Upcoming Event: The PNE Fair, August 16 – September 1

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 16 through September 1 (but closed on Monday August 18 and 25), 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:

– The SuperDogs presents Wild Wild Woof: A SuperDogs Country and Western Spectacle – a dazzling show that brings the spirit of the country alive, and will have you apparently “hootin’ and hollerin’ for more”;

– Sands of Wonder – a sand sculpture showcase where you can watch artists sculpt mounds of sand into impressive sculptures right in front of you;

– I-Flip Show – this aerial show takes place on a state-of-the-art structure and includes bungee, tranp-wall, power-track and more;

– Flying Fools High Dive Show – world-class divers who plunge from as high as 80 feet in the air;

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

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

– KC Bear’s All Canadian Street Party – twice an afternoon, KC Bear leads the crowds in high-energy, family-friendly fun along Miller Drive.

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 new ThunderVolt Launch Coaster (introduced last year) 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! This year’s list hasn’t yet been unveiled, but check the site for updates closer to the Fair.

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 $59.25 (but include your general admission ticket and fees) and the line-up is stellar! This year’s acts include Bleachers, Wilco, Counting Crows, Gipsy Kings, and Meghan Trainor.

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