Notre-Dame Basilica unveils its facade on 25 October
Published on 10/18/2026 at 08:21 | Editorial responsibility: Rafael Müller, Editor-in-Chief AD HOC NEWS
Notre-Dame Basilica of Montreal (Basilique Notre-Dame de Montréal) will unveil its restored facade in Montreal on 25 October 2026, with a free musical celebration beginning at 12.30pm. The facade unveiling follows ten years of restoration work and combines the building with performances by the New World Philharmonic Society and organist Jean-Willy Kunz.
Notre-Dame Basilica facade unveiling begins on 25 October
The basilica’s official programme places the event on 25 October 2026 from 12.30pm. The New World Philharmonic Society will perform under the artistic direction of Michel Brousseau, joined by organist Jean-Willy Kunz, in a programme taking place outside and inside the church.
The outdoor element gives visitors a way to see the newly revealed facade even if they are not attending the indoor performance. The event is presented by Café Saint-Henri, while the official listing describes the performance as free. the official 25 October programme confirms the date, venue and performers.
Ten years of restoration reshape the Montreal landmark
The unveiling marks a visible stage in a restoration programme that began in 2020. Work has focused on the stonework, flashings, bell towers and associated sound structures, with the exterior facade now ready to be seen without its long-standing scaffolding.
Notre-Dame Basilica of Montreal is a neo-Gothic Revival church built between 1824 and 1829. Its interior contains woodwork, paintings, sculptures and stained-glass windows, while the Notre-Dame-du-Sacré-Coeur Chapel has a more modern design. The facade event therefore connects a current conservation milestone with the building’s nineteenth-century architecture. Tourisme Montréal’s basilica guide records the construction dates, address and visitor features.
Restoration continues beyond the October facade unveiling
The completed facade does not mark the end of the wider project. Further exterior and interior work remains planned, so the appearance revealed on 25 October 2026 is one stage in a longer programme of conservation rather than a final completion of every repair.
That distinction matters for visitors. The event offers a public view of the restored exterior, while the church continues to operate as a place of worship and a cultural venue with sightseeing visits, concerts and the AURA light and sound experience.
Visiting Notre-Dame Basilica of Montreal: what travellers from Western Europe should know
- The facade unveiling and musical celebration take place on 25 October 2026 from 12.30pm at Notre-Dame Basilica of Montreal.
- The performance includes an outdoor element and an indoor element. The outdoor programme allows visitors to view the restored facade without relying on the indoor part of the celebration.
- The basilica is at 110 Notre-Dame Street West in Old Montreal, near Place-d'Armes metro station. Montreal’s official languages are French and English, and Canada’s currency is the Canadian dollar.
- The building is a church with a substantial interior, including the nave, painted decoration, stained glass and the Notre-Dame-du-Sacré-Coeur Chapel. Visitors should expect a heritage site rather than a level modern venue, as accessibility is listed as partial.
- Entry requirements depend on your nationality; UK travellers can check the FCDO travel advice at gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice, Irish travellers the Department of Foreign Affairs at ireland.ie.
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Frequently asked questions about Notre-Dame Basilica of Montreal
When does the facade unveiling take place at Notre-Dame Basilica of Montreal?
The facade unveiling and musical celebration take place on 25 October 2026 from 12.30pm.
Where is Notre-Dame Basilica of Montreal and how do you get there?
The basilica is at 110 Notre-Dame Street West in Old Montreal, near Place-d'Armes metro station.
What is Notre-Dame Basilica of Montreal?
It is a neo-Gothic Revival church built between 1824 and 1829, with a historic interior, the Notre-Dame-du-Sacré-Coeur Chapel and the AURA experience.
