Home
Journées de la culture at Place des Arts: a day at the heart of creation
A major free event featuring Duceppe, Les Grands Ballets, Opéra de Montréal, the Orchestre Métropolitain, Danse Danse, the Orchestre Symphonique de Montréal, Alexandre Désilet, Martin Drainville, Rafael Payare, Guylaine Tremblay and many others to help us discover all the benefits of the performing arts!
Montreal, September 10, 2026 – On the theme “Culture is good for you,” Place des Arts, one of the official circuits of the 30th anniversary of Journées de la culture, invites the public on Saturday, September 26, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. to explore its complex, transformed for the occasion into a vast journey of discoveries and free artistic experiences. A unique opportunity to enjoy and discover, in a single day and in one place, the full diversity and benefits of the performing arts.
To create this grand celebration of culture, Place des Arts is bringing together its resident companies and its partner presenters: Duceppe, Les Grands Ballets, Opéra de Montréal, the Orchestre Métropolitain, Danse Danse and the Orchestre symphonique de Montréal. Together they’ll be offering a rich and primarily participatory journey, an exceptionally diverse one where theatre, ballet, opera, symphonic music, contemporary dance, comedy writing and songwriting all meet up. The ambassadors of the 30th edition of the Journées de la culture, Sophie Fouron and Mathieu Lafontaine, will champion this celebration of culture as a source of well-being, connection, and discovery.
Some of the highlights: a discussion with Émilie Bibeau, Martin Drainville and Guylaine Tremblay about the Duceppe show 24 poses (portraits); an introduction to the art of writing a song with Alexandre Désilets or a piece of comedy with the École nationale de l’humour; learning a few steps from La Dame aux camélias with the Grands Ballets or the choreographic universe of Sylvain Émard with Danse Danse; singing the celebrated “Toreador Song” from Carmen with Opéra de Montréal or listening to a concert conducted by Rafael Payare with the Orchestre symphonique de Montréal.
From 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., children and adults can make their way through the various spaces of the complex, including Salon urbain, rehearsal room D, Espace OSM and Maison symphonique.
All activities are free. Some require a reservation, however, given the limited number of spots.
“We’re very pleased to be partnering with Journées de la culture and celebrating its 30th anniversary. With our resident companies and associated presenters, we’ve crafted a large free pathway through the arts, much like Place des Arts itself: an open, inclusive space that brings people together; where every visitor can discover, experience and come into contact with the arts, creation and the artists.”
– Clothilde Cardinal, Senior Director, Education and Special Projects, Place des Arts
PROGRAM DETAILS
Orchestre métropolitain
Salon urbain | 11 a.m. to 11:45 a.m.
Interactive concert: the Orchestre Métropolitain’s brass trio
Three of the Orchestre Métropolitain’s musicians invite families to a fun-filled interactive concert showcasing instruments from the brass family: trumpet, horn, and trombone.
Through music, demonstrations and interactions with the audience, participants will discover how these instruments work; the concepts of rhythm and listening, and the role that each musician plays within an orchestral ensemble.
No registration required.
Opéra de Montréal
Salon urbain | 12 p.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 3:15 p.m. to 3:45 p.m.
Participatory workshop – Sing like an opera singer!
In the company of baritone Pierre Rancourt and pianist Polina Gubnitskaia, workshop participants will discover the secrets of operatic singing by way of an accessible and user-friendly activity.
Through demonstrations, anecdotes and vocal exercises, the artists will explore the fundamentals of operatic singing before inviting participants to perform the famous “Toreador’s Song” from Carmen together.
No registration required.
Duceppe
Salon urbain | 1 p.m. to 1:45 p.m.
Actors Émilie Bibeau, Martin Drainville and Guylaine Tremblay will take part in a discussion led by art mediator Paméla Dumont regarding Serge Boucher’s drama 24 poses (portraits).
This get-together will be an opportunity to talk about character development, the work’s themes and the role of theatre as a space for reflection, dialogue and well-being.
No registration required.
Place des Arts
Salon urbain | 2 p.m. to 3 p.m.
Participatory workshop: The art of songwriting with Alexandre Désilets
How does a song come into being? Through an interactive workshop, Alexandre Désilets will guide participants through the different stages involved in creating a musical work, from the emergence of an idea to the construction of the refrain.
Accessible to all, this activity invites each participant to contribute to a collective creative process.
No registration required.
Place des Arts
Salon urbain | 4 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Comedy writing workshop: Laughter, a tool for well-being — Place des Arts and École nationale de l’humour
How do we make people laugh using words? This interactive workshop is a chance to discover a few simple principles of comedy writing by way of some fun exercises and group discussions.
Open to all, the activity encourages giving free rein to one’s imagination, creativity and the pleasure of writing as a group.
No registration required.
Danse Danse
Rehearsal room D | 12 p.m. to 12:45 p.m., 2:45 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. and 4:15 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Dance workshop: In the footsteps of Les Champs Magnétiques in collaboration with Sylvain Émard Danse
Led by two of the company’s performers, this workshop is inspired by the choreographic world of Sylvain Émard and his creation Les Champs Magnétiques.
Participants will be invited to explore different movements and to enjoy a collective dance experience in a friendly ambiance accessible to all.
Registration required.
Les Grands Ballets
Rehearsal room D | 1:15 p.m. to 2 p.m.
Classical ballet discovery class
In connection with performances of the ballet La Dame aux Camélias, Studios GB is offering an introduction to classical ballet hosted by an artist from the company, with live piano accompaniment.
Open to anyone aged 16 and over, this inclusive activity also welcomes neurodiverse people and those with reduced mobility.
Registration required.
Orchestre symphonique de Montréal (OSM)
Espace OSM and Maison symphonique
The Orchestre symphonique de Montréal is offering a daylong series of participatory activities and discoveries intended for families and the general public alike. Between collaborative creation, sound exploration and a festive concert, the public is invited to enjoy music in a new manner and to discover different ways of taking part in the orchestral universe.
Create your story, workshop with Contes vivants
Espace OSM | 10 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. and 11 a.m. to 11:45 a.m.
Accompanied by two musicians and artists from the storytelling troupe Contes vivants, participants are invited to collectively imagine an original story as part of an inclusive and interactive creation workshop.
Young and old become co-authors of a tale brought to life by ideas, conversations and music. An imaginative activity where storytelling and collective creation come together.
No registration required.
Sound improvisation workshop with Audiotopie
Espace OSM | Continuously from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
This interactive workshop offers an exploration of digital sound creation based on recordings of orchestral instruments. Using MIDI controllers and keyboards, participants will be able to transform, manipulate and reinvent sounds in an intuitive and accessible way.
Individually or in a group, they’ll discover the principles of audio sampling and explore the connections between movement, technology and sound in an experience both creative and fun.
No registration required.
The OSM celebrates the 30th Journées de la culture
Maison symphonique | 2:30 p.m. to 3:10 p.m. and 4:15 p.m. to 4:55 p.m.
Free concert
The OSM invites the public to Maison symphonique for a festive musical moment gathering together orchestra musicians and young people from the El Sistema OSM program.
Under the direction of Rafael Payare, this free concert proposes a musical journey through different eras and emotions. A very special opportunity to discover the richness of the orchestral repertoire and to celebrate together the 30th anniversary of Journées de la culture in one of the country’s greatest concert halls.
Registration required – registrations open on September 14.
About the Journées de la culture
Every year, on the last Friday of September and the following two days, arts and culture take centre stage in a major province-wide celebration: the Journées de la culture. Workshops, demonstrations, tours, performances, and a wide variety of cultural activities make up the event's program.
People of all ages and backgrounds, from every region of Québec, are invited to go behind the scenes of the creative process by taking part in one of the hundreds of free activities offered across all artistic disciplines. Everyone is welcome to discover, explore, and experience culture firsthand.
Source:
Place des Arts: Géraldine Zaccardelli, Communications and Public Relations Manager, gzaccardelli@placedesarts.com
Media relations:
Roy & Turner: Mélissa Roy, Account Manager, mroy@roy-turner.com
Your favourites
Email
Facebook
Shared events
