NXNE Announces Major Programming Partnership With The Canadian National Exhibition (CNE)

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NXNE is teaming up with another beloved Toronto summer institution: the Canadian National Exhibition. The music festival will deliver an extraordinary lineup of both established headliners and breakthrough emerging artists across the CNE's iconic stages, including a brand new dedicated NXNE Stage.

Festivalgoers at this year’s 31st edition of NXNE will be invited to participate in the “X Marks The EX” campaign to pick their favourite bands to perform at The EX from August 21 to September 7, 2026.

Select acts will also be featured as part of the inaugural “Road to the CNE” showcase at NXNE, which takes place June 10-14.

"The CNE has presented some legendary artists over the years, and with NXNE’s history of delivering the best new talent from Canada and around the world who have reached worldwide success, we’re excited to build on that legacy and help create musical moments for a new generation of music fans at the CNE,” says NXNE founder Michael Hollett. “NXNE kicks off the summer music season, and we’re thrilled to partner with the CNE to give the sounds of summer a magnificent sendoff.”

There are thousands of artists playing NXNE, many already announced, and this will give them another prestigious stage to play on. The new NXNE Stage will be located west of the Food Building during the 18-day fair.

“For 146 years, the CNE has been the Showcase of the Nation where Canadians come to discover what’s innovative and exciting from arts and technology to food – and especially music – a quintessential part of the CNE experience for generations,” says Mark Holland, CEO of the CNE.

“The CNE welcomes more than 1.4 million visitors each year, and our music stages offer an incredible environment for global artists to connect with their fans in an intimate setting, and for emerging artists to reach new audiences that they may have never been able to tap into before. NXNE has spent thirty years finding the artists who go on to define their generation, and bringing that discovery engine as part of the CNE is in perfect harmony with our values.”

NXNE formed a strategic partnership with Billboard Canada in 2025, and continues to grow while maintaining its identity as a non-stop discovery festival. The festival now includes The Billboard Summit, Billboard Canada LIVE and one-of-a-kind Billboard Canada THE STAGE events like last year's Daniel Caesar, The Beaches and Khalid shows. Expect more major artist announcements in the coming weeks.

Head here for more information, tickets and the full artist lineup at NXNE 2026.