Here is every musical act playing at the CNE Bandshell this year for free, Canada Reviews

The Canadian National Exhibition (CNE) is pumping up the volume for its 147th edition with a 2026 concert lineup featuring Canadian music legends, international hit makers, and cool new global artists. The beloved CNE Bandshell will host free concerts throughout the fair’s run from Aug. 21 to Sept. 7.

The lineup celebrates the 90th anniversary of the historic venue, a stage that has welcomed generations of CNE lovers to watching legendary performers and continues to be one of the city’s most recognizable summer concert destinations.

More than half of the 2026 headliners are Canadian artists.

The 2026 CNE lineup features some of the country’s most recognizable names in music, including Glass Tiger, who we could never forget even when they’re gone. And, Finger Eleven, whose hit “Paralyzer” became a huge global hit and earned the band a JUNO Award for Rock Album of the Year.

Other Canadian highlights include the multi-platinum and wonderfully tattooed artist Bif Naked, Montreal collective Bran Van 3000, known for “Drinking in LA,” and Matthew Good and His Band.

Toronto R&B artist Charlotte Day Wilson, country star Dallas Smith, The Trews, Silverstein, Lights, and Canadian rock icon Tom Cochrane round out the homegrown talent.

Grammy Award-winning rapper Lupe Fiasco will open the concert series on Aug. 21, while global reggae-pop superstar Shaggy, who seems to really like Ontario, takes the stage Aug. 23.

Singer, songwriter, and actress JoJo will make her CNE debut on Aug. 29.

UK-born Punjabi hip hop artist Raf-Saperra will headline Sept. 4.

The festival’s popular Soca Night returns Sept. 6 with a Caribbean celebration featuring Barbados music ambassadors including Alison Hinds, Edwin Yearwood, Rupee, and DJ Puffy.

2026 CNE Concert Schedule

Bell SOUNDSTAGE at the Bandshell

• August 21: Lupe Fiasco
• August 22: Lights
• August 23: Shaggy
• August 24: Virginia to Vegas
• August 25: Glass Tiger
• August 26: Bif Naked and Bran Van 3000
• August 27: The Trews
• August 28: Surprise international headliner presented by Billboard Canada
• August 29: JoJo
• August 30: Matthew Good and His Band
• August 31: Dallas Smith with surprise co-headliner presented by Rolling Stone Canada
• September 1: Charlotte Day Wilson
• September 2: Finger Eleven
• September 3: Silverstein
• September 4: Raf-Saperra
• September 5: Tom Cochrane
• September 6: Dr. Jay’s Soca Night featuring Alison Hinds, Edwin Yearwood, Rupee and DJ Puffy

There will be no concert on Labour Day, September 7, when the CNE closes early at 5 p.m.

All bandshell performances are included with regular CNE admission, making the concert series one of Toronto’s biggest free music events of the summer.

The 147th annual Canadian National Exhibition runs August 21 to September 7, 2026, at Exhibition Place in Toronto.