The fall cultural season is underway in the Quartier des Spectacles!

The ever-popular Théâtre Duceppe, now kicking off its 53^rd season, is staging five original plays this season. They include, until October 4, an adaptation of presenter and sociologist Jean-Philippe Pleau’s autofiction, Rue Duplessis : ma petite noirceur, directed by Marie-Ève Milot and starring the author. Also noteworthy is Corps fantôme, a play about the emergence of the LBGTQ+ community, from October 22 to November 22, and Tupqan, coming in March, a thriller and search for self marking the 40^th anniversary of the Indigenous theatre company Ondinnok. 

Under the leadership of artistic director Geoffrey Gaquère, Théâtre du Nouveau Monde presents a program that faces today’s hot issues head on. Ấm is the first play by author Kim Thúy. Directed by Lorraine Pintal, the work explores everyday private life and runs from September 9 to October 8. Another pair of not-to-be-missed plays: Michel Tremblay’s Hosanna ou la Shéhérazade des pauvres, opening November 11 and running until December 6, and a Robert Lepage adaptation of Shakespeare’s Macbeth, opening in January.

Danse Danse is a non-profit arts organization that showcases local and visiting talents. The Ballet of the Grand Théâtre de Genève opens the 2025–26 season from October 1 to 4 with Ihsane, a monumental work choreographed by Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui. Other notable shows include Theatre of Dreams, by the Hofesh Shecter Company (November 4 to 8) and Burn Baby, Burn (November 25 to 29), choreographed by Guillaume Côté of the Côté Danse company.

Led by Yannick Nézet-Séguin, the Orchestre Métropolitain presents a new season characterized by contrasts, starting on September 23 at the Maison symphonique de Montréal. In keeping with the orchestra’s traditions, the season’s first performance will be a piece by an Indigenous composer: Eukaryotica, by Sonny-Ray Day Rider, followed by Mahler’s Third Symphony featuring mezzosoprano Joyce DiDonato. This season, the Orchestre Métropolitain will perform works by composers of many different styles and eras, including Sibelius, Mozart, Tchaikovsky, André Gagnon and more.

For more than 60 years, Les Grands Ballets Canadiens have been delighting fans of classical and contemporary dance. The new season starts with Bella Figura, a mixed program running from September 11 to 20. It includes pieces by Glen Tetley, Hélène Blackburn, Jiří Kylián, Jérémy Galdeano and Věra Kvarčáková. And don’t miss Blanche-Neige & le Miroir, a new production based on Snow White by avant-garde choreographer Étienne Béchard with music by the Orchestre des Grands Ballets, from October 22 to 25.

The 92^nd season of the Orchestre symphonique de Montréal is the fourth under the leadership of musical director Rafael Payare, and it promises to be a rich and varied one. The orchestra will perform everything from timeless classics to exciting new compositions, with pieces by Mozart, Brahms, Moussa, Stravinsky, Gougeon, Shostakovich and Mahler. The season starts on September 17 and 18 with La damnation de Faust by Berlioz. In the coming months the Orchestre symphonique de Montréal will welcome prestigious guests such as Barbara Hannigan, Emanuel Ax, Véronique Gens, Joseph Tawadros and James Ehnes.

Running from September 26 this year all the way to June 21 next year, the new Maison Théâtre program includes no fewer than 17 enchanting productions crafted for youth audiences from 18 months to 18 years of age. The works include Une lune entre deux maisons by the Le Carrousel company from October 15 to 26. The play, for children ages 3 to 5, is a celebration of friendship. En théories (une poétique de l’espace-temps), running December 3 to 7, is an engrossing philosophical piece that will delight kids ages 10 to 15. 

L’Agora de la danse is a choreographic research and performance space. This fall’s lineup features works that explore sensitivity through movement. Launching the season is ODE, by choreographer Catherine Gaudet, a piece combining choral singing, pagan prayer and rock music, from September 24 to 26. Don’t miss choreographer Mathilde Monnier’s latest, Black Lights, presented October 22 to 25. The piece, winner of the 2023 French critics’ prize (Grand Prix de la critique française) for best show, tackles violence against women.

For 45 years, Tangente has been dedicated to the art of contemporary dance. This fall and winter, the company’s program will reflect the dynamism of the local and international scenes. From September 11 to 14, Tangente will present a double bill of 11 3 8 7 [Rebody] by the Amsterdam-based Trevoga Collective and Altermundi by Projet Alterdogs. From October 9 to 12, another double bill features Tête à tête by Jessica Joy Muszynski and u go, i go, by the choreographic duo of Savage & Samuelle.

In keeping with its mandate of documenting and showing Canadian and world cinematic heritage, the Cinémathèque québécoise is screening plenty of local and international classics this fall. Highlights include The Name of the Rose, Jean-Jacques Annaud’s medieval thriller starring Sean Connery, on September 19, and the France-Quebec co-production La mort n’existe pas, an animated film by Félix Dufour-Laperrière, from September 26 to 28.

Le Balcon, which regularly showcases jazz, soul and gospel, is a unique music venue where you can enjoy an excellent meal while attending an equally great show. The space hosts a variety of theme nights such as Andalusian music, 80s hits and more. Blueswoman Dawn Tyler Watson takes the stage on September 19, while gospel singer Sandra Etienne performs on October 11.

Founded 45 years ago, this fall Opéra de Montréal presents a program of works by both classical and contemporary composers. Featuring its famous Mozart score and a talented cast, the company’s production of Don Giovanni, directed by Stephen Lawless, takes the stage on September 27 and 30 and October 2 and 5 at Salle Wilfrid-Pelletier. January 31 and February 3, 5 and 8, 2026, enjoy the contemporary opera Clown(s), by Montreal composer Ana Sokolović. In seven tableaux, the work explores the range of human emotions.