These are the top 10 must-see attractions at the 2019 CNE

No summer in Toronto is complete without paying the Canadian National Exhibition (CNE) a visit.

From August 16 to September 2 (Labour Day Monday), the annual jamboree will transform 192 acres of Toronto’s Exhibition Place into a colourful midway, complete with pavilions, rides and games, live entertainment, and plenty of outrageous eats.

Whether you’re going with your friends, with a special someone or taking your kids for the day, the CNE is an absolute summertime must. 

Here’s what to look forward to at the 2019 CNE.

When: August 16 to September 2
Price: Free with CNE admission

Free Concerts at the Bandshell

Over the course of the CNE, visitors can enjoy a range of free concerts from incredible Canadian musicians including Walk off the Earth, Rival Sons, Jann Arden, MAGIC!, Burton Cummings & Band, Buffy Sainte-Marie, and A Tribe Called Red.

When: August 16 to September 2
Time: Concert times vary by day
Where: Bandshell Park
Price: Free with CNE admission

CNE Gaming Garage

Back by popular demand! For its third year, the Gaming Garage powered by AMD returns to the CNE in a brand new timeslot. The CNE Gaming Garage powered by AMD will move to the opening weekend of the CNE (August 16 to 18) for 2019! This year it will feature Esports tournaments and Freeplay, Pinball tournaments and Freeplay, Dungeons & Dragons presented by Unite the Faction, VR, and more.

When: August 16 to 18

The furry creature that Torontonians “love to hate” make their debut at the CNE this year. Twelve, three-dimensional large fibreglass raccoons decorated by persons with disabilities will greet CNE guests by the Princess Margaret Fountain.

When: August 16 to September 2

The Canadian International Air Show

The Canadian International Air Show (CIAS) runs from August 31 to September 2, and celebrates its 70^th anniversary this year with a spectacular new show.

To salute its special anniversary, the Canadian International Air show is proud to welcome the Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team the Red Arrows as part of their North American Western Hawk 19 tour.

Also featured in the 70^th Anniversary show is another stellar aerial acrobatic jet team: the beloved Canadian Forces Snowbirds. The Snowbirds return to the CNE to electrify crowds with their extraordinary aerial manoeuvres performed by nine amazing pilots who come from across Canada.

When: August 31 to September 3
Time: 12 to 3 pm
Tickets:  On sale now

CNE Innovation Garage

Following its debut at the 2016 CNE, the CNE Innovation Garage returns this year for its fourth consecutive season — this time in a brand new timeslot. The CNE Innovation Garage will move to the middle weekend of the CNE (August 23 to 25) for 2019.

This year’s programming will once again feature a three-day Emerging Innovators Pitch Competition where the world’s most imaginative and inspiring inventors will compete for prize money including a $25,000 grand prize. The space also will include Maker Spaces, Interactive Displays and the return of  Robots @ CNE.

When: August 23 – 25
Time: 10 am to 8 pm
Location: Hall F, Enercare Centre

The EX Race

New this year! Experience an adrenaline-fueled series of amazing human feats as competitors race the clock while navigating a course of nearly impossible obstacles in The Ex Race!

Racing against the clock, the competitors must overcome a challenging series of obstacles including:

• Quintuple Steppers
• Cargo Crawl
• Salmon Ladder
• Sea of Poles
• Monkey Peg
• Warped Wall
• The Ex Sign

When: August 16 to September 2
Time: Various times
Location:  Outside, west of the Toronto Star Food Building

Oktoberfest

New this year, the CNE will stage its very own Oktoberfest on Princes’ Boulevard. Inspired by traditions started in Germany over 200 years ago, the CNE Oktoberfest brings festivities to the fair through food, performances and merriment!

Oktoberfest will also feature George Kash as he returns to the CNE to entertain visitors.

When: August 29 to September 2
Location:  Outside, along Princes’ Blvd. in front of the Enercare & Beanfield Centre

Woodstock Weekend

The three-day iconic experience, billed as “An Aquarian Experience: 3 Days of Peace and Music” opened on August 15, 1969, in a dairy farm in New York State. The event would later be known as simply “Woodstock” and became synonymous with the counterculture movement of the 1960s.

This August, the CNE celebrates the 50^th Anniversary of this legendary event with musical tributes to the iconic artists who performed at the Festival including: Janis Joplin, Creedence Clearwater, Sly and the Family Stone, The Band, Crosby Stills Nash and Young, Paul Butterfield Blues Bands, Santana, The Grateful Dead, and Jimi Hendrix. Joni Mitchell will also be featured since she wrote a song performed at Woodstock.

When: August 17 and 18
Time: 10 am to 10 pm
Location: Bandshell Park

The World According to Canada Comedy Night

New this year! A new comedy show led by Seán Cullen, the evening’s host. Head down and see some of Canada’s top comedians as they share their very Canadian take on the world at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre on Thursday, August 29.

Comedians include Ali Hassan, Derek Seguin, Arthur Simeon, and Joe Vu.

When: August 29
Time: 7 pm
Location: Queen Elizabeth Theatre
Tickets: $40 and are available online.

Daily Hive is a proud media sponsor of the 2019 Canadian National Exhibition