Hello, all art fanatics. If you’re a frontline worker, then the AGO, aka Art Gallery of Ontario, has a special treat in store for you. The museum is giving all of the above individuals a free one-year pass.
Workers have until August 16th to sign up and claim the pass which lets them book time slots for whenever they choose for the entire year.
“COVID-19 has impacted all of us, but front-line workers have kept our community moving while most of us remained at home. It is with deep gratitude that we extend this invitation to front-line workers. Thank you,” Stephan Jost, Michael and Sonja Koerner Director and CEO of the AGO, said in a release.
Of course, the AGO will need proof to ensure credibility, so make sure you bring your proof of employment with you when you visit.
The AGO says this is a way to thank these workers for all of the hard work and service that has been provided during the pandemic.
The gallery reopened its doors on July 2nd to AGO members and annual pass holders and is set to open to the public on July 23rd.
the AGO is asking all visitors to please wear a mask during their visit and to abide by social distancing protocols.
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Toronto knows a thing or two about activities, especially during the winter months. But after the craziness of the holidays, your wallet could definitely use a break. Luckily, this January, you don’t have to spend a penny to be able to enjoy some amazing activities around the city. We’ve rounded up the very best free events for you to enjoy.
Here are 15 free events to check out this month in Toronto!
Skating at Nathan Phillips Square
Grab your skates and head to Nathan Phillips Square where you can enjoy free daily skating as you enjoy the picturesque views of Toronto City Hall. Equipped with change rooms, washrooms, a snack shop, and skate rentals, this skating rink has everything you need for a quintessential winter day.
When: Open daily through March 22
Time: 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Where: 100 Queen Street West
Price: Skating is free, skate rentals available on-site
DJ Skate Nights at Natrel Rink
Toronto’s hottest winter skating party is back for another exciting season with another stellar lineup of DJs that will bring the heat to your Saturday nights. Featuring house, R&B, soul, disco, soca, hip hop, dancehall, throwback, drag anthems, and pop, there will be music for every taste, and for every occasion.
When: January 11, 18, 25
Time: 8 p.m. to 11 p.m.
Where: Harbourfront Centre’s Natrel Rink
Price: Admission is free
The Bentway Skate Trail: Winter Season
The Bentway below the Gardiner Expressway is worth braving the cold for. Not only is there free ice-skating on the 220-metre, figure-eight skate trail (you may bring your own skates or rent for $10), there’s an on-site winter village that serves hot chocolate, drinks, and boozy beverages for skaters and spectators, while warming stations will help visitors get toasty before getting back on the ice.
When: January 6 through February 7
Time: Weekdays, 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.; weekends, 12 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Where: The Bentway, 250 Fort York Boulevard
Price: Skating is free; skate rentals start at $5 for kids or $10 for adults
AGO Free Wednesday Nights
Free admission on Wednesday nights at the AGO has been a longstanding tradition for years and is a great way to get your culture fix. The popular initiative invites Torontonians and visitors the chance to spend the evening at one of the largest and most distinguished art museums in North America and get inspired by the incredible art displays and new and changing exhibits.
When: Every Wednesday night (January 8, 15, 22, 29)
Time: 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Where: Art Gallery of Ontario, 317 Dundas Street West
Price: Admission is free
No Pants Subway Ride
The ‘No Pants Subway Ride’ returns to Toronto for another cheeky year. Hosted by the No Pants Society, the annual risqué event will be taking place simultaneously in over 50 cities around the world this month with the hopes of bringing a smile to commuters’ faces. Here in Toronto, the pantless ride will be be followed by a parade from Wellesley Station to a no pants dance party (location to be announced).
When: January 12
Time: 3 pm to 10 pm
Where: The ride begins at the CF Eaton Centre’s Dundas Street entrance
Price: Free to participate, but you’ll have to pay for your TTC ride
Mayor’s Skate Party
Celebrate the new year with Mayor John Tory and City Councillors at Kew Gardens for the annual Mayor’s Skate Party. Come on down to enjoy a fun afternoon that’s filled with music, hot beverages, and of course lots of skating. Even better is that skate rentals are free, too!
When: January 12
Time: 1 p.m. until 4 p.m.
Where: Kew Gardens
Price: Free
Winter Stations Presents: Loop
Leading up to the return of Toronto’s annual Winter Stations, event organizers are teaming up with the city’s Waterfront BIA to bring more public art to the city during the coldest months of the year. This month, Torontonians can check out ‘Loop’, which is an interactive retro-futuristic machine powered by the public. Visitors can hop on two at a time into one of the six illuminated cylinders and pump a lever to activate the lights and glowing images.
When: January 15 through February 18
Time: 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily
Where: York Street Park (York Street and Harbour Street)
Price: Admission is free
Province Apothecary Mini Facials @ Detox Market
If getting your skincare game together was on your list of goals for 2020, then look no further. On January 16, head to the Detox Market flagship for your free Province Apothecary mini-facial that’s followed by relaxing accupressure point stimulation and education about your skin type. There are limited spots available so make sure you RSVP early so you don’t miss out on your best skin ever thanks to this free event.
When: January 16
Time: 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Where: Detox Market Flagship (116 Spadina Ave)
Price: Free
DesignTO
DesignTo returns to Toronto for its 10th installment this month to celebrate Canadian art and design. Over the past decade, DesignTO has grown from a collection of seven exhibitions and events to a ten-day Festival of over 100 free exhibitions and events throughout the city. You can find full programming details here.
When: January 17 through 26
Time: Varies by exhibition
Where: Venues throughout the city
Price: Over 100 exhibitions are free to the public (others are ticketed)
Toronto Light Fest
With the coldest and darkest days upon us, the city’s historic Distillery District will be the place to be for the fourth annual Toronto Light Fest. Bringing dozens of curated light installations and illuminated sculptures created by a number of local and international artists, the Toronto Light Festival should not be missed.
When: January 17 through March 1
Time: After dusk
Where: Distillery District
Price: Admission is free
Rom 3rd Tuesday Nights Free
The ROM is giving Torontonians the perfect reason to leave their homes this winter with the return of 3rd Tuesday Nights Free. During this monthly event, ROM guests will be able to explore art, culture, and nature in the museum’s 30 galleries and collections from 5:30 pm to 8:30 pm, completely free of charge.
When: January 21
Time: 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Where: Royal Ontario Museum, 100 Queens Park
Price: Admission is free
Power Plant Opening Party
To kick off the 2020 winter exhibition season, Toronto art enthusiasts can check out a free party on January 24. Attendees will be amongst the first to experience new exhibitions by Naufus Ramírez-Figueroa, Dawit L. Petros, Naeem Mohaiemen, and Rashid Johnson. There will also be a cash bar available on-site throughout the evening.
When: January 24
Time: 8 p.m.
Where: The Power Plant
Price: Admission is free
The Mommonality MRKT
Experience the very first Mommonality MRKT to shop all sorts of goodies. It’s at this exciting market that you can shop over 40+ vendors from a wide range of categories including adult & children’s apparel, accessories, home decor, custom gifts, and lots more!
When: January 26
Time: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Where: Mississauga Convention Centre
Price: Admission is free
Winter Fridays
Happening every Friday until February 14 at Evergreen Brick Works is Winter Fridays where you can make the most of those chilly winter nights. While we love cozying up at home with a movie and cup of tea, sometimes you just need a night out. At Winter Fridays you can skate for free, enjoy DJ performance, and food & drinks from food trucks.
When: Every Friday night (January 10, 17, 24, 31, February 7, and 14)
Time: 5:30 p.m. until 9:30 p.m.
Where: Evergreen Brick Works
Price: Admission is free
Free Mindfulness Meditation
Clear your head with some free guided meditation. that’s happening every Monday at 6 p.m. until February 3. Located at Centre Place on Richmond East, the meditation is open to everybody regardless of your experience. While this event is totally free, a donation of at least $5 is suggested. If 6 p.m. doesn’t work for your busy schedule, you can still stop by until 8 p.m., although the guided part of the meditation ends at 7 p.m.
When: Every Monday night (January 13, 20, 27, February 3)
Time: 6 p.m. until 8 p.m.
Where: CentrePlace (320 Richmond St E – Unit 101)
Price: Admission is free
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Thanksgiving weekend is finally here! It’s time for a much needed long weekend and everything else the Thanksgiving holiday brings, usually including tons of food and quality time with the people around us. It seems we all spend Thanksgiving doing different things and having different traditions. No matter how you usually spend your Thanksgiving, there thankfully is tons to do in Toronto over the long weekend (and they’re free!)
Here are 6 super fun free things to do in Toronto over the Thanksgiving long weekend!
Toronto Pumpkinfest
Where: 70 Canuck Ave, North York
When: October 12 – 14, 10 a.m. until 6 p.m.
Toronto Pumpkinfest is running all Thanksgiving weekend long, with activities to do for all ages! The festival has tons of fun things to do whether you’re spending time with your family, having a fun day out with friends, or want something to do with your SO, you’re sure to find something that appeals to you. Pumpkin Fest features a pumpkin patch, different rides, plenty of food and other vendors, contests, and of course the Big Pumpkin. This festival is sure to spice up your Instagram feed with all the fall vibes!
All Vinyl Everything
Where: 1150 Queen Street West
When: October 13, 10 p.m.
If you’re looking for something to do to celebrate having Monday off, check out All Vinyl Everything that’s happening at Drake Underground. Featuring DJ Darrel, DJ Agile, Mista Jiggz, and Mensa, it’ll be a vinyl-tastic evening. If you’re in the mood for some great music and a good time, you can join in on all the fun for free, but just make sure you RSVP first!
Brewer’s Backyard – Torontober Fest
Where: Evergreen Brickworks – 550 Bayview Ave
When: October 14 – 11 a.m. until 5 p.m.
Brewer’s Backyard – Torontober Fest is a fun beer festival happening this Thanksgiving Monday! This fest is featuring multiple different breweries, 9 to be exact, so you’ll have tons of great brew options to try. The festival will even have some amazing food choices and we’re betting that there’ll be something for everyone! If you love beer and a good time, it’s totally worth checking out.
Early Rubens at The AGO
Where: 317 Dundas Street West, Toronto
When: October 12 and 13, 10:30 a.m. until 5:30 p.m.
While the AGO is closed Thanksgiving Monday, but is open the Saturday and Sunday of Thanksgiving weekend. The AGO offers free admission to those who have an annual pass, and to anyone who is 25 and under and to Indigenous folks. This Thanksgiving weekend, the AGO is debuting the exhibit: Early Rubens. Visiting the gallery is a great way to occupy your time and also experience some great art, history, and conversation with the whole fam!
Go For A Nature Walk
Nature walks and hikes are a simple and quite refreshing activity you can do over the long-weekend. Toronto is the home of some great scenic trails – and they’re all free to check out! If you’re looking for something to do this Thanksgiving weekend, you should definitely take some time to visit a local trail. After all, fall is a great time to appreciate the nature and beauty we are surrounded by! Plus, it’s a great way to walk off a heavy and rich meal.
FUJIFILM Printlife Photo Exhibit
Where: Square One, Mississauga
When: October 7 – 13
If you’re willing to track a little bit outside Toronto, FUJIFILM is holding an exhibit at Square One to showcase prints of those who entered its print contest. The exhibit ends Thanksgiving Sunday, so if you want to check out the cool prints, now is the time!
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