Light Up the Season

This winter, ROM invites visitors of all ages to brighten the darkest days of the year with Light Up the Season, a hands-on creative experience that transforms the Museum’s Philosopher’s Gallery into a glowing celebration of community.  

Running daily from December 26 to January 4, this drop-in activity invites families to design and decorate their own handmade lanterns to take home or place on a central tree installation.  The gallery will fill with hundreds of unique creations, an ever-growing constellation shaped by everyone who participates. 

Guided by Gallery Assistants, visitors can explore the artistry behind lantern-making while enjoying a calming, tactile activity that encourages both focus and imagination. Whether it’s a family looking to create a special holiday memory, friends taking a break from the bustle of the museum, or children discovering how art connects people across cultures, every visitor becomes part of this collective artwork that illuminates the museum. 

Light Up the Season is just one of the many creative and immersive programs that make ROM for the Holidays such a vibrant annual tradition. With colourful décor, cozy winter installations, performances and activities running throughout the building, the experience invites visitors to step into a world of warmth, curiosity, and celebration during the winter break. 

ROM for the Holidays is presented by BASF Canada.

Melissa Smith is AVP, Gallery Engagement at ROM.