2026 Summer Programming

From the Olympic Games to Mount Royal Park: Celebrating Montreal

Montreal, May 6, 2026 – From the 50th anniversary of the Montreal Olympic Games to the 150th anniversary of the creation of Mount Royal Park, with a striking nod to Céline Dion’s electrifying performance at the opening ceremony of the Paris 2024 Games, the Museum is a must-visit destination this summer. Through a colourful and engaging program, visitors are invited to experience—or relive—defining moments in the city’s history, along with the legacy of restaurants that have left a lasting mark on Montreal and Quebec.

The Museum will also mark National Indigenous History Month in June with a series of community, cultural and educational activities.

Continuing its commitment to cultural accessibility, the Museum offers free admission for youth aged 17 and under, “Pay What You Can” Sundays on the first Sunday of every month, and a range of advantageous membership options, making for an affordable summer outing.

→ One visit, four exhibitions | → Activities for the whole family
→ Museum Alley

The Mountain at the Heart of Montreal

Starting June 1, 2026, the McCord Stewart Museum presents The Mountain at the Heart of Montreal, an outdoor exhibition tracing 150 years of Mount Royal Park’s history through some fifty archival images drawn from the Museum’s Photography collection. Free to visit year-round, the exhibition unfolds near the George-Étienne Cartier Monument and Beaver Lake, by way of Smith House and the Kondiaronk Lookout chalet. Whether they’re out for a leisurely stroll or a brisk run through the trails, the exhibition invites visitors to put yesterday’s views in conversation with today’s, and to rediscover Montreal’s beloved green oasis through its uses, its landscapes and its seasons.

Created to mark the 150th anniversary of Mount Royal Park, the exhibition is made possible through a gift from Power Corporation of Canada, in partnership with the City of Montreal, and in collaboration with Les Amis de la Montagne. It will be on display throughout the official celebration period.

Celebrating the Games on Île Notre-Dame

To mark the 50th anniversary of the Montreal Olympic Games, Parc Jean-Drapeau is partnering with the McCord Stewart Museum to bring this shared legacy back to life. The collaboration takes shape through two complementary experiences on Île Notre-Dame:

• The virtual tour Voyage des îles, which invites visitors to explore points of interest across both islands (Notre-Dame and Sainte-Hélène), will be enhanced with three new stations dedicated to the Olympic Basin built for the Montreal Games. These installations feature original content drawn from the Museum’s Photography collection, highlighting the basin’s construction, the competitions and the ceremonies held there during this international event. Launching July 2026.
• A footbridge spanning the Gilles-Villeneuve Circuit will host the outdoor exhibition Traversez les Jeux, retracing the story of the 1976 Games, from their preparation to their presentation and lasting legacy. Drawing on the Museum’s collections, the exhibition presents 10 compelling anecdotes that capture both the human stories and the organizational efforts behind the Games, including their ambitions, challenges, excitement, standout performances and enduring impact on Montreal. Launching July 2026.

An invitation to wander, reflect and reconnect with history at the very heart of one of the sites that hosted the Games half a century ago.

One visit, four exhibitions

• The Museum presents the North American premiere of the exquisite Dior gown worn by Céline Dion during her unforgettable performance from the Eiffel Tower at the opening ceremony of the Paris 2024 Olympics. Set in a striking exhibition design, Céline in Dior: A Dazzling Moment pays tribute to an iconic performer, and to a moment that captured hearts, embodied in a dress. Until September 7, 2026.
  The exhibition is presented by Reitmans – Fashion Premier Partner, in collaboration with Holt Renfrew Ogilvy – Associate Partner, and La Presse – Major Media Partner.
• To mark the 50th anniversary of the 1976 Olympic Games in Montreal, the Museum presents an unprecedented retrospective on this event that marked history and redefined the city’s image. Drawing from the Museum’s collections, Montreal 1976: An Olympic Feat goes behind the scenes to revisit the challenges and successes of this defining event for Montreal. Until September 13, 2026.
  This project is part of the official programming for the 50th anniversary celebrations of the 1976 Olympic Games.
• On the Menu – Montreal: A Restaurant Story invites visitors to explore the evolution of Montreal’s restaurant scene, in all its forms, since the 1960s. From delis to fine dining establishments, the exhibition highlights restaurants’ crucial role in shaping the city’s identity. Until October 18, 2026.
  Presented by the OVI Fund – A Ionescu Foundation, this exhibition was made possible with the support of Lightspeed, Innovation Collaborator, and the Institut de tourisme et d’hôtellerie du Québec (ITHQ), Institutional Partner, as well as Power Corporation of Canada, Premier Partner –Montreal Stories.
• The permanent exhibition Indigenous Voices of Today: Knowledge, Trauma, Resilience gives voice to 11 Indigenous nations in Quebec and bears witness to the still unrecognized knowledge of Indigenous peoples, as well as the deep wounds they carry and their incredible resilience.
  Presented by TD
  Official broadcaster: Radio-Canada

Discover the exhibitions

Contest – Montreal on the Menu: A Year of Dining Out!

Until October 18, 2026, the Montreal on the Menu contest gives visitors the chance to win monthly prizes—a meal for two in one of 11 beloved Montreal restaurants—or the Grand Prize of 12 experiences in 12 different restaurants for a year. Full details and contest rules available on the Museum’s website.

Activities for the whole family

Beyond the Games: Montreal’s Olympic Story – virtual exhibition

En parallèle de l’exposition This virtual exhibition was created to complement the physical exhibition Montreal 1976: An Olympic Feat. Designed for teens aged 12 to 17, Beyond the Games: Montreal’s Olympic Story will feature exclusive content and offer an accessible, engaging look at the 1976 Montreal Olympic Games. With lots of references to contemporary culture, it serves as an excellent resource for helping younger audiences understand this landmark moment in the city’s history. Available online starting July 12.

Developed with the support of Digital Museums Canada, an investment program managed by the Canadian Museum of History.

Family trails in the exhibitions

• Natu-natshishkueu: The Adventure of Connection
  En tout temps – At all times – Free activity with the purchase of an admission ticket.
  Presented by Hydro-Québec
  
• Exposition Montreal 1976: An Olympic Feat: Take on an Olympic mission with your family
  At all times until September 13, 2026
• Exposition On the Menu – Montreal: A Restaurant Story • On the Menu – Montreal: A Restaurant Story
  At all times until October 18, 2026

Urban Tours

Perfect for self-guided exploration, the Urban Tours feature six themed outdoor routes. This unique off-site experience draws on historical images from the Museum’s Photography collection, which includes more than 2,150,000 photographs. With phone in hand, visitors can follow the various themed routes at their own pace and discover the history of 150 sites across the city, along with photographs capturing Montreal as it once was.

Museum Alley

Museum Alley, a green space for gathering and relaxation in the heart of downtown—evoking the spirit of Montreal’s iconic neighbourhood alleys—returns for a third summer. Throughout the season, educational kiosks by Sollicité focusing on environmentally friendly habits, interactive kiosks on the Montreal Olympic Games, and a range of activities for all ages will offer plenty of reasons to stop by and take a break.