August is almost over – where the heck did the summer go? Yeah, you had fun out at the lake a few times (minus the time spent tapping the brakes on the 400), but what about the rest?

Between work and driving your kids to soccer/baseball/lacrosse/dance/day camps... it slipped through your fingers like sand.

And soon, the kids will be headed back to school - yikes! So if you want to squeeze the life out of the end of summer, why not attend the Canadian National Exhibition?

That's right - after the "panini" postponed it for two years, the CNE is back. If you're not familiar, this event has created memories for generations of Toronto locals and visitors since 1879.

And even if you swore you were finished with Exhibition Place years ago, believe us - it's worth going back. Each year, the CNE reinvents itself, with fun new rides, games, live music acts, food, and exciting attractions to discover.

So what can you expect from the 2022 edition of the CNE? Keep reading and we'll fill you in on what's good.

So... What's New at the CNE?

When most people "do" an attraction or an event, they cross it off their mental to-do list. And it's understandable - the CN Tower is still the CN Tower, and Taste of the Danforth doesn't change much from year-to-year.

But the CNE is different. Every year, organizers add new attractions, rides, food vendors, and fun entertainment options. So after several years, the fair is a completely different experience.

So with that in mind, here is what's new at the Canadian National Exhibition in 2022.

Nightly Drone Shows

For over 70 years, The Canadian International Air Show has been a draw card for CNE crowds. However, the Snowbirds won't be the only aerial vehicles providing entertainment for the masses this summer.

Every night from August 19th until September 4th, more than 100 drones will take to the sky at Prince's Gate. Using coloured LED lights and astonishing acrobatics, these UAVs will put on a stunning light show.

This free event (with admission) starts at 10:45 pm nightly, so don't be late!

Sample Craft Beers and Celtic Food

Do you plan your CNE visit around food & drink? Well, if you enjoy the finer things in life, be sure to enter the CNE grounds at Prince's Gate.

Along Princes' Boulevard, one event after another dedicated to local brews and food from local restaurants will occur here.

The Mardi Gras Meet-Up & Craft Beer Festival has already wrapped up, but the Food Truck Frenzy & Craft Beer Festival (until August 29th) and the Celtic Celebration & Food Truck Festival (September 1st to September 5th) are still in play.

You can access both events for free with your CNE general admission tickets. But if you can only go to one event, we recommend the Celtic Celebration. At this event, you'll nosh on haggis and Welsh cakes, all while being treated to traditional Gaelic music and dance performances.

Try Your Luck at The Gaming Garage

Running throughout the festival, the Gaming Garage will offer gaming fans a fun respite from the heat. The CNE Casino is its biggest attraction, open daily from noon to 6AM (except on Labour Day).

At this venue, guests can play table games like Blackjack, Spanish 21, Omaha Poker, and Roulette. On top of this, gamers can register for eSports tournaments, which have a purse of $22,000 in cash prizes.

But that's not all - poker fans can put their skills to the test in the Gaming Garage's private Texas Hold'Em Poker Room. Usually, there are loads of "fun players" in these games - so you can wait for premium hands and get paid, all while enjoying this space's frosty air-conditioning.

If you want to learn about the table games or the best online gaming operators, head over to Canadian Bonusfinder.

The CNE Mainstays

New attractions keep the Canadian National Exhibition from getting stale. But it's crowd pleasers like the Canadian International Air Show that keep people coming back, year after year.

If you're new to the CNE (or if you didn't see everything last time), give these attractions a look.

The Canadian International Air Show

Since 1949, this air show has been a cornerstone of the CNE. And it's a grand spectacle - on Labour Day Weekend (September 3-5) from 12 noon to 3pm, the skies above Toronto will be filled with vintage aircraft, parachutists from the Royal Canadian Air Force and military jets like the American F-35.

But as always, the world-famous Snowbirds will steal the show. And wherever you are on the CNE grounds, you'll see them doing death-defying stunts.

But for the best vantage points, get grandstand tickets in advance ($80 for adults - be aware, this expense is on top of your general admission ticket).

The CNE Bandshell

Every CNE has its own soundtrack. And in 2022, artists like MONOWHALES, grandson, Glass Tiger, Lighthouse, Gordon Lightfoot, and Tom Cochrane will fill the Toronto night with blissful music.

The biggest shows happen at the CNE Bandshell, but numerous stages are scattered through the exhibition grounds.

And the best part? You can see them all for free with your general admission tickets! Before making any plans, check online for performance times.

Family Attractions

The CNE isn't just for teenagers and young adults - it's a great place for Toronto families too. And the Kids World area (free with your CNE admission) is a big reason why.

This part of the exhibition grounds is home to child-appropriate rides, but there's so much more to it than that. From mini-circus schools to pizza making workshops, your little rugrats won't want to leave.

But once you do escape, The Farm awaits. This exhibit, which shows off the latest advances in agriculture, contains many child-friendly attractions. It features farm animals, a corn maze, and workshops that'll teach you how to plant sunflowers.

Planning Your CNE Experience

If this is your first CNE, the experience can be a bit overwhelming. But with a little planning, you can hit all the highlights - and make it look effortless.

Buy Your Tickets Online

There's nothing more miserable than standing in line at the CNE gates on a hot day in Toronto. So avoid the CNE box office and buy your general admission passes online. In under a minute, you can have all your tickets bought.

Leave Your Car at Home (If You Can)

Even on a good day, traffic in Toronto is a mess. But on a holiday weekend, it can get ugly and totally ruin your vibe.

Besides... how can you enjoy the wine garden if you have to drive afterwards? Yup, that's what we thought.

So if you can, leave your car at home and take public transit. The CNE grounds are easily accessible by TTC and GO Transit, with multiple options that'll deposit you right at the park gates.

Take the Train...

If you're on a subway line, go downtown, then transfer to a streetcar (509 Harbourfront, 511 Bathurst, or 504B King) or GO train. From points west of Toronto, you can take the Lakeshore West line directly to the exhibition grounds, but for points east, you'll have to transfer from the Lakeshore East train to a Lakeshore West train at Union Station.

...Or the Bus

But what if you're nowhere near a streetcar or GO train? Then take a TTC bus to the exhibition grounds. Check your route online (using your preferred transit app) and ensure that the last leg is on the 29 Dufferin Bus. This way, you'll end up at the Dufferin gate.

Still Taking the Car?

And if you have to drive? There are scores of parking lots near the CNE gates - but arrive super early. Spaces are given on a first-come, first-served basis. That means they'll be full by mid-morning, so brew up that extra strong pot of coffee and leave the house before everyone else does.

Stay Cool in the CNE Heat

Even if you're new to Toronto, you already know - summers here can be long and HOT. But many fail to appreciate how punishing it can be, as they surround themselves with AC for months on end.

But at the Canadian National Exhibition, you'll be outdoors for HOURS. So how can you avoid turning into a wilted, sweat-soaked lobster?

Dress Appropriately

Wear a broad-brimmed hat to keep the sun off, and loose-fitting clothes that allow for good air transfer. Favour lighter colours, as darker shades absorb heat more readily.

Wear Sunscreen

While UV levels are lower than they were in June and July, you'll be exposed to the sun for the all dang day. Even at a UV level of 6, you can burn in under half an hour..

Apply SPF 50 once, and you should be good. But if you get wet or are sweating profusely, reapply a new layer.

Stay Hydrated

Under normal conditions, most people don't drink the recommended 8-10 glasses of water per day. But at the CNE, the heat and humidity will dramatically increase your water needs.

So keep a water bottle with you at all times, drink from it regularly, and refill it whenever it's empty.

The End of Summer is Nigh - So Live it Up at the CNE!

Don't be sad - the end of summer may be here, but you can close it out on a high note. The CNE runs until the gates close on September 5th, so don't sit on your hands - call up your friends and start making plans!