Your ultimate guide to the 2025 CNE in Toronto

It's time to celebrate all things end-of-summer with the 2025 CNE in Toronto!

If you want to make the most of your visit, it's important to know everything that's happening at the event this year. 

There's something at CNE for everyone. So, whether you want to try some of the bizarre foods, enjoy the midway games, satisfy your need for a good thrill on the coasters or take in all of the performances and live entertainment, here's what you can expect to eat, see and do at the 2025 CNE.

Food

You probably know by now that the CNE is iconic for being home to some of the craziest food experiences. So, if you're a foodie who's looking to tickle (or even scare) your taste buds, then you're in for a treat.

Pizza Pizza is back at the 2025 CNE and offering the classics with a spin. Last year, it was remembered for the Footlong Deep-Fried Mozzarella Stick. 

Popular foods from the past include wasabi ice cream and ketchup and mustard soft serve ice cream, along with things like deep fried pickle Oreos and tzatziki cheesecake (both of which are looking to make a comeback this year). It's safe to say that this year's lineup of interesting foods will be just as crazy!

Aside from the classics — think waffle ice cream sandwiches, Tiny Tom's donuts, candy apples and all — local restaurants are joining forces to bring another unforgettable experience to CNE-goers. 

The food truck frenze will be back again at this year's CNE, including Curbside Dogs, with hot dogs lathered in peanut butter and jelly, mac and cheese, and even brussels sprouts as toppings.

New this year, though, is Potato Bar Inc., a truck offering comfort food in the form of everything potatoes. Choose from smoked taters or hand-cut fries as your base, and make the ultimate bowl of your dreams with toppings like coleslaw, man and cheese, and more. 

You can expect to see bizarre ice cream flavours this year, like every other recent year at the Ex.

Just Cone It will also be making its much-awaited return, preparing to serve things like shepherd's pies, pepperoni pizzas, and even pulled pork, all in a cone.

In the Food Building, Bombay Spice Street is back and serving its gigantic 12-inch samosa, while Pizza Pizza returns with its version of "fantastical food": the footlong deep-fried mozzarella stick.

You're guaranteed to find something to eat at every corner of the fair, so bring your appetite and get ready to embark on a fun, one-of-a-kind food journey. 

Rides and Games

You can't go to the CNE and not expect to hop on a ride or two. If you're like me, you'll steer clear of the time-honoured (but incredibly secure and safe, of course) coasters and opt for something more chill, like the carousel. Regardless of your skill level or bravery, there really is something for everyone when it comes to rides and games.

Expect to see all your favourites back this year: ferris wheels, the Polar Express, and more! There are multiple ride pass options for you to choose from this year, too including a new VIP ticket experience for the biggest Ex fans.

There's something at the midway for everyone, from thrilling coasters to the mellow, lit-up carousel.

Adding to the ride experience this year is another thing the CNE has never offered before: Dinner in the Sky. Patrons will be suspended at a table 150 feet in the air to enjoy a curated meal while taking in the gorgeous views of the midway and city skyline beyond. 

The CNE is the first fair in Canada to offer this exhilarating experience, and it looks promising. Tickets start at $110/person, available online. 

All the fan favourites will be right where you left them last year. The games don't seem to change all that much at the CNE, and no one is complaining.

After you've tired yourself on the rides (or if you're just more comfortable with two feet firmly on the ground at all times), all of the go-to carnival games beloved year after year will be there, as well, from the ring toss, balloon burst and bottle smash to the star shootout, basketball hoop toss and whack-a-mole.

There's also the CNE casino for those who are of legal age to gamble.

Entertainment

For anyone who doesn't want to join in on the fun of riding and gaming, or for those who simply need a break, there is so much more to check out when it comes to entertainment at the CNE.

From live performances to exhibits, there is an abundance of experiences to add to your to-do list every year, and this time around, things are no different.

Scope the CNE Archives Exhibit: Celebrating the Legacy of the CNE, an ode to the initial days of the fair and a showcase of its 146 years of history. CNE in Colour – The Joyful Lens of Scooter Korek, is also taking place this year, where you can step into the CNE world through the eyes of ride safety specialist Greg "Scooter" Korek and his passion for photography. 

And, of course, Bandshell Park hosts free concerts to attend for CNE ticket-holders every day of the event. This year's lineup of performers is unreal: Shawn Desman, Jully Black, 98 Degrees, Yukon Blonde and so many more will be gracing the stage.

A perennial, often sold-out hit is also the Super Dogs agility show at the Enercare Centre, which is this year titled the Wild Wild Woof. Its schedule is:

• Monday through Thursdays at 2 p.m., 4:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.
• Friday, Saturday and Sundays at 12 p.m., 2 p.m., 4:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.
• Labour Day Monday at 12 p.m., 2 p.m., 4:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.

You can also watch the yearly Ice-Skating and Acrobatic Show, taking place at Coca-Cola Coliseum at 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. daily, or the CNE's own take on the viral daytime coffee party, happening on Sunday, August 24 from 10 a.m. to noon at the Bandshell Stage.

You can see the full agenda of performances here. 

Events

Alongside the concert series, there are even more staple events that happen at the CNE each year.

The most anticipated one has to be the Canadian International Air Show, during which old-school aircraft take over the city's skies and perform stomach-turning tricks. The airshow happens on the Labour Day long weekend and marks the end of the fair.

The must-see Canadian International Air Show is back and taking place August 30 - September 1. Photo by Jack Landau.

This year it will take place daily from 12 p.m. to 3:40 p.m., August 30 to September 1.

Classic Championship Wrestling is back again, and you can watch the likes of Ax & Smash (Demolition) and WWE Hall of Famers Jimmy Hart and Ted DiBiase strut their stuff in the ring. You can catch these events at 1 p.m., 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. daily. 

If you're into magic, then you can also catch Double Vision, a magic and comedy show, taking place at the Princes' Gate on August 15, 1 p.m., 3 p.m., and 5 p.m., August 16 at 6:30 p.m., 8:30 p.m, and 10:00 p.m., and August 17 to August 19 at 1 p.m., 3 p.m., and 5 p.m. 

WWE Hall of Famers will be entering the ring this year, and they promise a spectacle worth watching.

Other shows like this — plus buskers and strolling park entertainers — include The Funny Waiter Show, The Circus Drummer, and Rock N Rolling Piano. You can see the full schedule of these performances here.

New this year is CNE's Drag Brunch that brings together five fabulous drag queens all set to entertain you over some eggs and mimosas. Catch Tynomi Banks, Lemon, JuiceBoxx, BOA, and Kyne to experience something different at the Ex. 

Tickets and Hours

The CNE 2025 runs from Friday, August 15 to Monday, September 1; that's 18 epic days of fun! 

You can purchase advance tickets at a discounted rate online before the fair starts for $25.11 (General Admission pass) to $47.24 (Ride All Day pass). As of August 15, you can purchase tickets either online or in person at the Exhibition Gates. 

Children four and under get in for free. There is also a 47 per cent discount for a single admission or Ride All Day pass for Presto cardholders as a part of Presto Perks, eligible for advance purchases made until August 14, 2025. 

Gates are open from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily, with the grounds open an extra two hours until midnight. The exception is Labour Day, when the grounds will be open 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., with gates closing at 5 p.m.

Buildings, including the Food Building, are open from 10 a.m. until 7 p.m. daily (but closing at 5 p.m. on Labour Day), while the casino is open from noon until 6 a.m. daily (closing at 8 p.m., but operating until 10 p.m., on Labour Day).

The main midway rides and games will open at 11 a.m. on weekdays and 10 a.m. on weekends, remaining open until midnight throughout the week (Labour Day hours are 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.).

Getting there

Although the idea of heading into downtown Toronto may sound daunting, especially when more than a million people are hitting up the Exhibition Grounds over the course of the CNE, the city is making it as easy and accessible as possible. 

GO Train service will take you straight to the CNE grounds without any hassle, while TTC streetcars will also offer direct service via the 511 Bathurst Streetcar, 504B King Streetcar, 29 Dufferin Bus and the 509 Harbourfront Streetcar.