Playland Amusement Park & The Fair at the PNE
A beloved Vancouver summer tradition for over 100 years, offering thrilling rides, unique food, and live entertainment.
For over a century, the Pacific National Exhibition (PNE) in Hastings Park has been a cherished summer tradition for Vancouverites. The site is home to two main attractions: Playland, Vancouver's historic amusement park, and The Fair at the PNE, the iconic 17-day end-of-summer festival. It's a place of thrilling rides, unforgettable concerts, and famously unique food.
Why Visit Playland & The Fair?
- Historic Wooden Roller Coaster: Ride a true classic! Built in 1958, the wooden coaster is an internationally recognized favourite for its thrilling "airtime."
- Amusement Park Fun: Playland offers a full range of rides, from extreme thrillers like The Beast to family-friendly classics and a dedicated Kids Playce.
- The Fair at the PNE: A massive annual event featuring nightly concerts, agricultural exhibits (SuperDogs!), cultural displays, a prize home, and a vibrant midway.
- Iconic Fair Food: The PNE is famous for its wild and wonderful food creations, from mini donuts and corn dogs to deep-fried everything.
What to See & Do
At Playland (May - September)
- Thrill Rides: Test your nerve on rides like the Hellevator, Atmosfear, and the Corkscrew coaster.
- Family Rides: Enjoy classics like the Westcoast Wheel, the Scrambler, and the log flume.
- Midway Games: Try your luck at a variety of classic carnival games to win a prize.
At The Fair at the PNE (Late August - Early September)
- Summer Night Concerts: See major international artists perform at the PNE Amphitheatre (concert tickets often sold separately).
- The SuperDogs Show: A beloved tradition featuring incredible canine performers.
- Agricultural Displays: Visit the farm animals at the Agrodome and learn about BC agriculture.
- Marketplace: Shop for unique goods and gadgets from hundreds of vendors.
Year-Round Venues
- Pacific Coliseum: This historic arena on the PNE grounds hosts major concerts, sporting events, and trade shows throughout the year.
- PNE Agrodome: A versatile venue known for hosting everything from professional hockey and lacrosse to concerts and the famous PNE Rodeo.
- PNE Forum: A flexible event space that hosts a wide variety of trade shows, craft fairs, and special events.
Food & Drink Options
The food is a main attraction! You'll find everything from classic carnival fare to inventive and often outrageous new creations each year. Don't miss these staples:
- Those Little Donuts: A must-have PNE tradition.
- Freshly Squeezed Lemonade: The perfect way to cool down on a hot day.
- Corn Dogs & Poutine: Classic Canadian fair food at its best.
- Unique Creations: Look for the annual list of new foods, which often includes things like deep-fried coffee or pickle-flavoured cotton candy.
Pro Tips & Local Insights
- Buy Tickets Online: You can often save money and time by purchasing your admission and ride passes online in advance.
- Check the Concert Lineup: The Summer Night Concerts are a huge draw. Check the schedule and book tickets early for popular acts.
- Go on a Weekday: If possible, visit The Fair on a weekday to experience smaller crowds.
- Year-Round Events: The fun isn't limited to summer. The PNE grounds host events all year in venues like the Pacific Coliseum, Agrodome, and Forum, including concerts, trade shows, and seasonal festivals like Fright Nights at Halloween and the PNE Winter Fair.
Facts For Your Visit
Fee: Yes - See the official website for the various ratesPacific National Exhibition PNE Hours:
Opening hours may differ on holidays
- Monday: Closed
- Tuesday: Closed
- Wednesday: 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Thursday: 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Friday: 11:00 AM – 7:00 PM
- Saturday: 11:00 AM – 7:00 PM
- Sunday: 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Address: 2901 E Hastings St, Vancouver, BC V5K 5J1, Canada
Phone: (604) 253-2311
Official Website: Pacific National Exhibition PNE
Pacific National Exhibition PNE Reviews
Rated out of 5
Play land was amazing.
Your child should be taller than 48” to enjoy most of the fun rides. Some are still available like the bug too. Amazing experience all round!!
Adedolapo Abe - a month ago
Kids went in to play as we decided not to go since the admission has gone up considerably ($42 for child!) and there are no discounts even if you go later in the day (we had less than 2 hours to play so it was not worth it).
There are some 2hr free street parking but you have to be lucky or be early to get one. Otherwise you can pay to park at residential spots or the parking lots.
Francis Wu - a month ago
It was really busy, but super fun! Went on a weekday in the summer. Recommend going as early as possible to get in the lines for the ‘bigger rides’. Worth visiting if you’re a teenager or have kids (lots of ride options). I loved the wooden rollercoaster! Unexpected bumps and thrills :> Expect to be on your feet all day!! And most importantly have fun!
Nicole - 5 months ago
Pretty cool place, had two major coasters (and a few other cool rides). Not great food options (besides beavertail!!!!) but overall had a lot of fun. Website for ticketing was down and was terrible in general though :-(
joanne cheng - 2 weeks ago
Oh, that was awesome!!! And even the huge lines for the rides didn't ruin my mood. I'll come again.
Julia Gaga - a week ago
Directions
| Bus or SkyTrain & Bus Line | Nearest Station | Walking Time |
|---|---|---|
| R5 RapidBus | From Downtown Vancouver | ~1 Minute |
| Expo Line | 29th Avenue Station | 0 Minutes |
How to get to Pacific National Exhibition PNE by Bus or SkyTrain & Bus
From downtown Vancouver, take the R5 Hastings St RapidBus from any stop along Hastings Street (e.g., near Granville or Burrard). Ride for about 15-20 minutes and get off at the stop at Hastings and Renfrew.
From 29th Avenue Station on the Expo Line, you can take the #16 Arbutus bus to Hastings Street. During The Fair at the PNE, a special PNE Express bus often runs from this station directly to the fairgrounds.
Map & Instant Route Finder
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Accommodations near Pacific National Exhibition PNE:
Photo Gallery
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Exploring the PNE Midway cc licensed photo by smilygrl -
Photo Credit: Playland Amusement Park -
Photo Credit: brian smith -
Photo Credit: Shawn of the Sheep -
Photo Credit: brian smith -
Photo Credit: Jagjeet Pal Singh Sandhu
