The CNE is back in Toronto for 2024 and so it's once again time to celebrate the end of summer!

The cherished tradition has been a summertime staple in the city ever since 1879, and with every coming year it only seems to get bigger, better and more outrageous.

Before you plan your 2024 trip to the CNE, it's integral to get up to speed on everything that's going on at the exhibition this year to ensure maximum enjoyment. 

Whether you're all about trying the outrageous foods on offer this year or are a thrill seeker heading straight to the midway, here's everything you can expect to see, eat and do at the CNE 2024.

Food

Sometime good, sometimes bad, sometimes downright scary — the food options at the CNE historically run the gamut from carnival classics like corn dogs and cotton candy to more... unique offerings. Who could forget last year's ketchup and mustard-flavoured soft serve?

The food at this year's CNE is no exception, with local restaurants pulling no punches when it comes to loading up their menus with colourful, creative and utterly unique dishes.

The outrageous food at the CNE is a draw year after year. Photo by Fareen Karim.

Bacon Nation, for example, is offering a bacon cheeseburger that uses peanut butter and jelly Uncrustables in lieu of buns this year which is, shockingly, one of the more reasonable options.

If mega-sized food is your thing, there are a number of larger-than-life dishes you can get your hands on this year.

In the Food Building, Bombay Spice Street is serving a goliath 12-inch samosa, while Pancho's Bakery is sizing them up with a 15-inch donut.

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Searching for something sweet and savoury? The Taylor Swift-themed deep fried cheese curds that come topped with cotton candy might just satisfy your cravings, or you could opt for the Fruity Pebbles-encrusted chicken tenders at Lucky Chicken.

Rides and Games

While the mere sight of the CNE's somewhat rickety rides is enough to put a pit in the stomachs of some (such as myself), there's also a funny comfort knowing that you can expect the same midway strongholds year after year.

The infamous Polar Express, for example, will be back once again, alongside other classics like the iconic Swing Tower, the Euro Slide, Pharoah's Fury and the Double Decker Merry-Go-Round.

The Super Wheel was a crowd favourite at last year's CNE, and it's back for 2024. Photo by Fareen Karim.

After smashing popularity with its inaugural appearance in 2023, the Super Wheel — the tallest travelling Ferris wheel in North America —will also be back this year, casting you 150-feet in the sky inside of enclosed, air conditioned observation pods.

Ride tickets are available for purchase at kiosks located all throughout the grounds, or you can opt to spring for an Advance Sale Ride All Day Pass, which allows you unlimited access to rides for $44.25. If you plan on spending your day swinging, spinning, spiralling and swooping, it's definitely the most economical option for you.

Midway games are a quintessential element of the CNE each year. Photo by Fareen Karim.

Much like the rides, the games on the midway also never really seem to change — the only thing that's different today from the good-ol'-days is that a number of booths allow you to tap your credit or debit cards to play rather than being cash or token only.

No need to hit the ATM before you win yourself a giant stuffed Minion!

Entertainment

When you need a break from the eating, playing and riding, there are a slew of fun attractions, performances and exhibitions around the CNE that you can visit and watch.

Every year, the CNE is home to exclusive exhibits that you can explore when it's time to get out of the sun, and this year is no exception.

This summer, you can check out an exhibit on the History of Television from the MZTV Museum of Television, a mini-exhibit called Hidden Histories that shows unseen photos from the past 145 years of the CNE and an immersive exhibit called 6ix Dimensions, that blends light and music to a totally trippy effect.

Bandshell Park is home to concerts that are free to attend for CNE ticket-holders every night of the fair, and this year's concert series boasts a stacked lineup featuring the likes of Sloan, Bahamas, MacKenzie Porter, Down With Webster, Born Ruffians and Half Moon Run, to name only a few.

You can view the complete schedule and lineup for the Bandshell Park concert series through the CNE's website.

Events

There are a number of signature events that take place over the course of. the fair that add some extra excitement to your visit.

Perhaps the most iconic (and loud) of all is the Canadian International Air Show, wherein rare and vintage air crafts manned by the most elite pilots in the country will soar over the city with dazzling tricks between noon and 3:40 p.m. Aug 31 through Sep 2.

The Canadian International Air Show is celebrating its 75th year at the CNE.

You'll also be able to catch ESports competitions at the Gaming Garage (Enercare Centre), try your luck at the all-too-popular CNE casino 

At 1:30, 3:30 and 5:30 p.m. daily, the fair is hosting an Ex Games half pipe show which will feature some of the best athletes in skateboarding, BMX and in-line skating such as Andy Macdonald, Eito & Takeshi Yasutoko, Coco Zurita, Paul-Luc Ronchetti, and Zach Newman showing off their best skills.

At 2:30, 4:30 and 6:30 daily, Classic Championship Wrestling enters the ring, with WWE Hall of Fame legends like Jimmy Hart, Tito Santana and Jacques Rougeau all slated to make an appearance.

Operating at various times every day, the iconic SuperDogs return to the CNE this year with a special Hollywood-themed set featuring some of the sweetest, smartest and sassiest pups in Ontario.

The CNE also features a brand-new attraction on the waterfront this year, called Aquarama, where world-champion water-skiiers and athletes showcase their skills with a series of jaw-dropping stunts and tricks, running Aug 16 through 18 and 23 through 25 at 2:30, 4:30 and 6:30 p.m.

Head to the Beach Bar Stage from 7 to 10 p.m. on Aug 20 through 27 and you can break it down at a Silent Disco where you get to be the master of your own playlist, or opt to catch Action! a movie-themed aerial and acrobatic ice skating show at Coca Cola Collesium daily at 2 and 5 p.m.

The Midway opens at 11 a.m. on weekdays and 10 a.m. on weekends. Photo by Hector Vasquez.

Tickets and Hours

The CNE 2024 runs from Friday, August 16 to Monday, September 2, so you have plenty of time to get in on the fun (and go back for more) this year.

Advance tickets are available at a discounted rate online before the fair kicks off, priced at $22.12 for a General Admission pass or $44.45 for a Ride All Day pass.

Once the fair begins, you'll be able to purchase tickets either online or in-person at the Exhibition Gates at a price of $26.55 for adults, $22.12 for seniors (65 and up) and children (5 to 13). Children four and below get in for free.

If you happen to be a Presto Card-holder, you can also score an additional discount on your ticket.

The fair gates open at 10 a.m. and close at 10 p.m. every day, with the exception of Labour Day, when gates close at 5 p.m. The grounds stay open until midnight each day, but on Labour Day they, too, will close down early at 9 p.m.

The adult midway, which includes rides and games, opens at 11 a.m. on weekdays and 10 a.m. on weekends, closing at midnight.

Getting there

It's no secret that travelling around Toronto — particularly when something that draws such major crowds is happening — can tend to be a headache, but luckily there are ways to work around it.

GO Train service will be increased along the Lakeshore West and East lines from Aug 16 until Sep 2 to keep things moving smoothly, alongside increased TTC service on Dufferin bus routes and the 509 Harbourfront and 511 Bathurst streetcar routes.

The TTC will also have a shuttle bus running between Bathurst and Dufferin stations and the Exhibition grounds to get you there without having to suffer through finding parking in the area.