From July 7 to 19, 2026, the Festival International Nuits d’Afrique de Montréal will celebrate its 40th anniversary. In 40 years, Nuits d’Afrique has become the essential stage where cultures and rhythms mingle and create an unprecedented musical effervescence. For 13 days, nearly 130 concerts and activities will bring together more than 700 artists from 30 countries, in 6 rooms and on the free outdoor site of the Quartier des spectacles.
The largest event of its kind in North America, Nuits d’Afrique has established itself as an emblematic event with a unique identity. This anniversary edition will be an opportunity to revisit four decades of world music in Montreal. It will reaffirm the exceptional scope of a festival whose longevity is based on an authenticity that has never been denied, an essential relevance – both for the development of artists and the promotion of heritage and for living together – and an ever-increasing influence, here and internationally.
Several symbolic concerts, stamped “40 years”, will be put forward throughout the Festival, indoors and outdoors. Crossing the different series, they will illustrate the richness of the legacy of Nuits d’Afrique. The international and local artists who will participate all have a particular attachment to the Festival and fully embody its vision—as evidenced by the anthem “United by the Nights,” composed and performed by several of them on the occasion of this 40th anniversary.
INTERNATIONAL ARTISTS WHO HAVE LEFT THEIR MARK
The Republic of Guinea wished to take part in the celebrations by organizing an exceptional show in honor of the founding president of the Festival, Lamine Touré: “This initiative demonstrates our desire to salute the remarkable contribution of our compatriot to the international influence of Guinean culture” expressed Mr. Malick Kébé, general director of the Arts and Culture Development Fund of the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Crafts of Guinea. Sia Tolno, Degg J, AK, Manamba Kanté, Soul Bangs, Habib Fatako will follow one another on stage in this large-scale show.
Several international figures who have marked the history of the Festival will also be there: Oumou Sangaré, Admiral T, Tabou Combo, Tiken Jah Fakoly, Diblo Dibala and Matchatcha as well as Chris Combette: their presence is essential both for their talent, their influence on their musical genre and their essential role in the transmission of heritage and support for the next generation.
THE NIGHT CHILDREN OF AFRICA
For 40 years, Lamine Touré, driven by constant curiosity and the desire to create bridges between cultures, has continued to promote Montreal’s abundant world music scene and support its artists well beyond borders.
Their names are Djely Tapa, Aboulaye Koné, Diely Mori Tounkara, Adama Daou, Fa Sissokho, Mamoutou Dembélé (the Griots of Montreal); Labess; Sadio, Fa and Noumoucounda Sissokho (the Sissokho Brothers); Elage Diouf; Kalabanté; Taafé Fanga; Lorraine Klaasen; Jab Djab; King Shadrock; Westli; Kizaba; Joyce N’Sana. All are part of the history of the Festival, have grown up with it and will participate in this anniversary edition.
NEW GENERATIONS
Celebrating 40 years of discoveries also means continuing to look toward the future. An incubator of new talents and on the lookout for new trends, a privileged witness to the evolution of genres and the globalization of rhythms, the International Nuits d’Afrique Festival has, over the years, highlighted new generations of artists spotted during the year during the Nuits d’Afrique acoustic cabarets at Club Balattou, the Syli d’or de la musique du monde or international professional meetings. They too are the children of Nuits d’Afrique and will continue to grow with the event.
This year, in this category, we will notably find La Murga Ensemble, Fulu Miziki, Guiss Guiss Bou Bess, Sika Rlion, Boubé, Zalam Kao, Tamboréal Samba Bloco, Bastin Band, as well as several other emerging artists.
40 YEARS OF VIBRANT MEETINGS
Since the first editions on Saint-Laurent Boulevard, the journey through the cultures of Africa, the West Indies and Latin America, as well as the rich human connection that results from it, have been at the heart of the intention of the Festival International Nuits d’Afrique. As every year, numerous shows and activities will enliven the highly anticipated Village des Nuits d’Afrique, from July 14 to 19, at the Parterre du Quartier des spectacles and on the Esplanade Tranquille.
Dozens of free shows offering a wide range of cultures of African descent, including the Grands events TD presented at the end each evening or the Women of the World series which will light up the Loto-Québec stage; fascinating dance and music workshops; intimate artistic encounters at the Cabaret; tasty culinary discoveries on the Walk of Flavors; good deals at the unmissable Timbuktu Market; fun activities at the Radio-Canada Children’s Village; without forgetting the energetic interludes of the Escales Tropiques DJs… The Village des Nuits d’Afrique offers a complete experience, to the delight of families who are impatiently awaiting this event.
New for this 40th anniversary, the Festival will take over Sainte-Catherine Street. Giant screen, retrospectives, sharing of memories, activities and strolls with Kalabanté, spectacular projections: so many experiences that will make passers-by who do not yet know about the event want to make a detour, without delay, to the Village des Nuits d’Afrique!
THEATER PROGRAMMING
EIGHT SERIES IN SIX CONCERT HALLS FROM JULY 7 TO 19, 2026
Divided into eight series, the indoor programming offers a vibrant panorama of world music. From MTELUS to Club Balattou, including the National, the Fairmount Theater, the Gesù and the Ministère, Montreal’s stages will vibrate to the rhythm of essential artists, promising revelations and big names in world music.
MAJOR EVENTS SERIES | presented by TD
Exclusive shows with exceptional deployment
• Oumou Sangaré (Mali): Megastar of contemporary African music, this immense, committed and authentic singer takes you to the heart of the Wassoulou musical tradition. His deep and clear voice is magnified by ancestral strings and guitars with blues accents. I July 7, MTELUS
• Guinea pays homage to the Night Baobab of Montreal: Lamine Touré is a builder. He is the soul of Nuits d’Afrique. Organized under the auspices of the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Crafts of Guinea, this evening, with great Guinean artists, promises to be memorable. I July 11, MTELUS
• Labess (Algeria): Infused with chaâbi, gnaoua, rumba, flamenco and gypsy rhythms, the guitar of this inveterate traveler, enhanced by his raspy voice, carries music, where the words oscillate “between lucid realism and great hope” (RFI, 2025). I July 12, Le National
PRESTIGE SERIES | presented by Radio VM
Cozy universes, magical moments
• Nuits de la kora Senny Camara & Yamoussa Bangoura (Senegal – Guinea – Qc): La Nuit de la kora presents the virtuosos of this legendary instrument. Anchored in Serer, Mandingo, Fulani and Lebou cultures, Senny Camara, a rare woman to play the kora, combines folk, blues and sacred music. Yamoussa Bangoura, for his part, takes the public on ancestral wanderings I July 8, Le Gesù
• Kiya Tabassian & Ablaye Cissoko (Iran – Qc & Senegal): With their third album Estuaire (2026), Kiya Tabassian and the Senegalese griot Ablaye Cissoko weave a subtle acoustic dialogue between the Persian setar and the Mandingo kora. I July 9, Le Gesù
THE ESSENTIALS SERIES | presented by ATUVU
The darlings of the Festival and monuments of the scene of African descent
• BIM (BENIN INTERNATIONAL MUSICAL) (Benin): BIM propagates a modern and festive vision of Beninese culture. For the 40th anniversary of Nuits d’Afrique, the collective will offer a special show punctuated with ecstatic covers of great African standards from the 70s to the present day. I July 8, Fairmount Theater
• Afirka (Algeria – Qc): improvised and carefree nights, where the darbouka, the mandola, the violin and the guitar bring eternal moments to life. | July 8, Club Balattou
• The Griots of Montreal (West Africa – Qc): Montreal griots came together to celebrate the event which, for 40 years, has opened the doors of the world to the local scene. Impressive voices and traditional and modern instruments: it’s going to be a party! I July 10, Club Balattou
• Team Salsa Sextet (Cuba – Qc): Their salsa del barrio emancipates Afro-descendant sounds by infusing it with a good dose of improvisation and swing. Boiling percussion, brass that sculpts the rhythm: each piece is an invitation to dance without restraint. I July 11, Club Balattou
• Sabor 19 (West Africa & Qc): Skillfully flying from covers to original compositions, it’s impossible to resist their wild salsa and cumbia that you’d think came straight out of a Havana cabaret. I July 17, Club Balattou
AFRICAN NIGHT STARS SERIES | presented by TV5
The meeting place for nightly concerts to be added in the first sentence. Nine unique evenings around five emblematic artists of Nuits d’Afrique, exclusive and significant meetings for the 40th anniversary.
• Les Étoiles du Congo with Guynard & the new formula: We call him “inspector”, perhaps because he is the son of a military officer, but perhaps also because his music scrutinizes the smallest corners of the Congolese rumba. I July 7, Club Balattou
• Les Étoiles du Congo with Myster Jay: The author, singer, composer and performer expresses his Congolese heritage, in the colors of soukous and rumba. Prepare your ndombolo choreographies! July 8, Club Balattou
• Les Étoiles du Congo with Blaise Labamba and Kotakoli: Congolese Rumba and Soukous in the purest tradition! Between rhythmic breaks and improvisations, Blaise Labamba leads his group with a masterful hand. I July 9, Club Balattou
• The stars of Haiti with Wesli (Haiti – Qc): A leading figure in Haitian music, Wesli raises the colors of the rasin and twoubadou traditions high. For this series, he invites himself on stage with emblematic figures of the Pearl of the Antilles. I July 12, 13 and 14, Club Balattou
• Les Étoiles mandingues with Tonton Idriss (Côte d’Ivoire, Mali – Qc): On Mandingo grooves of the fire of God, like a slightly rebellious wise man who draws on his past as an animator, Idriss, a friendly and uninhibited conqueror, tells the story of life with his voice which carries and from which reggae accents point. I July 15, 16 and 19, Club Balattou
AFRICAN NIGHTS SOUND SYSTEM SERIES | presented by CISM
The new generation of World Music 2.0
• Soul of Zoo (France – Qc): Sampling sounds from nature and voices from the world, the electro of Soul of Zoo is ethereal. The rich textures combine the analog and the living, linked by percussive waves and acoustic vibrations. I July 10, The Ministry
• Blast from the Past presented by Yarra Sound (France – Qc): In the pure tradition of sound systems, handcrafted speakers vibrate the stage with deep bass, enhancing a danceable selection of Afro, Caribbean, Latin, reggae, Indian and tropical pearls. A look back on vinyl at the highlights of the 40 years of the festival. I July 11, The Ministry
VOICES OF THE WORLD SERIES | presented by Radio-Canada
Distinctive stamps serving humanist purposes
• Mélodji (Chad – Qc): For more than 20 years, this jovial diva has put her powerful voice, with its perfectly mastered tremolo, at the service of traditional Chadian rhythms, which she beautifully adorns with blues, soul, RnB and jazz. I July 9, Club Balattou
• The Two (Switzerland & Mauritius): Carried by the voice of Yannick Nanette and the guitar of Thierry Jaccard, the pair offers music that draws on the roots of the blues of the Mascarenes, the Creole colors of the Indian Ocean, with aromas of sega and maloya. I July 13, Club Balattou
• Chris Combette (French Guiana): Chris Combette swings and shapes music of rare finesse, attentive to words, rhythms and silences, mixing reggae, beguine, calypso, bossa nova and jazz. I July 15, Club Balattou
• Forro das comadres (Brazil – Qc): Powerful and accomplices, Silvinha and Flavia Nascimento bring to life an uninhibited forrò, anchored in the popular roots of the Nordeste, which accentuates the warm voices of the artists. I July 18, Club Balattou
REVELATIONS SERIES | presented by Radio-Canada
The new ambassadors of world music
• Los Vegas (Mexico): Drawing on five generations of family tradition, the son jarocho of Los Vega is a foray into the ancestral heritage of Veracruz. Each concert is a vibrant party, punctuated by the clicking heels of the zapateado and the percussion. I July 7, Club Balattou
• Zal Sossokho & Laurent Perrault-Jolicoeur (Senegal, Canada – Qc): Crossed vibrations between the kora and the double bass, Racines is the story of a luminous encounter between the griot Zal Sissokho and the jazzman Laurent Perreault-Jolicoeur. Skin-deep and full of complicity, their compositions are timeless. I July 12, Club Balattou
• Guiss Guiss Bou Bess (Senegal): A head-on collision between Senegalese drums and raw beats, their electro-sabar “upends the codes of global sound” (Radio Nova, 2021) by injecting the raw energy of percussion and the beauty of spiritual songs. I July 14, Club Balattou
• Kozé (Reunion – Qc): In Reunion Creole, kozé means “to speak”. The group’s ambition is to share the folklore of its island. Kozé’s music is as wild as the ocean, as precious as the forest, as rough as the volcano. I July 16, Club Balattou
• Raiz Viva (Colombia – Qc): This quintet offers a diversity of rhythms, which all lead back to their original cumbia! Focusing on wind instruments and percussion, their music is part of Afro-Colombian traditions. I July 19, Club Balattou
GLOBAL BEAT SERIES | presented by CJMD Lévis
Traditional rhythms that reinvent themselves through contact with current sounds
• Adil Smaâli & Elements Of Baraka (Morocco): A true trance experience where ritual meets the underground, Elements of Baraka hypnotizes by intertwining gnawa singing, guembri and krakeb with the saturated textures of dub and psytrance. I July 9, The Ministry
• Sika Rlion (Morocco): Between maloya, seggae, trap, reggae and RnB, in French and Reunion Creole, “the rising star of the new afro reggae scene” (FIP, 2026) asserts with conviction a rebellious energy and a festive spirit. I July 12, The Ministry
FREE OUTDOOR PROGRAMMING
THE VILLAGE OF AFRICAN NIGHTS FROM JULY 14 TO 19, 2026
SIX DAYS of free concerts and activities for the whole family
At the Parterre of the Quartier des spectacles and on the Esplanade Tranquille
From July 14 to 19, the VILLAGE DES NUITS D’AFRIQUE takes place at the Parterre du Quartier des spectacles and on the Esplanade Tranquille. Music will be everywhere, all the time with concerts presented alternating on the two outdoor stages; a true sound immersion across the entire site which extends from Ontario Street to Sainte-Catherine Street.
> GATHERING CONCERTS and unforgettable musical discoveries, presented on the TD SCENE, at the Parterre of the Quartier des spectacles, and on the LOTO-QUÉBEC SCENE at the Esplanade Tranquille.
> LES ECALES TROPICALES presented by ICI MUSIQUE from 9:30 p.m. on the TD STAGE.
Every evening, DJs will provide festive and invigorating interludes with panache between the last late-night concerts, broadcasting for the greatest pleasure of all, the most popular hits in the history of world music.
> DANCES UNDER THE STARS, the hottest Dancefloor in town.
The Esplanade Tranquille will be transformed into a vast improvisation zone, hosted by professional dancers, while as a soundtrack, the late-night TD Grand Events shows from the TD Stage at the Parterre will be broadcast live on a giant screen.
> OPEN AIR WORKSHOPS as soon as the site opens.
Exciting activities, these workshops will be taught by masters of their disciplines. For their greatest pleasure, families will be able to indulge in experiencing the traditions of Colombia, Chad, the Maghreb, Haiti, Ivory Coast and Reunion Island. Another way to discover the world!
> CABARETS NUITS D’AFRIQUE in the heart of the Parterre of the Quartier des spectacles.
To immerse yourself in culture and stimulate the senses, Cabarets Nuits d’Afrique will offer intimate and authentic meetings, inspiring tête-à-têtes where artists will present aspects of their culture through fascinating mini-concerts and demonstrations, in a more than warm atmosphere.
> THE CHILDREN’S VILLAGE presented by RADIO-CANADA with its entertainment, animal and floral makeup and recreational activities, including the African game awalé.
> The unmissable Timbuktu Market, a joyful and colorful mess that invites you to chatter and is reminiscent of the souks of Marrakech, the Kaolack market in Senegal or the Oaxaca market in Mexico.
> The PROMENADE DES SAVEURS, to the north of the Parterre, an ideal place to take a gourmet break between two activities, to taste a diversity of dishes from different regions such as Senegalese Mafé, West Indian cod accras, Jamaican jerk chicken, Haitian griot, plantain chips, ginger or bissap juice, or authentic Mexican cactus tacos.
> THE REFRESHMENT KIOSKS and the SAQ BISTRO and its large lively terrace.
BIG EVENTS I SERIES presented by TD
SCENE TD – Parterre of the Quartier des spectacles
Unifying, unique and memorable, these shows by major international artists and large-scale groups, completely free, will leave an indelible mark in the memory of festival-goers.
• Afrique en Cirque presented by Kalabanté (Guinea & Qc): Afrique en Cirque will spectacularly celebrate the 40th anniversary of Nuits d’Afrique with a thrilling, large-scale proposition, specially designed for the occasion. I July 14
• Systema Solar (Colombia): Systema Solar deploys a social discourse, committed to nature and cultural diversity. Made for dancing, the contagious sound of Systema Solar emerges from the pikos of the Colombian Caribbean coast. I July 15
• Fulu Miziki (DRC): Fulu Miziki Kolektiv makes its mark by transposing the noises of the streets of Kinshasa into an Afro-futuristic techno-punk trance imprinted with Congolese rumba and coupé-décalé that they call twerkanda. I July 16
• Admiral T (Guadeloupe): In three decades, Admiral T has become the standard-bearer of West Indian reggae-dancehall. Marked by sound systems and inspired by legends, he mixes gwo ka, biguine, salsa, R&B, hip-hop and electro! I July 17
• Tabou Combo (Haiti): They have been making the entire planet move for almost 60 years, and their energy is intact. Their elaborate kompa, infused with rara, merengue, funk, rock and soukous, gives pride of place to sharp guitars and bright brass. I July 18
• Tiken Jah Faokly (Ivory Coast): Among the very, very great moments of Nuits d’Afrique, we include the Tiken Jah Fakoly show on the occasion of the closing of the 14th edition of the festival in 2000. With a breathtaking stage presence, the fiery and influential reggaeman speaks out against illegitimate power and injustice. And the public gets on board. Because it’s disruptive. Because it resonates. I July 19
WOMEN OF THE WORLD SERIES
LOTO-QUÉBEC SCENE – Esplanade Tranquille
This series reminds us to the extent to which, in world music, women are there, very present, proud of their roots, bearers of their cultures, and of a fully assumed modernity.
• Suraras Do Tapajós (Brazil): The first all-female carimbó group, both gentle and rebellious, Suraras do Tapajós sings about the life, resistance and memory of the peoples of Lower Tapajós. I July 14
• Sahra Halgan (Somaliland): This emblematic figure of Somaliland transforms each concert into a speaking engagement. His raw and burning voice resurrects age-old melodies that strike uncompromising riffs and hypnotic drums. I July 15
• Somos Más (South America – Qc): This collective of women with multiple roots — from Quebec to Latin America — offers vocal harmonies, enveloping and luminous, based on warm arrangements of guitar, ukulele, bass and percussion. I July 16
• Taafé Fanga (West Africa – Qc): Taafé Fanga’s shows bear witness to the passion that the members of the group have for the rhythms of West Africa. Kora, balafon, djembe, doundouns, krin and sabar interact with frenetic and expressive dances. I July 17
• Joyce N’Sana (Congo – Qc): Her powerful voice with soulful inflections is the highlight of her colorful shows. So many influences amalgamated in a musical universe imbued with Congolese traditions, which she calls Afrobluehop. I July 18
• Elida Almeida (Cape Verde): Elida Almeida “claims the modernity of the folklore of her archipelago, which she electrifies and carries with a playful sensuality” (Télérama, 2023). She sincerely makes the Cape Verdean soul dance to the fiery rhythms of funaná, batuque and tabanka, which she revisits with urban sounds. I July 19
SONG UNITED BY NIGHTS
40th anniversary anthem
On the occasion of its 40th anniversary, the Festival International Nuits d’Afrique unveils “United by Nights”, an original musical work which embodies the very essence of this flagship event: the meeting of cultures, the transmission of heritage and the celebration of living together.
Carried by an exceptional cast, namely: Tiken Jah Fakoly, Sékouba Bambino, Meiway, Diblo Dibala, Oumou Sangaré, Djely Tapa and Yves “Fan Fan” Joseph and a choir of local artists for the chorus, the song brings together emblematic voices from Africa and its diaspora in a vibrant and timeless artistic dialogue.
Through rich and mixed sounds, United by Nights crosses musical and geographical borders, connecting traditions and modernity, roots and future. From ancestral breath to contemporary textures, each performer breathes their own color into it, contributing to a sound fresco that is both intimate and universal.
The lyrics, both poetic and unifying, celebrate Montreal as a point of convergence of cultures and pay tribute to four decades of music, sharing and emotions. Carried by a unifying refrain, “Unis par les nuits / United by the nights”, the song stands out as a true hymn to unity, diversity and the power of the collective.
More than a song, United by the Nights is a declaration: that of a festival which, for 40 years, has made hearts vibrate to the rhythm of the world and brings together, evening after evening, thousands of voices under the same sky.
THE FESTIVAL IS ALSO…
SPOTLIGHT ON THE 2026 SYLI D’OR WINNERS
Each year the festival highlights new musical revelations from the local scene which stood out during the Syli d’Or world music showcase. Don’t miss the concerts of our winners of the 2026 edition: Zalam Kao (Haiti, Argentina, Tunisia, Brazil), Tamboréal Samba Bloco (Brazil) and Bastin Band (Algeria) on our outdoor stages.
NUITS D’AFRICA PRIZE FOR THE FRANCOPHONIE
Inaugurated in 2016, the Nuits d’Afrique pour la Francophonie Prize is awarded to an artist with international influence who embodies a unifying vision of the Francophonie and cultural diversity. Great artists such as Manu Dibango, Amadou & Mariam, Salif Keita, Tiken Jah Fakoly, Angélique Kidjo, Rutshelle Guillaume and Meiway have already received this distinction. Who will be the lucky one this year? Unveiling coming in July.
THE BREAKTHROUGH 2026: TRANSMISSION AND DISCOVERABILITY OF WORLD MUSIC
Productions Nuits d’Afrique will organize, as part of its La Percée Laboratory, the 3rd La Percée Pro Meetings. On the occasion of the 40th anniversary of the International Nuits d’Afrique Festival, this edition will offer a reflection on the issues of transmission, musical heritage, discoverability and artificial intelligence applied to World Music.
During two days of professional meetings in Montreal, artists, presenters, researchers, digital platforms and professionals from Canada, France and French-speaking Africa will come together to discuss new issues linked to musical archives, the circulation of works, digital platforms and cultural diversity.
The Meetings will also allow the presentation of a new study by Laboratoire La Percée dedicated to the discoverability of World Music in the digital environment.
THE FINA 2026 MUSICAL COMPILATION
Label Discques Nuits d’Afrique / Worldwide digital distribution: Believe / Worldwide physical distribution: Propaganda
The Festival International Nuits d’Afrique is proud to present the FINA 2026 musical compilation, bringing together 19 artists’ titles from its most recent programming. A true showcase of the diversity and richness of world music, this compilation extends the festival experience by highlighting works representative of current trends and intercultural dialogues.
It brings together internationally renowned artists, including Oumou Sangaré, Tabou Combo and Systema Solar, as well as innovative projects such as GUISS GUISS BOU BESS, Fulu Miziki and Kanazoé Orkestra.
Faithful to its mission, the Festival also highlights the local scene, notably through the presence of artists such as Wesli, Kizaba and Joyce N’Sana, contributing to the influence of Montreal’s cultural dynamism.
Available on the main listening platforms, the FINA 2026 compilation is aligned with the Festival’s initiatives aimed at supporting the dissemination of world music and promoting the international influence of artists.
Exclusively for this 40th anniversary, we offer you the physical album which brings together the titles of the compilation as well as two bonus songs: the official anthem of the 40th anniversary of Nuits d’Afrique “United by the Nights” as well as a “surprise” track by Tiken Jah Fakoly.
Available globally on all digital platforms in June 2026