The Museum’s popular annual offering is back – this time in autumn – with access to the main-floor galleries and special weekend programming
Summer might be over, but there’s lots to look forward to at the Royal Ontario Museum this fall as the Museum’s popular Free Main Floor program returns for a new season
Following three successful summer sessions beginning in 2022, ROM’s Free Main Floor pilot program welcomes visitors to a fall edition for the first time, running from October 1 through to November 30, 2025.
The initiative – which offers free access to ROM’s full suite of main-floor galleries – is a notable example of the access opportunities made possible by the Temerty Community Access and Engagement Fund, with the objective of engaging with new and longtime audiences alike, as well as gaining insights into the visitor experience.
This fall, ROM will also celebrate Toronto’s diverse cultural communities and talented local artists by hosting free events and programming on weekends during the Free Main Floor period, including live music and dance performances made possible by the generous support of The Schmidt Family.
“We’re delighted to bring back Free Main Floor for the fourth year in a row, thanks to the Temerty Community Access and Engagement Fund,” says Josh Basseches, ROM Director & CEO. “This popular initiative supports ROM’s vision to become an even more welcoming cultural hub in the heart of the city, offering an ideal introduction for new visitors to the Museum’s first-floor galleries and engaging programming for all ages.”
During October and November, visitors will receive complimentary access from Tuesday through Sunday (as well as Thanksgiving Monday) to the Museum’s expansive main-floor gallery spaces – which include 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.
While there’s much to enjoy as part of Free Main Floor, those who choose to also visit the rest of the Museum will experience the full range of upper galleries and exhibitions included with general admission, or can upgrade to take in the surcharged featured exhibitions on this fall. Get to know all about the Museum’s vast collections that span both art and nature through interactive workshops and hands-on programs.
Visitors are encouraged to book advance Free Main Floor tickets online here to expedite entry. ROM is currently open Tuesday through Sunday, from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., with last admission at 5 p.m.
Exhibitions
After-hours Events
ROM’s latest special exhibition, Saints, Sinners, Lovers, and Fools: 300 Years of Flemish Masterworks, co-organized by the Denver Art Museum and The Phoebus Foundation, invites visitors to experience the Golden Age of Flemish art. Drawn from The Phoebus Foundation’s world-class collection, this richly detailed exhibition reveals the immense creative talent and innovation of the artists of the Southern Netherlands – including Rubens, Van Dyck and Memling – during the renowned medieval, Renaissance, and Baroque periods.
Upcoming featured exhibitions for the fall season include the ROM original Crawford Lake: Layers in Time (opening September 27), which offers a compelling look at a unique record of human life on Earth; and Sharks (opening October 11), a family-friendly look at these astonishing creatures of the sea. Presented by Desjardins Financial Group, this deep dive into this ancient group of fishes invites visitors to better understand the incredible diversity of sharks – and think about them in a whole new way.
Starting on November 8, the world-renowned Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition returns to ROM with 100 extraordinary new photographs on display. Now in its 61st year, the annual contest from the Natural History Museum (NHM) in London showcases the majesty of animals across the globe while highlighting the unique and symbiotic relationship between photography, science, and art.
Each month, the Museum is free to all visitors from 4 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. on Third Tuesday Nights Free, thanks to the support of Presenting Sponsor TD Bank Group, through its corporate citizenship platform, the TD Ready Commitment, and the Temerty Foundation. Visitors can book required tickets online up to two weeks in advance to enjoy access to ROM’s galleries for free, or upgrade to include the surcharged special exhibitions. This fall, ROM opens its doors for Third Tuesday Nights Free on October 21 and November 18.
And don’t forget about ROM After Dark, our popular 19+ after-hours series that offers guests a fresh new way to explore the Museum. RAD’s autumn season includes two nighttime celebrations on September 26 (a special partnership with the Polaris Music Prize to mark the award’s 20th anniversary, including DJ sets by past winner Cadence Weapon and nominee Junia-T) and October 31 – featuring live music, pop-up performances, visual arts, and distinctive food and drink.
Upcoming Special Events
- Chuseok (Korean Harvest Festival)
October 4 & 5, Samuel Hall Currelly Gallery & Gloria Chen Court - Islamic Heritage Month
October 11 to 14, Currelly Gallery & Chen Court - Global African Arts & Culture
October 15 (7 p.m.), Signy and Cléophée Eaton Theatre | October 18 (1 p.m.), Currelly Gallery - Bata Shoe Museum Pop-Up
October 18 & 19, Chen Court - Chinese Arts & Culture
October 25 & 26, Currelly Gallery & Chen Court - Day of the Dead
November 1 & 2, Currelly Gallery & Chen Court - Treaties Recognition Week
November 8 & 9, Currelly Gallery & Chen Court - Climate & Conservation
November 15 & 16, Currelly Gallery & Chen Court - Flemish Art & Music
November 22 & 23, Currelly Gallery & Chen Court - World of Sharks
November 29 & 30, Currelly Gallery & Chen Court
