Sarah McLachlan, Weird Al, Pierce the Veil and others will play PNE concerts: Learn more
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The final rollout of artists performing at the PNE Summer Night Concert series has been announced for the first year that the shows will take place in the new Freedom Mobile Arch amphitheatre on the fairgrounds.
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The 10,000-seat venue has increased capacity for the PNE concerts by almost 3,000 and this reflects the fair being able to attract some big names for 2026.
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Sun Spots
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Previously announced were Blue Rodeo, The Guess Who, The Beaches, Nelly, Zedd, Mt. Joy, Cynthia Erivo with the VSO, Punjabi Virsa, Train and Barenaked Ladies. The final five acts will be soul and funk legends Earth, Wind and Fire, pop oddball Weird Al, Boy George, San Diego hard-rock act Pierce the Veil and Vancouver’s Sarah McLachlan.
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“We’ve been trying to get Earth, Wind and Fire to play the fair for over a decade and we finally have them,” said PNE creative director Patrick Roberge. “They tour the East coast in the summers religiously, but have only been here a few times on arena bills with Lionel Richie or Chicago. I expect them to be a huge hit at the fair.”
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The booking of Weird Al coincides perfectly with the accordion-wielding jokester’s return to the spotlight following the satirical 2022 pseudo-biopic Weird: The Al Yankovic Story starring Harry Potter franchise actor Daniel Radcliffe. Roberge says Weird Al was one of the first artists he worked with at the fair when he was part of the Star Spectacular in 1997.
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Here’s everything you need to know about the first lineup announcement for the 2026 Summer Night Concert series.
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How many times has Sarah McLachlan played the PNE?
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“The last time that Sarah performed for us was in 1991 on the Coca-Cola Free stage,” said Roberge. “The only other time before that was in 1989 where she performed at the Aquastage.” McLachlan’s debut album, Touch, came out in 1987 and spawned her first hit single, titled Vox.
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When is the 2026 PNE?
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The 2026 PNE is scheduled to run Aug. 22 to Sept. 7.
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What time is the Summer Night Concert series?
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Dates and times for the series are to be announced, but the concerts typically involve the doors opening at 6:30 p.m. and show at 7:30 p.m.
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When are tickets on sale for the PNE Fair and concerts?
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A variety of PNE Fair and Playland passes are available for purchase at pne.ca. Individual days and concert tickets TBA.
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