The unofficial countdown to the end of summer has begun.
The Canadian National Exhibition returns to Exhibition Place from August 21 to September 7, bringing back the midway rides, outrageous food, live music and wonderfully chaotic atmosphere that have made The Ex a Toronto tradition. But before heading straight for your usual favourites, there are some genuinely interesting additions worth seeking out in 2026.
And this year, the CNE is aiming particularly high.
One of the biggest new attractions is the CNE Space EXperience, an immersive exhibition created in collaboration with the Canadian Space Agency that explores Canada’s role in the Artemis II mission and humanity’s return to the Moon. Visitors can experiment with astronaut-themed interactive exhibits, discover Canadian space technology and explore The Artemis II Journey, a photography exhibition offering a behind-the-scenes look at the historic mission.
The centrepiece is hard to miss: a glowing 20-foot Moon installation animated with lunar projections, accompanied by hourly aerial acrobatic performances.
Back on Earth, things aren’t exactly getting calmer.
Look up. Way up.
The Big Dip High Dive Show resurrects a CNE tradition dating back to the 1960s, with elite divers launching themselves from platforms reaching 80 feet above the Princes’ Gates before plunging into a 40,000-gallon pool.
Catch the show after dark and the spectacle gets even wilder, with divers performing while engulfed in flames.
Music is another major reason to visit. The Bell SOUNDSTAGE at the Bandshell has one of its strongest lineups in years, including Shaggy, Lupe Fiasco, Tom Cochrane, Finger Eleven, Bif Naked, Glass Tiger, The Trews, Charlotte Day Wilson and Raf-Saperra. Best of all, regular Bandshell performances are included with CNE admission.
For discovering something new, the CNE has also partnered with North by Northeast (NXNE) on a new stage showcasing emerging Canadian musicians at the Collective Tap Yard.
Elsewhere, Elvis Stojko returns for the Ice Skating & Acrobatics Show, the SuperDogs are back with a new Fairy-Tails production, and food lovers can get hands-on with new Kitchen Studio workshops covering everything from pasta-making and matcha to seasonal jam with Anna Olson. Families can explore a new Enchanted Forest experience in Kids’ World, while the CNE Farm brings back goat yoga alongside animals, demonstrations and agricultural programming.
And then there’s Labour Day weekend.
The Canadian International Air Show returns September 5 to 7, with the Snowbirds scheduled for one of their final performances before beginning a multi-year operational pause.
Of course, part of the joy of the CNE is ignoring your carefully planned itinerary entirely. Ride something you probably shouldn’t have after eating something deep-fried, lose a few dollars trying to win an oversized stuffed animal, wander into a concert and stay until closing.
That’s The Ex.
The 2026 CNE runs August 21 to September 7 at Exhibition Place. Advance admission is currently $25.11, while an advance Ride All Day Pass is $51.66, including the processing fee but before HST. Advance pricing is available until 11:59 p.m. on August 20, so buying before opening day can save some money.
👉 Get tickets and plan your visit: https://www.theex.com
Leave a Reply