Weekend need-to-know: CNE back at Exhibition Place
Posted August 20, 2026 10:49 am.
Last Updated August 20, 2026 5:26 pm.
A busy weekend ahead is highlighted by the return of Canadian National Exhibition, an indication the summer is close to ending, so get outside and enjoy all the action.
CNE
The Canadian National Exhibition returns to Exhibition Place with more crazy food combinations, live performances and new adventures that everyone can enjoy.
You can check out details about the food here including a Kraft Dinner smoothie and deep fried s’mores.
New this year will be the CNE Space Experience that lets visitors can find out more about Canada’s role in the Artemis II mission to the moon and the future of space exploration through hands-on interactive exhibitions.
The Big Dip Hive Dive Show at the Prince’s Gates will feature performers diving into a 40,000-gallon pool from platforms up to 80 feet tall.
Meanwhile the North by Northeast stage will feature performances from Lupe Fiasco, Lights, Shaggy, Tom Cochrane and Finger Eleven.
The exhibition runs from Aug. 21 – Sept. 7 from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. everyday and tickets are available for purchase on their website.
Toronto Folk Festival
Head out to Ward’s Island this weekend to take in performances by indie artists at the Toronto Folk Festival.
The grassroots and artist-led festival will feature 25 singers and bands alongside vendors, artisans and workshops. Tickets are still available on their website, including discounted passes and the pay-what-you-can Friday Community Night.
It kicks off Aug. 21 at 3 p.m. and runs through Sunday.
SankofaFest
In its second annual festival, Sankofa Day has been rebranded into SankofaFest to celebrate the square in heart of downtown. The immersive three-day event at Sankofa Square will feature fashion, music, art and community.
It starts from August 21 at 3 p.m. with the focus on fashion, culture, and marketplace. Saturday will be the Block Party with live DJs, dancers and musical showcases highlighting Afrobeats, Dancehall, and global Afrodiasporic culture.
Community day will be Sunday focused on connection, education, and empowerment through outdoor film screenings, community art activations, and storytelling.
You can find the full schedule on the Sankofa Square website.
Toronto Korean Festival
The annual Toronto Korean Festival honours the remarkable rise of Korean culture around the world. There will be a K-Pop DJ show, Korean traditional performances, fashion show and K-beauty pavillion.
It happens to coincide with the arrival of K-Pop band BTS in Toronto for a two-night concert series. The event is happening at Mel Lastman Square from Friday to Sunday.
You can find full details here.
Mabuhay Philippines Festival
The largest celebration of Filipino culture and heritage in Canada will be taking place this weekend at Nathan Phillips Square.
The two-day Mabuhay Philippines Festival will feature Filipino music, dance, food, fashion and arts. It kicks off on Saturday and runs through Sunday.
Yorkville Murals Festival
Yorkville Avenue will be taken over by immersive outdoor art installations at the annual Yorkville Murals Festival this weekend. The third annual festival will focus on the theme: No Empty Spaces.
There will also be live painting, art talks, dance battles, pop-up shops, music, and an evening block party. It will be happening on Saturday and Sunday this weekend
TTC/GO closures
Line 2 late opening
Subway service on Line 2 between St. George and Chester stations will be replaced by shuttle buses until 11 a.m. on Sunday due to planned infrastructure maintenance.
No GO closures but most lines will have enhanced service to bring more people to the CNE.
Road closures
Weekend road closures
Gardiner Expressway
The following closures will be in effect for work on the Gardiner Expressway:
- From 11:59 p.m. until 5 a.m.:
- Thursday, August 20 to Friday, August 21, two left lanes on Lake Shore Boulevard West will be closed between Bay and York Streets
- Sunday, August 23 to Monday, August 24, two right lanes on Lake Shore Boulevard West between Bremner Boulevard and Bay Street will be closed
- Monday, August 24 to Tuesday, August 25, one right lane on Lake Shore Boulevard West will be closed between York Street and Bremner Boulevard, and one left lane of the York Street on-ramp between York Street and Bremner Boulevard will be closed.
Douglas Avenue Bridge
As of today, Douglas Avenue has been reduced to one bi-directional lane for 40 metres between Avenue Road and Sylvan Valleyway into October 2026.
Canadian National Exhibition
The annual Canadian National Exhibition is taking place from Friday, August 21 until Monday, September 7. From 5 a.m. on Saturdays to 11:59 p.m. on Sundays, and all day on Monday, September 7 until 11:59 p.m., Dufferin Street will be closed weekly south of the Dufferin Street Bridge. Signs will be in place this week to advise road users of the closures.
Yorkville Murals Festival
Yorkville Avenue will be closed to all vehicle traffic between Hazelton Avenue and Bellair Street Friday, August 21 from 7 a.m. until Sunday, August 23 at 9 p.m. for the Yorkville Murals Festival.
The Westway
Starting Friday, August 21at 9 p.m. until Saturday, August 22 at 9 a.m., The Westway will be closed for safe operation of a crane hoist between Islington Avenue and Hartsdale Drive. One westbound curb lane will be maintained.
Gerrard Street East
Eastbound lanes on Gerrard Street East from Jarvis to Church Streets will be closed on Sunday, August 23 from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. to safely hoist a vault. Westbound traffic will be maintained.
Unwin Avenue Vehicular Bridge
From 7 a.m. until 5 p.m. on Sunday, August 23, the Unwin Avenue Vehicular Bridge will be closed to vehicle traffic.
Ongoing road closures
Gardiner Expressway long-term closure
As part of the long-term construction plan on the Gardiner Expressway, a stretch of the westbound Gardiner has been reduced from four lanes to three. The westbound lane closure will stretch from Park Lawn Road to Grand Avenue in southern Etobicoke. The eastbound lanes along the same stretch will be narrowed, but with no lane reductions, from April 2025 to December 2026.
For full traffic and closure updates, click here for the latest information from 680 NewsRadio Toronto.
