215 Best Performing Arts Venues in Canada

Celebrating 75 years on the Montréal theatre scene in 2026, the renowned French-language Théâtre du Nouveau Monde presents a variety of plays by locals such as Michel Tremblay and Patrice Robitaille, as well as oeuvres by Shakespeare, Molière, Camus, Ibsen, Chekhov, and Arthur Miller.

The oldest contemporary dance company in the city, TDT has created more than 100 original works since its beginnings in the 1960s, often using original scores by Canadian composers. Multiple pieces are performed each year at its home base, the Winchester Street Theatre, in Cabbagetown.

Perhaps the most important film festival in the world after Cannes and Sundance, TIFF is open to the public and even the star-studded galas are accessible to the average Joe. More than 300 works by both acclaimed and lesser-known directors from around the world are shown. Movies that premiere at TIFF have won Academy Awards and launched the careers of emerging actors and directors—TIFF audiences have been among the first in the world to see movies like La La Land, Slumdog Millionaire, and Juno. The red carpet is rolled out for star-studded premieres, and actors and directors may be on hand afterward for Q&As. Along with the serious documentaries, foreign films, and Oscar contenders, TIFF has fun with its Midnight Madness program, screening campy horror films, comedies, and action movies.

Since 1922 this orchestra has achieved world acclaim with music directors such as Sir Ernest MacMillan, Seiji Ozawa, and Sir Andrew Davis. Canadian-born Peter Oundjian reinvigorated the ensemble and significantly strengthened its presence in the world when he was musical director from 2004 until 2018. Guest performers have included pianist Lang Lang, violinist Itzhak Perlman, and singer-songwriter Rufus Wainwright. Each season the orchestra screens a classic film, such as Star Wars or Singin' in the Rain, and plays the score as it runs. The TSO also presents about three concerts weekly at Roy Thomson Hall from October through June.

This popular live music venue inside the Arts Hotel is the best place to catch local folk acts and troubadours from across Canada and beyond. This is a listening room for true music lovers, so chatter is kept to a whisper and you're reminded of that before each show commences.

Toronto's go-to spot for experimental music, the self-titled "center for creative music" presents an eclectic selection of avant-garde and experimental music from world and classical to jazz and avant-pop in a relaxed environment.

More than just a performance space for contemporary dance, this center actively works in the dance community to encourage creativity and experimentation. Hosting acclaimed artists and companies from around the world, the company is also affiliated with the Université du Québec à Montréal dance faculty.

It's not only wine drinkers who can enjoy festival fun. Victoria's annual cocktail party includes tastings, workshops, and other sipping and supping events every October.

A main theater with just under 1,000 seats is the focal point of this center, which also houses the St. John's Public Library. It is the site of musical and theatrical events from September through June.

The Aussie Rules Foodhouse and Bar is a popular piano bar that features dueling pianos playing a wide variety of musical styles.

Moncton's C$100-million-plus downtown events center is home to the Wildcats ice hockey team, and a variety of events, including concerts and comedy shows, are held in the 8,800-seat arena. The box office is open 9--6 weekdays year-round and additionally from 10 to noon Saturday from September through April. Tickets also may be purchased via Ticketmaster.ca.

Featuring traditional music and dancing, ceilidhs are held at St. Michael's Parish Hall every evening from July to late August, starting at 7:30. The hall opens at 5 for ticket sales, or you can be sure to get in by phoning ahead for a reservation.

Innovative dances and timeless classics by internationally acclaimed choreographers are presented by Ballet British Columbia. Most performances are at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre on Hamilton Street. 

Most of the cultural activities in the Canadian Rockies take place in and around Banff, and these 16 buildings spread across 43 acres are the hub of that activity. The center presents pop and classical music, theater, and dance throughout the year. The season peaks in summer with concerts, performances, films, and other events, many in an outdoor amphitheater. The Walter Phillips Gallery showcases contemporary artworks by Canadian and international artists.

Friday night ceilidhs with Celtic dancing, fiddling, and a few stories thrown in for good measure, run weekly May through October. It's worth checking out the winter concert series, too.

Tickets for most shows in town are sold through this company. There are outlets around town.

Under French artistic director Alexandra Damiani, BJM Danse Montréal fuses contemporary music and visual arts with extraordinary technique. Performances are held at Place des Arts and Agora de la Danse, and there are free shows at Théâtre de Verdure in Parc Lafontaine during the summer months.

The only Black English-language company in Québec (and the longest-running in Canada) continues to support and nourish the careers of many prominent artists on the national scene. Expect innovative new productions performed alongside classic plays such as A Raisin in the Sun. Shows take place at the Centaur Theatre and other venues around the city.

The area's leading cultural institution, the university's 337-seat Boardmore Playhouse hosts an annual season of plays, ranging from Broadway musicals to Shakespeare as well as the One Act Festival, the Youth Theatre Festival, and various concerts.

Brackley Drive-In Theatre gives visitors in this neck of the woods a reason to stay up past dark. It shows a pair of first-run flicks nightly at 9 pm, from late April to October; gates open at 8 pm. Onion rings and other classic snacks from the canteen complement the experience. There's limited RV parking (arrive by 8:30 pm). Bring bug spray and, if possible, a bug screen for the car window(s); and if there's no way to turn off car headlights, bring a blanket to cover them (battery booster cables are available if necessary).

Canada's largest queer theater company presents edgy plays and festivals, as well as specialty events like parties, burlesque, and stand-up. 

When summer comes, this outdoor amphitheater at the waterfront becomes one of the most sought-after concert venues in town. With a capacity of 16,000, it's a spot for big touring acts of all genres, from classic rock like Santana to hip-hop artists like Kendrick Lamar. It's also a common venue for hometown hero Drake's headline-grabbing OVO Fest and an annual warm-weather blowout for local folk-rockers Blue Rodeo. It's a seated venue, partially covered, though open-air tickets on a back lawn are also available. Nearby venue Echo Beach also offers slightly smaller shows on sand.

For more than 40 years, Calithumpians has continued to delight family audiences with its shows about local history, folklore, and legend as well as modern social and environmental issues, always tinged with humor. Free outdoor performances run daily July through early September, check their Facebook page for times and locations. 

Canadian Stage is the country’s leading contemporary performing arts organization, focusing on cross-disciplinary works that integrate theater, dance, film, visual arts, and more to reflect the complexity and cultural richness of Canada. It stages productions at the Bluma Appel Theatre ( 27 Front St. E), which seats 867, and the more intimate Berkeley Street Theatre ( 26 Berkeley St.), which has a capacity of 244 seats.

This arena is a huge venue where NHL hockey is played—the Ottawa Senators are the home team—and where such big-name acts as Rush perform when in town. It's 20 minutes from downtown, but double that during rush hour or when there is an event.

A restored 1920s vaudeville stage, the opulent Capitol Theatre is a beautiful attraction in itself, as well as a venue for plays, musicals, ballets, stand-up comedy, and concerts. Free tours are given when guides are available; call ahead.

Children's theater is the focus here, with most performances across the street at the Waterfront Theatre, though some are elsewhere in the city.