Polaris has returned with extended festival programming for 2026 after its successful debut festival last year commemorating the 20th anniversary of the Polaris Music Prize. The festival this year is a month-long affair, featuring a variety of activities such as listening parties with nominees, live concerts, musician panels, art installations, and more.
The festivities commenced on September 2 at Toronto’s Allan Gardens with a unique listening experience celebrating the 50th anniversary of Mort Garson’s album “Mother Earth’s Plantasia,” a nominee for the Slaight Family Polaris Heritage Prize this year. Other upcoming events in Toronto include a listening party with Aquakultre on September 19, a free waterfront concert showcasing Savannah Ré on the same day, a café conversation with Beverly Glenn-Copeland and Elizabeth Copeland on September 20, another free waterfront concert featuring Julianna Riolino on September 20, and additional engagements.
The highlight of the Polaris festival will be the concert and award ceremony on September 22 at Toronto’s Massey Hall. However, the festival programming will continue beyond that date, featuring performances by past Polaris nominees such as Bells Larsen at the Second Summer festival on September 24, Status/Non-Status and Ribbon Skirt on September 25, and a hi-fi listening session for Broken Social Scene’s Heritage Prize-winning album “You Forgot It in People” on September 30, among others.
For more details and ticket information for these events, visit the Polaris website.