Unison Choruses Canada is a national not-for-profit organization serving as a hub for Canadian 2SLGBTQIA+ choruses, fostering connections and providing essential resources for administration, fundraising, and programming. Your donation helps us support these vibrant communities and ensure their voices continue to be heard.
Plan Your Visit
Dates & Location
The Unison Festival will take place from Friday, May 15 to Monday, May 18, 2026, in beautiful Vancouver, British Columbia. We’re excited to bring the festival back to Vancouver for the first time in 20 years!
This vibrant, coastal city offers an incredible mix of cultural richness, natural beauty, and urban convenience. To explore the city and start planning some activities, check out Destination Vancouver:
Where to Stay
Unison delegates can choose from a range of accommodation options in Vancouver – from convenient downtown hotels to student residences at UBC.
Our partner properties are offering special rates for Unison Festival 2026 delegates, and rooms can be booked directly through the links on our Delegate Accommodations page.
A billeting program is also being developed to match visiting delegates with local hosts in Vancouver – more details will be shared early in 2026.
Getting Here
Unison Festival 2026 will be hosted in downtown Vancouver, located on the unceded territories of the Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh Nations.
Arriving by air:
Vancouver International Airport (YVR) is the region’s main airport, offering easy access from across Canada and beyond.
From the airport to downtown:
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Public transit: Vancouver’s Translink network includes Skytrain and buses with great downtown coverage. In YVR Arrivals, look for signs that say “Canada Line” – there’s a covered walkway to the Skytrain station
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Taxi or rideshare: Flat-rate taxis, Uber, and Lyft take about 25-30 minutes
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Attend a Concert
Unison Festival concerts are open to the public, and all are welcome to attend. Tickets will be available for:
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The Opening Concert (Friday evening)
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The four main concert blocks (Saturday and Sunday)
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The Finale Concert (Monday morning)
Come and cheer on choirs from across Canada and experience the spirit of queer choral music in a world-class venue. Details about public ticket sales will be posted closer to the festival dates.
Explore Vancouver
Vancouver is a city of stunning scenery, vibrant neighbourhoods, and inclusive community spaces. While you’re here, take some time to explore:
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Davie Street: The heart of Vancouver’s 2SLGBTQIA+ community, with cafes, shops, and nightlife
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Commercial Drive: A multicultural area with a strong queer history and great food
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Stanley Park: Walk or cycle the scenic seawall
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Granville Island: A public market and hub for local artisans
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Gastown: Historic streets and the iconic steam clock
Thanks to an extensive public transit system, you can explore the city easily without a car.
Visit Destination Vancouver for travel guides, activities and events listings, and detailed info to help you get the most out of your Vancouver stay.
What to Expect at the Festival
Festival Choruses
Singing in a Festival Chorus can be a great part of what makes Unison special. These large, joyful ensembles are open to every registered delegate – no matter who you are or what you sing. This year’s Festival Choruses include:
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SATB Festival Chorus
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SSAA Festival Chorus
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TTBB Festival Chorus
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A new 2-Spirit, Trans, and Non-Binary (2STNB) Ensemble
All ensembles are open to registered delegates who sign up in advance. Music will be provided ahead of time, and rehearsals will take place throughout the weekend. Participation is first-come, first-served.
For more information, including conductor details and how to sign up, click here:
Concert Blocks
Each registered choir will perform during one of four concert “blocks” throughout the weekend. Each block will be three hours long with a 20-minute intermission and will feature multiple choirs. Performances will be scheduled across Saturday and Sunday afternoons. All concerts take place on the Queen Elizabeth Theatre stage.
Banquet & Dance
Our banquet takes place on Sunday, May 17 at the Westin Bayshore, a waterfront venue with gorgeous views, space to connect, and plenty of room to celebrate. A dance party will follow. The banquet is included in your registration at no extra cost.
Closing Concert
The festival closes with a finale concert on Monday morning, May 18. This final event brings everyone together one last time and will include the announcement of the host city for Unison 2030.
Social Events
There will be a mix of informal and structured social activities, including:
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Choir-hosted meetups
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Evening events
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Possible outings around the city
Ideas being explored include a harbour cruise, a history walk, dance parties, and after-hours socials hosted by Vancouver choirs and community partners.
Festival Highlights
Theme: Music Healing Spirit
The 2026 festival theme is Music Healing Spirit – a reflection of the emotions, connection, and transformation that music can inspire. Choirs are encouraged to select repertoire that responds to the theme – whether through joy, community, resilience, or spiritual reflection. Each choir is invited to interpret and express the theme in their own meaningful way.
Venue: Queen Elizabeth Theatre
All concerts, rehearsals, and many other festival happenings will take place at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre, a landmark civic venue located at 630 Hamilton Street in downtown Vancouver. Opened in 1959, it is one of the city’s largest and most iconic performance spaces, with seating for more than 2,700 people across multiple levels – including about 1,000 seats in the lower orchestra bowl which we’ll use most.
The venue is fully accessible and offers:
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Wheelchair seating and accessible entrances
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Elevators to all levels
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Assistive listening devices upon request
It is centrally located, close to major transit lines, parking, and bike routes.
