CNE 2025 Bandshell Lineup Brings Heat to Toronto

Toronto’s favourite end-of-summer tradition is turning up the volume—this year’s CNE Bell Bandshell lineup is packed with chart-toppers, Canadian icons, and global stars. Running from August 15 to September 1, 2025, the nightly free concert series is set to be one of the biggest highlights of the Canadian National Exhibition.

Headlining the lineup is multiplatinum-selling group 98 Degrees, hitting the stage on Saturday, August 23 with special guest Alyssa Reid. Other big names include Motown legends The Commodores with Jully Black, Canadian alt-rock favourites Moist, folk-rockers The Rural Alberta Advantage with Yukon Blonde, and reggae greats Luciano & Jay Douglas. Fans can also look forward to performances from Cold War Kids, The Dirty Nil, and supergroup Trans-Canada Highwaymen—featuring Moe Berg, Chris Murphy, Craig Northey, and Steven Page.

The festival also shines a spotlight on rising stars and powerhouse voices. A night of female-driven energy arrives on August 19, with Rêve, Jessia, and Aqyila leading “Hot Girl Summer 2.0.” Indie music fans can enjoy Chantal Kreviazuk with Stars, extending their anniversary tour of Set Yourself on Fire. Country fans will see Dean Brody, while Canadian pop lovers can catch Shawn Desman, Marianas Trench, and July Talk.

Here’s the full 2025 CNE Bandshell schedule:

• Aug 15 – Shawn Desman w/ Ari Hicks

• Aug 16 – Loverboy

• Aug 17 – Stars & Chantal Kreviazuk

• Aug 18 – Moist

• Aug 19 – Rêve, Jessia, Aqyila

• Aug 20 – Trans-Canada Highwaymen

• Aug 21 – Luciano & Jay Douglas

• Aug 22 – July Talk w/ The Darcys

• Aug 23 – 98 Degrees w/ Alyssa Reid

• Aug 24 – The Commodores w/ Jully Black

• Aug 25 – Cold War Kids

• Aug 26 – Bishop Briggs

• Aug 27 – The Dirty Nil w/ Ben Quad

• Aug 28 – The Rural Alberta Advantage w/ Yukon Blonde

• Aug 29 – Marianas Trench w/ Nicolina

• Aug 30 – Dean Brody

• Aug 31 – Soca Night ft. GBM Nutron, Mical Teja, Coutain, DJ Ana, Ultra Simmo & Dr. Jay

• Sept 1 – No concert on Labour Day

The CNE 2025 runs from August 15 to September 1, with live music at the Bandshell plus five additional stages across the fairgrounds. From Motown to country, indie to reggae, this year’s lineup truly has something for everyone.

Full press release here.