Canadian National Exhibition 2020

Experience Traditional Hubbub and Hoopla at CNE

If you are looking for unparalleled entertainment and excitement, the Canadian National Exhibition (CNE) offers fascinating blend of attractions, events and exhibits for people of all ages.

With an irresistible assortment of activities and actions, the keenly awaited, late-summer fair leaves tons of cherished moments on its visitors.

Spread across 192 acres of land, the Canadian National Exhibition is 18-days extravaganza of fun, food and festivities that takes place at The Exhibition Place on Toronto's stunning waterfront from mid August to Labour Day in first week of September.

Canadian National Exhibition - Night View

The CNE or 'The Ex' as it is also popularly known - is Canada's largest annual exhibition and the fourth largest in North America. Each year the fair draws approximately 1.4 million people from all over Canada and beyond.

What was started as an agricultural fair in 1879, the Canadian National Exhibition has changed extensively over the years. Today the CNE offers huge variety of events, concerts, entertainment, international cuisine and shopping, agricultural and farm exhibits, parades, kids' world, lots of games and a three-day air show.

Canadian National Exhibition - Attractions

Canadian National Exhibition - Fire Ball

Midway rides and games are the most tempting and popular component of the CNE. If you are looking for some real thrill, you should not miss Midway rides.

Located in the centre of the fairgrounds, the Midway offers 30+ amusement rides sure to bring excitement and elation to even the most seasoned riders. Some of the most favourite CNE rides are the Fire ball, Ferris Wheel, Wave Swinger, Zipper, Swing Tower, Crazy Mouse and the Polar Express.

Canadian National Exhibition - Swing Tower

If you want to try your luck, you can play any one of more than 125 games at the Canadian National Exhibition. Who knows, you might win some beautiful gifts to take home.

Canadian National Exhibition - Midway Game

It's quite unfair if your kids can not enjoy rides. But don't worry. There is Kiddie Midway with 28 different rides and variety of games especially designed just for small kids. You will find the Kiddie Midway conveniently located next to Kids' World.

MANA Cirque Fantaisiste, is an impressive show where exotic creatures, fire eaters, acrobats, illusionists, jugglers, BMX bikers, contortionists and pyrotechnics converge to create a spellbinding experience.

Hold your breath while three daredevil drivers perform daring stunts at amazingly fast speed inside circular globe at the Globe of Death.

Canadian National Exhibition - Globe of Death

Enjoy the breathtaking aerial acrobatics on 80-foot Thrill Poles as the performer fascinates the crowd.

Rock On Ice features fabulous aerial acrobatics and skating show where several skaters, acrobatic performers, singers and a live band perform on several popular tunes and bring rock 'n' roll to life on the rink and in the air.

It's one of the most entertaining shows of the Canadian National Exhibition which you should not miss. Check the show time and reach at least half an hour before the schedule time at the Ricoh Coliseum, the venue for the show.

Canadian National Exhibition - Rock On Ice

FLOWRIDER Splash Zone features several activities including demonstration by world's top flowriders, basketball, beach volleyball and sandcastle building.

Checkout the Canadian Forces Interactive Exhibits where you can clamber inside the cockpit of a CF-18 fighter jet, a battle tank and a Coyote light-armoured vehicle. Or explore a Field Hospital unit and a typical border check-point. Get a personal experience of what Canadian forces face every day working abroad.

Canadian National Exhibition - CF-18 Fighter Jet

Enjoy the meticulously created magnificent sand sculptures at the Direct Energy Centre and several dynamic arts and crafts exhibits.

Canadian National Exhibition - Sand Sculpture

Few metres away from the urban landscape of Toronto, the rural Ontario awaits for your kids at the CNE. The Farm features wide variety of Ontario farm animals ranging from cows to ostriches. This exhibit allows city kids to see the farm animals close up and provides great learning curve with fun.

Canadian National Exhibition - Farm Animals

For dog lovers, the Canadian National Exhibition offers daily President's Choice SuperDogs Show. Featuring more than 50 dogs from close to 30 different breeds, this thrilling SuperDogs show is one that you should not miss. Come early to get a seat for the show.

Enjoy colourful flowers at the Garden Show, home to the largest flower and vegetable growing competition in Canada. Stretch your imagination as visual artist Daryl Maddeaux stack 'Rock on Rock' without the use of glue, nail, gum, screws or magnets.

Canadian National Exhibition - Garden Show

The CNE features special Kids' World for the little ones. Kids' World offers lots of interesting shows and activities for kids. Kids can enjoy the comedy magic show, hilarious juggler show, and educational bird show. The petting zoo is one of the major attractions of the Kids' World with more than 120 animals from around the world.

Kids can meet their favourite characters including Dora, Diego and SpongeBob in the Kids' World. KidScience and Kids' World of Energy offer various interactive games and activities, imparting knowledge with great fun.

Canadian National Exhibition - Concerts And Events

Canadian National Exhibition

If you are into live music and entertainment, you will find yourself right at the centre of activities at the CNE. The Canadian National Exhibition offers wide variety of live shows, concerts and events suitable for visitors of different interests.

Enjoy funny and entertaining busker shows where several multitalented performers display their innovative and inimitable tricks and techniques.

Canadian National Exhibition - Busker Show

Treat your soul with tunes of melodious music! From conventional to contemporary, classical to pop and everything in-between. Numerous musical bands perform an array of hits throughout the CNE grounds.

The International Stage features visiting groups from various countries showcasing their culture through traditional music, dance and songs. You can enjoy mesmerizing dance and music performances from different parts of world which will keep your toes tapping during the shows.

Canadian National Exhibition - Live Performance at the International Stage

You can enjoy various competitions including famous International Sand Sculpting Competition, Express Yourself Art Competition, Rising Star Talent Competition, Ambassador of the Fairs, CNEA horse show and many more.

Also, checkout the celebrity demonstrations and special events.

Canadian National Exhibition - Parades

Canadian National Exhibition - Mardi Gras Parade

The CNE is also famous for its several parades.

The CNE Mardi Gras Parade is the most popular among the lot. The daily parade delights the crowd with massive colourful floats, glitzy bands and various performers. And yes, don't forget to collect the colourful Mardi Gras necklaces as they are tossed from the parade floats to the crowds.

The Mardi Gras Parade starts at the Princes' Gates at 6.00pm and covers the CNE grounds. You will find several chairs and benches along the parade route.

Canadian National Exhibition - Mardi Gras Parade

The annual Warriors' Day Parade is the longest running veterans parade celebrating the victories of Canadian forces. The fabulous parade displays the colour, sound and traditions of Canadian Regiments and Squadrons.

The Labour Day Parade occurs on the Labour Day, celebrating the strength and solidarity of workers.

Canadian National Exhibition - Canadian International Air Show

The annual Canadian International Air Show is unquestionably one of the most exciting attractions of the CNE.

Scheduled for 3 days during Labour Day weekend, the breathtaking air show mesmerize the crowds with thrilling manoeuvres and tricks by supersonic jets and water and sky tribute to the Canadian Navy. Enjoy this amazing air show from the equally remarkable CNE waterfront.

Canadian National Exhibition - Food

To visit the CNE and not to enjoy mouth-watering food at the Food Building would be an unforgivable offence. Featuring over 100 food vendors, serving an array of delectable gastronomy, the Food Building is a buzzing place full of foodies. Whatever your palate desires, the wide variety of lip-smacking traditional favourites and international cuisine will surely tickle your taste-buds.

Canadian National Exhibition - Food Stall inside Food Building

You will also find plenty of food stalls throughout CNE grounds offering hot pizzas, corn dogs, fries, chips, candy apples, ice cream waffles, donuts, funnel cake, freshly squeezed lemonade and all sorts of fair food. There is something for everyone to relish.

Canadian National Exhibition - Fair Food

Canadian National Exhibition - Shopping

The Canadian National Exhibition offers unique shopping experience with seemingly endless numbers of shops. There are several well structured pavilions featuring everything from furniture and appliance to home improvements merchandise, perfumes to clothing and electronics, jewellery to leather items.

Canadian National Exhibition - Shopping

The At Home Pavilion features an assortment of home-related, lifestyle and leisure products. The International Pavilion is where you will find exotic international products like jewellery, clothing, gifts, handicrafts, specially food and much more. If you are looking for something unique craft-piece, visit the Arts, Crafts and Hobbies Pavilion showcasing amazing Canadian collectibles.

Canadian National Exhibition - Shopping

Canadian National Exhibition 2020 - Tourist Information

Venue: Exhibition Place - 100 Princes Boulevard, Toronto, M6K 3C3

Event Date & Hours:

August 16 - September 2, 2020

Gates Open: 10 am to 10 pm

Grounds Open: 10 am to Midnight

Phone: 416-393-6300

Price:

2013 Admission Prices

General Admission: $16

Seniors (60 yrs. and above): $12

Children (13 yrs. and under): $12

Children (4 yrs. and under): Free

CNE Family Pass: $48

(2 adults and 2 Children OR 1 adult and 3 children)

Monday to Thursday after 5pm: $5

2013 Ride Prices

Ride All Day Pass during the CNE: $38 (admission extra)

Ride coupons are also available on site

Check www.theex.com for more ticket details and how to buy

All prices include 13% HST

Transit and Driving Directions:

TTC:

There are several different routes to get to the CNE on the TTC.

- From Union Subway Station: take the 509 Harbourfront Streetcar West

- From Bathurst Subway Station: take the 511 Bathurst Streetcar South

- From Dufferin Subway Station: take the 29 Dufferin Bus South

- From Dundas West Subway Station: take the 193 Exhibition Rocket

- From Westin Harbour Castle: take the 509 Harbourfront Streetcar West

Go Transit:

Take Go transit bus or train to Union Station. From Union Station, take the Lakeshore West train to Exhibition Go Station which brings you right to the CNE gates.

Driving Directions:

From the South or West - Follow the QEW into Toronto, where it turns into the Gardiner Expressway. Exit onto Lake Shore Blvd. East, follow the signs of CNE/Exhibition Place.

From the East - Take Highway 401 into Toronto and exit onto the Don Valley Parkway Southbound. As you approach Downtown, this will turn into the Gardiner Expressway. Exit at Spadina Ave. and merge onto Lake Shore Blvd. West. From here follow the signs of CNE/Exhibition Place.

From the North - Take Highway 400 into Toronto, exiting onto Highway 401 West. Continue until you reach Highway 427 southbound. Follow Highway 427 to downtown via the QEW/Gardiner Expressway. Exit onto Lake Shore Blvd. East, follow the signs of CNE/Exhibition Place.

Parking: There are several on-site and off-site parking lots available at CNE. However, you are advised to use public tranist on weekends and holidays.

For more information visit www.theex.com


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