Polaris Music is creating space to listen differently with their second edition of the Polaris Festival, that presents listening sessions, exhibitions, conversations, live performances, artist gatherings, and unexpected spaces across Ontario, bringing together the albums, artists, ideas, and communities that make Canadian music matter. See below for a list of upcoming events, many of which are free to attend by registering.

This year’s festival has four main components… 

* LISTEN creates space to experience music with greater attention and care. 

* GATHER brings artists, audiences, jurors, critics, and communities together around shared musical experiences.

* ILLUMINATE goes behind the music, revealing the ideas, histories, creative processes, and cultural conversations. 

* AMPLIFY creates opportunities for artists, strengthening regional connections, and celebrates music in new and unique ways. 

Together, the four streams create a Festival built around how we experience, understand, and support Canadian music as art.

September 19, 2026 — LISTEN: Beautiful View & Polaris Festival present Cadence Weapon and Thanya Iyer | The Belleville Club, Belleville, ON | Thanya Iyer: 4 PM | Cadence Weapon: 5 PM | All Ages | Free with Registration
Past Polaris winner Cadence Weapon and past nominee Thanya Iyer perform at Hannah Georgas’ community-centric festival in Belleville, Ontario.

September 19, 2026 — ILLUMINATE: Aquakultre’s Community Listening Party in Collaboration with Half A Concert: 2–5 PM | It’s OK* Studios, Toronto| All Ages | Free with RSVP
Polaris presents an intimate listening party, oral history gathering, and storytelling experience led by Aquakultre.

September, 19, 2026 — AMPLIFY: Polaris Festival & Harbourfront Centre present Savannah Ré | 7:30 PM–8:30 PM | Toronto Music Garden | Free | All Ages | Accessible | No Registration Required
Polaris joins Harbourfront Centre and The Waterfront BIA for a free waterfront concert featuring Savannah Ré.

September, 20, 2026 — ILLUMINATE: Polaris Music Prize Presents: Runout Grooves, A Cafe Chat with Beverly Glenn-Copeland and Elizabeth Copeland | 3–5 PM | Nile Coffee, Toronto | All Ages | Free with RSVP
To protect our immunocompromised community members, wearing a mask is very strongly encouraged at this event.
Polaris presents Runout Grooves, an intimate café conversation with Beverly Glenn-Copeland and Elizabeth Glenn-Copeland, moderated by Melissa Vincent.

September, 20, 2026 — AMPLIFY: Polaris Festival & Harbourfront Centre present Julianna Riolino | 2:00 PM–3:00 PM | Toronto Music Garden | Free | All Ages | Accessible | No Registration Required
Polaris joins Harbourfront Centre and The Waterfront BIA for a free waterfront concert featuring Julianna Riolino.

September 20, 2026 — ILLUMINATE – PRACTICE | 9 PM | Drake Underground, Toronto | Tickets
Built around openness, collaboration, and deep listening, PRACTICE brings together musicians from across Toronto’s music community to create without covers, rehearsed material, or ego. 

September 22, 2026 — The 2026 Polaris Concert & Award Ceremony | 7 PM doors, 8 PM start | Massey Hall, Toronto | Tickets
The marquee event on the Polaris calendar featuring the reveal of the Album, Song and Heritage Prize winners. Performances announced include Aquakulture, Bibi Club, Charlotte Cornfield, Beverly Glenn-Copeland & Elizabeth Copeland, Les Louanges, Tanya Tagaq, and Slash Need interpreting Peaches.

September 22, 2026 — GATHER: Official Polaris Music Prize Concert & Award Afterparty | 10 PM | The Drake Hotel, Toronto | 19+ | Tickets
Following the Polaris Concert & Award Ceremony at Massey Hall, continue the night at The Drake Hotel for the official afterparty featuring Afrique Like Me. 

September 24, 2026 — GATHER: Polaris & Exclaim Media Party at Second Summer | 5 – 7 PM | Dina’s Tavern, Toronto | 19+ | Invite Only

September 24, 2026 — AMPLIFY: School Night | 7 PM | Dina’s Tavern, Toronto | 19+
Further details to be announced.

September 24, 2026 — LISTEN: Second Summer & Polaris Festival present Bells Larsen: The Garrison, Toronto | 7 PM | Second Summer Tickets
Past Polaris nominee Bells Larsen performs at The Garrison as part of the Second Summer festival.

September 25, 2026 — LISTEN: Second Summer & Polaris Festival present Art d’Ecco: The Baby G, Toronto | 7 PM | Second Summer Tickets
Past Polaris nominee Art d’Ecco performs at The Baby G as part of the Second Summer festival. 

September 25, 2026 — LISTEN: Punk Rock Flea Market London presents Status Non-Status & Ribbon Skirt in Collaboration with the Polaris Festival: Dundas Place, London, ON | Free | Stage times to be announced
The Polaris Festival joins Punk Rock Flea Market London for a live music showcase featuring Status Non-Status and Ribbon Skirt, bringing Polaris-recognized artists into one of London’s most energetic independent cultural gatherings.

September 26, 2026 — LISTEN: Second Summer & Polaris Festival Present Art d’Ecco: Lee’s Palace, Toronto | 7 PM | Second Summer Tickets
Past Polaris nominee Art d’Ecco performs at Lee’s Palace as part of the Second Summer festival. 

September, 26, 2026 — AMPLIFY: Polaris Festival & Harbourfront Centre present Witch Prophet | 6 PM–7 PM | Toronto Music Garden | Free | All Ages | Accessible | No Registration Required
Polaris joins Harbourfront Centre and The Waterfront BIA for a free waterfront concert featuring Witch Prophet.

September, 27, 2026 — AMPLIFY: LONG GONE SONGS Feat Dorothea Paas at Open Streets Hamilton | 3 PM– 4 PM | Outdoor stage @ the intersection of King St. E and Wellington St. N, Hamilton, ON | All Ages | Free
Polaris joins LONG GONE SONGS as part of Open Streets Hamilton for a free performance from past Polaris nominee Dorothea Paas.

September 29, 2026 — LISTEN: Dreaming With Caribou | Standard Time, Toronto | 7 PM | SOLD OUT
Experience Caribou’s Polaris Music Prize-winning album Andorra in complete darkness through Dreaming With, an immersive hi-fi listening session, light installation, and spatial sound experience.

September 30, 2026 — Dreaming With Broken Social Scene: Standard Time, Toronto, ON | 7 PM | Tickets
Experience Broken Social Scene’s Heritage Prize-winning You Forgot It in People in complete darkness through Dreaming With, an immersive hi-fi listening session, light installation, and spatial sound experience.

October 3, 2026 — AMPLIFY: Polaris Festival & Harbourfront Centre present Adria Kain: 6 PM–7 PM | Toronto Music Garden | Free | All Ages | Accessible | No Registration Required
Polaris joins Harbourfront Centre and The Waterfront BIA for a free waterfront concert featuring Adria Kain.

About the Author

Bryen Dunn is a freelance journalist with a focus on travel, lifestyle, entertainment and hospitality. He has an extensive portfolio of celebrity interviews with musicians, actors and other public personalities. He enjoys discovering delicious eats, tasting spirited treats, and being mesmerized by musical beats.