What to know
- The CNE returns to Exhibition Place from Aug. 21 to Sept. 7.
- More than a dozen artists, including JoJo, Shaggy, Lupe Fiasco, Finger Eleven and Tom Cochrane, will headline the Bell SOUNDSTAGE at the Bandshell.
- More than half of this year’s performers are Canadian as the historic Bandshell celebrates its 90th anniversary.
- All Bell Soundstage concerts are included with CNE admission.Two headline acts are still being kept secret, with the CNE promising a surprise international artist and a country co-headliner.
JoJo, Shaggy and Lupe Fiasco among stars headlining free CNE concerts this summer. Toronto music fans will have plenty of reasons to stick around after the rides this summer.
The Canadian National Exhibition has unveiled the lineup for its 2026 Bell Soundstage concert series, bringing a mix of international stars and Canadian favourites to Exhibition Place between Aug. 21 and Sept. 7.
This year’s free concert series includes Grammy-winning singer JoJo, reggae icon Shaggy, rapper Lupe Fiasco, rock bands Finger Eleven and Glass Tiger, alongside Canadian artists including Tom Cochrane, Charlotte Day Wilson, Matthew Good and His Band, Lights, Dallas Smith, Silverstein and The Trews.
All performances are included with general CNE admission.
More than half the lineup is Canadian
The CNE says this year’s lineup puts a special focus on Canadian artists as the historic Bandshell celebrates its 90th anniversary.
Canadian acts make up more than half of this year’s headliners, with performances from Glass Tiger, Finger Eleven, Bif Naked and Bran Van 3000, Charlotte Day Wilson, Virginia to Vegas, Matthew Good and His Band, Dallas Smith, Tom Cochrane and others.
The lineup also reflects Toronto’s multicultural music scene, with performers spanning pop, hip-hop, country, alternative rock, soca and Punjabi music.
Among the international acts making their CNE debut are JoJo, Raf-Saperra and Alison Hinds, while longtime fan favourite Dr. Jay’s Soca Night returns on Sept. 6 with Alison Hinds, Edwin Yearwood, Rupee and DJ Puffy.
Two surprise acts are still to come
The full lineup hasn’t been revealed just yet.
The CNE says it will announce a surprise international headliner for Aug. 28 in partnership with Billboard Canada, while Rolling Stone Canada will reveal a country-rock artist joining Dallas Smith on Aug. 31.
Full Bell SOUNDSTAGE lineup
Aug. 21: Lupe Fiasco
Aug. 22: Lights
Aug. 23: Shaggy
Aug. 24: Virginia to Vegas
Aug. 25: Glass Tiger
Aug. 26: Bif Naked & Bran Van 3000
Aug. 27: The Trews
Aug. 28: Surprise international headliner
Aug. 29: JoJo
Aug. 30: Matthew Good and His Band
Aug. 31: Dallas Smith + surprise co-headliner
Sept. 1: Charlotte Day Wilson
Sept. 2: Finger Eleven
Sept. 3: Silverstein
Sept. 4: Raf-Saperra
Sept. 5: Tom Cochrane
Sept. 6: Dr. Jay’s Soca Night featuring Alison Hinds, Edwin Yearwood, Rupee and DJ Puffy
This is the paragraph that elevates the story beyond a lineup announcement:
The Bandshell has been one of the CNE’s signature attractions for decades, hosting generations of Canadian and international performers. Unlike many summer concert series, Bell Soundstage performances are included with CNE admission, making them one of Toronto’s largest free live music offerings each year.
This year’s lineup arrives after a summer of major live events across Toronto, including the FIFA World Cup celebrations, with the CNE serving as one of the city’s final marquee festivals before Labour Day.
