CNE 2025: When, Where & What’s Happening at Toronto’s End-of-Summer Festival

Toronto’s biggest end-of-summer tradition is back, and it’s bringing all the deep-fried foods, carnival rides, and questionable life choices you’ve been waiting for. The Canadian National Exhibition returns to Exhibition Place this August, ready to pack 18 days with enough entertainment to make you forget about September responsibilities.

If you’ve never been to the CNE, imagine every county fair you’ve seen in movies, but bigger and with more options for putting strange things on sticks. It’s where sensible adults pay money to eat cotton candy for breakfast and then immediately get on spinning rides. The logic checks out if you don’t think about it too hard.

This year’s edition promises the usual mix of midway thrills, food adventures, and live shows that make the CNE what it is. The Canadian International Air Show returns for the final three days, featuring military jets and the Snowbirds. The Gaming Garage continues with esports tournaments, because apparently everything needs a competitive element now.

The food scene remains the main draw for many visitors. While the Food Building houses dozens of vendors, the real action happens when someone decides to deep-fry something that probably shouldn’t be deep-fried. It’s tradition at this point.

The Ex Event Details

Dates: August 15 to September 1, 2025
Location: Exhibition Place, 210 Princes’ Boulevard, Toronto
Hours: 10 a.m. to midnight most days
Final day special: September 1 gates close at 5 p.m., no entry after 3 p.m.
Website: www.theex.com

Ticket Information

Advance tickets save up to 20% on admission, up to 41% on ride passes (must buy before August 15)
Online tickets include $2.99 processing fee per ticket
Regular admission starts around $22-26 for adults
Seniors and children get discounted rates
Kids under 4 get free admission
Ride All Day passes include unlimited midway access plus grounds admission
PRESTO Perks offers discounts for transit users
CAA members get savings on tickets
Gift cards available at Circle K, Metro, and Walmart

Get TIckets

What’s Happening

Midway rides including the 150-foot Superwheel
Food Building with vendors from around the world
Daily live performances and concerts
SuperDogs shows and other animal attractions
Agriculture building with farm animals
Gaming area with tournaments and competitions
Air show finale weekend (August 30-September 1)
Shopping areas and artisan vendors

Getting There and Surviving the CNE

Transit makes the most sense for getting to the CNE. GO Transit and TTC both stop right at the gates, and parking fills up faster than you can say “funnel cake.” GO Transit offers group passes and special CNE promotions.

The CNE draws over a million visitors during its run, so crowds are part of the experience. Weekday afternoons tend to be less busy if you prefer your carnival atmosphere with slightly less shoulder-to-shoulder contact.

Most areas now operate cashless, so bring cards or mobile payment options. Some outdoor vendors might still take cash, but don’t count on it.

Planning Your Visit

The CNE works best when you accept that it’s going to be loud, crowded, and probably cost more than you planned. That’s not a bug, it’s a feature. Whether you’re there for the rides, the food, or just to people-watch, the key is embracing the controlled chaos.

Toronto’s annual end-of-summer ritual continues to draw visitors because it offers something you can’t get anywhere else in the city. It’s temporary, it’s excessive, and it happens once a year. Sometimes that’s exactly what you need.

Media Inquiries: tran@centricpr.ca

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