The Culture Vulture Toronto Tip Sheet
Cash flow low? No need to stay in and stare at the wall—check out our guide to specials and freebies offered by Toronto’s cultural institutions.
Harbourfront Centre
Free festivals, concerts and outdoor exhibits, plus some of the city’s best parkland.
Heritage Toronto Walks
The free neighbourhood walking tours guided by knowledgeable locals are great for visitors scared of commitment: there’s no registration or reservation required.
The Royal Ontario Museum
photo: Oliver Mallich
The famed Royal Ontario Museum—yes, that freaky crystal thing on Bloor Street West—waives admission fees from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. on Wednesdays, and offers half-price admission on Friday nights from 4:30 to 9:30 p.m. Also ask about its free guided walking tours around town.
The Gardiner Museum
Canada’s home of ceramic art and culture, ensconced in the luxe Yorkville neighbourhood across the street from the ROM, offers free admission on Friday nights from 4 to 9 p.m.
Art Gallery of Ontario
This recently renovated Frank Gehry-designed building’s art bounty and diversity has to be seen to be believed… so do it gratis after 5:30 p.m. on Wednesdays.
Bata Shoe Museum
One of the continent’s most unique museums lets you pay what you can every Thursday from 5 to 8 p.m. A $5 donation is suggested.
The Canadian Opera Company
The company offers a free year-round lunch-hour concert series on Tuesdays and Thursdays. It’s the perfect opportunity to sneak a peek at one of the city’s most interesting new buildings.
Toronto Symphony Orchestra
The artists behind the TSO are after young blood and they’re putting their money where their music is: anyone between the ages of 15 to 35 can buy tickets to Toronto Symphony Orchestra concerts for just $14 per ticket.
Canadian Stage
Monday nights are “pay what you can” performances and a chance to see top-shelf Canadian theatre for a, ahem, song. There are also discount seats available most nights at the box office an hour before the show.
Panorama Lounge
This is the best view of the city… even better than from the CN Tower, because it includes the CN Tower. The trip up to the 51st floor of the Manulife Centre at Yonge and Bloor will cost you a pricey but perfect cocktail (plus $5 cover on weekends after 10 p.m.).
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Based in Toronto, Tom Gierasimczuk's work has appeared in a variety of publications, including the Globe and Mail, The Seattle Post-Intelligencer and OutPost magazine.
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Comments
Jenelle
Pretty good list. (Though since when did Panorama become a cultural institution?) Also: free concerts or festivals almost every weekend at Yong-Dundas Square, discount day-of entertainment tickets at the T.O. TIX box office, PWYC on Wednesdays from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Textile Museum of Canada, the ROM is currently free on Wednesdays from 3 p.m. to close until December 22nd, a plethora of free tours... too many ways to experience culture on a budget in Toronto to keep to word count!
allison_upmagazine
Thanks, Jenelle - great additions to the list!
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