The precarious state of the economy has left many Toronto families and individuals unwilling to part with their disposable income by enjoying Toronto’s many attractions, arts and culture. Fortunately, some Toronto attractions have reduced their admission prices or are offering discounted admission and even free performances on certain days. If you’re looking for cheap or inexpensive things to do in Toronto, here are a few ways to save big on your entertainment dollars.
Royal Ontario Museum
The Royal Ontario Museum (ROM) substantially reduced their general admission prices in October 2011. Admission to the museum is now $15 for adults, $13.50 for seniors (65+) and students (15-25, with a valid student ID) and $12 for youth (4-14). Children 3 and under are free. Attending on Friday nights from 4:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. will result in further discounts of $9 for adults, $8 for seniors and students (15-25 with valid student ID) and $6 for youth.
Rainbow Cinemas at Market Square
If you’re fed up with the high price of admission to Toronto movie theatres, you’ll love the Rainbow Cinemas at Market Square, 80 Front St. E. (between Church and Jarvis Streets), 416-494-9371. The Market Square cinemas are offering recession-friendly prices including a $5 admission for any movie on Tuesdays. The cinema’s ticket prices throughout the week are cheaper than neighbouring cinemas at $9.50 for adults (14-64), $7 for students, $6 for seniors (65+) and $6 for youth (3-13).
Hockey Hall of Fame
The Hockey Hall of Fame at Brookfield Place (formerly BCE Place), 30 Yonge Street (at Front Street), 416-360-7735, has reduced their admission prices by 25% from January 2, 2012 to March 9, 2012. Discounted admission for adults is $13, seniors (65+) is $10 and youth (4-13) is $8.
Free Admission at Art Gallery of Ontario
The Art Gallery of Ontario at 317 Dundas St. W. is still offering free public access to their permanent collection on Wednesday nights from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Soulpepper Theatre
Soulpepper Theatre at the Distillery District produces many well-known works of Canadian, American and international playwrights. Rush tickets are available 30 minutes before each show for $22 and $5 for youth (21 and under). The theatre recommends that you arrive an hour before the show to get a number to secure a spot in line.
Free Concerts at Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts
Enjoy free concerts including vocal, piano, chamber music, jazz, world music and dance at the Richard Bradshaw Amphitheatre in the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts, 145 Queen St. W.. Concerts are performed most Tuesdays and Thursdays at noon from late September to early June, as well as on some Wednesdays at noon or 5:30 p.m. Tickets are distributed on a first-come, first-served basis 30 minutes before the performance.
Canadian Stage Pay-What-You-Can
Canadian Stage offers pay-what-you-can tickets for Monday night performances at its Bluma Appel Theatre (27 Front St. E.) and Berkeley Street Theatre (26 Berkeley Street). Tickets are for sale on the day of the performance at the box office, which opens at 10 a.m. The suggested payment for PWYC tickets is $20. In addition, rush tickets are available one hour before the show at 50% off the top ticket price. If you’re under 30, you can participate in C-Stage and purchase Canadian Stage tickets for as low as $12.50.
