The 2026 edition of the Montreal Ukrainian Festival, which runs from August 29 to September 27, will celebrate the rich cultural heritage of Montreal’s Ukrainian community under the theme of “Heritage of Generations”, in which the traditions of the past will be exhibited through today’s generation through music, dance, literature, visual arts and culture.
This year, the festival taking place at Maisonneuve Park will commemorate two milestones that represent the resilience, culture, and vast contributions of Ukrainian communities throughout Canada and abroad: the 35th anniversary of Ukraine’s independence, and 135 years of Ukrainians in Canada.
The Montreal Ukrainian Festival kicks off on August 29 at Maisonneuve Park (across from the Big O) with its popular outdoor celebration featuring artisan and vendor booths, authentic Ukrainian cuisine, an impressive line-up of live performances and a concert with numerous Ukrainian artists from across Canada.
Who will perform
Several special guests will also be in attendance, including the Moldovan dance ensemble Vatra, the Lemon Bucket Orchestra from Toronto, Ukrainian groups Gerdan and Shokolad, and, as the headlining act, the Ukrainian band Patsyki Z Franeka, whose songs have accumulated millions of streams on music platforms around the world.
Admission is free.
Other events that are scheduled during the Montreal Ukrainian Festival include a day-long celebration of Ukrainian traditions, arts and craftsmanship through hands-on workshops and cultural experiences (September 12); a series of readings, discussions and musical performances in celebration of Ukrainian literature and intercultural dialogues (September 13); an evening of modern theatre dealing with the topics of memory, identity and history (September 20); and the annual Young Talent Showcase with a line-up of the next generation of upcoming Ukrainian artists (September 27).
For more information, go to ukefestmontreal.org.
