Montréal cultural calendar
Leisure activities Culture, arts and heritage
Blockbuster museum exhibitions, live music concerts, theatre and comedy are among the many live entertainment choices in Montréal this summer 2026.
POP MUSIC
Some highlights of upcoming national and international tours:
September
UB40 - (I Can't Help) Falling In Love With You
Global Canadian rock icons Rush at Bell Centre (September 2 and 4), IRON MAIDEN at Parc Jean-Drapeau (September 3), British singer-songwriter Arlo Parks at MTELUS (September 3), Roots-reggae icon Burning Spear headlines the one-day Reggae Nation Montréal Festival in the Old Port (September 6), Jon Spencer with opener Bloodshot Bill at Bar le Ritz PDB (September 8), Jim Henson's Labyrinth in Concert performed by a live band on stage accompanied by David Bowie’s legendary vocals at Théâtre St-Denis (September 8), Colombian rapper Ryan Castro at Place Bell (September 9), Swedish indie folk singer-songwriter José Gonzalez at MTELUS (September 11), hard-rock icons AC/DC at Parc Jean-Drapeau (September 12), alt-rock legend Kim Gordon at Théâtre Beanfield (September 12), Roxette at Bell Centre (September 14), and Alabama Shakes at MTELUS (September 15).
Out pop star LP at Place Bell (September 18), perennial local fave The Australian Pink Floyd Show at Place Bell (September 19), British reggae legends UB40 at MTELUS (September 19), iconic English electronic music act Cabaret Voltaire at the SAT - Société Des Arts Technologiques (September 19), power metal band Kamelot at MTELUS (September 20), iconic British punk rockers Sex Pistols at the Olympia (September 22), Puerto Rican singer-songwriter Kany Garcia at MTELUS (September 23), superstar country-rapper Shaboozey at Place Bell (September 24), American rockers Weezer at Place Bell (September 26), Atlanta heavy metal band Mastodon at MTELUS (September 27), and American electronic music group Boy Harsher at MTELUS (September 29).
Concerts of note: Supersonic Montréal soul diva Jewelle McKenzie pays tribute to Aretha Franklin in her Soulville concert at the Hudson Village Theatre on September 11 and 12.
A Montréal-based chamber-music series that celebrates the flute in all its forms, Autour de la flûte opens their new season with RE/UNIFICATION which unfolds via the music and personas of two radical artists—avant-garde countertenor Klaus Nomi (1944-1983) and punk provocateur Nina Hagen (1955). Soprano Sarah Albu makes her ADLF debut accompanied by Aleks Schürmer’s shapeshifting ensemble Hadron. At Jeunesses Musicales du Canada on September 17.
Then renowned Montréal soprano Sharon Azrieli performs three sets of standards with the John Roney Trio at Upstairs Jazz Bar & Grill on September 27 beginning at 7:30 p.m.
Legendary Montréal indie-rockers Elephant Stone headline Bar Le Ritz PDB on October 1.
Local soul, jazz and hip hop
For those looking for dinner and a show under one roof, the city’s top soul and RnB musicians headline Le Balcon music hall and restaurant year-round. Regular headliners include Montréal music legends Freddie James, Kim Richardson, Dawn Tyler Watson, and Michelle Sweeney. Montréal’s premiere musicians and entertainers also headline live-music nightclubs Diese Onze and Upstairs Jazz Bar & Grill, both ranked by DownBeat magazine as two of the top jazz nightclubs on the planet. Montréal’s top jazz, soul and blues divas headline both venues which also have dinner menus.
Le Cypher X organizes the city’s premiere hip hop concerts every Thursday at O Patro Vys while GrowveMTL presents jams featuring the city’s top musicians playing everything from disco to hip hop each Wednesday at Turbo Haüs.
Hillbilly Night each Monday at the legendary Wheel Club in NDG is the longest-running open mic night in Montréal.
CITY OF FESTIVALS
Montréal hosts many star-studded festivals each summer and fall:
Roots-reggae icon Burning Spear headlines the one-day Reggae Nation Montréal Festival in the Old Port on September 6. Other performers include Sizzla, Charly Black, Tanta Metro & Devonte, and Montréal’s own Jah Cutta.
Piknic Électronik runs at Parc Jean-Drapeau to October 18. The outdoor festival books the world’s top house and techno DJs all summer long. Upcoming headliners include Mistress Barbara (September 6) and Eris Drew (October 4). Of note: drag icon RuPaul will spin an OfF Piknic DJ set at Parc Jean-Drapeau on September 19.
The POP Montreal International Music Festival’s 25th edition runs September 23 to 27 in various venues.
Tertulia x Montréal: Festival de Musique Classique et de Gastronomie fills four of Montréal’s finest dining and cultural spaces with world-class classical chamber-music performances, food and culture from October 9 to 11. Click here for full programming.
The 18th edition of the Montreal Ska Festival runs October 15 to 17 at Petit Campus and Turbo Haüs.
Click here for a full listing of Montréal summer festivals and here for fall festivals.
THEATRE
The Lion King
evenko and Broadway Across Canada present Disney’s THE LION KINGat Salle Wilfrid-Pelletier. Runs to September 6.
Directed by Joël Legendre, the iconic musical La Cage aux Folles stars Marcel Leboeuf and Alex Perron as Georges and Albin, the famous couple and owners of La Cage aux Folles drag cabaret. The cast also includes real-life Montréal drag queens Rainbow, Michel Dorion, Tracy Trash and Nana. Headlines the Cabaret du Casino at the Casino de Montréal on September 25 and 26.
Click here for more French-language theatre in Montréal.
Click here for more English-language theatre in Montréal.
DANCE
The JOAT International Street Dance Festival runs from September 1 to 7. Click here for full programming.
The 24th edition of the Festival Quartiers Dansesruns from September 9 to 19. Highlights include Mutations and Incarnations featuring dance solos by dance icon Margie Gillis, Nicholas Bellefleur, and Liam Francis, at Cinquième Salle on September 11. Click here for full programming.
Place des Arts invites presents the 8th edition of the outdoor TEMPÉO, Dance and Music Festival as the Esplanade transforms into a dancefloor. On the program, five musical themes: reggaeton, Afro-house, cumbia, K-pop and kompa. Runs September 16 to 20. Click here for full programming.
Inspired by the famous novel by Alexandre Dumas fils, Les Grands Ballets Canadiens presents the neoclassical ballet The Lady of the Camellias by Canadian choreographer Peter Quanz at Théatre Maisonneuve from September 23 to 27.
CLASSICAL STAGE
Under the baton of Rafael Payare, the Orchestre symphonique de Montréal opens their 2026-27 season with Magnificent Mahler at the Maison Symphonique on September 16 and 17.
A Montréal-based chamber-music series that celebrates the flute in all its forms, Autour de la flûte opens their new season with RE/UNIFICATION which unfolds via the music and personas of two radical artists—avant-garde countertenor Klaus Nomi (1944-1983) and punk provocateur Nina Hagen (1955). Soprano Sarah Albu makes her ADLF debut accompanied by Aleks Schürmer’s shapeshifting ensemble Hadron. At Jeunesses Musicales du Canada on September 17.
Conducted by Yannick Nézet-Séguin, the Orchestre Métropolitain opens their 2026-27 season with Yannick Conducts The Planets at the Maison Symphonique on September 20.
Led by conductor Andrei Feher, the Orchestre Classique de Montréal with internationally-renowned guest pianist Janina Fialkowska open the 2026-27 OCM season with Beethoven & Fialkowska at the Maison Symphonique on October 2.
Over at Bourgie Hall, their new 2026-2027 season presents over 100 ticketed concerts, including legendary French concert pianist Michel Dalberto who performs gems from the French piano repertoire, as well as works by Franz Liszt that blend opera, mysticism and heroics (September 29).
Click here for the full Bourgie Hall program.
MUSEUMS
The blockbuster exhibition Heroes of Greece. The Age of Troy explores one of the greatest adventures of all time: the Trojan War. Guided by the Iliad, the legendary epic featuring heroes and powerful gods and goddesses, this major exhibition explores the origin and legacy of this seminal work attributed to the poet Homer. At the crossroads of myth and reality, the exhibition immerses visitors in history, showcasing nearly 400 authentic objects—treasures of Greece—from 28 Greek museums and archaeological sites. Several works are being presented on display for the first time in North America. Runs to March 7, 2027.
Over at Concordia University’s downtown Webster Library, the Québec Gay Archives presents the free exhibition GÉNÉRATION XEROX which explores self-publication by the LGBTQ communities, in particular the medium of zines. Runs to September 30.
“Montréal 1976” Cultural Marathon
To commemorate the 50th anniversary of the 1976 Montréal Summer Olympics, the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts, The MEM, La BAnQ and the McCord Stewart Museum offer a combined itinerary of downtown exhibitions, activities and events slugged Marathon Culturel in the programme until November 22.
From one venue to the next, their “Montréal 1976” Cultural Marathon recaptures the excitement, energy and unforgettable moments that shaped Montréal during the 1976 Summer Games:
- Montreal 1976: An Olympic Feat at the McCord Stewart Museum.
- The 1976 Olympic Games: Stories and Souvenirs at The MEM.
- Ready, Set, Go! Sports Inspire Art at the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts.
- Click here for Olympic-themed activities and workshops at La BAnQ.
Click here for more Montréal museum exhibitions.
Click here for Montréal immersive exhibitions.
FAMILY ENTERTAINMENT
Tranquille à roulettes
The Tranquille à roulettes rollerskating takes over the Esplanade Tranquille in the Quartier des Spectacles daily from September 5 to October 25. There is a skate rental service at this urban roller rink where DJs will also spin dance music from 7 to 10 p.m. in the Patins Platines series each Friday, except on September 18. Relive the legendary roller discos of yesteryear!
Children of all ages can discover new worlds at Montréal Espace pour la vie, the largest natural-sciences museum complex in Canada which comprises the Jardin botanique, Planetarium, Biosphere, famed Biodôme and Insectarium. Purchasing fixed-time tickets online is highly recommended.
The Montréal Science Centre’s IMAX cinema screens films for all ages.
The DroneArt Show: Harry Potter™ is an open-air drone spectacle celebrating the 25th anniversary of the Harry Potter film series. September 18 and 19 at Jacques-Cartier Pier.
CIRCUS ARTS
Cirque Éloize - Serge Fiori – Seul ensemble
The Cirque Éloize presents the acclaimed circus show Serge Fiori — Seul ensemble, a musical and visual journey where the soul of the late lead vocalist and guitarist for iconic Québécois folk rock band Harmonium continues to resonate. Runs to September 18 at Théâtre St-Denis in the Espace St-Denis.
CINÉMA
Created with the blessing of the iconic rock band, Pink Floyd – The Dark Side of the Moon screens under the starry dome of the Planétarium from Thursdays to Saturdays until November 30. This show merges the original musical score with spectacular visuals of the solar system and immersive effects in a surround-sound environment.
The new PARC AT MIDNIGHT cycle (September 4 to November 1) at the Cinéma du Parc offers nocturnal screenings in the great tradition of the famous rep-house “midnight movies” of the 70s. Upcoming flicks include Alien (September 4 to 6), Videodrome (September 18 to 20), Carrie (October 16 to 18), and The Shining (October 23 to 25).
The Montreal International Black Film Festival screens features and shorts from Québec, Canada and around the world, from September 23 to 27. Click here for full programming.
From September 16 to 30, the Bowie Superstar movie series at the Cinémathèque québécoise screens six movies starring David Bowie, including Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars (September 22) and Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence (September 30).
The 55th edition of the Festival du nouveau cinéma de Montréal runs October 8 to 18. Films screenings include Autofiction by Spanish director Pedro Almodóvar, Fatherland by Paweł Pawlikowski, Tender Loving Care by Mike Leigh and La Bola Negra by Javier Calvo and Javier Ambrossi. Click here for full programming.
The Montreal Cinéclub Film Society screens classic movies at various venues every second week. Click here for the full program.
L’AMOUR À MINUIT is a non-profit Cinéma L’Amour screening series of cult classics that raises funds to restore and maintain the iconic century-old theatre that was built in 1914. Click here for the full program.
Queer Cinema Club Montréal presents monthly screenings at the Cinéma du Parc.
The IMAX cinema at the Montréal Science Centre in the Old Port screens films for all ages.
LITERATURE
Open since 1966, Montréal’s oldest English-language indie bookseller Argo Bookstore presents authors Wiley Wei-Chiun Ho and Chanel Sutherland in-store discussing their work with moderator by Elise Moser, on September 25 at 7 p.m.
Heated Rivalry fans will love the special POP Montreal International Music Festival showHeated “POP” Rivalry The evening will feature a live conversation with Rachel Reid, a Q&A with Peter Peter, and performances by Philippe B, La Bronze, Night Lunch, and Dumas. On September 28 at the Rialto Theatre, includes a copy of the Heated Rivalry hardcover special edition (in English) with a signed bookplate or guests may choose the French translation, also with a signed bookplate.
New York Times bestselling Chinese-American author R. F. Kuang makes her first-ever Montréal appearance for an exclusive live conversation and book signing for her new novel Taipei Story, at the Rialto Theatre on September 29 at 7 p.m.
The Grand Slam International de Montréal runs from September 7 to December 6. Highlights include their Francos vs Anglospoetry slam on November 5 at Casa del Popolo. Click here for full festival programming.
Paragraphe Bookstore presents the Montréal launch of author Jean-Michel Fortier’s acclaimed queer novel It’s All Coming Back to Me Now, the English translation of his bestseller Tout me revient maintenant. October 21 at 5 p.m.
Lectures LOGOS Readings is a series of monthly multicultural readings hosted by award-winning author H. Nigel Thomas and renowned human rights advocate Maguy Métellus at the UNIA Hall in Little Burgundy.
DRAG SHOWS
Bar Le Cocktail
Celebrated Montréal female impersonator Jimmy Moore stars in Céline Dion personnifiée par Jimmy Moore at the Studio St-Denis in Espace St-Denis on September 11. Looking ahead, Moore stars in Jimmy Moore personnifie Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour at Le Studio TD on October 23 and 24.
Drag star Rainbow celebrates her 15th anniversary in the drag biz with her special 15 ans de reflux show at the Studio St-Denis in Espace St-Denis on September 12.
Directed by Joël Legendre, the iconic musical La Cage aux Follesstars Marcel Leboeuf and Alex Perron as Georges and Albin, the famous couple and owners of La Cage aux Folles drag cabaret. The cast also includes real-life Montréal drag queens Rainbow, Michel Dorion, Tracy Trash and Nana. Headlines the Cabaret du Casino at the Casino de Montréal on September 25 and 26.
Drag superstar Sasha Velour brings her Travesty Tour to the Olympia Theatre on September 30.
Drag icons BenDeLaCreme and Jinkx Monsoon return to Montréal with The Jinkx & DeLa Holiday Show at the Olympia Theatre on November 18.
Comic drag queen Mona de Grenoble brimgs her acclaimed show De la poudre aux yeux to Studio St-Denis on November 20.
Montréal drag star Rita Baga hosts her Cabaret Caf’Conc’ variety show at the iconic Caf’Conc’ (short for Café Concert) at the Montréal Marriott Chateau Champlain Hotel. Click here for upcoming shows.
Montréal is one of the drag capitals of the world. Located in The Village, drag icon Mado Lamotte’s Cabaret Mado and the classic Bar Le Cocktail both book the best drag performers in the city nightly. Both venues are also two of the most popular nightclubs in The Village.
COMEDY
Montréal’s local comedy scene is enjoying a renaissance with flourishing comedy nights in clubs throughout the city, and touring national and international comedians selling out large venues.
American comic Ilana Glazer at the Olympia Theatre on September 2.
Best known for his work on The Daily Show, comic Josh Johnson brings his Comedy Band Camp to the Olympia for three shows on September 4 and 5. Josh Johnson’s Comedy Band Camp is a stand-up and live-music experience that blends the community of being in a big band with the nostalgia of summer camp.
Sugar Sammy’s All-Star Gala spotlights his hand-picked lineup of the city’s most exciting up-and-coming comedians, at Salle Pierre-Mercure on September 6.
American YouTube comedy sensation Akaash Singh brings his Generational Triumph Tour to the Olympia on September 26.
Just For Laughs Montréal presents the 50th anniversary screening of Monty Python And The Holy Grail followed by a live in-person conversation and Q&A with comedy icon John Cleese, October 7 and 8 at the Olympia Theatre.
Known worldwide for his lightning-quick wit, British-Irish comedy superstar and Montréal fan favourite Jimmy Carr headlines Salle Wilfrid-Pelletier for three shows on October 20 and 21.
Comic Mike Rita headlines Le Studio TD on November 6.
Out Chicago comic Matteo Lane headlines Théâtre St-Denis on November 7.
Lebanese comedy sensation Nataly Aukar headlines the Monument-National on November 20.
Check out English-language stand-up comics at Comedyville located behind the Deli Planet in Central Train Station, with shows Thursday to Saturday. Click here for show descriptions.
Support local, national and international comics at Montréal’s legendary The Comedy Nest nightclub located in the historic Montréal Forum. Click here for full programming.
Richard Burnett
Richard “Bugs” Burnett is a Canadian freelance writer, editor, journalist, blogger and columnist for alt-weeklies, mainstream and LGBTQ+ publications. Bugs also knows Montréal like a drag queen knows a cosmetics counter.