ROM for the Holidays 2013

ROM for the Holidays
Enjoy two weeks of toys, games, and gatherings for the whole family starting December 26!

(Toronto, Ontario – November 19, 2013) Get into the holiday spirit with ROM for the Holidays (RFTH): two weeks of special family experiences at the Royal Ontario Museum (ROM). From Thursday December 26, 2013 to Sunday January 5, 2014, this year’s holiday activities are filled with toys, games, and excitement for all to enjoy with great value for your family. All ROM for the Holidays activities take place from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm daily, and are included with general admission.

Family Fun

Canada at Play
Transport your family back in time with the Canada at Play pop-up exhibit. Only at the ROM during this holiday season, the display takes a look at Canada’s favourite games and toys over the past 130 years. Visitors will learn about the traditions of beloved winter pastimes such as skating, tobogganing, and hockey.

Earth Rangers Wild Journey
Enjoy a live animal show with Earth Rangers Wild Journey! Back by popular demand, this thrilling family favourite teaches about conservation and provides a learning opportunity for adults and children alike. Shows are at 1:00 pm, 3:00 pm, and 5:00 pm daily. Generously supported by: Ontario Power Generation.

Winter Wonderland Scavenger Hunt
There is a lot more going on in Ontario’s winter landscape than meets the eye. Discover the animals and plants that are active in the snowy months with the Winter Wonderland Scavenger Hunt in the Earth Rangers Studio.

Hands-on Biodiversity and Discovery Galleries
Families love the Hands-on Biodiversity and Discovery Galleries. Filled with exciting hands-on and dress-up activities, these galleries offer enriching and engaging experiences for all visitors.

Holiday Tree
The holiday season will also be celebrated with the Museum’s festive 25-foot holiday tree in the lobby of the Michael Lee-Chin Crystal, which will be lit daily starting December 6, 2013 and through RFTH.

Last Chance to Experience Mesopotamia
The holiday season marks the last chance for visitors to experience Mesopotamia: Inventing Our World, presented by RSA Insurance. This critically acclaimed exhibition closes on Sunday, January 5, 2014. Mesopotamia explores over 3,000 years of innovation and accomplishments that shaped human history. With treasures from the British Museum making their North American debut, this exhibition is not to be missed!

For easy holiday gift shopping, ROM visitors must visit Mesopotamia’s dedicated shop. Hand-crafted jewellery, charming decorative pieces, and impressive reproductions of some of the exhibition’s most memorable objects are among the shop’s exhibition-themed wares. Also available is the official Mesopotamia exhibition souvenir guide. On sale for only $5, and available in both English and French, the publication is sure to transport you back to the fascinating ancient culture of Mesopotamia – long after your visit to the ROM.

Wildlife Photographer of the Year

The ROM presents the North American debut of the Wildlife Photographer of the Year (WPY) exhibition. Based on a photography competition originating 49 years ago, the exhibition is displayed in the ROM’s Level 3, Centre Block, from November 23, 2013 to March 23, 2014. Presented by the Natural History Museum and BBC Worldwide, the exhibition celebrates nature and wildlife through the most prestigious and surprising photography of its kind.

Experience the visually striking exhibition for only $5 over the price of ROM general admission. Admission for members is free. The last entry to this exhibition takes place an hour and a half prior to Museum closing.

Visit www.rom.on.ca  for full WPY exhibition details, special programming, and tickets, and follow the ROM via Facebook, YouTube, the ROM blog, and Twitter (@ROMToronto, @ROMBiodiversity, #ROMWPY) for regular updates.

ROM Membership is Your Best Value  
Give the gift that gives all year long! Your friends and loved ones will enjoy the Museum’s treasures long after the holidays are over with a new ROM Membership. Membership ensures free unlimited admission to the Museum and major exhibitions including the current Mesopotamia. Membership also includes exclusive Member Previews, free subscription to ROM Magazine, special discounts at ROM shops, restaurants, on programs, courses, events, and so much more. Current ROM Members save up to $20 off select Gift Membership levels, with plenty of levels to consider. Each Gift Membership comes wrapped up in a gift box with a complimentary Mesopotamia souvenir guide.

To kick off this year’s holiday shopping season, ROM Members will enjoy 20% off regular price merchandise in all ROM stores during the Member Shopping Weekend on December 6, 7, and 8.  Holiday cheer comes to the Museum during this special weekend with Victorian Carolers singing throughout the building on December 7 and 8 from 12:00 pm to 3:00 pm.

For further details on the benefits of Membership or to purchase a Gift Membership visit www.rom.on.ca/members or call 416.586.5700.

Holiday Dining
The family-friendly Druxy’s ROM Café will launch festive seasonal menu items on December 6. The holiday treats will be available daily in Druxy’s, located on Level 1B. For hours of operation and a selection of healthy and affordable menu items visit https://www.rom.on.ca/en/visit-us/shopping-dining/cafe

Holiday Shopping
The ROM Boutique is a 7,000-square-foot luxury retail shop located on the main floor of the Michael Lee-Chin Crystal. With a dedicated entrance off Bloor Street West, the store is open year round and offers an outstanding collection of one-of-a-kind gifts, luxury retail amenities, and a signature line of Museum-branded merchandise.

The ROMkids Boutique, located just outside the Bat Cave on the Museum’s Level 2, is full of fun, interactive gifts for children, including a new line of ROM t-shirts, natural history toys, games, and books. For gift ideas or to shop online, visit: http://shop.rom.on.ca

Holiday Hours
The ROM is open from 10:00 am to 5:30 pm on December 26, 2013 and January 5, 2014. Between December 27, 2013 and January 4, 2014, the Museum is open for extended hours from 10:00 am until 8:30 pm every day. The Museum is closed on December 25, 2013.

Special Holiday Discount
From December 26, 2013 through January 5, 2014, discounted general admission (Adults $10.00; Students/Seniors $9.00; Children $7.00) is available every day after 4:30 pm. Visitors should note the 5:30 pm closing time on December 26 and January 5 and plan accordingly for the one hour time slot available for this special offer.

For more information and updates about ROM for the Holidays visit:
https://www.rom.on.ca/holidays
 

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