Canadian National Exhibition (The CNE)
Better known as ‘The Ex’ to locals, this is the event that Toronto’s beloved Exhibition Place is named for. To say there’s a lot to see at the Canadian National Exhibition is an understatement — this is Canada’s biggest annual fair and dates back almost 150 years.
Founded to showcase Canada’s agricultural and scientific progress, the Exhibition is still a fantastic opportunity to see cutting-edge tech like the Vertical Hydroponics exhibit, eSports tournaments and the CNE Gaming Garage.
There’s also a lot of history throughout Exhibition Place, including an 18th-century log cabin that’s the oldest surviving structure in the city of Toronto and fun traditions like the butter sculpture competition.
Not to ignore the present, either don’t miss the exhibit hosted by The Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation or the delicious array of edible treats in the Toronto Star Food Building. The latter is packed with samples of Toronto’s best local restaurants, complete with options for those with religious or wellness-related food restrictions. There’s also plenty of shopping and a classic carnival midway at The Ex to keep you on your toes, not to mention live music and talent performances and a family-favourite Labour Day weekend air show.
Date(s): August 19 to September 5, 2022
Location: Exhibition Place
Website: https://theex.com/
2022 CNE Highlights
Things to do at the Canadian National Exhibition include:
- Live music performances by artists like Buffy Sainte-Marie, A Tribe Called Red and Rival Sons
- Exhibitions on arts and crafts, home and garden, and world cultures
- Markets and shopping
- Special exhibitions like past displays of National Geographic photography, topiary displays and end-of-summer garden shows
