Royal Winter Fair 2026: Tickets, Hours and Things to Do in Toronto

The 104th Royal Agricultural Winter Fair runs from Friday, Nov. 6 to Sunday, Nov. 15, 2026, at Exhibition Place in Toronto, in the Enercare Centre and the Coca-Cola Coliseum (100 Princes’ Blvd.). Gates open at 9 a.m. every day. They close at 8 p.m. Tuesday to Saturday and at 6 p.m. on Sunday and Monday, so Nov. 8, 9 and 15 end at 6 p.m. This guide was last checked at 7:57 a.m. ET on Saturday, Nov. 7, day two of ten. Opening day is over, and everything below is what is left.

The Royal is two events under one roof. The fair itself has livestock and breed shows, food, shopping and family attractions. The Royal Horse Show is a separate paid event in the Coliseum. They are ticketed separately, but a Horse Show ticket also gets you into the fair for the same day. Exhibition Place is also home to the CNE, and our CNE tickets guide covers that one.

What are the Royal Winter Fair 2026 dates and hours?

The fair is open Nov. 6 to 15, 2026, from 9 a.m. every day. It closes at 8 p.m. Tuesday to Saturday and at 6 p.m. on Sunday and Monday. The fair’s FAQ still lists last year’s Sunday and Monday dates, so go by the weekday instead. These are the opening hours for each remaining day, in Toronto time:

The evening Horse Show performances start at 7 p.m. and, per the 2026 Show Guide, run to about 10:30 p.m. (10 p.m. on Nov. 11 and 11 p.m. on Nov. 14, the World Cup night), after the fair itself closes. The fair says its total daily capacity is 30,000 guests, and that figure includes the Coliseum’s 6,600 Horse Show seats.

How do I buy Royal Winter Fair tickets?

General admission is sold online through Tixr, the fair’s official seller, and at the gate. Royal Horse Show tickets are sold separately through Ticketmaster. The fair’s website does not publish a general admission rate card, so this guide gives no price. The current price appears in the official Tixr checkout before you pay.

What the fair does state about tickets:

• Each ticket is good for one day. That covers general admission, Horse Show, cooking classes and other paid events.
• There are no refunds or exchanges for any reason. Every ticket is final sale.
• At the gate, the fair takes Visa, Mastercard, debit, Visa Debit and cash, charged in Canadian dollars.
• Horse Show tickets include general admission to the fair on the same day. If you already have a general admission ticket, the fair’s FAQ says you can upgrade at the Upgrade Horse Show ticket booth at the fair. The 2026 Show Guide says you can also upgrade at any Horse Show ticket booth or the Coliseum box office.
• Re-entry is allowed the same day with a stamp. To get back into the Horse Show, show your ticket to staff.
• Groups of 10 or more can ask the Horse Show sales team about group seating.

How much are Royal Horse Show tickets, and which shows are left?

The only Horse Show price the fair prints is for Family Day: on Sunday, Nov. 8, tickets start at $45, plus applicable taxes and fees, for any seat in the house, when bought at the primary box office in the Coca-Cola Coliseum. For both rodeos on Nov. 15 the fair says “pay one price for any seat in the house” but gives no figure. Other prices show on Ticketmaster.

These are the paid performances still to come at the time of checking, with times as Ticketmaster lists them. The headline events are named as the fair’s Horse Show page describes them; some Ticketmaster titles differ slightly.

• Sat., Nov. 7, 1:30 p.m. (matinee): National Championship Show Jumping, a K-9 Equine demonstration, the Royal Cowgirls & K9s Pole Bending Challenge with Amber Marshall, and heavy horse cart classes. The Show Guide prints 1 p.m.; Ticketmaster and the Horse Show page say 1:30 p.m.
• Sat., Nov. 7, 7 p.m. (Red & White Night): final rounds of the Mad Barn Indoor Eventing Challenge and the Henry Equestrian Canadian Show Jumping Championship, six-horse hitches, and a Lion Dance for the Lunar New Year.
• Sun., Nov. 8, 1:30 p.m. (Family Day): Braeburn Farms Hunter Derby, pole bending, and junior/amateur Canadian championship show jumping.
• Mon., Nov. 9: no paid show, but the Show Guide lists a free Coliseum session from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., including the Mad Barn CDI-W Dressage Grand Prix.
• Tue., Nov. 10, 7 p.m.: Knightwood Hunter Derby National Championship and the Mad Barn CDI-W Dressage Freestyle Final.
• Wed., Nov. 11, 7 p.m.: the McKee 5* International Jumper Challenge, with Mini Chuck Wagon Races.
• Thu., Nov. 12, 7 p.m.: the Mad Barn Big Ben 5* International Challenge, with Mini Chuck Wagon Races.
• Fri., Nov. 13, 7 p.m.: the Royal 5* Winning Round, with Mini Chuck Wagon Races.
• Sat., Nov. 14, 1 p.m.: the K9-Equine Challenge and the Royal International 2* Grand Prix, with Mini Chuck Wagon Races.
• Sat., Nov. 14, 7 p.m.: the Longines FEI World Cup presented by Ecclestone Horse Transport, with Mini Chuck Wagon Races.
• Sun., Nov. 15, noon: the Royal Rodeo presented by Ontario Ford Dealers, the qualifying round. Ticketmaster titles it the Royal Rodeo Championship.
• Sun., Nov. 15, 3 p.m.: the Royal Rodeo Championship Finals.

The fair says the Nov. 14 World Cup evening and the Nov. 15 3 p.m. rodeo finals “sell out every year”. It recommends arriving no later than 6 p.m. on Nov. 14 and no later than noon on Nov. 15 to get parking and your seat. Check availability on Ticketmaster before you travel.

On dress code, the fair’s FAQ says Platinum, Gold and Red seats bought through Ticketmaster have none. Platinum and Gold VIP tickets bought directly from the Royal do have one. The FAQ gives smart casual or business casual from Nov. 6 to 10 and black tie from Nov. 11 to 14, but parts of that page are left over from last year, so confirm with the fair if this applies to you.

Is there a GO Transit combo ticket or discount code?

Yes. GO Transit sells a GO + Royal combo ticket that includes fair admission and a round trip from any GO station to Exhibition station. GO lists it at $47.48 for an adult (18 to 64) and $103.02 for a family of two adults and two youth aged 4 to 17, both including taxes and fees. The fair’s own site shows slightly different figures, $48.28 for a single rider and $103 for a family. The fair also says:

• the combo must be booked online
• the GO fare covers one same-day round trip only, not travel across several days
• the ticket is not valid on UP Express

GO Transit’s page also gives a PRESTO Perks promo code, 26PRESTO, for 20% off regular-priced Royal Horse Show tickets. GO says the offer ends Nov. 15, 2026, at 5 p.m. It excludes the Nov. 7 and Nov. 14 performances at 7 p.m. and the Nov. 15 Royal Rodeo at 3 p.m., and additional restrictions may apply.

What can I do at the Royal Winter Fair for free with admission?

General admission covers the breed classes, the livestock shows, the daytime Horse Show sessions, the Animal Theatre, the stages and the Farm & Play Zone. Only the paid Coliseum performances (the evening shows, the matinees and the Nov. 15 rodeos) need a Horse Show ticket; Chef’s Table and the Amber Marshall events are ticketed separately. The 2026 Show Guide labels the daytime Coliseum sessions “Free Performance” or “Free Event”. On Monday, Nov. 9, with no paid show, the free Coliseum session runs from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and includes hunter championships, combined working hunters and the Mad Barn CDI-W Dressage Grand Prix.

Breed classes in the Horse Palace, as the Horse Show page lists them:

• Nov. 7: the Clydesdale Foal Spectacular
• Nov. 8: Clydesdale breed classes
• Nov. 11: Hackneys
• Nov. 13: Welsh ponies from 9 a.m., then heavy horse gelding classes in the afternoon
• Nov. 14: the Royal Cup Classes, including the Governor General’s Cup and the Lieutenant Governor’s Cup. These are in the Coliseum, from 7:30 a.m.
• Nov. 15: the Sportpony classes

Livestock and dairy highlights from the Show Guide:

• Nov. 7: Limousin show, 4 to 8 p.m.
• Nov. 8: Masterfeeds Supreme Beef Championship, 4:30 to 6 p.m.
• Nov. 12: National Holstein Show heifer classes, 1 to 7 p.m.
• Nov. 13: the National Holstein Show, in the Coliseum’s free daytime slot
• Nov. 14: National Jersey Show, then the Quality Seeds Dairy Supreme, 5 to 6 p.m.
• Nov. 15: Rabbit & Cavy and Poultry show, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

The Animal Theatre runs SuperDogs and Spirit of the Horse demonstrations every day except Nov. 11. The Farmers vs. First Responders Royal Challenge is there on Saturday, Nov. 7, at 1:30 p.m. Seating is first come, first served, and seat-saving is not allowed. The fair asks you to arrive 30 minutes early and allows food or drink only in sealed containers. On Nov. 11 the theatre hosts the Royal Canadian Horseshoeing Classic, and SuperDogs moves to the Semex Ring of Excellence.

On the OLG Entertainment Stage in Heritage Court, local acts play through the day. A Remembrance Day ceremony is at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 11, and the Royal Square Dancing Competition takes over the stage on the final Sunday, Nov. 15.

When can you see Amber Marshall at the Royal?

Amber Marshall, the star of CBC’s Heartland, appears five times over four days: Nov. 7, Nov. 8, Nov. 14 and at both rodeos on Nov. 15. Two of these are separately ticketed events, as the fair lists them:

• Sat., Nov. 7, 1:30 p.m.: the Royal Cowgirls & K9s Pole Bending Challenge, in the Horse Show matinee (Horse Show ticket)
• Sun., Nov. 8, 1 p.m.: Handmade with Amber Marshall, a real Christmas-wreath workshop with a Q&A. It is run with Christmas Tree Farmers of Ontario, is limited to 30 tickets, and includes fair admission for Nov. 8.
• Sat., Nov. 14, 10 a.m.: Amber Marshall’s Cowboy Breakfast, with a group Q&A, autographs and selfies. It includes fair admission for Nov. 14 but not rodeo tickets for Nov. 15.
• Sun., Nov. 15, noon and 3 p.m.: co-host of both Royal Rodeo performances (rodeo ticket)

What is there for kids at the Royal Winter Fair?

The Farm & Play Zone, with the petting farm, fair-themed inflatables and the Ag-Tivity Stage, is the main family area, and it is included with admission. The fair says some activities need a consent form, signed by a parent or guardian if the child is under 18.

• Bluey meet-and-greets: Saturday, Nov. 7, and Saturday, Nov. 14, at noon, 1 p.m., 2 p.m. and 3 p.m. on the Ag-Tivity Stage. The fair marks the stage schedule “subject to change”.
• Ag-Tivity Stage shows: magic and clown shows and animal encounters most days, a rabbit agility demonstration on Nov. 13, and the Little Rodeo Pro Show on Nov. 15.
• Free photos with Santa: Nov. 11 to 15, noon to 3 p.m., per the Show Guide.
• Mechanical bull: riders must be at least 48 inches tall, and a consent form is required.

When are the butter sculpture shows?

Gay Lea’s Butter Sculpting Showdown runs every day at 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. (11:30 a.m. instead of 11 a.m. on Remembrance Day, Nov. 11), with a fourth show on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. This is the remaining schedule, as the fair lists it:

• Sat., Nov. 7 and Sat., Nov. 14: 11 a.m., 1 p.m., 3 p.m. and 5:30 p.m.
• Sun., Nov. 8, Fri., Nov. 13 and Sun., Nov. 15: 11 a.m., 1 p.m., 3 p.m. and 4:30 p.m.
• Mon., Nov. 9, Tue., Nov. 10 and Thu., Nov. 12: 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m.
• Wed., Nov. 11 (Remembrance Day): 11:30 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. The first show starts half an hour later than usual.

Guests aged 12 and up can sign up in person at Gay Lea’s booth, in front of the butter sculpture trailer, for a chance to compete. The host is comedian Adam Christie. Seating is first come, first served, and the fair suggests arriving 15 minutes early. Separately, the butter sculpture display trailer shows an artist carving a full sculpture in butter.

What food and shopping is at the Royal Winter Fair?

The fair has sit-down restaurants, local producers in Heritage Court and a Holiday Market in Hall B. The Chef’s Table runs paid cooking classes every day and a series of chef dinners. The 2026 Show Guide describes the daily classes as a lesson plus a meal, “all for under $30”. The remaining class chefs are listed on the fair’s site:

• Nov. 7: David Schwartz (Linny’s)
• Nov. 8: Nick Liu (DaiLo)
• Nov. 9: Marvin Palomo (Liliana)
• Nov. 10: Rafael Covarrubias
• Nov. 11: Daniele Corona
• Nov. 12: Jeremy Austin
• Nov. 13: Coulson Armstrong
• Nov. 14: Zach Smith and Ben Lim
• Nov. 15: Jamie Kennedy

The Chef’s Table Dining Series dinners still ahead are:

• Sat., Nov. 7, 5:30 p.m.: David Schwartz
• Thu., Nov. 12, 6:30 p.m.: Nuit Regular
• Fri., Nov. 13, 5:30 p.m.: Coulson Armstrong
• Sat., Nov. 14, 5:30 p.m.: Zach Smith and Ben Lim

The fair’s dinners page does not say what else a dinner ticket includes, so check the listing before you book.

For shopping, the fair lists:

• the Holiday Market in Hall B, with handmade crafts, gifts and gourmet treats
• the Made By Me Artisan Pavilion of Canadian makers
• Royal Paddock merchandise

The fair says vendors decide for themselves whether to take cards and many accept cash only. There are ATMs throughout the grounds and in most buildings.

How do I get to the Royal Winter Fair, and how much is parking?

Transit is the fair’s recommended option. Exhibition GO station on the Lakeshore West line is next to the grounds, and three TTC routes serve Exhibition Place. The fair lists these options:

• GO train: to Exhibition station on the Lakeshore West line, about every 30 minutes. GO bus riders can connect to a Lakeshore West train at no extra cost. The fair warns of construction-related service changes on the Lakeshore East, Kitchener, Barrie and Stouffville lines during the fair, so check GO’s notices before you travel.
• TTC 29 Dufferin bus: south from Dufferin station.
• TTC 511 Bathurst streetcar: south from Bathurst station.
• TTC 509 Harbourfront streetcar: from the southbound streetcar tunnel at Union station.
• Bicycle: the fair says there are 732 bike racks on the grounds.

Parking is operated by Exhibition Place. The fair’s Plan a Visit page lists these regular daily rates and says they are subject to change:

• Surface lots: $21, or $15 after 6 p.m.
• Enercare Centre indoor garage (Lot 850): $24, or $15 after 6 p.m. The rate goes up by $3 on peak usage days, which are not listed.

Public lots are 850 to 856 and 859. Lots 857 and 858 are not open to the public, and access to 856 is limited. Payment is by credit card (including Apple Pay, Google Pay and Amex) or debit. The Green P app works in every lot except the Enercare garage. The fair says parking is not guaranteed and will be extremely limited on Thursday and Saturday because of other events on the grounds, so it recommends transit or arriving early on those days.

The fair’s partner hotel, the Fairmont Royal York, runs a free shuttle to the fair. The fair’s FAQ and the 2026 shuttle schedule give different frequencies, so check the schedule on the fair’s Plan a Visit page.

What can I bring to the Royal Winter Fair?

Backpacks are allowed but may be searched. Outside food and drink, glass, e-bikes and skateboards are not, and only service animals are allowed in. The fair gives a standard backpack size of 18 to 20 inches high, 12 to 14 inches wide and 6 to 8 inches deep.

The fair’s prohibited-items policy is a PDF whose file name is dated Oct. 24, 2024, linked from its current policies page. It bans:

• outside food or beverages, outside alcohol, and glass containers
• e-bikes, electric bicycles, roller skates, rollerblades and skateboards
• laser pointers, bullhorns and noisemakers
• flags, banners, posters and unauthorized promotional material
• pyrotechnics, paint, glue and solvents
• anything that could be used as a weapon
• unauthorized commercial camera equipment

Other rules from the fair’s FAQ:

• Strollers and wagons: allowed, but not on the Horse Palace ramp, in the Animal Theatre seating area or on the Coliseum Peacock Walk during performances.
• Cameras in the Coliseum: lenses under 75 mm only, no flash, and no professional cameras without a media credential.
• Coat check: in the Galleria, Hall A, during the day, and in the Coca-Cola Coliseum in the evening.

Is the Royal Winter Fair accessible?

Yes. The fair accepts the Access 2 card, which gets a support person in free with a paying cardholder, and points visitors to a mobility rental service and an assisted-tour program. The details, as the fair gives them:

• Access 2 card: the cardholder pays general admission and gets one free general admission ticket for their support person. Show the card when buying at one of the fair’s box offices. The ticket must be used on the day of purchase with the support person present, and the offer is not valid on Horse Show tickets.
• Wheelchairs and scooters: mobility rentals are available through Wheel Walkers.
• Assisted tours: WindReach Farm offers guided tours and an accessible lunchroom for groups of people with special needs. Contact WindReach to book.
• Accessible parking: Exhibition Place has 88 accessible spaces across its surface lots and the indoor garage, near entrances. Regular rates apply.

Sources

• The Royal Agricultural Winter Fair: home page and fair hours
• The Royal: Plan a Visit (directions, transit, parking, FAQ, accessibility)
• The Royal: Royal Horse Show
• The Royal: Royal Rodeos presented by Ontario Ford Dealers
• The Royal: Amber Marshall at The Royal
• The Royal: Attractions
• The Royal: Farm & Play Zone
• The Royal: Gay Lea Butter Sculpting Showdown
• The Royal: Animal Theatre
• The Royal: Farmers vs. First Responders Royal Challenge
• The Royal: OLG Entertainment Stage
• The Royal: Chef’s Table cooking classes
• The Royal: Chef’s Table Dining Series
• The Royal: 2026 Show Guide
• The Royal: Policies
• The Royal: Prohibited Items policy (PDF, file name dated Oct. 24, 2024)
• GO Transit: Take GO Transit to the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair
• Ticketmaster.ca event listing for The Royal Agricultural Winter Fair, used for performance dates and start times (read Nov. 7, 2026)