CNE 2025 Opening Day is this week and here's a sneak preview of what to expect

CNE 2025 Opening Day has almost finally arrived, and while yes, it tragically signals that summer in Toronto is coming to an end, it also means that the city is about to embark on 18 days of non-stop fun at our most quintessential event of the year.

And, blogTO got a sneak peek at what this year's edition holds.

For the uninitiated, a standard day at the iconic Canadian National Exhibition starts with an arrival at the Princes' Gates, a stalwart Toronto landmark, before instantly being engulfed by the most joyful sensory overload you've ever experienced.

Flanked by food trucks, craft beer stands, vendor tents and more, you'll make your way deeper into the throngs of excited attendees and the heart of the grounds, the colourful Sky Ride and Ferris wheel towering up ahead.

You'll board legendary rides that locals have looked forward to returning to each summer for decades — perhaps with a mild case of the jitters, but wearing a huge smile on your face nonetheless.

This year, all of the staple favourites are back, from the Polar Express, Crazy Mouse and Euroslide to the carousel, swing ride, and, of course, the 46-metre-tall SuperWheel that debuted in 2023 and is the tallest travelling machine of its kind in North America.

If you're saving the thrills for later, you can test your luck at the rows upon rows of lively carnival games that the Ex is known for — their distinct din will become something you'll find yourself missing, come winter — before stopping by the Queen Elizabeth Building and Enercare Centre, where you can shop for steep discounts on everything from apparel to hot tubs, as well as find some gems from local vendors.

Next on the docket is the Better Living Centre's CNE Farm and Horse Palace to meet (and learn about) some darling four-legged friends, potentially before enjoying some of the many forms of live entertainment on tap: musical acts, pro-wrestlers, expert sandcastle builders, acrobats, superstar doggos, or, during the final weekend,  daredevil Air Show pilots.

One key new addition this year is MYTHOS, an immersive, interactive and multi-sensory art installation that wraps viewers up — literally, as mesmerizing video dances across screens covering all four walls — in powerful human origin stories from various cultures that have been passed down for generations. The installation is located within the Enercare Centre.

The awe-inspiring Mythos offers a moment of quiet contemplation amidst the bustle of the fair.

This is also the first year for a number of creative deluxe experiences for the ultimate Ex fan.

There's a new VIP ticket option that comes with unlimited rides (plus fast pass), a $50 food voucher, drink tickets, special seats at the day's performances, your own personal concierge team and tons of CNE swag; a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to dine 150 feet above the glowing midway at a Dinner in the Sky; and a contest to win an all-expenses-paid wedding (or vow renewal) under the Super Wheel.

The inaugural CNE Drag Brunch Extravaganza is another one that is bound to be a hit, hosted by Canada's Drag Race stars that will get the party going as you sip and munch on unlimited mimosas (yes, you heard that right), Nabob coffee and a brunch entree from Bacon Nation. The fun is also for a good cause, with proceeds from the event going towards a local LGBTQ+ charity.

A crew of Canada's Drag Race stars are ready to entertain you over a new CNE brunch.

And last, but certainly not least, we have the food, which the Ex is legendary for.

You'll likely spend more time than planned gawking at (and indulging in) wacky culinary creations, both new-this-year and tried-and-true. And, the highlights for 2025 that can be found at the Food Building, in the "Food Truck Frenzy" and along the midway are just as deep-fried, sugar-coated and excessive as you could have guessed.

Standouts just for their wow — or, depending on your taste, yuck — factor are a Biscoff ice cream fried chicken sandwich (from Los Vietnamita), a kimchi-topped fried dumpling served over ice cream (from K-Dee's Twisted Gourmet & Co), and frozen watermelon that's been battered and deep fried (from Mr. Pickle).

If you're looking for something that will pose less of an affront to your digestive system but is still a little over-the-top, you can go with glitter tea (from Yogen Früz) or a hashbrown ice cream sandwich (from the classic Ice Cream Sandwiches), or then a smash burger taco (Smash City) or Mexican street corn pizza (Pizza Pizza).

We also got a taste of some special Canadian edition raspberry-sugar coated mini donuts (Tiny Tom's) and some divisively salty butter ice cream (from Legend Dairy) to compete with 2022's ketchup and mustard soft-serve and last year's wasabi frozen treat.

Finally, there are some familiar flavours from years past: butter chicken lasagna (Rick's Good Eats), deep-fried and fruity pebble-coated meat items (this time from Korean Dogs), and Labubu-themed sweet fried cheese curds (King of Curds) that are pretty much the same as last year's Taylor Swift-inspired version of the same dish.

Or, stick with the trusted staples: $1.99 pasta (Primo Spaghetti), a slab of ice cream sandwiched between warm waffles (Original Ice Cream Waffle), corned beef (Montreal Deli), perogies (Supreme Perogies, Pierogies Inc., and others), and countless other dishes.

Gates to this year's CNE will open at 10 a.m. on Friday, August 15, and it runs until Labour Day evening. Tickets are available online or in person, and detailed hours, events schedules, directions, grounds maps and more can be found on the website.

Let's go to the Ex!