Salsa with Espace Yambae, 2025
PRESS RELEASE
Montreal, May 28, 2026 – From this evening until September 13, the 12th season of Les Jardins Gamelin once again creates a not-to-be-missed destination for summer fun in the Quartier des Spectacles. The much-loved gardens are a space for Montrealers, neighbourhood residents and visitors to enjoy a free multidisciplinary cultural program showcasing emerging talents. From big parties to more intimate gatherings, visitors to Les Jardins Gamelin will find music, dance, performing arts, emerging artists and citizen gatherings. Every day starting at noon, everyone is invited to enjoy a vibrant summer full of artistic discovery and shared moments under the sun and stars.
The program for this 12th season reflects the richness and diversity of Montreal’s cultural scene. Each day of the week features a distinct experience, so the public can explore a variety of artistic disciplines and cultural practices.
New features this year include the expansion of Les Jardins en cabaret to a weekly slot, every Tuesday. The series highlights many disciplines from comedy and circus arts to contemporary dance, traditional dance, street dance and improv. Once again this summer Thursday is time for the Jardins d’Illusion series, presenting the many facets of Montreal’s electronic music scene and its bold new sounds. Sundays end on a mellow note with the Apéro-concerts series (5 to 7 p.m.), presenting intimate shows featuring acoustic and instrumental music. Gabriel Schwartz launches the series on May 31 with his folk-bossa nova fusion.
The marquee series that have built the Jardins’ reputation are also returning this year. There’s karaoke every Monday evening, while on Wednesdays (7 to 10 p.m.) it’s time for line dancing with SPURS. Saturdays are once again salsa night with Espace Yambae (7 to 11 p.m.), where everyone is invited to take their first steps or perfect their moves in a fun and welcoming setting.
Every Friday evening (6 to 11 p.m.) there’s music and chanson with a double bill of complementary bands and solo artists. Each lineup is a chance to discover new performers. The commitment to supporting up-and-coming talent is also reflected in collaborations with several musical competitions, including the Festival international de la chanson de Granby, Les Francouvertes, Le Syli d’Or, MUZ and Ma Première Place des Arts.
Local festivals and events also use the Jardins as a venue for several special evenings inspired by their respective programs. They include Festival Accès Asie, Haïti en Folie, Fierté Montréal Pride, the Salon International Africain du Canada and the Montreal International First Peoples’ Festival. Together, they help make the Jardins a true cultural crossroads, full of wonderful discoveries. The season’s first concert, on May 29, is presented in collaboration with Festival Accès Asie and features DJ Soria, The Moon & I and Hua Li 化力.
Beyond artistic programming, Les Jardins Gamelin is a place built on the values of inclusiveness, solidarity and cohabitation. By bringing together people from a wide range of backgrounds in an open and welcoming space, Les Jardins promote interaction, dialogue and peaceful coexistence in the heart of Montreal.
In that vein, the Exeko organization presents the Laboratoire du vivant partagé, a series of creative workshops combining art, philosophy and social inclusion. Through pottery, vegetable dyeing, crafts and other practices inspired by urban nature, participants are invited to create together while exploring different ways of relating to others. The series runs every Saturday from 2 to 5 p.m.
Since their inception, Les Jardins Gamelin have also relied on the expertise of community and social organizations that help make the site a welcoming living space for every community. The Quartier des Spectacles Partnership wishes to acknowledge the essential contributions of the Société de développement social and its ÉMMIS (Équipe mobile de médiation et d’intervention sociale – mobile social mediation and action team), the Groupe de recherche et d’intervention psychosociale (GRIP), the Old Brewery Mission and the Service de police de la Ville de Montréal, whose work is focused on being a helpful presence providing assistance adapted to the realities of the site.
“I want to highlight the quality and originality of Les Jardins Gamelin’s 12th-season program. There’s something for every taste, and I am particularly proud to see that emerging artists are so prominently featured. In summer, Montreal is all about its cultural events and the 2026 season promises to be electrifying. I want to thank all the teams who make these festive gatherings possible, particularly the Quartier des Spectacles Partnership, which works tirelessly to make Montreal a major cultural metropolis,” said Montreal mayor Soraya Martinez Ferrada.
“Les Jardins Gamelin are a cultural venue and so much more: the gardens are also a true meeting place for different communities, in the heart of a district built on culture, education and neighbourhood life. By giving a prominent place to emerging artists from Montreal and the rest of Quebec, we are creating opportunities for discovery and sharing. These opportunities enrich the cultural scene and the experience of everyone who visits Les Jardins. I want to thank our loyal partners over the last 12 years, particularly the Ville de Montréal and the borough of Ville-Marie,” said Monique Simard, Chair of the Board of the Directors of the Quartier des Spectacles Partnership.
May 28 to September 13, 2026
Place Émilie-Gamelin, Quartier des Spectacles
Open daily
Sunday from noon to 8 p.m.
Monday to Wednesday from noon to 10 p.m.
Thursday to Saturday from noon to 11 p.m.
All activities are free
Full program: jardinsgamelin.com
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Since 2015, Les Jardins Gamelin have put down deep roots in Place Émilie-Gamelin, located in the Quartier Latin sector of the Quartier des Spectacles. The gardens embody values of social inclusiveness, collaboration and cohabitation by offering human-scale urban amenities and green spaces to meet the community’s needs. From May to September, the Jardins present free cultural programming daily. The program reflects Montreal’s diversity and highlights emerging local talent. The Jardins Gamelin initiative and the revitalization of this greened and inclusive public space are a Quartier des Spectacles Partnership production made possible by the support of the borough of Ville-Marie and the collaboration of numerous partners, including Sentier Urbain, the Société de développement social and the SPVM.
The Quartier des Spectacles is the cultural heart of Montreal, boasting North America’s largest and most diverse concentration of cultural amenities. The Quartier’s 1 km2 of urban space delights audiences year round thanks to nearly 80 performance venues and creative spaces and 50 annual festivals. The district also showcases innovative urban installations and cutting edge digital art and lighting design. The Quartier des Spectacles positions Montreal as an international leader in urban animation, making it a prime destination for culture and tourism.
The Quartier des Spectacles Partnership, founded in 2003, is a non-profit organization with more than 85 members active in the district. It is responsible for animating the Quartier des Spectacles by programming cultural activities, managing and animating public spaces, providing distinctive illumination and promoting the Quartier as a must-visit cultural destination. The Partnership benefits from the support of the Ville de Montréal.
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Please include full captions and credits.
Mélanie Mingotaud
Communications Mingotwo
melanie@mingo2.ca
Chloé Goldstein
Quartier des Spectacles Partnership
chloe.goldstein@quartierdesspectacles.com
514 812-2193
