Residents across the MRC de Thérèse-De Blainville will have access to more than 50 cultural activities this summer as municipal leaders and cultural organizations collaborate on a regional initiative aimed at increasing access to arts and entertainment throughout the North Shore.
The 2026 edition of Une journée, une ville, un spectacle! was unveiled this week by the MRC de Thérèse-De Blainville in partnership with the municipalities of Blainville, Boisbriand, Bois-des-Filion, Lorraine, Rosemère, Sainte-Anne-des-Plaines and Sainte-Thérèse, along with cultural partners Odyscène and Petit Théâtre du Nord.
The program will run from June 26 to September 10 and includes more than 50 cultural events presented across the region. Organizers say the initiative is designed to ensure residents of all ages can access cultural programming close to home while encouraging greater use of parks, public squares and community gathering spaces.
Among the activities planned are 38 free outdoor concerts, an open-air performance by the Montreal Symphony Orchestra, two theatre productions, five comedy shows, a music festival, various artistic performances and a summer public market. Events will take place throughout the seven municipalities, transforming public spaces into venues for cultural and civic engagement.
For municipal officials, the initiative is about more than entertainment. It reflects a broader effort to strengthen community life and improve residents’ access to cultural services.
MRC Prefect and Blainville Mayor Liza Poulin said the program demonstrates the value of collaboration among municipalities and cultural organizations while helping ensure that high-quality cultural activities remain accessible to the public at no cost. She noted that the initiative also helps strengthen residents’ sense of belonging to the region and highlights the cultural vitality of the MRC.
Christine Beaudette, Chair of the MRC’s Culture and Heritage Action Table and Mayor of Boisbriand, emphasized the role cultural programming plays in community development. According to Beaudette, the summer schedule supports artists and cultural presenters while creating opportunities for residents of different generations to gather in accessible and welcoming settings. She described culture as an important tool for social cohesion and regional development.
Several major events are expected to draw visitors from across the North Shore, including the OSM dans les parcs concert in Rosemère, productions presented by Petit Théâtre du Nord, Odyscène’s comedy evenings, and the Un air d’ici et d’ailleurs music festival in Boisbriand.
The initiative also illustrates how municipalities are increasingly working together to provide services and activities that might be difficult to offer individually. By pooling resources and coordinating programming across municipal boundaries, the seven cities are able to create a regional cultural offering that serves a population of nearly 168,000 residents.
Printed schedules will be distributed to households throughout the MRC, and the complete program will also be available through municipal and MRC websites. Organizers hope the summer lineup will encourage residents to explore neighbouring communities while supporting local artists and cultural institutions.
