Canadian National Exhibition Foundation — Attraction in Toronto

Oh man oh man. I've been living here for almost a decade and never quite got around to visiting the CNE. I used to walk past it on my way to Budweiser Stage for shifts, always seeing the fair from the outside and thinking, “Someday, I’ll check it out.” I finally did, and honestly, I should’ve gone back during my transit days, because the parking situation is an absolute nightmare. Traffic was hands down the worst I’ve ever experienced. Cars were just going in circles or standing still on major streets, all trying to find parking. No guidance, no structure, just chaos. If you’re planning to visit, do yourself a favor and take transit. It’s the only way to survive getting there. Now, the fair itself looks great, and of course, it’s crowded, that’s to be expected. The food is expensive (again, expected), but what really caught me off guard was how poorly the lines for the rides were managed. There were no barriers, no staff guiding anything, just masses of people trying to figure out where to go. We lined up for what we thought was the Ferris wheel, only to find out it wasn’t. And line-cutting? Rampant. No one said a word. I still remember one moment that stuck with me. It was August 31st around 7:46 PM. A tall lady in a purple and white dress with two little kids blatantly cut the line for the Ferris wheel. To that lady, do better. I wonder how many others were doing the same for the popular cable ride. It really took away from the experience. The rides and games are what you’d expect from a carnival. Fun and addictive, especially if you’re chasing one of those stuffed animals. But the prices are getting out of hand. Ten dollars gets you 14 tickets, 30 gets you 56, and as the day goes on, the ticket requirements for each ride go up. You either have to go early or drop a small fortune if you want to try more than a couple of rides. That said, the CNE does have its charms. The food options are wild and over-the-top in a good way. There are random little booths selling everything from massages to weird trinkets, and once the sun sets, the entire place looks way better under the lights. It’s a shame it closes at 10 PM, because the vibe at night is honestly the best part. If you’re thinking of going, here’s what I’ll say. Take transit. Go early. Expect crowds and confusion. Be ready to spend more than you thought you would. And try to enjoy the madness for what it is. It’s one of those things you probably should do once, just so you know what it’s all about but don’t be surprised if it leaves you both amazed and...

Going to the CNE is an end of summer break yearly tradition. I’ve been going for 15+ years. CNE is exactly what you’d expect - carnival games, rides and food. Don’t miss out on the staples like grilled corn, Tiny Tom Donuts, ice cream waffles, lemonade and so much more. There are always the really crazy food items to try every year like deep fried Oreos and things like that. You will also find several water bottle refill stations throughout the grounds. On Labour Day weekend you also get the bonus of the free Air Show going on overhead. There are various free shows you can attend - the Super Dogs is a personal favourite. The ice skating show is good too and you can’t miss out on visiting the farm animals. There are tons of vendor booths all over selling everything from food to clothes to house wares to electronics. There are also freebies to be had throughout the grounds although there was less this year than in years past. Over the years the quality of everything at CNE has improved. But so have the prices of everything gone up too - entrance fee, parking, rides, food, games, etc. On weekends it’s almost always really crowded and is more so in late afternoon into evening. At night it’s really nice atmosphere with all the carnival and ride lights and the smell of food. On Labour Day weekend 2024 it took us 1-hour+ to get into the Enercare Parking garage and paid $40 for the day. If you can take public transit I would recommend it. Overall, it’s a lot more expensive than it used to be but it’s still a really fun time and tons of things to do...

The CNE is like Toronto decided to host a giant fever dream powered entirely by sugar, deep fryers, and questionable life choices — and honestly? I loved every second.

First off, the food. They have EVERYTHING. Want a pickle wrapped in bacon dipped in chocolate? Done. A fried Oreo inside a funnel cake smothered in ice cream and regret? Absolutely. At one point I’m pretty sure I blacked out holding a $27 slushy in one hand and a turkey leg the size of my forearm in the other, wondering if this is what peak human existence feels like. Spoiler: it is.

Then there’s the people. The crowds are insane — it’s like all of Ontario collectively decided, “Yeah, let’s sweat together in August while eating butter on a stick.” Families, couples, teenagers trying to win stuffed animals bigger than their future apartments — everyone’s here. And you WILL run into at least three people you went to high school with but never wanted to see again.

And the things to do? Forget it. Too many to list. Carnival rides that make you question gravity. Sand sculptures that are way too impressive (who hurt that guy?). Axe throwing. Wrestling matches in the middle of the day for no reason. An entire building dedicated to butter sculptures. The CNE is basically a mash-up of 37 different festivals crammed into one chaotic Canadian wonderland.

By the end, I was full, broke, sunburnt, and deliriously happy. Would I do it again next year? 100%. Would my arteries survive? Doubtful.

Final thought: The Ex isn’t just an event. It’s a lifestyle. A loud, sweaty,...