Upcoming Event: The PNE Fair, August 17 – September 2

It’s a Vancouver summer tradition: over the last two weeks of summer vacation, the Pacific National Exhibition fairgrounds come to life for the annual PNE Fair! Filled with rides, games, concerts and shows, agricultural exhibits, markets, and let’s not forget the fair food that spans the weird to the delicious, the PNE Fair attracts young and old from across the city, province and even further afield.

Running from August 17 through September 2 (but closed on August 19 and 26), this is a Vancouver summer experience that can’t be missed! Grab your tickets in advance to make sure you can get in and save $5 ($20 online, $25 at the gate for adults, on $15 online for midweek tickets). Your general entry ticket gives you access to the fair grounds, including the following shows:

– SuperDogs presents Hollywoof: A Night at the Pawscars – a dazzling show where the stars of the silver screens have paws, tails, and an undeniable flair for the dramatic;

– Dinosaurs Around the World – an exhibit showing how all seven continents were inhabited by a unique selection of dinosaurs;

– Two Extreme Sports Shows – catch the jaw-dropping skills of both the TNT Dunk Squad and the XPOGO Stunt Team;

– Remix Inferno – a nightly musical pyrotechnic mash-up;

– Music in the Park – with two nightly live-music shows on the Freedom Mobile Stage;

– Roadhouse in the Rollerland Building – home to the Coca-Cola Stage featuring an all-ages drag show during the day, and Dueling Pianos at night;

– ToonCity – the fair’s family-friendly stage with performances and dance parties during the day, and cartoon movies at night.

Entry to Playland, the fair’s midway, is included in your general admission, although tickets for the rides and games (or a pass) are extra. This year, the legendary wooden roller coaster is joined by the brand new ThunderVolt Launch Coaster which takes off with 1.3 Gs of acceleration before dropping a stomach-churning 18 metres!

And all of this is in addition to the agricultural attractions that have been at the heart of the fair since it started back in 1910, with riding demonstrations, a barn full of animals, and interactive exhibits. Head to the pavilions for markets and displays like Indigenous canoe carving, the Safeway cooking stage, and a Metro Vancouver regional showcase.

Let’s not forget the food! For some people, the whole point of attending the PNE Fair is the weird and wonderful snacks. If you can deep-fry it, you’ll find it! The list of this year’s vendors is has already been unveiled and includes everything from traditional hand-dipped corn dogs to sushi tacos!

Finally, to upgrade your PNE Fair experience, you can catch one of the nightly shows that are part of the Summer Night Concerts series. Concerts are in the Pacific Coliseum and tickets start at $55 (but include your general admission ticket) and the line-up is stellar! This year’s acts include Charlotte Cardin, Ludacris, Bachman Turner Overdrive, Flo Rida, Brad Paisley and Barenaked Ladies.

Ready to book your summer visit to Vancouver? Get the best deal by checking our Specials page for current promotions and offers.

Photo Credit: PNE website