Overview
This summer, from August 21st to September 7th, 2026, Soluna is bringing that exact ethos to the heart of the EX. We are launching two original, interconnected pop-up experiences at the historic Better Living Centre: Layla’s Garden and Majnoon. Whether you are taking a midday break from exploring the fairgrounds or looking for an elevated late-night escape, here is your complete guide to experiencing Soluna at the CNE.
Summer in Toronto reaches its peak when the Canadian National Exhibition opens its gates. The lights of the Midway, the aroma of classic fair foods, and the shared nostalgia bring the city together like nothing else. At Soluna, our foundational belief is simple: the world feels smaller when people gather. Through food, music, design, and storytelling, we aim to create sanctuary spaces where strangers become friends and moments turn into lifelong memories.
Layla’s Garden: An Open-Air Oasis Beneath the Summer Sky
Stepping out of the bustling midway and onto Layla’s Garden feels like stumbling into a sun-kissed sanctuary. Situated directly outside the Better Living Centre on the outdoor patio, Layla’s Garden is a sprawling, fully licensed patio and cafe designed for daytime relaxation and sunset gatherings.
- Operating Hours: Daily from 12:00 PM to 11:00 PM (August 21 – September 7, 2026).
- The Setting: Shaded outdoor seating, warm design accents, ice-cold signature drinks, and fresh culinary options that offer a refreshing alternative to standard carnival fare.
- Live Soundscapes: Melodic live music and acoustic rhythms drift through the patio from day into night, providing a soundtrack as you rest your feet and recharge.
Pro-tip for Toronto fairgoers: Layla’s Garden is the ideal spot to schedule a late-afternoon reset. Grab a shaded table during golden hour, order a chilled cocktail, and enjoy the open-air breeze before heading back out to explore the rest of the CNE grounds.
Majnoon: A Hidden Speakeasy Inspired by Legendary Romance
Tucked away inside the Better Living Centre within the Casino area lies Majnoon—an intimate, 19+ speakeasy bar that offers one of the most distinctive nightlife experiences at the EX. While Layla’s Garden celebrates the sunlit, breezy hours of the day, Majnoon awakens when the sun goes down.
- Operating Hours: Fridays and Saturdays only (August 21 & 22, August 28 & 29, and September 4 & 5) from 8:00 PM to 2:00 AM.
- The Experience: Handcrafted cocktails, curated lighting, and deep, immersive soundscapes that transform a night out into a captivating narrative.
- The Setting: A hidden sanctuary shielded from the busy energy outside, offering a sophisticated late-night environment to sip, converse, and move to the rhythm.
A Legend Across Cultures: The Story Behind the Spaces
Both Layla’s Garden and Majnoon draw their artistic inspiration from the legend of Layla and Majnun—often remembered as the Middle Eastern “Romeo and Juliet.”
First told by ancient Arabic poets, this enduring love story traveled across Persia and South Asia over centuries. Decades later, its emotional depth reached 1970s London, inspiring Eric Clapton’s classic rock anthem “Layla.” The journey of this narrative proves that love, art, and storytelling belong to no single country or culture—they belong to anyone who carries them in their heart.
In a city as diverse and welcoming as Toronto, bringing this story to life at the CNE feels uniquely fitting. It is a celebration of how timeless tales continue to connect modern communities across borders and generations.
Practical Tips for Your Visit to the Better Living Centre
If you are planning your trip to Soluna’s double pop-up at the EX, keep these practical tips in mind to ensure a seamless visit:
- Pairing the Experience: Start with an early evening drink at Layla’s Garden around 7:00 PM to watch the sunset, then head inside to Majnoon on Friday or Saturday night to experience the hidden speakeasy.
- Location: The Better Living Centre, 195 Princes’ Blvd, Toronto, ON M6K 3C3.
- Transit & Access: Taking GO Transit to Exhibition Station or riding the TTC (509 Harbourfront or 511 Bathurst) drops you within a short walking distance of the Better Living Centre.
- Late-Night Entrance Past 11:00 PM: If you are attending Majnoon past 11:00 PM when the main CNE grounds close, enter via Parking Lot 852. Direct entry through the main EX grounds will be closed at that hour.
Meet us at the Better Living Centre this summer. Come for the EX, stay for the garden, the music, the handcrafted cocktails, and the story waiting after dark.
Published by Vira Marketing
