Gates open at CNE to kick off massive 2026 summer fair

The Canadian National Exhibition is officially open, with guests streaming into the country’s largest fair on Friday morning.

The iconic annual event, with carnival rides and unique foods, takes place near Toronto’s waterfront until Sept. 7 and is expected to welcome thousands of visitors.

This year, Grace Mangos was the first person to enter the CNE , having waited since 6:30 p.m. on Thursday to get into the annual summer festival.

“This year on my bucket list was to come and be the first one in line —and I am,” Mangos told Global News.

Now in its 147th year, the CNE is pushing the envelope this year with more unique foods and fairground rides.

Among the offerings for 2026 are a Kraft Dinner smoothie, nitrogen-infused Oreo treats and pickle-flavoured coffee.

“Toronto is one of the greatest food cities in the world and so we take our responsibility really seriously to be a big part of that,” Mark Holland, CEO of the fair, said Wednesday at a preview of the event.

“There’s so much creativity that goes into this. The folks that we work with, I love seeing what they come up with and a lot of it is actually super delicious.”

The fair will also feature musical performances, demonstrations and shopping.