuesday, August 27: Ruby Waters with Aysanabee
Wednesday, August 28: Big Wreck with Royal Tusk
Thursday, August 29: Destra and Band with Farmer Nappy, Dr. Jay & Friends
Friday, August 30: The Reklaws with Teigen Gayse
Saturday, August 31: April Wine with Boston Levi
Sunday, September 1: Voices of Classic Rock: Asia ft. John Payne (formerly of Asia), Jason Scheff (Chicago), Steve Augeri (formerly of Journey) & Fran Cosmo (formerly of Boston)
Monday, September 2: (No concert on Labour Day)

Advance tickets to the 2024 CNE are on-sale now.  Enjoy advance discounts available online at TheEx.com.

Concerts are FREE with CNE Admission.

$22.12*: Advance CNE General Admission Ticket (purchased by August 15)
$26.55*: Regular CNE General Admission Ticket (starting August 16)
(*Plus applicable taxes and service fees).

The 145^th edition of the CNE will take place August 16 – September 2, 2024.   Let’s go to The EX!

Canada’s favourite Fair is also proving to be a favourite concert stop among some of the most popular music acts touring this summer. Mark your calendars for the 2024 Canadian National Exhibition, August 16 – September 2, to experience an electrifying line-up of the Bell CNE Bandshell concerts that has something for everyone. The first round of headliners have just been announced for the CNE’s concert series that are free with admission to the Fair.

Get ready for a rock renaissance with two of the biggest groups throughout the 2000s who are marking milestone anniversaries: Indie rock sensation Manchester Orchestra will make their only Canadian tour stop at the CNE on August 23 to celebrate the 10th anniversary of their fourth studio album, “Cope,” performing songs from the album and greatest hits; and Toronto rap-rock group Down With Webster are touring for the first time in 10 years, and capping off the summer festival season at home on the Bell CNE Bandshell on August 21. And always a favourite among CNE music fans, April Wine, will hit the stage on August 31.

Manchester Orchestra will hit the Bell CNE Bandshell stage on Friday, August 23.
Jazz, funk, soul singer Brittany Howard, frontwoman of four-time Grammy-winning group Alabama Shakes, and solo Grammy winner for her 2021 song Stay High, will put on a powerhouse performance on August 17; chart-topping Canadian country singer MacKenzie Porter brings her distinct country-pop shimmer to the Bell CNE Bandshell stage on August 19; and Barrie-born guitarist and singer Afie Jurvanen, best known by his stage name Bahamas, will perform his classic hits and new songs from his critically acclaimed country foray album, “Bootcut,” on August 18.

2024 Bell CNE Bandshell Announcements (as of June 12):
Saturday, August 17: Brittany Howard with Julian Taylor
Sunday, August 18: Bahamas with Jeremie Albino
Monday, August 19: MacKenzie Porter with Nate Haller
Wednesday, August 21: Down with Webster with Dee Holt
Friday, August 23: Manchester Orchestra with Moneen
Saturday, August 31: April Wine with Boston Levi

Stay tuned for more musical acts to be announced including a not-to-be-missed marquee Opening Day headliner to kick off the 2024 edition of Toronto’s iconic Fair.

Advance tickets to the 2024 CNE are on-sale now. Enjoy advance discounts available online at TheEx.com.

Concerts are FREE with CNE Admission.
$22.12: Advance CNE General Admission Ticket (purchased by August 15) $26.55: Regular CNE General Admission Ticket (starting August 16)
(*Plus applicable taxes and service fees).

The 145th edition of the CNE will take place August 16 – September 2, 2024. Let’s go to The EX!