2026 Season Launch
Long List / Jun 10
Short List / Jul 10
Polaris Concert / Sep 16
Heritage Prize / Sep 16

Blog

We believe music can move people, shift and reflect culture, and bring us together. This is where we share winner announcements, Long/Short Lists, festival news, artist interviews, and behind-the-scenes updates from the Polaris season.

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De-Mystifying Polaris, Presented by Polaris Music & Music Managers Forum Canada

Sep 8, 6-8PM Salon | Daniels Spectrum |||| Co-presented by Polaris Music Prize and the Music Managers Forum Canada (MMFCanada), De-Mystifying Polaris is a Polaris Salon and panel discussion that uncovers the mysteries of Polaris, including topics like the new Polaris Song Prize, an exciting new initiative being announced at the 2025 Concert & Award Ceremony at Massey Hall, how Polaris jurors and grand jurors make their selections, and most importantly, how to get your art or artist in front of Polaris Jurors.

NIGHT MIRROR – Presented by LOTION MAG & Polaris Music Prize

$22-$44 Salon & Rave | Sep 13, 10-3AM, Polaris Activation 12-2AM | Sound Machine |||| Night Mirror: A Psychic Salon is an intimate, late-night activation that will be featured live inside Lotion Magazine’s highly anticipated rave event. Running from 12AM–2AM, this unique collaboration invites attendees to pause, reflect, and set an intention before fully immersing themselves back into the energy of the dance floor.

Beautiful View & Polaris Festival Present Cedric Noel & Justin Rutledge

Free Concert | Sep 13, 4:30-6:45PM | Downtown Belleville |||| Polaris nominee Hannah Georgas curates the first-ever Beautiful View, a new music festival set against the scenic backdrop of Belleville, Ontario. The inaugural lineup features intimate performances part of the Polaris Festival by fellow alumni Cedric Noel and Justin Rutledge.

Listening Session – Hosted by The Dears, Presented by Polaris Music Prize

Free Listening Session w/ Registration | Sep 13, 4-7PM | Sounds Good |||| Join Polaris Music Prize nominees The Dears at Sounds Good in Toronto for an all-vinyl listening session and live performance. This special event offers a deep dive into the band’s cinematic catalogue, featuring rare cuts, fan favourites, and exclusive premieres of unreleased music. The Dears will be on hand to share stories, insights, and an intimate live set.

Listening Session – Hosted By Myst Milano

Free Listening Session w/ Registration | Sep 15, 9-11PM | Plethora Vintage at 146 Augusta Ave in Kensington Market. | 19+ |||| Genre-defying powerhouse Myst Milano spins a curated set of their signature energy-fueled cuts: punk, ballroom, rap and beyond. Uncompromising and community-rooted in a DIY space.

Listening Session – Hosted by Shad, Presented by Polaris Music Prize

Free Listening Session w/ Registration | Sep 15, 9-11PM | Loveless Cafe |||| Shad (Shadrach Kabango), a JUNO-winning rapper and five-time Polaris Music Prize short-lister, hosts a special listening session at Loveless Cafe. A function for all the Quixotic music makers/lovers/haters/true believers, Shad will be selecting a mix of smashes and rarities, with special attention paid to the greats from coast-to-coast-to-coast. A little chatter on the mic too.

Polaris Concert & Award Ceremony

$40 Concert | Sep 16 8:00PM | Massey Hall |||| The Polaris Festival culminates in the Polaris Concert & Award Ceremony presented by CBC and Powered by FACTOR on September 16, 2025, at the legendary Massey Hall. This unmissable evening celebrates the art of Canadian music with live performances by the 2025 Polaris Album Short List: Bibi Club, Lou-Adriane Cassidy, Marie Davidson, Nemahsis, Population II, Ribbon Skirt, Saya Gray, The OBGMs, Yves Jarvis, and more,

Polaris Festival Presents: The Official After Party Featuring TEKE::TEKE

$15 Concert & Party | Sep 16, 10-1AM | Church of the Holy Trinity | 19+| Accessible Venue |||| Join us after the Polaris Concert & Award Ceremony at the official afterparty to celebrate all 2025 winners and nominees with a performance by TEKE::TEKE, and a DJ set by Phillippe. For the first time ever, Polaris will be transforming the Church of the Holy Trinity, a short four-minute walk from Massey Hall. The space is known for serving the community in the day, and Toronto’s nightlife in the evening.

Polaris Festival Presents: Hart House Producers’ Circle Featuring Clairmont The Second

Free Salon w/ Registration | Sep 17, 6-9PM | 7 Hart House Circle, Map Room |||| Join us for an intimate evening of conversation, creativity, and community as the Polaris Music Prize and Hart House proudly co-present “Hart House Producers’ Circle” featuring one of Toronto’s most innovative voices in Hip-Hop, Clairmont The Second. Known for his self-produced, genre-defying sound and deeply introspective lyrics, Clairmont The Second brings a bold, authentic voice to Canada’s music scene. 

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