Museums and Culture

An exhibition by South African photographer and filmmaker Karabo Mooki that follows a generation of Black women skateboarders in Johannesburg who use skateboarding as resistance, self expression and collective empowerment. Part of KUUMBA at Harbourfront Centre's Main Building, open for viewing 24/7 from January 9 to August 31, 2027. Free, no tickets required.

Bright LED signs by Simranpreet Kaur Anand that parody the advertising of shops selling religious or spiritual goods, using Punjabi words written in English letters. Part of the Toronto Biennial of Art 2026, in the South Vitrines of Harbourfront Centre's Main Building. Open Monday to Thursday and Sunday 9 AM to 6 PM, Friday and Saturday 9 AM to 9 PM, until December 31, 2026. Free, no tickets required.

Figurative ceramic sculptures by Toronto artist Nilou Ghaemi, inspired by conglomerate rock, showing two figures in an unresolved inner conflict, with blue and red standing for life in two cultures. In the West Vitrines of Harbourfront Centre's Main Building. Open Monday to Thursday and Sunday 9 AM to 6 PM, Friday and Saturday 9 AM to 9 PM; Harbourfront Centre's winter listing shows it on until March 15, 2027. Free, no tickets required.

Clay wall reliefs by Toronto ceramicist and sculptor Keenan O'Toole that link drawing and sculpture, using spirals, grids and loops that suggest a mix of map, diagram and object. In the East Vitrines of Harbourfront Centre's Main Building. Open Monday to Thursday and Sunday 9 AM to 6 PM, Friday and Saturday 9 AM to 9 PM, until March 15, 2027. Free, no tickets required.

Ceramics by Marina Van Raay, a Canadian Japanese artist from Hamilton, that pile up colour, pattern and surface, drawing on everyday adornment, Japanese decorative culture and Heisei retro style. The title means "more, more" in Japanese. Shown in the Big Vitrine of Harbourfront Centre's Main Building, open for viewing 24/7 until March 15, 2027. Free, no tickets required.

An artist run gallery for photography, film and contemporary image based art, on St. Helens Avenue in the Junction Triangle. It shows changing exhibitions by Canadian and international artists in a relaxed ground floor space with ramp access. Open Wednesday to Saturday, 11 AM to 5 PM. Admission is always free.

Toronto Public Library's treasure trove of historic children's books, on the 4th floor of the Lillian H. Smith branch. Walk in to see the exhibits, such as the 40th Anniversary of Franklin in the Dark display running to January 3, or ask to view items in the reading room. Open Monday to Friday 9 AM to 8:30 PM, Saturday 9 AM to 5 PM and Sunday noon to 5 PM. Free; viewing items needs a short form plus ID or a library card.

Toronto Public Library's special collection of science fiction, fantasy and speculative writing, on the 3rd floor of the Lillian H. Smith branch. Walk in to see the exhibits or browse rare books, comics and art; the current exhibit is Love, Lust and Lore (November 15 to January 31). Open Monday to Friday 9 AM to 8:30 PM, Saturday 9 AM to 5 PM and Sunday noon to 5 PM. Free; viewing most items needs a short form plus ID or a library card.

A free self-guided City of Toronto urban walk past culturally important National Historic Sites, including Massey Hall, the Studio Building where the Group of Seven worked and the Royal Conservatory of Music. Plan on one to two hours; the 506 College streetcar is the closest transit. Download the route map and see the outsides of these landmarks at your own pace. Free, no booking.

A free self-guided audio walk, hosted by Nora Young, to the downtown places tied to media thinker Marshall McLuhan, with interviews from people who knew him. It takes one to two hours; St. George and Bay stations are the closest. Download the City of Toronto route map and listen as you walk. Free, no booking.

A free self-guided audio walk through the Annex, the neighbourhood where urban thinker Jane Jacobs lived from 1968 to 2006. Listen as you go and learn about the area's history and the city ideas she championed; it takes one to two hours. Start near Spadina subway station with the City of Toronto route map. Free, no booking.

The Shenkman Arts Centre in Orléans has several exhibition spaces in one building, including the City of Ottawa's Trinity Art Gallery, the Ottawa School of Art Orléans Campus Gallery, Promenade Arteast and the LaLande + Doyle exhibition space. Together they show work by local and regional artists in many media. Admission to the galleries is always free; call the box office at 613 580 2700 for current hours.