Many museums in Canada offer free admission, but whether a museum is free depends on the city, type of museum, and special promotions.
1. Always Free Museums in Canada
Some museums across Canada are permanently free to visit. These include:
✅ Canadian War Museum (Ottawa, ON) – Free on Thursdays (5-8 PM)
✅ Bank of Canada Museum (Ottawa, ON) – Always Free
✅ Montreal Museum of Fine Arts (Montreal, QC) – Free for visitors under 30
✅ The Rooms (St. John’s, NL) – Free on First Wednesdays of the Month
✅ Glenbow Museum (Calgary, AB) – Free Admission from 2024 onwards
2. Museums with Free Admission Days
Many Canadian museums offer free entry on certain days or times:
- Art Gallery of Ontario (Toronto, ON) – Free on Wednesdays (6-9 PM)
- Royal Ontario Museum (Toronto, ON) – Free on Third Monday of the Month (5:30-8:30 PM)
- McCord Museum (Montreal, QC) – Free on First Sunday of Each Month
- Canadian Museum of History (Gatineau, QC) – Free on Thursdays (5-8 PM)
- Royal Alberta Museum (Edmonton, AB) – Free on First Thursday of the Month (5-8 PM)
📌 Tip: Always check the museum’s official website for updated free entry days!
3. Free Entry for Indigenous Peoples & Special Groups
Some museums, like the Canadian Museum for Human Rights (Winnipeg, MB), offer free entry to Indigenous Peoples.
Additionally, many museums offer discounts or free access for students, seniors, and military personnel.
4. Outdoor & Community Museums That Are Always Free
Several museums in Canada focus on outdoor exhibits and public art that don’t require a ticket!
- Stanley Park Totem Poles (Vancouver, BC) – A free open-air Indigenous art museum.
- Gastown Steam Clock (Vancouver, BC) – A famous historical landmark.
- Parliament Hill (Ottawa, ON) – Free guided tours of Canada’s government buildings.
Conclusion: Are Museums in Canada Free?
✅ Some are always free
✅ Many have free admission days
✅ Discounts available for certain groups
✅ Outdoor museums & public art are free year-round