Your 2026 PNE Fair Guide in Vancouver: What’s New and Where to Stay
There’s always something new to discover at the PNE Fair, a Vancouver summer tradition that has brought generations together at Hastings Park. Held from late August to early September, the Fair blends its roots as a showcase of BC’s agriculture and industry with exhibitions, cultural programming, live performances, food and shared traditions that continue to draw people from across the province.
The classics are still a big part of the Fair. Favourite foods, the SuperDogs, pig races and agricultural displays, the PNE Prize Home Lottery and rows of vendors and exhibitors all remain part of the experience. Live performances, roaming entertainment, acrobatic and daredevil shows keep the fairgrounds lively, while the popular Summer Night Concerts give each Fair day a major evening event to plan around. The 2026 schedule builds on those traditions with a fresh lineup of shows, exhibitions and entertainment.
What’s New at the 2026 PNE Fair?
The Summer Night Concerts have a new setting for 2026. The recently opened Freedom Mobile Arch is a purpose-built outdoor amphitheatre with an iconic mass timber canopy, sound and sightlines designed for live performances, North Shore mountain views and space for a much larger audience. It gives one of the PNE Fair’s most popular traditions a bigger stage while keeping the open-air atmosphere that makes a summer concert in Vancouver feel special.
See Who’s Playing at the PNE Summer Night Concerts
The concert series continues to cover a wide range of musical tastes, including rock, pop, hip-hop, alternative, electronic music, R&B and familiar hits from artists who have been drawing crowds for decades. The 2026 lineup brings current favourites, Canadian performers and internationally recognized names to the stage throughout the Fair. A reserved Summer Night Concert ticket also includes admission to the PNE Fair, so plan to arrive early and explore the exhibitions, entertainment and food before the show begins.
Big Shows To Add To Your PNE Fair Plans
Some of the Fair’s biggest productions take over two of Hastings Park’s best-known indoor venues, giving families a chance to cool off and enjoy a full-scale show between other activities. The 2026 program combines a new theatrical production with a milestone anniversary for one of the PNE’s longest-running favourites.
At the Pacific Coliseum, Wizard of Oz On Ice reimagines L. Frank Baum’s classic story through skating, choreography, colourful costumes and special effects. Dorothy, the Scarecrow, the Tin Man and the Cowardly Lion journey through the Land of Oz in a production created for audiences of all ages. Seating is first come, first served, so plan to arrive early for the performance you want to see.
The Agrodome welcomes the SuperDogs™ back for Fairy Tails, a new production marking the show’s 50th anniversary at the PNE, where it first began. A longtime favourite among fairgoers, the show brings dogs and their trainers together for athletic routines inspired by classic tales, modern twists and original stories of courage and friendship. Multiple performances are scheduled each day, making the Agrodome a convenient place to take a break from the sun. Seating is first come, first served, so plan to arrive early.
Both shows run daily and are included with regular Fair admission, making them easy to work into a full day at the PNE. Check the daily schedule before you arrive so you can plan other activities, food stops and exhibitions around the performance times.
Where to Stay Near the PNE Fair
If you’re looking for a place to stay near the PNE Fair, Coast Metro Vancouver Hotel keeps you close to the fairgrounds from its location in Burnaby, adjacent to the Vancouver city limit. The hotel is just a short drive from Hastings Park.
After a full day of concerts, fair food, exhibitions and exploring the fairgrounds, return to the hotel for a comfortable place to unwind and recharge. The fully renovated, air-conditioned rooms offer a welcome break from the summer heat, while free gourmet coffee in the lobby makes it easy to refuel before heading out again. The open-air courtyard and garden also provide a peaceful setting to slow down, relax and enjoy a quieter side of your Vancouver stay.
Visiting with family or friends? Spread out in the Coast Two Queens with Kitchenette, where two queen beds and a convenient kitchenette offer extra flexibility for longer days at the Fair. Select rooms also feature private balconies with spectacular views of the North Shore Mountains, giving you a scenic place to start or end the day.
When you’re ready to plan your PNE visit, explore the latest offers at Coast Metro Vancouver Hotel. Access the lowest available member rates, earn free nights and enjoy added benefits during future stays when you sign up for Coast Rewards.
FAQs About the 2026 PNE Fair in Metro Vancouver
Where should I stay for the PNE Fair in Vancouver?
Coast Metro Vancouver Hotel is a convenient place to stay near the PNE Fair. Located in Burnaby, the hotel is just a short drive from the PNE Fairgrounds, with free onsite parking, renovated rooms and free gourmet coffee available.
What can you do at the PNE Fair in Vancouver?
Playland brings the rides, while the PNE Fair adds food vendors, market stalls, the PNE Prize Home Lottery, live entertainment and a full schedule of Summer Night Concerts and feature shows.
Is the PNE Fair a good family activity in Vancouver?
Yes. The PNE Fair is a good family activity in Vancouver, with food vendors, live entertainment, SuperDogs™ shows and other all-ages experiences. Families can also plan their visit around feature shows, concerts or classic Fair traditions like the PNE Prize Home Lottery.
what a recent guest said about Coast Metro Vancouver Hotel:
“We had a wonderful stay at this hotel in Burnaby. The location is excellent and easy to get around from, the rooms are modern and spotlessly clean, and the amenities felt new and well thought-out. The staff were professional and welcoming — they even left complimentary water bottles and chocolates, which was a lovely touch. Overall great value and highly recommended for both short and longer stays.” - Sourini