Light up the season with the return of ROM for the Holidays

TORONTO, December 11, 2025 – Celebrate the holiday season at the Royal Ontario Museum (ROM) with festive programming and creative experiences that draw on the wonder of the Museum’s world-class art, culture, and nature collections.

There’s something for everyone to enjoy as ROM for the Holidays, presented by BASF Canada, returns this year from Friday, December 26 until Sunday, January 4 with daily live performances, hands-on activities, and featured exhibitions – including special programming that explores light in all its forms, from lantern-making to illuminated installations that highlight the magic of light in art, science, and nature.

This December also sees the return of the popular Canada Strong Pass discount from December 12, 2025 through January 15, 2026 – families can celebrate the season with free admission for children aged 17 and under, and 50% off admission for youth aged 18 to 24.

And just in time for the winter break, the James and Louise Temerty Gallery of the Age of Dinosaurs and the Reed Gallery of the Age of Mammals welcome visitors back to a newly renovated and improved gallery experience, showcasing even more of ROM’s famous dinosaurs – including the long-anticipated return of one very famous anklyosaur.

Expanded by 3,500 square feet, the gallery reopened to the public on December 5 following a brief closure and features new displays and programming – including the permanent display of Zuul crurivastator, one of the best-preserved large dinosaurs ever found!

“ROM for the Holidays is all about creating moments of wonder and connection,” says Josh Basseches, ROM Director & CEO. “This year, in addition to our always-popular seasonal programming, we are thrilled to welcome visitors back to the Reed Gallery of the Age of Mammals and the newly reimagined James and Louise Temerty Gallery of the Age of Dinosaurs – a spectacular way to celebrate the season together.”

In addition to Zuul’s permanent display, longstanding gallery favourites will be showcased, such as the famous duck-billed dinosaur Parasaurolophus walkeri, along with the Tyrannosaurus rex, dromaeosaurs (‘raptors’) and Jurassic marine fossils.

“With ROM for the Holidays, the Museum is embracing the joy of the festive season with exciting new exhibitions, activities for younger audiences, and great opportunities to find something for everyone on your shopping list,” says Stan Cho, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Gaming. “With free and discounted admission for youth and young adults at Ontario’s world-class museums and attractions this winter, a visit to ROM is the ultimate way to create holiday memories that will last a lifetime – whether you’re a history buff, science lover, or craving an audience with Zuul and his prehistoric friends.”

Family-friendly enhanced programming, live performances, and hands-on experiences are at the heart of ROM for the Holidays, including a special weekend lab that taps into both art and science for a colourful kids’ workshop, and activities that underscore the beauty and meaning of light across cultures.

“Through our partnership with ROM, we’re proud to help bring together festive fun and hands-on learning in a way that families can truly enjoy. This season, we are thrilled to welcome young visitors to our BASF Kids’ Lab and together continue to bring STEAM to life,” says Marian Van Hoek, Managing Director, BASF Canada.

Beyond the awe-inspiring dinosaur delights and illuminated activations, there’s plenty for all ages to experience at ROM this holiday season, including a diverse array of surcharged special exhibitions.

Exhibitions open during ROM for the Holidays
(Please note: Feature exhibitions are specially ticketed.)

• Sharks, a family-friendly immersive overview of the majestic – but misunderstood – creatures of the deep seas, presented by Desjardins Financial Group and organized by the American Museum of Natural History in New York.
• Saints, Sinners, Lovers, and Fools: 300 Years of Flemish Masterworks, a deep dive into the Golden Age of Flemish art of the Southern Netherlands from 1400 to 1700, co-organized by the Denver Art Museum and The Phoebus Foundation.
• Wildlife Photographer of the Year, the annual fan favourite developed and produced by the Natural History Museum, London, returns to ROM with 100 all-new stunning photographs of the natural world.

ROM for the Holidays – Programming highlights
(All activities are included with General Admission.)

• Live entertainment
  (Daily, December 29 to January 2, unless specified)
  • Chris McKhool – Eaton Theatre (B1), 2:30 to 3 p.m. & 4 to 4:30 p.m.
    “Eco-troubadour” Chris McKhool will delight young audiences with his infectious folk songs and instruments from around the world. A champion of environmental issues, Chris has appeared on CBC’s Mr. Dressup, YTV’s Treehouse, TVOntario’s Crawlspace, and performed to over 1 million children in concert over the years.
  • Rabbit and Bear Paws – Weekends (December 27/28 & January 3/4), Chen Court (Level 1), 1:45 to 2 p.m. & 3 to 3:15 p.m.
    Featuring the comical adventures of two mischievous brothers, Rabbit and Bear Paws presents traditional Indigenous teachings for the winter solstice through interactive and humorous puppetry.
  • Pop-up performances – Currelly Gallery (Level 1)
    Join us for a series of surprise pop-up performances featuring vibrant, larger-than-life stilt-walking characters who roam across the gallery with colourful costumes and playful curiosity.

Workshops & Activities
(Daily, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., unless otherwise noted.)

• Level 1: Light Up the Season – Brighten dark winter days by making your own paper lanterns in Philosopher’s Gallery.
  • Level 2: Living Light – Immerse yourself in nature’s illuminated worlds by exploring the phenomenon of bioluminescence in the Earth Rangers Studio.
  • Level 2: Shark Sleuths! (10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.) – Visitors can dive into the fascinating world of sharks by examining shark anatomy and understanding the role these creatures play in healthy ocean ecosystems in the Hands-on Biodiversity space.
  • Level 2: Shark Curiosity – Engaging activations in the WonderWorks play space will spark youngsters’ curiosity as they encounter the fascinating world of sharks, skates, and rays.
  • Level 3: Puppet Performances – Experience the magic of enchanting puppet shows in Eaton Court that bring holiday stories to life.
  • Level 1B: Astronomy in Action – Explore the wonders of the universe through the magic of the night sky.

BASF Kids’ Labs 

Level 1 (Weekends, December 27 & 28 and January 3 & 4, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.)

• Get ready for vibrant family fun with Rainbow Connection, a hands-on activity in the ROM Makerspace that blends both art and science. Through the process of chromatography, kids will learn all about how coloured ink is actually made up of separate pigments, using coffee filters, felt‑tip markers, and water.

Give the gift of discovery

ROM Membership is the gift that keeps on giving – offering a year filled with discovery, curiosity, and connection. ROM Members enjoy unlimited free access to galleries and exhibitions, plus exclusive events, special discounts, tours, and so much more!

Holiday shopping

ROM Boutique is a natural destination for experiential, memorable, and timeless gifts – including ROM’s own collection of beautifully designed books that recipients will treasure:

• A Field Guide to Birds of Ontario – this all-new edition is hot off the press and ready to ship! The must-have handbook to the diverse array of birds in our province, this handy guide features more than 600 bird photos and 500 pages devoted to ornithology – a perfect present for the novice birder or the Aves-obsessed alike.
• A Field Guide to Trees of Ontario – published in 2023, this indispensable field guide includes more than 1,400 vibrant photographs and illustrations that describe the many trees encountered on our city streets and forest hikes.
• ROM Field Guide to Butterflies of Ontario – covers 167 species of butterflies known in the province and includes details about seasonal flight patterns and dramatic photos showing various life stages.

Admissions information

Advance ticket purchase is strongly recommended. ROM is open daily over the holiday period from December 26, 2025, to January 5, 2026, from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. (Last entry to special exhibitions is at 4:30 p.m.).

Image credit: Photo: Wanda Dobrowlanski, © ROM.