Now celebrating its 104th anniversary, the Royal offers visitors an opportunity to discover Canadian agriculture, meet animals, watch world-class horse competitions, and explore the connection between farms, food, and everyday life.
Whether you're an agricultural enthusiast, a family looking for a day out, or simply curious about Canada's farming traditions, here are some of the highlights to look forward to at this year's fair.
Meet Sugar & Spice, the 2026 Royal Ambassadors
One of the most charming features of this year's event is Sugar & Spice, a pair of twin Angora goats selected as the official Royal Ambassadors.
Owned by longtime Royal exhibitor and agricultural advocate Becky Vissers, the two-year-old goats made their Royal debut in the Youth Goat Show and Goat Education Centre. Although they look alike, their personalities are quite different. Spice is described as calm and easygoing, while Sugar brings a more spirited energy.
The pair will make special appearances around Toronto before welcoming visitors throughout the fair.
Their role highlights an important part of agricultural events: helping people connect with farm animals and learn more about the animals raised and cared for by agricultural communities.
Watch the 2026 Royal Ambassadors, Sugar & Spice, in this official YouTube video.
The Royal Horse Show
The Royal Horse Show is one of the event's major attractions, bringing together international equestrian competitors for an exciting program of performances and competitions.
Visitors can watch skilled riders and horses compete in a range of events, including the prestigious Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ Toronto, presented by Ecclestone Horse Transport. The competition brings top international riders to Toronto for a high-level test of precision, athleticism, and partnership between horse and rider.
The program also includes K9 Equine Pole Bending and a Chinese lion dancing performance celebrating the Year of the Horse.
For horse enthusiasts, the show offers an opportunity to experience equestrian sport in an indoor setting while seeing the skill and preparation behind these performances.
Watch highlights of the Royal Horse Show in this official video.
Discover Canadian Agriculture and Farm Animals
Agriculture remains at the heart of the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair. The event brings together agricultural exhibitors, livestock displays, educational experiences, and demonstrations that introduce visitors to Canada's farming sector.
The Petting Farm and Animal Theatre offer opportunities to get closer to animals and enjoy family-friendly programming. Visitors can feed animals at the Royal Petting Farm, watch sheep-shearing demonstrations, see the SuperDogs, and enjoy the Spirit of the Horse performance.
Another featured attraction is the School of Moo, presented by Dairy Farmers of Ontario. This interactive Dairy Education Centre introduces children to dairy farming, nutrition, and modern agricultural practices.
The University of Guelph Showcase will also highlight agricultural research, food innovation, and hands-on learning. Together, these experiences help make farming and food production more accessible to visitors who may not regularly spend time on a farm.
Get a closer look at the animals at the Royal in this official video.
Taste Canada's Culinary Talent
Food is another important part of the Royal experience. The 2026 program includes culinary events that celebrate Canadian chefs, seasonal ingredients, and local producers.
The Chef's Table Dining Series, presented by ThinkBeef.ca, features a lineup of Canadian culinary talent, including Jason Bangerter, David Schwartz, Nuit Regular, Coulson Armstrong, Zach Smith, and Ben Lim.
The dining experiences focus on seasonality, sustainability, and local ingredients, offering guests an opportunity to explore how agricultural products become memorable meals.
The Chef's Table Cooking Classes, presented by Milk, will also return with hands-on sessions led by professional chefs. These classes give visitors a chance to learn cooking techniques and discover new ways to work with ingredients.
Visitors interested in these premium culinary experiences should check the official website for session details, ticket availability, and admission requirements.
Shop the Holiday Market
With the holiday season approaching, the Royal's expanded Holiday Market is another attraction worth exploring.
The market brings together handmade goods, artisan products, gourmet seasonal treats, and festive finds. It offers an opportunity to discover products from makers and vendors while enjoying the atmosphere of the fair.
Santa Claus is also scheduled to make appearances for photos from November 12 to 15.
For visitors beginning their holiday shopping, the market combines seasonal browsing with the broader agricultural and entertainment experience.
Western Day and The Royal Rodeo
The Royal will close its ten-day run with Western Day and The Royal Rodeo on Sunday, November 15.
Presented by Ontario Ford Dealers, the rodeo features The Royal Rodeo Qualifier and Finals. Amber Marshall, known for her role in CBC's Heartland, is scheduled to guest emcee the event.
The rodeo adds a western sports and entertainment element to the fair, bringing together a celebration of rural culture and live competition.
Visitors planning to attend specifically for the rodeo should check the official schedule and ticket information before travelling.
Watch the Royal's rodeo highlights in this official YouTube video.
More Family Activities to Explore
Beyond the major shows and culinary events, the fair includes a range of activities for visitors of different ages.
Highlights include:
- Mini Chuckwagon Racing: Miniature ponies race around the Coliseum pulling mini chuckwagons.
- The Family Zone: Interactive games, live entertainment, animal encounters, hands-on activities, and the mechanical bull challenge.
- Farmers vs. First Responders: A friendly competition featuring physical obstacle courses.
- Agricultural education: Displays and activities that introduce visitors to farming, food production, and agricultural innovation.
- Animal demonstrations: Opportunities to learn about livestock and see animal-related activities throughout the fair.
The variety of attractions makes it possible to build a visit around particular interests, whether that's agriculture, animals, food, horses, or family entertainment.
See what families can experience at the Royal in this official YouTube video.
Planning Your Visit to the 2026 Royal Agricultural Winter Fair
Event: The Royal Agricultural Winter Fair 2026
Dates: November 6–15, 2026
Location: Exhibition Place, Toronto, Ontario
Tickets: Available through the official event website
Before attending, review the latest schedule, admission options, and details for individual attractions. Some premium culinary experiences and special events may require separate tickets or reservations.
For official event information and tickets, visit royalfair.org.
Celebrating Canada's Connection to Agriculture
The Royal Agricultural Winter Fair brings together many parts of Canada's agricultural community, from livestock exhibitors and food producers to researchers, chefs, equestrian competitors, and families.
For visitors, it's an opportunity to learn more about the animals, people, and agricultural traditions behind Canada's food system. It also offers a reminder that agriculture extends well beyond the farm gate, connecting rural communities with the cities and consumers that depend on them.
As the Royal returns to Toronto for its 104th year, it continues to offer a wide-ranging celebration of Canadian agriculture, local food, and rural culture.
Event details are based on information released by The Royal Agricultural Winter Fair. Schedules and attractions may change; consult the official website before visiting.
Official information: The Royal Agricultural Winter Fair | 2026 Press Release