ROM for the Holidays

A child posing beside a Roman bust while they are having their photo taken.

About

Mark Your Calendar. The Holidays Are Coming. 

ROM for the Holidays is back for another year with enhanced programming, live performances, and interactive activities. Add to that three stunning special exhibitions and you've got a recipe for a day of fun for the whole family.

Holiday Hours

Thursday, December 26, 2024 to Sunday, January 5, 2025

10:00 am - 5:30 pm

 

Presenting Sponsor

BASF logo

 

This year, ROM sparkles with colour and light! Inspired by the significance of colour in art, culture, and nature, enhanced programs, activities, and performances for all ages invite you to be curious, ask questions, have fun, and be amazed by the wonderful, colourful, world around us.

Holiday Activities

Hands-on Activities

Looking for Special Exhibitions? We've got three!

Projection of a planet with a silhouette of a man with his hands in the air looking at a large projection of a planet
Exhibition

Nature in Brilliant Colour

Marvel at the power of colour in the natural world. Anywhere you look in nature, colour holds meaning. From the fiery reds of warning to the soothing blues of calm waters, Nature in Brilliant Colour will take you on a kaleidoscopic journey through the vibrant hues of our planet. Awaken your senses, and have your perception forever altered, as you make your way through a series of spaces, each dedicated to a colour of the rainbow. Through over 200 specimens, photo-worthy projections, and shifting soundscapes, this exhibition promises to be a transformative experience that will deepen
A manatee and a calf adrift underwater among eelgrass.
Exhibition

Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2024

Annually, photographers spanning ages and abilities submit tens of thousands of images to the international Wildlife Photographer of the Year contest. This winter, ROM is thrilled to once again host the renowned exhibition. Organized by London's prestigious Natural History Museum, UK, this fan-favourite showcases the very best in nature photography from around the globe. Experience our world in vivid detail, beholding extraordinary species through unimagined perspectives. Each photograph, exquisitely backlit, unveils unparalleled quality and depth. Through the lens, viewers become privy to
Exhibition

Earth

Have you ever marveled at the sound of rain or the smell of freshly mowed grass? Then slow down and embrace the wonders of nature in Earth: An Immersive Journey—a multisensory tour through several of our planet’s vibrant ecosystems. This exhibition offers a theatrical experience, bringing habitats to life through high-definition projections, scent diffusions, spatial audio, and atmospheric low lighting. The result? A unique journey from a windswept Arctic vista to a lush rainforest, showcasing the joyous interconnectedness of life. Visitors are encouraged to immerse themselves in each

Installations Included with General Admission

Tile arch with picnic scene, around 1685-95. Probably Talar-e-Tavileh Palace, Isfahan, Iran.
Exhibition

Picnics and Pastimes

What makes for a delightful picnic? Food and drink? Poetry? Music? A new installation offers a window into the pleasures, pastimes, and artistic heritage of Iran during the Safavid dynasty (1501-1736). A royal picnic, depicted on a large, treasured tile arch from the collections, is complemented by exceptional objects from the period. Gracing the Osler Gate on Level 1, a colourful tiled archway made over 350 years ago in Isfahan, Iran takes centre stage, showing picnic-goers out for an afternoon of leisure and luxury. Individual tiles reveal immaculately dressed figures relaxing, enjoying
Paper clouds floating above Chinese statues
Exhibition

Cloudscape

Inspired by traditional Chinese artwork, Cloudscape is a mesmerizing installation that blends traditional artistry with contemporary themes. Artist Xiaojing Yan masterfully crafts intricate cloud forms using paper and natural reed, evoking the essence of traditional Chinese landscape painting. This awe-inspiring work presents a complex interplay of water and cloud motifs that challenge our perception of the natural world. Immerse yourself in Yan's floating masterpiece, where each sculpted cloud tells a story of cultural heritage and environmental consciousness, and invites us to reflect on our

Take a Break During Your Visit

ROM's Coffee Bar on Level 1 will operate regular hours over the holiday period. Other ROM dining options are available or bring your own lunch and head to the Brown Bag Lunchroom on Level B1.

Wander the Galleries. Here's a selection to get you started:

WonderWorks Hands-on Gallery, interactive experience, children
Gallery
WonderWorks
An artist's illustration of an ancient sea scape teeming with life.
Gallery
Dawn of Life
A gallery filled with minerals and gems in the centre there is a very large quartz variety amethyst geode.
Gallery
Earth's Treasures
People look at the wall of the of the gallery which features a rebuilt painted Egyptian wall.
Gallery
Egypt
Two people walk among the marble busts of important Romans.
Gallery
Rome

Other Programs

View All
Tours
Program
Member Tours
Enjoy guided Museum tours exclusively for Members on themes from climate change to ancient civilizations.
Three people look at a dinosaur bone while a ROM expert explains.
Program
Member Events & Exchange Weekends
Members can enjoy Member Evenings, screenings, panel discussions, and conversations with ROM experts. Members can also access free or discounted exchange weekends with other cultural institutions.
A young couple smile whiling looking at a picture the man is pointing at.
Program
Member Previews
Members enjoy previews of select exhibition and gallery openings.
Tours
Program
Member Tours
Enjoy guided Museum tours exclusively for Members on themes from climate change to ancient civilizations.
Three people look at a dinosaur bone while a ROM expert explains.
Program
Member Events & Exchange Weekends
Members can enjoy Member Evenings, screenings, panel discussions, and conversations with ROM experts. Members can also access free or discounted exchange weekends with other cultural institutions.
A young couple smile whiling looking at a picture the man is pointing at.
Program
Member Previews
Members enjoy previews of select exhibition and gallery openings.