Unison Festival Vancouver 2026: Music Healing Spirit

Bringing voices together in pride, community, and connection

With the new year approaching, festival planning is shifting into a new phase. Delegates across Canada are finalizing their registrations, new details continue to roll out on the website, and the excitement for Unison 2026 is growing. This month’s update brings you a mix of practical reminders, a spotlight on Montreal’s vibrant Gay Men’s Chorus, and a fun look at LGBTQ Vancouver to help you get ready for your visit next spring. Here’s the latest as we head into the holiday season.

In this issue:

• Singers: Register Now! Early Bird Discount Ends January 15

• Not in a choir but want to participate? | Other ways to get involved

• A Closer Look at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre

• Local Love: 10 Fun Facts About LGBTQ Vancouver

• Unison Voices: Montreal Gay Men’s Chorus

• Helpful Info on This Website!

Singers: Register Now! Early Bird Discount Ends January 15

With just a few weeks left to take advantage of Early Bird pricing, now is the perfect time to register for Unison Festival 2026. We’ll gather in beautiful Vancouver from Friday, May 15 to Monday, May 18 for a long weekend filled with music, community, and celebration. Registering before January 15 not only saves you money, it also helps our team plan the best possible experience for everyone arriving next spring.

Your delegate registration includes all core festival events, beginning with Friday evening’s Opening Ceremony and Opening Concert at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre. You’ll hear the host chorus and other BC choirs kick things off, then join fellow delegates for a relaxed welcome reception.

Throughout the weekend, choirs from across Canada will take the stage during four concert blocks. Each block runs about three hours with a short intermission and features performances by multiple choirs. All concerts take place on the Queen Elizabeth Theatre stage, giving every ensemble the chance to perform in one of Vancouver’s most iconic venues. (See the Festival Schedule here.)

Sunday evening brings one of Unison’s favourite traditions. Our banquet and dance at the Westin Bayshore offers a waterfront setting with plenty of space to gather, connect, and celebrate. The banquet is included in your registration at no extra cost, and the dance is always a highlight.

On Monday morning, the festival wraps up with a Closing Concert that brings everyone together one last time and includes the announcement of the host city for Unison 2030.

Delegates can also enjoy a range of social activities, choir-hosted meetups, and informal gatherings around the city. For a small additional fee, you can join one of our Festival Choruses: SATB, SSAA, TTBB, or the new 2-Spirit, Trans, and Non-Binary ensemble. These groups are open to all and offer a great way to meet new people and share the joy of singing.

Unison Festival 2026 is proudly hosted by the Vancouver Men’s Chorus. With 27 member choirs already registered and an expected 800 to 1,000 delegates, it’s shaping up to be an unforgettable weekend.

➤ Early Bird rates end January 15. Register today! 

Not in a choir but want to participate?

You’re very welcome to register as an independent delegate. Simply leave the choir field blank when you sign up. Independent delegates enjoy full access to concerts, social events, and the banquet and dance. You can also join and sing with a Festival Chorus for a small additional fee. ➤ Register Now

Other ways to get involved:

Buy tickets Anyone can attend the festival concerts by purchasing tickets for the Opening Concert, any of the four concert blocks, or the Closing Concert. Tickets go on sale in the new year. Festival delegates: Your registration includes access to all concert blocks, space permitting. Your delegate badge is your pass.

Volunteer with us Volunteers help create the warm, welcoming spirit that makes Unison so special, supporting everything from guest services to concert logistics. If you or someone you know would like to help out, we’d love to hear from you. ➤ Learn more and get on the list

Support the festival

We’re grateful for the individuals and organizations who help make this festival possible. If you’re able, please consider contributing through a sponsorship or donation: ➤ Sponsorship information ➤ Make a donation

However you choose to take part, we hope you’ll join us in Vancouver for a weekend filled with music.

A Closer Look at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre

When you’re in Vancouver for Unison 2026, the concerts and main events will take place at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre, a landmark civic venue in the heart of downtown. Built by the City of Vancouver and opened in 1959 after an international design competition, the theatre quickly became a model for large modern performing arts centres across Canada and the United States.

The building was officially christened by Queen Elizabeth II during her visit to Vancouver on July 15, 1959, when an estimated 250,000 people turned out to greet her that day. Fifty years later, in 2009, the theatre completed a major renovation including new lobbies, elevators, and significant acoustic upgrades designed to improve the experience for everything from opera to bhangra and Broadway tours.

Today, the venue is home to the Vancouver Opera and Ballet BC and is one of the city’s premier stages for touring Broadway shows, big concerts, comedy, and special events. With up to 2,900 seats depending on configuration and one of the largest proscenium stages in Canada, it is designed to feel impressive yet welcoming, with broad concrete columns, crimson seating, a sweeping lobby with staircases and chandeliers, and an art gallery featuring local work.

Over the years the theatre has hosted a wide range of artists, including many who are favourites in queer communities. In recent seasons and past decades, audiences here have seen Canadian icons like k.d. lang performing with Neko Case and Laura Veirs during the Vancouver International Jazz Festival, indie pop duo Tegan and Sara on tour for their album Love You to Death, and earlier appearances by performers such as Bette Midler.

The location also makes it easy to explore between rehearsals and concert blocks. The theatre sits just off West Georgia Street, a short walk from Stadium-Chinatown SkyTrain station. Within a few minutes’ walk of the theatre, you’ll find plenty of places to eat or grab a coffee, including Jam Café, Café Medina, Frankie’s Italian Kitchen & Bar, and several cafés around the Vancouver Public Library – in addition to Browns Socialhouse on the theatre plaza itself.

When you step into the auditorium next May, you’ll be sharing a stage and a space that has welcomed generations of performers and audiences. It is a fitting home for a festival that brings choirs from across Canada together in pride, community, and connection.

Local Love: 10 Fun Facts About LGBTQ Vancouver

Vancouver has a long and lively queer history, along with many places and stories that continue to shape the city today. Whether you’re wandering through Davie Village, walking the seawall, or exploring the local arts scene, here are a few fun facts to help you get to know LGBTQ Vancouver.

1. Canada’s first same-sex kiss on TV. In 1992, the CBC teen drama Madison featured one of the earliest recognized same-sex kisses on Canadian television. The series was filmed in Vancouver.
   

2. Pride began with a march for equal rights. Vancouver Pride started in 1978 with a modest crowd along Granville Street and has since grown into one of the country’s largest Pride events.
   

3. Early same-sex marriages. British Columbia issued its first same-sex marriage licence in 2003, making it one of the earliest provinces in Canada to do so.
   

4. A peaceful AIDS Memorial by the water. The Sunset Beach AIDS Memorial is a quiet spot for reflection with a view of English Bay, a short walk from Davie Village.
   

5. Jim Deva Plaza honours a community leader. Named for activist and bookstore owner Jim Deva, the plaza hosts outdoor events, performances, and public art installations.
   

6. Commercial Drive as a queer hub. The Drive remains a welcoming space for queer women, non-binary folks, and allies, with inclusive cafés, pubs, and independent shops.
   

7. Canada’s only year-round queer film programming. Out On Screen’s Queer Film Festival runs each August, and its monthly screenings continue throughout the year.
   

8. VPL celebrates our stories. Vancouver’s public libraries regularly feature LGBTQ reading lists and displays, especially at the Central Library downtown.
   

9. The seawall as an inclusive gathering place. You’ll see runners, cyclists, families, and queer couples along the 28-kilometre loop, especially around English Bay and Stanley Park.
   

10. The West End’s welcoming density. The West End continues to have more same-sex couples per capita than any neighbourhood in Canada, contributing to its friendly atmosphere.

Unison Voices: Montreal Gay Men’s Chorus

Founded in 2005, the Gay Men’s Chorus of Montreal brings together singers from Montreal’s vibrant LGBTQ community. The choir is known for its wide-ranging repertoire in both French and English, as well as the strong sense of camaraderie that emerges when people come together to sing. With one or two major productions each year, community performances, and an annual music camp, the CGDM offers its members a welcoming space to develop their voices and enjoy making music together.

Artistic Director Julie Roy joined the choir in 2008 as a piano accompanist. She has led the ensemble since 2015 and is recognized for her energy, dedication, and ability to help singers build confidence.

The choir is already preparing for Unison 2026. Members are looking forward to travelling across the country to Vancouver and joining ensembles from all over Canada for a weekend filled with music and meaningful connections. They’re excited to reconnect with friends, meet new fellow music lovers, and share the energy they’re known for.

Between memorizing repertoire, refining stage movement, and developing their polished ensemble sound, CGDM performances radiate vitality. The joy of singing lies at the heart of everything they do, and that joy will undoubtedly shine at Unison 2026. Their presence will add a warm note to a weekend celebrating pride, connection, and the pleasure of singing together.

➤ More info: cgdm.org

Helpful Info on This Website!

As we move closer to May, more festival details are being confirmed and added to the website. Here are some key pages to help delegates and audiences stay up to date.

• Delegate Registration: To benefit from discounted Early Bird rates, be sure to register online through our Integra platform before January 15.

• Festival Schedule: A snapshot of what’s happening each day, including a program overview and the performance lineup for each concert block.

• Festival Choruses: Details about the SATB, SSAA, TTBB, and 2-Spirit, Trans, and Non-Binary ensembles. Learn how to join, what to expect, and why these choruses are such a highlight of the Unison experience.

• Delegate Accommodations: A quick guide to hotels and other stay options for visiting delegates. Includes special group rates for Unison attendees where available.

• Theme: Music Healing Spirit: An introduction to the artistic theme for 2026 and how it will be reflected by choirs throughout the festival.

• Newsletters: Missed an update? Browse past editions of our Festival Update newsletter for announcements, features, and helpful reminders.

• Contact Us: Need assistance or have a question? Use our handy web form to reach the right person on the Festival 2026 team.

Cheers

Thanks for following along as Unison 2026 takes shape. Each week brings new updates and a little more excitement, especially now that registration is well underway and festival plans are becoming clearer. We’ll continue sharing helpful details, stories, and resources to make your time in Vancouver as enjoyable as possible. In the meantime, enjoy the season, keep the music going, and stay tuned for more good things in the new year.

Share Your Ideas: Have a topic you’d like to see covered in a future update, or a question about the festival or host city? We’d love to hear from you. Send us a note anytime at communications@unisonchoruses.ca.

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