Old City Hall is one of Toronto’s most historic buildings, and while it has largely remained off-limits to the public throughout its existence, you’ll be able to bask in all its glory this summer.
Starting Friday, July 11, the 126-year-old building will be hosting visitors for Summer at Old City Hall, opening its doors for residents and tourists alike to see the historic site come to life.
The series will include free public programming each Friday through August, as well as some special weekend events.
As part of the free summer events on Fridays, you can take advantage of Courtyard Open Days, where visitors can relax in the building’s hidden open-air courtyard to eat lunch, see your friends or just hang out in a space steeped in history.
Visitors can also check out archival images at Millennium City, a digital photography exhibit which revisits the early 2000s in a series of archives, celebrating the dawn of the new millennium in Toronto.
If visiting on Fridays isn’t your speed, don’t sweat it. Old City Hall is extending programming to select weekend dates to support the busy 9-5 crowd.
Do you have heirlooms or art pieces you’re curious about? On July 26 and August 23, you can bring your artwork and cherished objects to learn from museum experts on how to identify and preserve your most treasured pieces.
Swing by those days to also see two displays: Block by Block Exhibition, which features oral histories of Indigenous, newcomer and equity-deserving residents, and the Toronto Civic Art Exhibit, where you can explore digital selections of the City’s art collection.
The City will also be offering civil wedding ceremonies on select Thursdays, starting on July 24, in the former Council Chamber. These non-religious ceremonies will be officiated by City staff and appointed by the City Clerk.
Ceremonies will be available by appointment only, and you can visit the City’s website for more information.
For 67 years, the iconic landmark served as Toronto’s third city hall, from 1899 to 1966, until it was replaced by the current modern structure across Bay Street.
The grand Romanesque-style structure was used primarily as a courthouse until those uses, too, were outmoded by modern replacements, leaving the building purposeless.
The City has long held plans to transform the building into a museum, though after years of talks, a summer activation is all that has been produced thus far.
Mayor Olivia Chow expressed her support for the series, stating “I’m proud to see the City is opening the doors to Old City Hall this summer, giving residents and visitors a chance to experience one of Toronto’s most cherished architectural landmarks while staff continue the important work of planning for its long-term future.”
From visiting exhibits to examining old art pieces, who said bureaucracy can’t be fun?
Check out all that Old City Hall has to offer, whether you’re open to coming every Friday or select weekend days.
Programming will take place from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. See details at the Old City Hall website.
