Notre-Dame Basilica unveils its facade on 25 October
Published on 10/21/2026 at 16:07 | Editorial responsibility: Rafael Müller, Editor-in-Chief AD HOC NEWSRestoration and public programme
- Rediscover Notre-Dame takes place at the basilica on 25 October 2026 with the Fabrique de la paroisse Notre-Dame de Montréal as custodian.
- The completed facade restoration will be presented through outdoor and indoor performances by the Société philharmonique du Nouveau Monde and Jean-Willy Kunz.
- Construction ran from 1824 to 1829 under architect James O’Donnell.
- The basilica stands at 110 Notre-Dame Street West in Old Montreal.
Notre-Dame Basilica (Basilique Notre-Dame de Montréal) in Montreal will unveil its restored facade on 25 October 2026 during a musical celebration presented at the church and outside it. The event follows close to ten years of scaffolding and marks a completed stage in a restoration programme that continues across the building.
Notre-Dame Basilica facade unveiling takes place on 25 October
The basilica’s operator has scheduled the celebration from 12.30pm on 25 October 2026. The Société philharmonique du Nouveau Monde, under the artistic direction of Michel Brousseau, will perform with organist Jean-Willy Kunz. The programme begins outdoors before continuing inside the basilica, according to the event listing.
The event is called Rediscover Notre-Dame. The public programme is free, but the organiser asks visitors to reserve a ticket online. The outdoor performance gives visitors who are not attending the indoor part an opportunity to see the facade and hear the opening part of the programme in front of the church. The operator’s event listing names the date, performers and venue.
How the facade restoration relates to the historic church
The unveiling concerns the most visible part of a wider project that began in 2020. The facade restoration is complete, but work on other exterior and interior elements remains. The Canadian Press reported that about 20 per cent of the necessary work had been completed, while further restoration is expected to affect the building for several years.
The church was designed by Irish-born New York architect James O’Donnell. Construction began in 1824 and the church was inaugurated in June 1829; the towers and spires were completed in the early 1840s. Victor Bourgeau later redesigned the interior, with renovation work continuing from 1872 into the 1880s. The facade event therefore presents a new conservation stage in a building whose main construction belongs to the nineteenth century. The restoration report describes the continuing work and its effect on the church.
Old Montreal landmark enters its next restoration phase
Notre-Dame Basilica is the first Gothic Revival church in Canada, according to its historical account. It became a minor basilica in 1982 and was designated a National Historic Site of Canada in 1989. The current project addresses stonework, flashings, bell towers and other architectural elements while seeking to retain the character of the historic structure.
The facade is also tied to the building’s future use. Conservation work has already required scaffolding, and further interventions may affect concerts and guided tours. The 25 October programme connects that practical change with a public view of the completed facade rather than presenting the restoration as finished across the whole basilica.
Visiting Notre-Dame Basilica: what travellers from Western Europe should know
- Rediscover Notre-Dame takes place on 25 October 2026 from 12.30pm at Notre-Dame Basilica, 110 Notre-Dame Street West, Montreal.
- The musical programme begins outdoors and continues inside; the operator states that free tickets should be reserved online.
- The basilica stands in Old Montreal, at 110 Notre-Dame Street West near Place d’Armes.
- The building is a historic neo-Gothic church with a richly decorated interior, towers, spires and a large nave.
- Canada’s official languages are English and French, and the national currency is the Canadian dollar.
Searching for Notre-Dame Basilica on social platforms
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Frequently asked questions about Notre-Dame Basilica
When does Rediscover Notre-Dame take place at Notre-Dame Basilica?
The celebration takes place on 25 October 2026 from 12.30pm, with music outdoors and inside the basilica.
What has changed at Notre-Dame Basilica?
The facade restoration has been completed after close to ten years of scaffolding, while wider restoration work continues.
Where is Notre-Dame Basilica and how do you get there?
The basilica is at 110 Notre-Dame Street West in Old Montreal, near Place d’Armes.
