ROM Announces Free Admission on Canada Day and the Return of Free Main Floor

Celebrate July 1 with complimentary Museum access and enjoy ROM’s main floor for free throughout the summer

TORONTO, June 12, 2024 – The Museum is preparing to throw open its doors once again for the summer months, today announcing the return of the popular Canada Day free admission and Free Main Floor access initiatives – both generously supported by the Temerty Foundation. On Canada Day, Monday, July 1, ROM officially kicks off the summer and invites all to enjoy the Museum with free general admission, no ticket required.

“I cannot think of a more fitting place to celebrate Canada Day than Canada’s most-visited Museum, which is home to a trio of new exhibitions: Wilds Cats, Earth: An Immersive Journey, and Quilts: Made in Canada,” says Josh Basseches, ROM Director CEO. “And for those unable to make it on Canada Day, ROM’s main floor will be free all summer long.”

Visitors will receive complimentary access to the permanent galleries and Quilts: Made in Canada throughout Canada Day. Due to the anticipated number of visitors expected and building capacity limits, there may be wait times for entry. All guests are invited to enter through the Weston Entrance along Queen’s Park.

“There is no better time to enjoy free admission to the ROM than on Canada Day, when you can take advantage of access to Canada’s largest museum while commemorating our country’s rich history with family and friends,” said Stan Cho, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Gaming. “Spend the day celebrating the formation of our nation while exploring global exhibits that encourage a better understanding of our place on the world stage and Canadian-focused exhibits that encourage a greater appreciation of our culture and heritage.”

ROM’s summer program Free Main Floor starts on Tuesday, July 2. Get ready to experience Ontario's vibrant cultural diversity and artistic excellence with vibrant performances tied to the Museum’s exhibitions, galleries, research, and community initiatives. Featured performers for summer 2024 include Opera Atelier, who will present varied styles of opera and classical music; Scott Jackson, internationally renowned master of sound and ceremony; and My Pop Choir, an ensemble perfectly blending the joy of music and the power of community. The summer Museum experience will be enhanced with daily interior performances in the Samuel Hall Currelly Gallery, complemented by outdoor weekend shows every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday thanks to the generous support of The Schmidt Family. Dive into a world of local talent and vibrant programs, offering endless excitement and entertainment.

No ticket is needed for access to Free Main Floor. Also starting on July 2, ROM will now be open seven days a week, adding Monday access throughout the summer months. The Museum will operate daily from 10:00 am to 5:30 pm, with last admission at 5:00 pm.

General admission includes Quilts: Made in Canada located on Level 3, Third Floor Centre Block. However, it does not cover the surcharged exhibitions Earth: An Immersive Journey and Wild Cats on Level 1. For the best value, visitors are encouraged to take advantage of Plan Ahead Pricing by purchasing tickets online.

Included with Free Main Floor, guests are welcome to enjoy a wide array of Museum spaces including the Daphne Cockwell Gallery dedicated to First Peoples art & culture, Gallery of Korea, Gallery of Chinese Architecture, Bishop White Gallery of Chinese Temple Art, Matthews Family Court of Chinese Sculpture, and the Joey and Toby Tanenbaum Gallery of China.

Summer Exhibitions at ROM

While there will be much to experience as part of Free Main Floor, visitors choosing to upgrade to the full ROM experience will enjoy access to all permanent galleries as well as Quilts: Made in Canada – a special exhibition which is included with General Admission. Additionally, visitors can add to their experience by choosing to visit our two surcharged feature exhibitions, Earth: An Immersive Journey' and Wild Cats.

Earth: An Immersive Journey utilizes high-definition projections, scent diffusions, and spatial audio to create a wonderous global adventure. With scientific accuracy, the exhibition wholly recreates different ecosystems, descending through a tropical forest canopy, peering into hidden world of soil dwellers, voyaging to lush forest ecosystems alive with darting bats, roaming arid grasslands populated by insects, and bringing visitors to the remote and majestic far north.

Wild Cats, from the Muséum national d'Histoire naturelle in Paris, is a fascinating array of incredible mounted specimens, interactive displays, and cultural belongings highlighting the beauty, diversity, and predatory skills of cats, and highlighting the importance of global conservation efforts.

Quilts: Made in Canada, a ROM original exhibition, showcases visually captivating examples of Canadian quilts from the 1850s to the present day. From practical quilts created out of garments to stunning pieces marking life-changing events, each quilt tells a unique story of artistry, community, and shared history.

ROM After Dark (RAD) is also continuing throughout the summer, with additional dates and exciting themes, it is the Museum’s 19+ themed after-hours event series. RAD offers curated music, visual arts, pop-up performances, and distinctive food and drink, providing visitors with one more great reason to attend. Upcoming RAD dates include Pride on June 14, Summer Solstice on June 21, Carnival on July 26, and Catnip on August 23.

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ABOUT ROM  
Opened in 1914, ROM (Royal Ontario Museum) showcases art, culture, and nature from around the world and across the ages. Today, ROM houses more than 18 million objects, from Egyptian mummies to contemporary sculpture, from meteorites to dinosaurs. ROM is the most visited museum in the country and one of the top ten museums in North America. It is also the country’s preeminent field research institute, with a diverse range of experts who help us understand the past, make sense of the present, and shape a shared future. Just as impressive is ROM’s facility—a striking combination of heritage architecture and contemporary, cutting-edge design, which marks the Museum as an iconic landmark and global cultural destination.

We live on in what we leave behind.