The Quartier
Located in downtown Montreal, the Quartier des Spectacles is home to the greatest concentration and diversity of cultural venues in North America. Festivals, concert halls, galleries, public spaces and facilities, restaurants and bars: all in a single square kilometer! Day or night, discover eight public spaces, 80 venues, and 50 festivals a year. Let yourself be guided by the richness and diversity of cultural experiences that express the vibrancy of the Quartier all year round.
Quartier des spectacles, 2023
The history of the Quartier des Spectacles
Riding on 100 years of history, the Quartier des Spectacles has always been a prime destination for culture and entertainment in Montreal. Most of the site is located on what used to be known as the “Red Light District”—a designation dating back to the 1920s and 1930s, when Montreal was considered an “open city”. The area prospered with the establishment of prestigious theaters, cinemas and cabarets. It was modernized during the Quiet Revolution, starting in the 1960s, with the creation of several institutions, including Place des Arts and UQAM.
In 2003, its vocation was officially defined with the creation of the Quartier des Spectacles Partnership, giving it the identity it now enjoys: that of the Quartier des Spectacles, founded on creativity, boldness and cultural vibrancy.
Discover the Quartier
PUBLIC SPACES
This little chunk of city features eight public spaces hosting festivals and unique events all year round—even in winter! These places are made to amaze you, but they’re also designed for living and chilling.
VIDEO PROJECTIONS
As soon as night falls, let yourself be dazzled by the four video projection surfaces. Watch iconic building facades come to life with original, ad-free artistic content, 365 nights a year. And in winter, the Esplanade Tranquille skating rink turns into a fifth surface for interactive video projection on the ice!
PERFORMANCE VENUES
The Quartier des Spectacles owes its name to the 30 venues that make it up, offering a wide range of artistic programming. Over time and depending on your interests, options run the gamut from children’s plays at the Maison Théâtre, to punk shows at the Foufounes électriques, to classical concerts at the Maison Symphonique—all in the same epicenter where you’ll find cultural offerings for all tastes and ages.
Eco-responsible practices and sustainable development in the Quartier
The Quartier des Spectacles is a shared living environment that must be preserved, hence the focus on eco-friendly practices and sustainable development. And you can pitch in! Help keep this area green by joining the various initiatives currently underway (Ecocups and water fountains), using public transit to get around, or else walking or cycling!
Esplanade Tranquille, 2024
Saint-Denis Street, Quartier Latin, 2023