The Polaris Music Prize has announced its full 2026 season calendar, with the Concert and Award Ceremony returning to Toronto’s Massey Hall on September 22 for the fourth consecutive year. Presented by CBC and powered by FACTOR, the one-night event will feature live performances by that year’s nominees and close with the announcement of the Polaris Album Prize winner, the SOCAN Polaris Song Prize winner, and two Slaight Family Polaris Heritage Prize designations. The Album Prize carries a $30,000 award courtesy of the Slaight Family Foundation, with the Song Prize offering $10,000 from SOCAN. Performers will be announced in July. Tickets are on sale now.
The season rolls out across the summer with the 40-album Long List dropping June 11, the 20-song Long List on June 24, the 10-album Short List on July 9, and the 5-song Short List on July 29. Heritage Prize nominees are announced August 5 with public voting running through August 21. The Polaris Submission Portal is also open now, allowing Canadian musicians to submit their music directly for jury consideration, free of charge, for the first time ever.
Polaris also unveiled its 2026 visual identity, created by Toronto and Montreal-based aftermodern.lab. The design language draws from industrial and analog textile traditions, using fabrics, stitching, looms, and pattern-making as a framework for celebrating the many threads of Canadian musical identity. “We weave together the many threads of Canada’s identity into a quilt that reflects the spirit of the Polaris community,” said Aiyana Alzamora and Joshua Reginales of aftermodern.lab.
Building on the momentum of last year’s inaugural Polaris Festival, which welcomed over 11,000 participants across 22 September events, the organization will expand its Community Development Program and continue integrating the submission portal into its broader services. “The 2026 season is designed to showcase the depth, ambition and diversity of Canadian music,” said Executive Director Amber Still.