The Royal Agricultural Winter Fair 2024 in Toronto

The Royal Agricultural Winter Fair or the Royal is held during two weeks of November in Toronto. The fair's royal patron was Elizabeth II, and members of the Royal Family have been guests at the event multiple times. The fair gathers farmers, growers, and producers from all over Canada to show their best products and livestock.

About 300,000 annual visitors come annually to the Royal Fair to celebrate Canada's natural resources, try the best food, and watch the best horsemanship. Over 6,000 animals are brought to Toronto, including cows, sheep, pigs, goats, rabbits, horses, and ponies. The Burnbrae Food & Lifestyle Stage hosts local and international chef challenges, food tastings, and plenty of entertainment. The little ones can feed and touch over 60 animals at the Pizza Pizza Petting Farm and learn about farming at 13 educational centers.

Fair Highlights

The fair features The Country Music Culinary Festival, butter sculpture displays, and square dancing. The Royal’s Animal Theatre is one of the public's favorite attractions, where animals are the stars of the show. Visitors are amazed by the skills of border collies herding sheep on command and the athleticism of the Global Pet Foods SuperDogs. The Royal Rodeo showcases the best bull, saddle bronc, and bareback riders from across the country, as well as top barrel racers, pole benders, and saddle bronc riders. However, the main highlight of the fair is The Royal Horse Show, one of the world’s best equestrian events.

The Royal Horse Show

The Royal Horse Show brings world-class equestrian competition and entertainment to Toronto. The public can see over 1,000 riders competing for more than $1,000,000 in prize money and the title of Royal Champion. The show features Olympians and other top international athletes, as well as champion horses, competing at the highest level in Show Jumping. Attendees can also enjoy entertainment with special features during each horse show paid performance and see Canada’s largest variety of equine breeds and events.

Fair Hours and Tickets

The Royal Agricultural Winter Fair runs from 9 am to 6 pm on Sunday-Monday and from 9 am to 8 pm Tuesday-Saturday. General admission to the fair for adults (18-64) is $32.50. Seniors (65 and over) pay $24. Children (4-17) pay $20. Little children (3 & under) get if for free. A three-day pass for an adult costs $65. Horse show tickets start at $63. 50.

Fair History

The Royal Agricultural Winter Fair was initiated in 1922 when, after World War I, farmers and horsemen, led by W. A. Dryden, got together to launch an exhibition. It was granted the Royal moniker by King George V of England. The exhibition was held in the Royal Coliseum—an iconic structure that was built for this occasion and is a part of the Exhibition Place grounds.