Montréal en lumière: Must-Sees at Place des Arts and in the surrounding area

Montréal en lumière, the city’s winter event par excellence, is once again lighting up the Quartier des spectacles with a rich and varied program, from February 27 to March 9! Many activities will be held at Place des Arts, offering a wide range of experiences—in warm indoor settings or out in the open air—celebrating our Nordic identity. 

SHOWS THAT SHOW THEIR WARMTH 

On March 1^st, the always popular Nuit Blanche event returns with a “pop” theme that promises an electrifying atmosphere! Several activities will take place at Place des Arts, where the literary and performing arts will be in the spotlight. 

First, a new Nuit de la poésie event will bring together some thirty extraordinary voices to celebrate guest of honor Joséphine Bacon. Poetry will also be brought to life through body language during a choreographic improvisation marathon presented by the UQAM School of Dance. In addition, the evening will also see the unveiling of the media work MÉTALLOPHYTES. 

The Orchestre symphonique de Montréal and Théâtre Duceppe will also be participating in the festivities. The OSM will present a 30-minute immersive concert based on the world of Philip Glass, followed by an introductory percussion workshop. Collège Lionel-Groulx’s Professional Theatre School will perform excerpts from three plays, exploring the complexity of human relationships, at Théâtre Duceppe. 

On March 2, the Cinquième Salle will play host to Italian musician, composer, and multi-instrumentalist Federico Albanese. His cinematic instrumentals—a mix of contemporary classical music, pop, and electronic sounds—promise to deliver a captivating experience. 

VISUAL ARTS 

Until March 1^st, experience the captivating LUMINO program, featuring some fifteen interactive illuminated works on display throughout the Quartier des spectacles. They include KALEIDOSCOPE: A SOCIAL MEDIA TRINITY, an immersive installation by Alejandro Figueroa in the Espace culturel Georges-Émile-Lapalme. This work explores human interactions through light and mirrors, questioning how social networks impact our perceptions of ourselves and others. The projected images, chosen via hashtags on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook, illustrate this phenomenon of constant connection, even within performance halls. 

From March 1 to 7, the UQAM School of Visual and Media Arts’ annual exhibition Paramètres XXIV will take over, highlighting the creativity and innovation of young artists. 

AND ALL AROUND 

Classic Montréal en lumière activities will also be back once again! Explore the Place des Festivals skating loop or sample some food at the Village Gourmand, located outdoors this year. 

Last but not least, a special program for School Break will include several free activities at Place des Arts. 

Enjoy the festival!