Cape Breton Island
Housed in the old St Andrew's Church, the HAT has become the town's top venue for live performance, music and dance. There are often Celtic music nights…
Must-see entertainment in Canada
Regina
The younger, tougher, more eager players of the Western Hockey League (WHL) make for an exciting brand of hockey. The stadium is about 3km west of the…
Regina
Home of the symphony orchestra and venue of choice for touring musicians and shows, the Arts Centre vaguely resembles vintage Saskatchewan grain elevators.
Halifax
Halifax's premier multipurpose indoor arena is smack bang in the heart of downtown. The biggest matches, games and concerts to come to town are held here.
Calgary
Set in what used to be, you guessed it, the pumphouse, this theater company puts on avant-garde, edgy productions like One Man Star Wars Trilogy.
Manitoba Theatre for Young People
Winnipeg
The much-heralded Manitoba Theatre for Young People uses colorful sets for enthusiastic performances for kids without being too yawn-inducing for adults.
Saskatoon
Classic blues and old-time rock and roll are the standards here in this beer-swilling joint. Check the website for upcoming live music and jam nights.
St John's
Sponsors indie theater, dance and film by Newfoundland artists, all of which play downtown in the former longshoremen's union hall (aka LSPU Hall).
Ottawa
An oldie but a goodie: the best place in town to catch live blues. See live music here nightly in summer, with some sets starting as early as 3pm.
Edmonton
The Eskimos take part in the Canadian Football League (CFL) from July to October at Commonwealth Stadium.
Québec City
Influential local dance troupe performing experimental and cutting-edge works at La Rotonde in St-Roch.
Nanaimo
The city's best live-music and dance spot, hosting an eclectic roster of performances and club nights, ranging from indie to jazz to country.
Saint John
Now restored to its original 1913 splendor, this is the city's premier venue for performances ranging from classical music to live theater.
Entertainment & Financial Districts
The POW is a 2000-seat playhouse showing big-ticket productions such as The Phantom of the Opera and The Book of Mormon.
Winnipeg
This company produces popular shows on the main stage and more daring works at the MTC Warehouse.
Victoria
The city's long-established opera company performs most of its shows at downtown's Royal Theatre.
Winnipeg
An excellent international reputation means performances at Centennial Concert Hall are popular.
Gordon Tootoosis Nīkānīwin Theatre
Saskatoon
Contemporary stage productions by Canadian First Nations, Métis and Inuit artists highlight cultural issues through comedy and drama.
Kelowna
Enjoy works as diverse as Mary Poppins and The Glass Menagerie at this dinner theater that has serious ambitions.
Regina
Contemporary theatrical presentations in the round are part of a schedule that includes live music and other performances.
New Brunswick
The Playhouse stages local, national and international shows throughout the year including concerts, theater and ballet.
Prince Edward Island
The ornate red-velvet-and-gold theater at Victoria Playhouse presents a series of plays and concerts over the summer.
Saskatoon
This historic cinema on Broadway shows cult classics and art-house films, and has live performances and other events.
Halifax
This is the place to go for local and international stand-up and improv gigs; check the website for what's on when.
St John's
Bands playing everything from Newfoundland folk to '80s hair ballads take the stage nightly at this all-ages pub.
Halifax
This downtown theater presents musicals and well-known plays on its main stage and edgier stuff in the studio.
Eastern Ontario
Nightly nature-themed presentations in summer. Permits into the park are required to enter the theatre.
Charlottetown
On the north side of town, this is a great place to catch a ceilidh. Come early, as seating is limited.
Calgary
You can hang with the upper crust at the ballet or rock out to a good concert, all under the one roof.
Victoria
One of Victoria's main stages, McPherson Playhouse puts on mainstream visiting shows and performances.
Charlottetown
A traditional Irish pub with a jovial spirit and live entertainment nightly during the summer months.
Winnipeg
From classics such as The Marriage of Figaro to premieres such as Massenet Werther.
Kelowna
Head for blues, rock, acoustic jam and more at the valley's sweaty dive for live music and cold beer.
Winnipeg
Classical music performances, as well as appearances from the likes of Jann Arden and Sheena Easton.
St John's
This minor league team plays in the East Coast Hockey League, and slaps the puck at Mile One Centre.
Bearly's House of Blues & Ribs
Halifax
Some of the best blues musicians in Atlantic Canada play here, often at very low cover charges.
Charlottetown
Known to locals just as Baba's, this small upstairs venue is the place to go for local bands.
Cape Breton Island
A cast of young local musicians entertain all summer long in this 17th-century-style theater.
Ottawa
Ottawa's indie heart has been screening independent and international movies for 70 years.
Eastern Townships
In summer, this popular theater stages English-language dramas, concerts and comedy acts.
