Summer’s ultimate sign-off is finally here, and Toronto’s biggest end-of-season tradition is officially making its return this weekend.
The Canadian National Exhibition (CNE) is taking over Exhibition Place from August 21 through September 7, bringing 18 days packed with wild deep-fried eats, high-flying carnival rides, live concerts, and nostalgic fairground energy.
Spanning across the massive lakefront grounds, this year’s lineup features all the classic staples, from the iconic SuperDogs shows and the CNE Gaming Garage to concerts at the Bell SOUNDSTAGE at the Bandshell featuring acts like Lupe Fiasco, Lights, and Shaggy.
Naturally, you can also expect to find plenty of questionable food creations in the Food Building, along with the return of the Canadian International Air Show over Labour Day weekend.
While a full day at the fair can quickly add up, there are a few clever ways to score entry without breaking the bank.
If you want the absolute cheapest ticket possible, lock in your plans early. Purchasing Advance Sale Admission passes online before August 20 drops ticket prices down to $25.11, letting you bypass regular gate pricing. Parents looking to bring younger family members can also download a free School Kid’s Pass online for children aged 5 to 13 until August 20.
Missing the advance window doesn’t mean you have to pay full price, either. Opening Day on Friday, August 21 features a flat $15 admission deal for all ages both online and at the gates. PRESTO cardholders can also tap into savings with PRESTO Perks to get discounted single-day admission and up to 31 per cent off Ride All Day passes throughout the fair.
For night owls, the $13 Nights promotion offers one of the best bargains of the season. Available online and at the gates after 4:45 p.m. on select evenings (August 24–27 and August 31–September 3), it gets you onto the grounds for just $13, leaving you with plenty of extra pocket change for a plate of tiny donuts.
The CNE gates open daily at 10 a.m. at Exhibition Place. You can grab your passes and check out the full daily event schedule directly on the CNE website.
