Posted: Sept 21, 2022
Updated: Nov 16, 2024
Let’s go to “The Ex”! Behold, Canada’s largest summer fair.
The Canadian National Exhibition, dearly known as “The CNE” or “The Ex” is the largest summer fair in Toronto Canada, bringing more than a million of visitors to the North American metropole every year, and generating close to 93 millions per year to the Greater Toronto Area. I’m including this figure in this article just to show you how much of a big deal The Ex is, and why it is such a sought-after event for locals, visitors and merchants who make The CNE the memorable event that it is. Initially conceptualized as an agricultural fair for farmers in 1840, The Ex transformed (over the years) to include other aspects of the Canadian economy which reflect the cultural and industrial diversity of the country.
Today, The CNE features businesses in the fashion, agro-processing, entertainment and manufacturing industries, just to name a few! Beyond the “Business aspect” of the Canadian National Exhibition, The Ex is the largest summer fair for families, kids, and visitors to Toronto!
In this article, we will answer some key questions about The Ex, such as what is The CNE toronto, when is The CNE Toronto, how long it’s open for, what you can do while at The CNE Toronto, and share best tips to plan your visit to The CNE Toronto next year!
Prefer video content? Watch the full vlog of this experience here!
Table of Contents
What is The CNE in Toronto?
The Canadian National Exhibition, dearly known as “The CNE” or “The Ex” is the largest summer fair in Toronto Canada. It features businesses in the fashion, agro-processing, entertainment and manufacturing industries, just to name a few! The Ex is the largest summer fair for families, kids, and visitors to Toronto!
When is The CNE in Toronto ?
The CNE in Toronto takes place around mid-August (August 19th 2022 was the start date this year). If you are wondering how long The CNE is open for, it generally lasts about 18 days. In terms od CNe toronto dates, the fair starts around mid-August and ends in the first week of September. For 2022, The CNE toronto was from August 19th, 2022 – September 5, 2022.
Where does The CNE take place in Toronto?
The Ex takes place at Exhibition Place in Toronto, which is Canada’s largest entertainment and business venue.
Is it free to go to The Ex?
CNe ticket prices start at 20 CAD, and are free for children who are 4 years and under. Tickets to The Ex give you entry to the venue, and all the shows happening on site, for free. However, if you want to do summer rides, you need to purchase specific tickets separately. There are different price tiers based on age groups and add-ons (with or without rides), and you can find the most updated information on The CNE official website.
Prefer video content? Watch the full vlog of this experience here!
What can I do at The CNE in Toronto ?
Figuring out what you can do at The CNE Toronto is probably one of the most exciting parts of The Ex. With so many shows, rides, activities and product stalls, you won’t run out of ideas when it comes to planning your trip to The Ex. Things you can do at The Ex in Toronto include:
- Going on fun summer rides
- Watching performing arts shows,
- Tasting local and international foods, including traditional desserts served at The Ex,
- Shopping local and international goods and products, from all around the world.
Before the Canadian national exhibition’s opening ceremony, a program/schedule of events is posted on the official CNE website: from that program, you can preview the different shows you would love to watch, look at different ride options and plan your trip to The Ex! Bear in mind that there is so much to see and to do at The Ex that you are really better off planning your trip in advance, even if you leave room for some spontaneous activities!
During my trip to The Ex, I watched an amazing acrobatic show by the Chicago Boyz Acrobatic team, as well as a dance performance by the Innova Irish Dance Company. Both performances took place at the International stage, which only features performances from artists and performers outside of Canada.
Prefer video content? Watch the full vlog of this experience here!
My top tips for planning a memorable visit at The Ex:
- Plan your visit: check out the official calendar of The Ex and map out the shows and events you would love to see. Choose to go to The Ex on the specific days that those shows are on. Fortunately, most shows happen over a few days and at different times during the day, so you get a few options!
- Watch at least one show at the international stage: when planning your visit at The Ex, consider at least one show at the international stage. It features unique cultural and entertaining experiences, and brings a different level to the event.
I did a comprehensive review of my experience at The Ex, which includes the 2 international shows that we watched! Check it out on my Youtube channel now!
- Get your tickets in advance: not only does this allow you to get the best deals, it also saves you time when checking in at The Ex.
- Gather your best crew: if you’re going with friends, go with people who enjoy walking, trying new things and are overall, good company! A day at The Ex is a full day event, and you really want to make sure that you select a great group of friends to go with.
- Dress for the adventure: in reference to point #3, you need to make sure that you dress comfortably for sun, rain and long walks. Wear some sunscreen, bring your shades, your hats and an umbrella (we never know what the weather holds!). Always walk with a bottle of water. It goes a long way. Wear flat and comfortable shoes that you can walk in for at least 5 hours.
- Get there early: 11-12 PM is a great time, in my opinion, for several reasons. First, if you are using public transportation, there tends to be line delays on the weekend, which can also delay your arrival at your destination. Secondly, if you’re planning to do some rides, arriving early makes it easier for you to join the waiting line and saves you time! Thirdly, if you are visiting with kids, the earlier you get there, the earlier you can get back home! Finally, it gives you enough time to see the shows that are happening earlier during the day.
- Budget: plan to split cost. Food items and meals tend to cost more at events such as The Ex, so plan accordingly. For bigger items like desserts, it might be a good idea to split the cost by sharing between 2-3 people! In terms of shopping, it is also a good idea to budget to purchase some unique items like arts&crafts, food and clothing items from artisans and sellers that you might not see anywhere else!
I did a comprehensive review of my experience at The Ex, which is now on my Youtube channel! Check it now for visuals of how it went, what we enjoyed and how to maximize your time!
Save this article for the next time you are planning your visit to The Ex in Toronto, Canada!
Looking for more amazing Canada Toronto Adventure? Check out my articles on other fun things to do in Toronto!
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