Shaggy, Tom Cochrane, and Lights, Among First Artists Announced For 2026 CNE Bandshell Performances

Summer music season is heating up and will soon be sizzling come August when the Canadian National Exhibition (CNE) gets underway with what is shaping up to be one of its most electrifying concert billings to-date.  CNE organizers have just dropped the first set of headliners who will be performing during the iconic 18-day fair that includes the likes of Grammy-winning Chicago rapper Lupe Fiasco and global reggae-pop hitmaker Shaggy, as well as definitive Canadian artists whose songs such as “Life is a Highway,” and “Highway of Heroes,” have shaped generations of music lovers.  Among the Canadian headliners announced is eight-time JUNO-winning rock icon and Canadian Music Hall of Fame Inductee Tom Cochrane; one of Canada’s most successful rock bands The Trews; platinum-selling singer songwriter and Billboard Canada’s inaugural 2025 Visionary Award recipient, Lights; and this year’s JUNO Metal/Hard Music Album of the Year nominees, Silverstein.

More artists will be announced in the coming months to round out the CNE’s concert line-up across its five music stages including the newly added NXNE Stage that will showcase breakout artists on the cusp of stardom, in partnership with the NXNE Music Festival & Conference; and the CNE Bandshell stage that is being renamed the Bell SOUNDSTAGE at the Bandshell, in partnership with Billboard Canada and Rolling Stone Canada.  These landmark partnerships will amplify the CNE’s music programming for years to come, and with plans to commemorate the 90^th Anniversary of the Bandshell – 2026 is going to be the Year of Music at the CNE.

“The Bandshell has been the heartbeat of Canadian music for 90 years. Nine decades of artists, genres, and generations, all on this one stage,” says Mark Holland, CNE CEO.  “This summer, we’re not just celebrating that legacy, we’re expanding it. Partnering with Billboard Canada and Rolling Stone Canada to reimagine what this stage means is how we ensure music becomes an even bigger part of what the CNE means to Canadians. We can’t wait to welcome fans back to the grounds.”

“SOUNDSTAGE is a future-facing cultural platform launched by ArtsHouse Media Group (AMG), designed to connect live experiences, culture, and music discovery through premium physical venues and large-scale stages,” says Mo Ghoneim, AMG Founder. “From the opening of our flagship SOUNDSTAGE venue in Toronto to the launch of the Bell SOUNDSTAGE at the Canadian National Exhibition in partnership with Billboard Canada and Rolling Stone Canada, we’re redefining the live music experience for the next generation while honouring the rich legacy of the Bandshell that helped shape it.”

All concerts are free with CNE admission.  Advance ticket discounts are on sale now with savings up to 35% if purchased until August 20 at TheEx.com/tickets. New this year for music lovers, the CNE is offering a Front Row VIP Experience add-on option to their admission ticket with dynamic pricing that includes reserved front of stage viewing area of the Bell SOUNDSTAGE at the Bandshell, access to the VIP Lounge and amenities, a dedicated VIP bar and complimentary drink ticket.

The 2026 Canadian National Exhibition runs from August 21 to September 7. Stay tuned for more music announcements!