Polaris Music Prize Gala

Presented by CBC Music

Polaris is dedicated to celebrating the art of music. It brings together music lovers, artists and a dynamic jury to discover, discuss and award the best in Canadian music based on artistic merit.

The 2023 Polaris Event Season will kick-off with the Prize’s 40 album Long List on June 13, followed by the 10 album Short List on July 13. These signature events will also be transformed in 2023 with more details being shared in the coming week. This year’s winning album reveal will once again take place during the Polaris Gala presented by long-time partner CBC Music, happening September 19, 2023.

The biggest change? This year marks the first time since 2013 where the winner won’t be revealed under the beautiful art moderne ceiling at The Carlu. While Polaris will miss our home for the last decade, the opportunity to host the Polaris Gala at historic 129-year-old Massey Hall, Canada’s marquee live venue, represents a wonderful opportunity to shine an even bigger and brighter spotlight on the Polaris nominees and the exceptional music they make.

The iconic venue will be transformed by “Waveform,” its themed look for the Polaris 2023 season. Designed by Montreal-based artist, Aude Guivarc’h, various iterations of the Waveform will be unveiled throughout Polaris season and will be integrated in the stage design and environment at the Polaris Gala. Directed by Daniel Tal, Polaris has launched the official event season kick-off video (linked and below) where you can see Guivarc’h’s landscapes come to life for the first time.

The Polaris Music Prize awards $50,000 to the artist who creates the Canadian album of the year, judged solely on artistic merit, without consideration for genre or record sales. This life changing award is no small moment in the trajectory of the winners path.

This year’s lineup is still to be determined, but dedicated music lovers can snag their tickets now!