The Polaris Music Prize is doing something it has never done before. For the first time in the award’s history, the 2026 Album Long List reveal will take place as part of a festival, with Polaris teaming up with NXNE to announce the 40 nominated records on Thursday, June 11 at NXNE’s Artist House at Toronto’s Centre for Social Innovation, 192 Spadina Avenue. The event is open to NXNE artists and VIP and Platinum pass holders based on capacity.
The Long List announcement kicks off a full season of key Polaris dates running through September, culminating in the Polaris Concert & Award Ceremony on September 22 at Massey Hall, returning to that stage for the fourth consecutive year. The night will feature a genre-spanning, one-night-only lineup of performers, to be announced in July. Tickets are on sale now through the Massey Hall box office, with 15% off available using the promo code POLARIS15.
The Polaris Prize has a track record that speaks for itself. Past Album Prize winners include Yves Jarvis (2025), Jeremy Dutcher (2024), Debby Friday (2023), Pierre Kwenders (2022), Cadence Weapon (2021), Backxwash (2020), Haviah Mighty (2019), Lido Pimienta (2017), Kaytranada (2016), Tanya Tagaq (2014), Godspeed You! Black Emperor (2013), Feist (2012), Arcade Fire (2011), and Patrick Watson (2007), among others. The list maps twenty years of the most vital Canadian music made.
Pop Montreal has also dropped its first wave of 2026 performers, with Polaris alumni and community members well represented, including Think About Life, Chad VanGaalen, Plants and Animals, Spencer Krug, La Sécurité, Charlotte Cornfield, Julie Doiron, Klô Pelgag, Basia Bulat, Shad, and more. With NXNE running June 10 to 14 across 30-plus Toronto venues and Pop Montreal to follow, the argument for a Toronto-to-Montreal road trip this summer is strong.
Key 2026 Polaris Dates:
Thursday, June 11 – 40 Album Long List announced at NXNE
Wednesday, June 24 – 20 Song Long List announced
Thursday, July 9 – 10 Album Short List announced
Wednesday, July 29 – 5 Song Short List announced
Wednesday, August 5 – Heritage Prize nominees announced, public voting opens
Friday, August 21 – Heritage Prize public voting closes
Tuesday, September 22 – Polaris Concert & Award Ceremony at Massey Hall
Throughout September – Polaris Festival (programming to be announced)