The 2026 fall cultural season in the Quartier des Spectacles

In keeping with its proud tradition, the ever-popular Théâtre Duceppe presents several crowd-pleasing shows for its 54^th season. Actress Guylaine Tremblay suggested a new production of Serge Boucher’s 24 poses (portraits) – she appeared in the original production in 1999. Running from September 2 to October 3, this landmark work of contemporary Quebec theatre is directed by Édith Patenaude and stars Guylaine Tremblay, Martin Drainville and Émilie Bibeau. Also well worth seeing, the one-act play Michelines by Michel-Maxime Legault, directed by Marie-Hélène Gendreau and presented in the theatre’s casual, backstage “5 à 7” format, from September 8 to October 2. 

The new season at Théâtre du Nouveau Monde marks an important milestone: the theatre’s 75^th anniversary. The program pays tribute to the builders of the Montreal institution. From November 10 to December 5, a play by Michel Tremblay, Confessions d’un enfant du siècle dernier, directed by René Richard Cyr, explores the challenges or becoming an adult. If you enjoyed Christopher’s Nolan’s recent film adaptation of The Odyssey, don’t miss L’Orestie (The Oresteia) by Aeschylus, in a new French-language version adapted and directed by Alice Ronfard. The play, which runs from September 22 to October 21, takes place in ancient Greece after the conquest of Troy. In this timeless take on the endless cycle of revenge, Queen Clytemnestra plots to murder Agamemnon. 

This fall the Opéra de Montréal presents Turandot, one of the most famous works by Italian composer Giacomo Puccini. Performances will take place in Salle Wilfrid-Pelletier at Place des Arts on September 26 and 29 and October 1 and 4. The opera’s eponymous main character, the cruel Princess Turandot, asks her suitors to solve three riddles or be executed. Prince Calaf accepts the challenge, risking his life. This grand production, directed by Francesca Zambello, is preceded by a presentation by musicologist Pierre Vachon.  

The Orchestre Métropolitain also presents a captivating fall program. Musical director Yannick Nézet-Séguin invites you to a cosmic gathering called Yannick dirige les planètes on September 20 at Place des Arts’ Maison symphonique. This interpretation of Holst’s The Planets showcases virtuoso violist Antoine Tamestit. On October 3, also at the Maison symphonique, Romeo, Juliet and the Struggles of an Era, conducted by Anna Sułkowska-Migoń, features the work of three 20^th century composers inspired by liberty: Bacewicz, Shostakovich and Prokofiev.  

The OSM opens its new season with a deep dive into the world of Gustav Mahler. On September 16 and 17 at the Maison symphonique, with maestro Rafael Payare conducting, Magnificent Mahler: an Epic Season Opener presents two of the German composer’s works: an early work, Das klagende Lied, and Des Knaben Wunderhorn, inspired by folk tales. Music lovers who enjoy more contemporary work won’t want to miss Payare Conducts Poulenc and Sibelius, on September 24. The maestro will conduct Ouverture No. 2 by Emilie Mayer as a prelude to Poulenc’s Organ Concerto and Sibelius’ Symphony No. 2. At the Maison symphonique. 

Inspired by the writings of Alexandre Dumas, La dame aux camélias is a ballet by Canadian choreographer Peter Quanz. Running from September 23 to 27 at Théâtre Maisonneuve in Place des Arts, the work was created in close collaboration with orchestra conductor Florian Ziemen. Backed by a moving score featuring toe work of composers such as Lili Boulanger, Fanny Mendelssohn and Clara Schumann, a work about a forbidden love in 19^th century Paris. 

A piece inspired by Irish traditions, performed by the company Teaċ Daṁsa, opens the season at Danse Danse from September 30 to October 4 at Théâtre Maisonneuve in Place des Arts. MÁM is inspired by Ireland’s Dingle Peninsula, the birthplace of choreographer Michael Keegan-Dolan. The work evokes a mysterious and passionate Irish wake. Accompanied by concertina player Cormac Begley, the piece features a dozen dancers and the seven members of Belin’s s t a r g a z e ensemble.  

Tangente begins its season with a double bill featuring choreographers Achraf El Abed and Kaia Portner. With performances from September 10 to 13 at the Édifice WILDER – Espace danse, the program comprises Howa walla heya d’aujourd’hui, a solo piece exploring identity crises, and Capital Erotica by Kaia Portner a work that explores the sexuality and experiences of a showgirl. From September 26 to 29, seven up-and-coming artists make their performance debut with five powerful works, as part of an event called Ekspresyon + Dona-Bella Kassab & Shanyça Elie-Leconte + Desirée Keresztes James + Yanik Savoie + Johanna Simon, curated by the Danses Buissonnières jury.  

On the Agora de la danse stage from September 23 to 26, the Destins Croisés company presents V!TAL, a piece by choreographer Ismaël Mouaraki. The creation, featuring six dancers and two musicians, combines urban and contemporary dance. It celebrates the power of joy as fuel for resistance. Meanwhile, choreographer Alexandra “Spicey” Landé, a pioneer of hip-hop dance in Quebec and founder of the Ebnflōh company, joins forces with Jai Nitai Lotus to present Monad, an exploration of the evolution of hip-hop culture, from September 30 to October 2.  

There’s something for the little ones this fall, too: at Maison Théâtre from September 28 to October 11, Roadtrip is a play produced by Les Incomplètes, for audiences ages 1 to 4. The play by Audrey Marchand and Laurence P. Lafaille is inspired by road movies – an immersive work showcasing the beauty of Quebec’s landscapes. A sensory show that stimulates kids’ imagination by taking them on a fun journey.