Programsat ROM

Featured Programs

Crowd of people sitting at a ROM Speaks event
Program

ROM Speaks

Discover the power of ideas with ROM Speaks—a series that brings fascinating and thought-provoking voices to the forefront. Dive into compelling discussions on today’s most intriguing topics, hosted at the Museum. From culture and history to science and innovation, these events promise to challenge your perspective and spark meaningful conversations. Stay informed about upcoming programs by subscribing to our email communications and be the first to explore new insights and engaging dialogue. Please note that these events are offered exclusively in English. ROM Speaks is generously supported
Eva Holtby Program
Program

Eva Holtby Lecture on Contemporary Culture

The Annual Eva Holtby Lecture on Contemporary Culture brings powerful voices to the Royal Ontario Museum to discuss provocative and engaging contemporary ideas. Since its launch in 2006 with Adam Gopnik as the inaugural lecturer, the Holtby Lecture has been presented by Kwame Anthony Appiah, Glenn D. Lowry, Lewis H. Lapham, Henry Louis Gates Jr., Carlos Fuentes, Ingrid Betancourt, Anthony Gormley, Bob Colacello, Sheika Hoor al-Qasimi, Jameel Jaffer, Timothy Snyder, Jesse Wente and Laurie Anderson. The Eva Holtby Lecture is generously supported by the Holtby and Schury Families.
Visitor looking at artifacts in encased glass
Program

Third Tuesday Nights Free

Experience the Museum after hours — free for everyone — on the third Tuesday night of every month, from 4:00 PM to 8:30 PM. Enjoy access to most galleries and make an evening of discovery with friends and family. Special exhibitions are not included.
Butterfly drawings in blue, pink and purple against a blue sky
Program

Summer Club

ROM Member Registration Opens: February 9, 2026 at 10:00 AM General Public Registration Opens: February 17, 2026 at 10:00 AM Set your kids up for a summer of fun times and creative learning. Summer Club is back – celebrating its 84th year – with immersive, in-person camp programs unlike anything else in the city. Engaging, energetic, and full of activities, our summer programs feature in-gallery and classroom learning, bringing kids face to face with the stories held within the vast art, culture, and nature collections at ROM. Summer Club groups welcome kids ages 5-16 with a variety of themed
Jameel Jaffer and Charles Stenkievich ©Lisa Milosavijevic
Program

Talks

Curious about art, culture, and nature? Learn why these topics matter within and beyond Museum walls. Talks at ROM offer engaging moments of thought-provoking learning with experts and objects from, and inspired by, collections in the Museum. Upcoming talks are identified as either at ROM or Online. All are Free with RSVP.
Workshop in gallery
Program

Workshops

Do you dream of being a scientist, artist, or historian? Be one for a day, with unique experiences and hands-on activities at ROM. All workshops are for adults (18+) unless otherwise specified.

All Programs

34 programs
Royal Ontario Museum Michael Lee-Chin Crystal. Bloor Street Entrance.
Program
Adventure ROM
Book a guided ROM tour for your troop or unit! For each new themed tour completed, Scouts and Girl Guides earn a ROM-exclusive badge to add to their collection.
Mosaic Ceiling – Rotunda
Program
Before Hours Tours
Experience the serenity of an exclusive tour of ROM before the Museum opens to the public. This early access opportunity allows you to appreciate art, culture, and nature in an intimate, uninterrupted setting, making it a truly unforgettable experience. Museum admission included in the cost of the tour.
Meiji period “Flowers of a Hundred Worlds (Momoyogusa 百々世草), vol. 1” by Kamisaka Sekka (1866 - 1942), album of woodblock prints; ink and colour on paper, 1909-10, Japan, 2001.78.1. © ROM. This acquisition was made possible by a generous grant from the ROM Foundation.
Program
Bishop White Committee: Friends of East Asia
Support the Bishop White Committee! Help preserve East Asian heritage and promote cultural exchange. Donate, become a member, or attend events—every contribution makes a difference. The Bishop White Committee: Friends of East Asia supports ROM in preserving and promoting East Asian art, history, and culture. Named after Bishop William C. White, a pioneering scholar of Chinese art, our committee fosters appreciation through exhibitions, educational programs, and cultural initiatives. By engaging donors, volunteers, and the community, we help expand the East Asian collections and share stories
Brain coral specimen on a white background
Program
Climate Change
"Every day I learn new things about our planet, the humans who inhabit it, and the multitude intricate ways that climate change and climate change solutions weave these things together. Above all else, I've grown to appreciate how rare, yet important, it is to simply be - having honest, human conversations about climate change". - Dr. Soren Brothers, Allan and Helaine Shiff Curator of Climate Change An Active Voice for Climate Hope Climate change touches every part of our lives and is a deeply global story. At ROM we've seen the effects of it revealed in field and lab research, scientific
A group of Syrian children smile and wave Canadian flags in front of the ROM’s Schad Gallery of Biodiversity
Program
Community Access (ROMCAN)
Established in 2008, the ROM Community Access Network (ROMCAN) is ROM’s commitment to removing financial, social and cultural barriers for diverse communities to access the museum. Through the three pillars of social inclusion-we commit to being an institution that is reflective of, and in service to, diverse communities. Thanks to ROMCAN, ROM makes available 100,000 free visits every year. However, the defining feature of ROMCAN goes beyond just free admission, but rather, ROMCAN is about creating, strengthening and maintaining close collaboration with community groups across Ontario to
four people sitting at a table, having a fun conversation at the Royal Ontario Museum
Program
Conversations
Have you ever been so moved, fascinated, or impressed by an object, specimen, or work of art, that you wish you could talk about it with others? Conversations is a new program series of informal gatherings at ROM that invite you to engage with other individuals on topics of interest. Relax as you discuss specific collections, objects or themes of exhibitions, or take a tour followed by refreshments and conversation. You can also practice your language skills every month in sessions designed for newcomers, immigrants, and English language learners. In past programs we have gathered to talk
Wide marble staircase inside a grand building with people walking up and down and two ornate wall lamps on either side.
Program
Earth Day
Earth Day is an internationally observed celebration promoting the protection and conservation of our planet and its myriad denizens, celebrated every April 22 across the globe. It is more than a celebration of our planet and its ecosystems – it’s a time to act and make the world a better place. The Royal Ontario Museum is committed to being part of the solution.
Eva Holtby Program
Program
Eva Holtby Lecture on Contemporary Culture
The Annual Eva Holtby Lecture on Contemporary Culture brings powerful voices to the Royal Ontario Museum to discuss provocative and engaging contemporary ideas. Since its launch in 2006 with Adam Gopnik as the inaugural lecturer, the Holtby Lecture has been presented by Kwame Anthony Appiah, Glenn D. Lowry, Lewis H. Lapham, Henry Louis Gates Jr., Carlos Fuentes, Ingrid Betancourt, Anthony Gormley, Bob Colacello, Sheika Hoor al-Qasimi, Jameel Jaffer, Timothy Snyder, Jesse Wente and Laurie Anderson. The Eva Holtby Lecture is generously supported by the Holtby and Schury Families.
Asian family in the China Gallery of a museum.
Program
Family Day Weekend
CELEBRATE Family Day Weekend AT ROM Plan a visit to the Museum during the Family Day weekend! In addition to experiencing the galleries and special exhibitions, our public spaces are filled with exciting programming, live performances, and themed activities to enjoy with family and friends. Check this page in the future for upcoming Family Day activities. Or, sign up for the Museum enewsletter and receive early updates on programs, events, and activities throughout the year.
Sandstone concretion "Gogotte"
Program
Friends of Earth and Space
The newly launched Friends of Earth Space is comprised of like-minded people who have a special interest in learning about rocks, minerals and gems from our planet as well as meteorites, which are samples from our solar system.
Painting of people in a garden.
Program
Friends of Global South Asia
The Friends of Global South Asia supports the appreciation for and cultivates awareness of ROM’s Global South Asian gallery and collection. We strive to forge and maintain links with all those who are curious about and interested in Global South Asian art, culture and history. Global South Asia at ROM encompasses Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Tibet, and their diasporas.
Fossilized bat skeleton
Program
Friends of Palaeontology
The Friends of Palaeontology is a group within the Department of Museum Volunteers. We are engaged in the story of life on earth as revealed in the fossil record. We promote ROM research by offering an exceptional opportunity to experience the ROM at a unique level.
Lamba marevaka (mantle) by the Lamba Sarl Studio, 2017-2018, Antananarivo, Madagascar, 2021.26.1. © ROM. This acquisition was generously supported by the Suzanne Labarge Fund.
Program
Friends of Textiles & Costume
Step into the fascinating world of fabric, fashion, and cultural heritage with the Friends of Textiles and Costume at ROM. This vibrant community is a gathering place for collectors, historians, and enthusiasts who share a deep appreciation for the artistry and history of textiles and costume. From ancient weavings to contemporary couture, members enjoy exclusive access to behind-the-scenes tours, expert-led lectures, hands-on workshops, and special exhibitions. Whether you're a seasoned expert or simply curious about the stories stitched into every garment, this group offers a unique
Tour guide leading a tour at ROM
Program
Group Tours
Follow our guides through the Museum as they enchant you with stories, bringing works of art, culture, and nature to life!
two people walking through the Roman portrait display in the Gallery of Rome.
Program
Hike the ROM
FREE WITH ADMISSION. Forget malls and slippery sidewalks. Hike the ROM Trails are a fun and engaging way to exercise both your body and your mind inside our spacious galleries, away from inclement weather. Offered seasonally during the cold, grey days of winter and early spring, Hike the ROM reveals objects in an unexpected, step-generating way as you walk through three floors of gallery spaces, at the speed you like. Each trail is perfect for a morning stroll, lunchtime break, or as a fun visit activity for families. Take your time and enjoy not only the trail stops, but the collections in