The best exhibitions to see downtown right now

Montréal is a city where art and culture thrive, with creativity around every corner. Downtown, museums, galleries, and immersive spaces bring history to life and showcase the boldest in contemporary art. Whether you’re drawn to immersive experiences, groundbreaking exhibitions, or timeless masterpieces, there’s something waiting to inspire you.

Right now, the city is buzzing with must-see exhibitions: step into Joyce Wieland’s world at the MBAM, explore powerful visual storytelling at the MAC, get lost in digital art at OASIS immersion, or wander through the Belgo Building’s cutting-edge galleries. Here’s where to go—and what’s worth seeing right now.

Montreal Museum of Fine Arts (MMFA)

Located on Sherbrooke Street West, the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts (MBAM) is one of Canada’s most prestigious museums, home to a vast collection spanning from old masters to contemporary icons.

Right now, Joyce Wieland: Heart on runs until May 4, 2025, offering a deep dive into the work of this groundbreaking Canadian artist. Glenn Gear: ulitsuak | marée montante | rising tide, on view until March 30, 2025, immerses visitors in Inuit narratives through a mix of visual and digital media.

Also on display until October 5, 2025, Deux par deux rassemblés pairs recent acquisitions in unexpected ways, drawing connections between artworks based on theme, technique, or era.

1380 Rue Sherbrooke Ouest

The Musée d’art contemporain de Montréal (MAC)

A flagship of contemporary art in Quebec, the MAC highlights the artists and movements shaping today’s creative landscape.

Currently closed for installation until March 5, 2025, it will reopen with Skyscrapers by the Roots, an exhibition exploring late modernism and how urban architecture shapes our perception of space.

Located in Place Ville Marie, the MAC remains a key player in promoting contemporary art in Quebec and beyond.

Place Ville Marie local 11220

OASIS immersion

Located inside the Palais des congrès de Montréal, OASIS immersion is Canada’s largest indoor immersive space, spanning 2,200 m². It offers cutting-edge exhibitions that transport visitors into unique sensory worlds.

Current exhibitions include Root for Nature, a stunning exploration of biodiversity, and Van Gogh – Distorsion, a fully immersive reimagining of Van Gogh’s iconic works.

301 Rue Saint-Antoine Ouest

Belgo Building

Located on Sainte-Catherine Street West, the Belgo Building is home to Canada’s largest concentration of contemporary art galleries, with over 30 galleries and artist studios.

Current exhibitions include Caches From the Landscape by The Nomadic Department of the Interior at Centre SKOL, exploring the transformation of Guizhou’s mountains in China, where ancestral heritage meets modern technology.

At Galerie B-312, Kuh Del Rosario’s An unhusked grain of rice fills the whole house reflects on memory and heritage through sculptures and handmade paper works crafted from organic and recycled materials.

372 Rue Sainte-Catherine Ouest

McCord Stewart Museum

Located on Sherbrooke Street West, the McCord Stewart Museum is dedicated to Montreal’s social history, showcasing the city’s heritage through diverse exhibitions and an extensive collection of historical artifacts and photographs.

Current exhibitions include Costume Balls – Dressing up History, 1870-1927, featuring over 40 lavish period costumes from grand themed balls where fashion and history intertwined.

Little Burgundy – Evolving Montreal by photographer Andrew Jackson presents 61 photographs and archival objects, highlighting the cultural landmarks of Montreal’s Black community and the urban transformations that have shaped its identity.

690 Rue Sherbrooke Ouest

Expo Barbie

Located in Les Cours Mont-Royal, Expo Barbie is the world’s largest Barbie exhibition, showcasing over 1,000 dolls dressed by renowned designers.

This free exhibition takes visitors on a journey through fashion history and pop culture, highlighting the evolution of this iconic doll since its creation.

1455 Rue Peel level 3

Redpath Museum

Located on the McGill University campus, the Redpath Museum is a natural history museum featuring exhibitions on paleontology, mineralogy, and ethnology.

Visitors can explore fascinating collections showcasing Earth’s biodiversity, from ancient fossils to cultural artifacts. A hub of knowledge and discovery, it’s a must-visit for natural science enthusiasts.

859 Rue Sherbrooke Ouest