The Canadian National Exhibition, popularly known as the CNE, or The Ex, is back in Toronto starting this weekend!
As summer comes to an end, we always look forward to the annual CNE to wrap summer up, the right way – with rides, food, live music, and so much more.
You can visit the CNE from August 18th to September 4th, 2023 with tickets that you can get here.
The CNE, including all of its rides, is open weekdays from 11 AM to midnight and weekends from 10 AM to midnight, allowing you plenty of time to explore and engage.
This year, there are also a ton of new exhibitions to experience including a Pink Floyd exhibit, a Silent Disco, and a Sparkling Symphony waterfront show, just to name a few.
Gather up some friends and head over to the CNE for your last summer excursion! For more details click here.
Articles You May Also Be Interested In:
Shop Reformation’s Annual Summer Sale Now
Toronto-Based Brand Ahiri Drops Its New Fall Collection
Aritzia Collaborates With ASICS On Gel-Kayano 14 Sneakers
Canadians Can Now Shop Princess Polly At Boathouse
Hero Cosmetics Has Officially Launched In Canada
Shop Rare Luxury Sneaker And Streetwear At This New Toronto Shop
A Brand New Sephora Location Is Opening In Toronto
If the news of the CNE being cancelled has got you down, then this ought to cheer you right back up. While there isn’t a way to experience the fun of a Ferris wheel in a socially distant way, you can still take in the deliciousness of carnival food like you’d get at the CNE thanks to a new outdoor food market.
El Mercado TO officially opens on May 23 and will be located at 884 Queen Street East on the Barrio patio
Wondering what you can expect to be indulging in at this food market? Think fried candy bars, roasted corn, dill churros, burritos, smoothies, margaritas, pineapple whip, and avocado, pickle, and coconut soft serve.
That’s not all because you can also purchase fresh produce here, too as well as tacos, guac, chips, and more.
All foods will be prepared in advance and masks are mandatory if you want to get in. If you don’t have a mask, one can be purchased for $2.
In addition to those safety precautions, all employees will be outfitted in face shields and a maximum of five people will move in one direction to allow for social distancing.
There will also be hand sanitation stations throughout the market.
According to BlogTO, this market is a brilliant collab between Barrio and a concession company that travels to various festivals and fairs whose 2020 season has been cancelled due to COVID-19.
Articles You May Also Be Interested In:
The 15 Best Restaurants For Pizza Delivery In Toronto & The GTA
The 2020 Canadian National Exhibition Has Officially Been Cancelled
Toronto Malls Are Reopening Select Stores This Week
Select Retail Businesses Are Allowed To Reopen Next Week In Ontario
20 Of The Best Places To Get Dessert Delivery In Toronto
If you were looking forward to getting your hands on carnival food, then you’ll have to wait until next year. It’s just been confirmed that the 2020 Canadian National Exhibition or “The Ex” as its lovingly referred to has been cancelled.
This is the first time since WWII that the CNE has been cancelled but with the current COVID-19 pandemic we’re all facing, it unfortunately makes sense.
Rumours about the events fate have been circulating for weeks but the news was confirmed on May 12 after an email to event vendors appeared on Reddit.
“Safety always comes first at the CNE, and the decision to cancel our event is the right decision during this critical time to protect the health of all Canadians,” said Canadian National Exhibition Association (CNEA) president John Kiru in an email.
The CNE was supposed to run from August 21 to September 7 but event organizers say that they’re planning to bring the fun of the fair through creative and innovative ways.
Adding salt to wound is the news that the Canadian International Air Show has cancelled its 2020 show which usually takes place annually over Lake Ontario on Labour Day Weekend during the final three days of the CNE.
Articles You May Also Be Interested In:
The Hot Docs Festival In Toronto Will Be Available Online This Year
Eataly Toronto Has Just Launched DIY Pizza And Pasta Kits
9 Toronto Restaurants Offering Half-Price Wine Deals For Delivery & Pickup
Toronto Malls Are Re-Opening Select Stores This Week
Popular Camera Store Henry’s Plans On Closing Stores
There are so many reasons to get excited about going to the CNE and food is definitely one of them! If you haven’t checked out the CNE yet, there’s no shortage of wild and imaginative food combinations.
This year, Tim Hortons created a variety of treats specifically for the festival. In true CNE spirit, the Tim Hortons food lineup features beloved Canadian favourites with a unique twist and is available exclusively at the CNE. Everything from cola timbits to donut poutine are among some of the wacky and creative food combinations presented at the festival.
Try them out before they’re gone!
-
Cola Timbits – Always wondered what a cola infused timbit tastes like? Now’s your chance!
-
Fruity Timbits – “Froot Loop” flavoured timbits. A truly fruit-tastic combination.
-
Donut Poutine – Donuts made into the shape of fries, drenched in caramel sauce and topped with decadent white chocolate chips. A twist on a Canadian classic and tasty, need we say more?
-
Ice Cream Float – Drawn from a classic, we all know and love, Guests have a choice of orange soda or cola topped with a refreshing scoop of ice cream.
-
Cola Iced Capp – This is exactly what you think it is! It’s an exciting cola twist on one of Canada’s favourite refreshing summertime drinks at Tim Hortons. Pair it with a Cola Timbit.
-
Ice Cream Sandwich – Looking for a yummy traditional treat? This ice cream sandwich features creamy vanilla ice cream sandwiched between two fresh chocolate chips cookies.
-
Ice Cream Donut Sandwich – A honey dip donut filled with rich and creamy vanilla ice cream. Some could say this one is a match made in heaven.
Have you tried any of these treats? Let us know in the comments.
Marking the end of summer (so sad), the Canadian National Exhibition (CNE) has officially kicked off in all of its ride, games, and – of course – food-filled glory.
When it comes to the gourmet grub at the CNE, you’ll find no shortage of calorie-packed (but so worth it), creative, and totally Instagram-worthy options.
Here’s a peek at some of our favourites.
All the Gold Goodness
Making for like-worthy social media material this year, you can expect gold leaf-covered indulgences, like the Gold Burger (which will set you back a cool $100) from Bacon Nation or the Gold Ice Cream from Eative.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BmhViRYjEiZ/?tagged=cne
The Cookie Dough Supreme
If you aren’t afraid of calories, opt for the Cookie Dough Supreme by OG Chimneys, made exclusively for the CNE. This ultimate dessert features edible birthday cake dough and a cream cheese icing spread, topped with house-made white chocolate sauce, a cookie, and sprinkles, all inside a freshly baked graham Chimney Cone.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BmhL6CFB8nM/?tagged=cne
Tim Horton’s Donut Poutine
It doesn’t get more Canadian than poutine or a Tim Horton’s doughnut – combined. Celebrate the tastes of our home and native land at the CNE with a Donut Poutine from Tim Horton’s. You can expect donuts made into the shape of fries, drenched in caramel sauce and topped with decadent white chocolate chips.
Exclusively at the @LetsGoToTheEX Tim Hortons Food Building.
Donut Poutine
Cola Iced Capp
Ice Cream Donut Sandwich#cne2018 #CNE #mytimhortons #icedcapp #donuts #poutine pic.twitter.com/ma8BVLeFjv
— MyTimHortons (@MyTimHortons) August 15, 2018
Korean Fried Frogs Legs
Get as adventurous with the food as you do with the rides with interesting food choices in the Food Building like the Korean Fried Frogs Legs from Farm to Fryer (who, by the way, also offer things like comforting Mac and Cheetos Popsicles).
https://www.instagram.com/p/BmkMQNUA4Ww/?taken-by=farmtofryer
S’More Fried Chicken Sandwich
If you can’t quite decide between sweet or savoury or are simply feeling like a blast of both, head over to the Heartbreak Chef booth for their (incredible looking) S’More Fried Chicken Sandwich. This one is guaranteed to hit the spot.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BmjBA0jgk7p/?taken-by=theheartbreakchef
The Candy Land Milkshake
Tap into your inner child in with the ridiculously over-the-top Candy Land Milkshake from longtime Toronto diner Frans. If you don’t splurge on one for the sugar rush, do so for the Instagram op. This shake definitely defines “eye candy.”
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bmg4_IJhaqT/?hl=en&tagged=letsgototheex
The Vegan Frites Extreme
Dutch Frites returns again with the crowd-pleasing Vegan Frites Extreme. The highly addictive fries are topped with a 100 per cent vegan mayo that is made in-house daily without animal or meat-based products.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BmWGPrHAcZx/?hl=en&taken-by=dutchfrites
Deep Fried Cheese Curds
The only thing better than cheese curds are gooey, deep-fried cheese curds. Once again, guests can mow down on Hong Kong-style “toast curds” from King of Curds, topped with peanut butter, condensed milk, and a chunk of butter.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BmlY4zfAgyg/?hl=en&taken-by=thekingofcurds
Chocolate Banana Steakclair
Another over-the-top indulgence can be found at Philthy Philly’s on the midway. If you think you can handle it, the Chocolate Banana Steakclair features steak, provolone cheese, banana slices, chocolate sauce, and whipped cream – all stacked on a chocolate éclair doughnut. Yikes.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BmjCGnQgL9C/?hl=en&taken-by=philthyphillys
Are you going to the CNE this summer? Share with us in the comment section.
Featured image: Instagram/ @letsgototheex
Now that the CNE has rolled into town and the Labour Day Weekend plans are made, it’s safe to say that the sweltering (but pretty amazing) summer of 2018 is wrapping up.
But there are still two weeks to make the most out of every last second of it in Toronto. Here’s how…
LOL at a Castle
You can get your live comedy fix in a castle each Wednesday night for the rest of August. Toronto’s famed Casa Loma has partnered with Just for Laughs for ‘Comedy at the Castle,’ featuring live comedy acts from some of the best in the business, with a side of gourmet bites and a stunning backdrop. The shows take place every Wednesday at 7:30 pm until August 29.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BmPRJL5nDZX/?hl=en&taken-by=casalomatoront
Catch a Concert
You’re not going to be too happy with yourself if you let the summer slip away without enjoying a lakeside, outdoor concert at the breezy Budweiser Stage. Live Nation has brought some notable artists to grace the stage in the remainder of the season, including Miranda Lambert and Little Big Town on August 23, 311 & The Offspring on August 28, Counting Crows on August 29 (oh, the nostalgia), and Ozzy Osbourne on September 4.
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bmmh-v8A5HW/?hl=en&taken-by=budweiserstage
Party Under the Gardiner
If you have yet to check out The Bentway – an impressive public space initiative underneath the forever-controversial Gardiner Expressway – the best time to do so is this coming weekend. To celebrate the completion of Phase One of the project, The Bentway will host ‘The Bentway Block Party’ on Saturday (August 25), an all-day celebration featuring live music, performances, food, and no shortage of photo ops.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BmsxkypAq1C/?hl=en&taken-by=thebentway
Reserve a Spot at a New Restaurant
Some notable new, talking point-filled restaurants have opened up shop in Toronto this summer. Places like Yorkville’s art-filled new Italian spot Sofia Restaurant, as well as Michelin Star-Awarded Don Alfonso’s new Toronto location (the former Rosewater), have become quick favourites among Toronto’s in-the-know set. Changing up the clean eating game in the St. Lawrence Market neighbourhood is the brand new, completely elevated Fresh Restaurants location, which features Instagram-worthy interiors, a refined dining experience, and all the Fresh goodness (including their new craft cocktails) you know and love.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BmcHNPznvnl/?hl=en&taken-by=freshrestaurants
Sip Cider at an Apple Orchard
Take a mini country getaway to round out your weekend, and head to Chudleigh’s Apple Farm. While traditionally reserved for the fall, the farm continues to host their Summer Cider Nights on Friday and Saturday nights until the end of August. The event – which would make for a cute date night – features live music, food, wagon rides, a new bar and restaurant area, no shortage of the new Chudleigh’s Hard Cider, and more.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BlwdcuoFZwj/?taken-by=chudleighsfarm
Shake Off Summer at a Spa
Let’s face it; the Tuesday after Labour Day is the real start to the New Year, so you may as well start fresh. Scrub away that dead summer skin, soothe your summer workout routine muscles, or rejuvenate your pores as you kiss the summer goodbye with a spa day. This doesn’t have to break the bank either; longtime Toronto wellness staple Elmwood Spa has all kinds of specials to take advantage of before the fall rolls around.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BmLwGdkgGpu/?hl=en&taken-by=elmwoodspa
Have a Sunday Funday in Kensington Market
Hit Kensington Market on August 26 for their last official Pedestrian Sundays of the summer. Helping your post-brunch Sunday Funday cause, the streets in hippie haven Kensington Market are closed to cars and filled with musicians, performers, local vendors, and artists on the last Sunday of each month.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BmBQzNTAl9v/?tagged=pedestriansundays
Eat (and Snap) Creative Creations at the CNE
If you don’t hit the Canadian National Exhibition for the rides and midway games, do so for the link-worthy, over-the-top culinary creations, like gold-coated burgers and ice cream, a very Canadian Donut Poutine from Tim Horton’s, colourful and candy-packed Fran’s milkshakes, and Farm to Flyer’s Korean Fried Frogs Legs.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BmmBVx2hoID/?hl=en&taken-by=letsgototheex
Featured image: Instagram/ @holmes_pr
Posts you might be interested in:
10 Reasons To Travel To Northern Vancouver Island This Summer
The Top 5 Locations in Ontario To Visit Before Summer Ends
7 Summer Date Ideas to Take Around Toronto
This Road Trip Through 11 Ontario Islands is the Most Epic Summer Adventure
10 Places to Take Out-of-Towners This Summer in Toronto
Toronto’s most popular annual family end of the summer event, the Canadian National Exhibition (CNE), surpasses itself every year, with the latest and greatest in things to see, do, and taste. This year’s event, from August 17 to September 3, is no exception. Packed with thrilling rides, live music, gaming competitions, and outrageous food combos, the CNE, known as the Ex, is fun for every age group.
What are the top things to see and do at this year’s EX?
The Gaming Garage is back for the second year in a row. From August 24-26, it’s a three-day showcase of the latest in gaming and gaming competition, free with your CNE admission. Win a cash prize as you show off your skills against hundreds of other gamers at the open eSports and Pinball competition. Not up for competing? Then stroll around and check out the featured exhibitions and meet video game developers. You can also play board games with your friends at the interactive Tabletop Gaming Library. Updates will be posted at #CNEGamingGarage.
Who doesn’t love the classic Ford Mustang car? It’s been one of the most sought-after cars since 1964, and the Ex will feature 50 vintage ones on Princes’ Boulevard, close to the Automotive Building (now the Beanfield Centre). Travel back in automotive time as you sip a cocktail from the bar from August 20-23, and see why Mustang has retained its magic through the years.
If seafood and dancing are more your style, tap your toes to fiddle music as you celebrate the Canadian Maritimes from August 18-19. This old-fashioned East Coast Kitchen Party features oyster shucking, craft brews, and cuisine from the sea.
Experience a truly magical event when you attend the world’s largest indoor Chinese lantern festival. The massive Light Festival will be located in Hall D of the Enercare Centre during the entire time of the festival. Expect 16 illuminated installations that will create a stunning kaleidoscope of light and beauty!
Ghost lovers are in for a treat with the CNE Ghost Walks, a new addition to the CNE Heritage Walking Tour, which guides visitors through The Ex’s rich 139-year history. These one-hour tours, starting at the Princes’ Gates, feature the darker historical events in and around Exhibition Place and end at the historic Scadding Cabin. Get spooked with your friends at the CNE at this memorable tour.
Thrill seekers can ooh and aah at the gravity-defying aerial stunts at the Canadian International Air Show, from September 2-4. Now in its 69th year, you can also learn about the latest in aviation technology, as well as get wowed watching the acrobatics of Canada’s own Snowbirds.
Source: SeeTorontoNow.com
Featured Image: Instagram/@curiocitytoronto
Are you going to the Canadian National Exhibition this year? Let us know in the comments!
Posts you may be Interested in:
The Canadian National Exhibition Has A Special Deal For Weekdays
A Sneak Peek At All The Gourmet Grub at the CNE
Canada’s Wonderland Is Making Their Biggest Investment Ever In Massive New Rollercoaster
Huge Entertainment Centre With A Casino And Hotel Opening Up Near Toronto
The Brand New Annex Food Hall Is Opening Next Month
With August over halfway done, the Canadian National Exhibition has just begun and will continue with events, rides, and games until September 3rd. In case you missed the discount for opening day, the EX summer experience has an incredible weekday deal that will keep you happy until Labour Day.
Regular tickets are currently $19.99, but admission on weekday evenings is less than half price at just $9 per person. If you head to the CNE after 5 pm Monday to Thursday, you can save extra money to spend on rides and extravagant food.
The event is bigger and better than ever, with an Asian Night Market, a silent disco, flip-flop sculptures, the world’s largest indoor lantern festival “featuring 17 illuminated large-scale art installations on display daily inside the Enercare Centre” and lots more to check out.
You can also expect old favourites like the Aerial Acrobatics & Ice Skating Show and the CNE Bandshell including headliners at the Bandshell like Blood, Sweat & Tears, Dennis DeYoung and the music of STYX, Nancy Wilson of Heart, The Trews, Bedouin Soundclash, Marianas Trench and more.
Featured Image: Instagram/@erik_e
Source: Dailyhive.ca
Have you been to The Ex before? Let us know in the comments.
Posts you may be Interested in:
Huge Entertainment Centre With A Casino And Hotel Opening Up Near Toronto
16 FREE Events Going On In Toronto This August
It’s Going to be Hella Easy to Get to Muskoka This August Thanks to GO Transit
The Largest Asian Shopping Centre Will Be In Markham
The Brand New Annex Food Hall Is Opening Next Month