The Montreal Clown Festival returns for its ninth edition April 10-18

The Montreal Clown Festival returns from April 10 to 18 with a vibrant program of performances, discussions, and events celebrating the art of clown. Featuring over 50 artists from Montreal and beyond, the festival highlights the powerful role of clowning in connecting audiences through laughter, vulnerability, and physical storytelling. This year’s program features a diverse lineup of performances exploring contemporary clown, physical theatre, and absurd comedy.

The eight-day festival offers something for everyone, from 18+ performances in select Casa del Popolo venues, free shows at the Maison de la Culture Claude-Léveillée, and family-friendly programming, to the signature Opening Night Cabaret at the Gesù.

“In politically tumultuous times, clowning gives us permission to confront the fears we carry inside — not through debate, but through the deeply human language of play,” says Vanessa Rigaux, artistic & general director of the Montreal Clown Festival. “By bringing together artists from Zagreb, Tokyo, Philadelphia, Quebec City, and Montreal, this year’s festival celebrates how laughter can cross borders and create connection when words fail.”

The Festival opens on April 10 with its Gala Cabaret at the Gesù, directed by Joe De Paul, bringing together an eclectic group of performers including Mariko Iwasa (Japan), Marijana Matokovic (Croatia), Acrobatic duo DOOP – Danielle Saulnier & Kellin Hentoff-Killian (USA/Canada), Krin Haglund (Canada), the Growlers Choir (Canada),  with MC’s clown-musical duo Jan Dutler & Benjamin Tremblay Carpentier, and more.

Beyond performances, the festival also hosts a Clownférence, a day of discussions, workshops, and playful exploration bringing together artists, academics, and the clown-curious to explore the role of clown in contemporary culture — in partnership with the Dr. Clown Foundation. The theme this year is Joy as an Act of Resistance, Resilience, and Rebellion, featuring Cirque du Soleil director, Stefan Haves (The Power of Ha!) and a panel on contemporary Bouffons, among other whimsical activities.

Performances take place across several venues in Montreal, including Gesù, La Sala Rossa, La Sotterenea, Le MEM – Centre des mémoires montréalaises, Maison de la Culture Claude-Léveillée, and La Toscadura. The complete 2026 program is available at www.mtlclownfest.com/program-2026.

— Montreal Clown Festival

— https://www.mtlclownfest.com/

— AB