CNE Bandshell

The CNE Bandshell is an open-air concert pavilion located on Exhibition Place in Toronto. It features backstage facilities including dressing rooms, an office, a green room, a control room, and a sound engineering room for performances.

The pavilion was built in 1936 and replaced an earlier bandstand that had stood on the grounds since 1906. Designed in Art Deco style, it was officially inaugurated by local officials and has remained a fixture on the site ever since.

The venue serves as a gathering place for live music during the Canadian National Exhibition, drawing visitors who want to hear both local and touring musicians perform. These performances shape the cultural life of the grounds and create a space where the community comes together.

The venue can be visited during different seasons, with warmer months being the main time for performances. There is plenty of space around the pavilion for standing or sitting, and the surrounding grounds offer other attractions to explore nearby.

The structure draws design inspiration from the Hollywood Bowl and features Art Deco elements that make it architecturally distinctive. The surrounding park also contains a carillon and sculpture gardens that together create a layered cultural environment.