Toronto 
Events Description
This holiday season, the Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO) has decked the halls with all the ingredients for time well spent – from last minute gifting on December 24 to holiday tea, toasts and great Canadian art through the New Year. On view at the museum this holiday season and free with General Admission, are the acclaimed special exhibitions David Blackwood: Myth & Legend and Joyce Wieland: Heart On.
Holidays at the AGO:
- The AGO’s Bistro jumps into the season on December 24 with lunch from 11:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Closed on December 25, the Bistro re-opens on December 26 for lunch service through December 31 and resumes regular hours on January 2. For reservations, please call 416-979-6688 or book a table online at OpenTable.
- At the Dr. Mariano Elia Hands-On Centre, young learners can explore art-making activities, stories, and play-based learning with extended holiday hours. It will be open beginning December 23, remain closed on December 25 and reopen December 26 with special hours through January 4. No registration is necessary.
- In Walker Court, AGO Art Carts provide visitors of all ages with hands-on artmaking and multisensory experiences. It will run beginning December 23, remain closed on December 25 and reopen December 26 with special hours through January 4. For details, visit ago.ca/learn/art-cart.
- Now through Sunday, January 4, celebrate the festive season with a special Holiday Afternoon Tea for the entire family at the Norma Ridley Members’ Lounge. Indulge in sweets and seasonal delights surrounded by works from the AGO Collection. AGO members receive a discount. Reservations now open at ago.ca/events/holiday-afternoon-tea.
- On Thursday, January 1 from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., toast to the new year with a special New Year’s Day Afternoon Tea at the AGO’s Bistro. Enjoy classic savouries, sweet treats, and kid-friendly bites. AGO Members receive a discount. Book your table now at ago.ca/events/new-years-day-afternoon-tea-bistro.
- On Friday, December 19 at 7 p.m., join us for AV Live: Longing and Belonging and immerse yourself in a poetic meditation featuring visuals by artists Felipe Requena and Hagop Ohannessian with sound by Dennis Neves, Demian Ortiz and Requena. Free with General Admission. For more details, visit ago.ca/events/av-live-longing-and-belonging.
- On Saturday, December 20 at 2 p.m., join artist Titus Kaphar in conversation with Professor Jason Stanley for an in-depth discussion about Kaphar’s artistic practice. Advanced tickets are required. AGO Members and Annual Passholders receive a discount. For more details, visit ago.ca/events/titus-kaphar-conversation-jason-stanley.
- On Thursday, January 1 from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., toast to the new year with a special New Year’s Day Afternoon Tea at the AGO’s Bistro. Enjoy classic savouries, sweet treats, and kid-friendly bites. AGO Members receive a discount. Book your table now at ago.ca/events/new-years-day-afternoon-tea-bistro.
- On Sunday, January 4 at 2 p.m., Toronto theatre luminaries Tanja Jacobs and Kristen Thompson will present A Fairy Tale for Joyce. Commissioned by the AGO, and developed through improvisation, this unique theatrical experience will be performed inside Joyce Wieland: Heart On and is free with General Admission. For more details, visit ago.ca/events/fairytale-joyce.
HOW MUCH
Tickets:
Adult Single Day Admission – $30
For $10 more, get an AGO Annual Pass for unlimited visits!
Indigenous Peoples – FREE
The AGO offers complimentary admission to all Indigenous Peoples.
Admission is always free for AGO Members, Annual Passholders, Indigenous Peoples and Ontarians under 25. From December 12, 2025, to January 15, 2026, the AGO is pleased to be a participating partner in the Canada Strong Pass, providing more ways to explore Canada this holiday season, with the Government of Canada. Courtesy of the Pass program, visitors age 24 and under from outside of Ontario will receive free or discounted admission. No pass or promo code is required.
How to get tickets?
WHEN & WHERE
Date & Time:
December 21 — 10:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
December 22 — 10:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
December 23 (closed)
December 24 — 10:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.
December 25 (closed)
December 26 — 10:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.
December 27 — 10:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
December 28 — 10:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
December 29 — 10:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.
December 30 — 10:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.
December 31 — 10:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.
January 1 — 10:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.
January 2 — 10:30 a.m. – 9 p.m.
January 3: 10:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
January 3: 10:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Venue:
Art Gallery of Ontario
317 Dundas Street West Toronto, Ontario M5T 1G4
Paid Parking
Public Transit Accessible
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