TODAY: JOIN MINISTER LISA THOMPSON, TORONTO MAYOR OLIVIA CHOW AND THE ROYAL’S CEO CYRUS COOPER TO OFFICIALLY OPEN THE 104th ROYAL AGRICULTURAL WINTER FAIR
November 6, 2026 [TORONTO, ON] - The Royal Agricultural Winter Fair returns to Exhibition Place today. To celebrate the opening of the world’s largest indoor agricultural and equestrian show, The Royal will host an official grand opening ceremony at 12:00 p.m. with Minister Lisa Thompson and Mayor Olivia Chow in attendance, alongside the Royal’s CEO Cyrus Cooper and the 2026 Royal Ambassadors, twin angora goats, Sugar & Spice.
WHAT:
Official ribbon cutting ceremony and grand opening of the 104th Anniversary of The Royal Agricultural Winter Fair.
WHO:
- The Honourable Lisa Thompson, Minister of Rural Affairs
- Mayor Olivia Chow, Mayor of Toronto
- Cyrus Cooper, Chief Executive Officer, The Royal Agricultural Winter Fair
- Joe Parker, President and Chair, The Royal Agricultural Winter Fair
- Chief Margaret Sault, Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation
- Sugar & Spice, The 2026 Royal Ambassadors
WHEN:
TODAY, Friday, November 6, 2026
12:00 p.m. ET - Official ribbon cutting ceremony begins inside Heritage Court
Media are asked to arrive 15-20 minutes before the ceremony begins and check-in at the address below.
WHERE:
Enercare Centre, 100 Princes’ Blvd., Exhibition Place, Toronto, ON
Arrival: Media check-in at the Media Salon: Room 101, South West corner of the Enercare Centre - we suggest arrive 15-20 minutes before.
2026 ROYAL AGRICULTURAL WINTER FAIR HIGHLIGHTS:
Additional programming highlights for the 2026 Royal Agricultural Winter Fair include:
- Royal Horse Show Entertainment – North America’s #1 indoor horse show returns with an action-packed entertainment lineup. Highlights include world-class international equestrian competitions, K9 Equine Pole Bending, and a captivating Chinese Lion Dancing performance celebrating the Year of the Horse.
- Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ Toronto presented by Ecclestone Horse Transport – Top international riders and horses compete under the lights in this prestigious, Olympic-level competition — one of the marquee events of the Royal Horse Show.
- Western Day & The Royal Rodeo Presented by Ontario Ford Dealers – Grab your hats and boots for an action-packed Western Sunday on November 15. Amber Marshall, star of CBC’s Heartland, guest emcees Toronto’s only rodeo of the year, featuring The Royal Rodeo Qualifier and The Royal Rodeo Finals presented by Ontario Ford Dealers.
- Holiday Market – The Royal’s newly expanded Holiday Market brings even more holiday spirit to the Fair, with handmade artisan goods, gourmet seasonal treats and plenty of festive finds. St. Nick will also stop by for photos from November 12–15.
- Mini Chuckwagon Racing – Tiny ponies, big speed! Watch these fast-footed miniature ponies race around the Coliseum, pulling mini chuckwagons in an action-packed competition the whole family will love.
- University of Guelph Showcase – Explore the future of Canadian food and agriculture through innovative ideas, research and hands-on learning from Canada’s leading agri-food university.
- School of Moo – Presented by Dairy Farmers of Ontario, this interactive Dairy Education Centre offers children a hands-on look into modern agricultural practices, nutrition, and dairy farming innovation.
- Farmers vs. First Responders – The fan-favourite showdown returns as farmers and first responders go head-to-head in an action-packed series of physical obstacle courses.
- The Family Zone – More ways to play, learn and explore await with interactive games, hands-on activities, live entertainment, animal encounters and the fan-favourite mechanical bull challenge.
- Petting Farm & Animal Features – Feed animals at the Royal Petting Farm, watch daily sheep shearing demonstrations, cheer on the SuperDogs, and enjoy the Spirit of the Horse performance at the Animal Theatre.
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About The Royal Agricultural Winter Fair:
The Royal Agricultural Winter Fair is the world's largest combined indoor agricultural and equestrian show. Bringing the country to the city for 104 years, The Royal Agricultural Winter Fair takes place every November at Exhibition Place, in the City of Toronto and celebrates the best in agriculture, local food, and equestrian competitions from across the country. For more information, please visit http://www.royalfair.org/
For more information and to confirm attendance at the Scarborough or Union activations, please contact:
Sneha Lohtia, Craft Public Relations | sneha@craftpublicrelations.com | 905.867.3851
Taylor Duncan, Craft Public Relations | taylor@craftpublicrelations.com | 416-579-0654
Sneha Lohtia