Toronto is getting a CN Tower lookalike contest

The CN Tower, Toronto's crown jewel of the skyline, is turning 50 this year, and a group of people are throwing it the most unusual birthday party.

The team at Wygo, a Toronto-based community event platform, are throwing a CN Tower lookalike contest on Friday, June 26.

And it's already got locals talking.

Incredible things are happening in the city of Toronto pic.twitter.com/h29mfJXskf

— Ramsey Kilani 🌐🔰 (@Ramsey_Kilani) June 20, 2026

Toronto is many things: loud, crowded, expensive. But boring? Never!

"This is by far the greatest look alike contest ever," one user exclaimed on X.

The quirky party planned for the base of the CN Tower is even catching the attention of other cities, including Montreal, whose official X account left a comment clearly seeping with jealousy.

you guys are wild

— Montréal (@Montreal) June 21, 2026

One of the organizers, Joss Murphy, tells blogTO that the western hemisphere's tallest freestanding structure always represents Toronto, and it's time we all returned the favour.

"The CN Tower helps us celebrate every holiday, even the ones I've never heard of, but nobody ever celebrates the CN Tower itself," Murphy says.

You've got to admit, the image of hundreds of people dressed as the CN Tower while standing next to the CN Tower is incredibly funny, and would make for a killer photo-op.

This is the first lookalike contest for the six-member Wygo team, who have had tremendous success in the past, throwing fast-paced scavenger hunts across the city. 

"I'd be thrilled to see more than 200 people turn out," she says, adding that similar successful lookalike contests for Heated Rivalry have served as the model for this event.

After hearing about the contest, one resident shared photos of a previous CN Tower-inspired outfit, and if that level of creativity, enthusiasm and attention to detail is any indication, attendees are set to reach new heights on contest night.

they will never be me pic.twitter.com/ZPrl6ZpNqO

— Maša Stojanović (@masastojano) June 21, 2026

Murphy says that, on top of bragging rights and potential fame in a very niche corner of the internet, the winner of the best CN Tower costume could walk away with "a three-figure amount" in cash.

The additional budget we will be supplying for this event will be mostly for cake, so that everybody who shows up, whether or not they win the contest, can participate in the birthday party aspect of this," she explains.

Like any birthday party, there will be plenty of cake. And if there's one thing we love (yes, more than a good costume party), it's free food.

If you're feeling creatively tickled and developing what can only be described as a hot-glue gun habit, Murphy says there are a few things to consider to help your costume stand out and take home the top prize.

Decorating a bike helmet as the base of the tower, she says, is a good tip for beginners. Wiring up your costume with lights to replicate the tower's colourful illuminations is another way to go above and beyond.

"I think competing for the tallest tower is probably worthwhile," she adds. "I'd be very curious to see how tall someone can make themselves."

As for crowning a winner, Murphy says it will be up to the public to vote, and will confirm a crowdsourced voting system before the night of the event. 

I'm being 100 per cent sincere when I say I truly can't think of a better way to spend a Friday night in Toronto. It nicely blends everything I enjoy: Toronto, costumes, cake, and community building. 

If you're interested in celebrating the CN Tower's big 5-0 and participating in the contest, you can show up at the base of the tower at 7 p.m. on Friday, June 26. More info can be found on the official event page.

The CN Tower is located at 290 Bremner Blvd.