Toronto 
Royal Ontario Museum will once again offer admission this summer.
Royal Ontario Museum
Admission is free to the ROM’s 80,000-square-foot first floor from July 2 until September 4. The free access does not include special exhibitions and other galleries on the second, third and fourth floors.
During summer, the museum promises an exciting lineup of live performances, and educational activities for children. Adding to the excitement, this year’s performances will also extend outside the museum onto the Helga and Mike Schmidt Performance Terrace, offering a breathtaking view of Philosopher’s Walk.
Visitors will have the opportunity to explore various galleries at no cost. The Currelly Gallery, dedicated to world cultures, will be open for everyone to enjoy. Additionally, the China and Korea galleries will offer insights into the art and culture of these regions. Notably, the Daphne Cockwell Gallery, which showcases First Peoples art and culture, is always free of charge throughout the year.
A highlight of the Free Main Floor event is the activity stations available daily from 10 am to 3 pm. These stations offer hands-on experiences for all ages, featuring touchable specimens, games, coloring, puzzles, and more. With weekly rotations of activities, visitors can return frequently to learn and engage in something new. On Tuesdays through Thursdays, the First Peoples Gallery will focus on Inuit culture and Arctic life, while the China Gallery will take center stage on Fridays through Mondays, showcasing Chinese, Japanese, and Korean art and culture.
Children are in for a treat with the BASF Kids’ Lab workshops from 11 am to 4 pm. These interactive sessions encourage young ones to explore the world of chemistry through fun experiments. On July 22nd and 23rd, the ROM Makerspace will host “Create a Chromatography Butterfly,” where participants can blend art with science to craft vibrant butterflies. Then, on August 5th and 6th, children can learn about polymers and create their very own slime at the “Playful Polymers” workshop.
Music and dance enthusiasts will be delighted by the live performances offered throughout the week. Each day, visitors can enjoy Toronto’s diverse cultural communities through a range of musical and dance acts. Upcoming performances include the celebrated vocalist Maryem Tollar, the chamber-folk quartet Medusa, Indigenous fancy shawl dancing by Cedar Smoke, and beatboxing champion Scott Jackson.
The performances will be held at two different locations. In the Currelly Gallery, performances will take place on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, from 12:30 pm to 1:00 pm and from 2:00 pm to 2:30 pm. On the Helga and Mike Schmidt Performance Terrace, located outdoors, performances will be held on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays, following the same schedule.
Admission to ROM, including special exhibitions, is also free every third Tuesday night of each month. Royal Ontario Museum also offers free guided walks to showcase the diverse aspects of Toronto’s vibrant neighbourhoods until the end of October.
FREE Royal Ontario Museum Main Floor Admission – 2023
What: Free Main Floor returns with live performances, educational activities for kids, and access to ROM’s 80,000 square-foot first floor.
When:
July 2 – September 4, 2023, Open daily: 10:00 am to 5:30 pm.
Where: Royal Ontario Museum, Queens Park, Toronto
How Much: Free
