Music gives a soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination and life to everything.
– Plato
When there is opportunity for an experience like this, you must take advantage of it. To give the gift of the Toronto Symphony Orchestra in a kid-friendly environment is irreplaceable.
A Special Event for the Whole Family
The night before our experience with the Toronto Symphony Orchestra we all laid out what we were going to wear. We wanted to start our morning relaxed and prepared for a fun day.
We packed snacks and waters for the car. We brought a special stuffy for my youngest child to hold. We even mapped out our route and looked into parking.
Whether you are in Toronto or coming from out of town there are many options for travel.
One of the most fun ways to travel as a family into Toronto is taking the GO Train. You can prepurachse your tickets online and beat traffic without the fuss of being late or finding parking. Kids 12 and under ride for FREE.
You can print out a map of your trip on the GO Train to keeps your children engaged!
Kids are also FREE on UP Express and the TTC, should you require further transportation through Toronto.
We personally love to drive into the city. That way we have the option to leave when we need to, if we need to. We pack our car full of snacks and water and allow ourselves extra time to arrive.
The Venue is Magical
Roy Thomson Hall is located at 60 Simcoe Street, Toronto.
There is underground parking that you can access here. You can access Roy Thomson Hall directly from the underground parking without having to go outside. It’s great for leaving coats in the car if you need to. I also encourage you to only bring what you absolutely need to inside.
Roy Thomson Hall has a restricted bag policy. From their website;
To limit fan touchpoints, bags are discouraged and will be subject to a security search prior to entry. Any purses or bags that are larger than 14” X 14” X 6” will not be allowed into the venue. Permitted bags should be soft sided and able to fit completely under the venue seats.
The venue is cash free. If you are looking to purchase any snacks or beverages please be sure to bring your debit and/or credit card.
Roy Thomson Hall is accessible and outlines their accessibility here.
You can access their seating map to see your entry point ahead of time.
There is a snack stand offering a small assortment of snacks, water, coffee, etc.
The Main Event
The day we introduced our children to the Toronto Symphony Orchestra we wondered why we had not experienced it sooner.
The look of complete awe on their faces is something I will never forget.
The TSO has existed for more than 100 years!
It was founded in 1923 as the New Symphony Orchestra and rebranded the Toronto Symphony Orchestra in 1927.
The first children’s concert was held at Massey Hall in 1925.
There are currently more than 90 musicians in the Orchestra, although they aren’t always on stage together. Different compositions require different instruments and a number of musicians.
Music Director Gustavo Gimeno brings an expansive artistic vision, intellectual curiosity, and sense of adventure to programming the 93-musician orchestra that serves Toronto—one of the world’s most diverse cities.
As a group of artists, teachers, and advocates who share the belief that music has the power to heal, inspire, and connect people from all walks of life, we engage audiences young and old through an array of community-access, health-and-wellness, and education initiatives including the TSO-affiliated Toronto Symphony Youth Orchestra—a tuition-free training program dedicated to cultivating the next generation of Canadian artists.
Daniel Bartholomew-Poyser, their Barrett Principal Education Conductor and Community Ambassador, curates the Young People’s Concert Series.
The Young People’s Concert Series is a FUN way to experience the Toronto Symphony Orchestra and is geared towards children! Watch as the Orchestra plays captivating songs and engages with the audience.
The concert series includes;
Peter and the Wolf: where a brave young boy and his lively animal friends are brought to life by instruments of the orchestra. Young listeners will buzz with excitement during “Flight of the Bumblebee” and encounter other delightful animal friends on this symphonic safari for little explorers and music lovers alike.
Hot, Hot, Hot!: Set sail on a Caribbean adventure with Captain Daniel B-P and special guests for an exhilarating day of calypso rhythms and orchestra magic! Dance in your seat, feel the beat, and dive into the vibrant world of island music with your TSO.
Beethoven Lives Upstairs: Beethoven Lives Upstairs features a lively exchange of letters between young Christoph and his uncle. Their subject: the “madman” who has moved into the upstairs apartment of Christoph’s Vienna home. Through a touching correspondence, dramatically underscored with excerpts from the composer’s most beautiful creations, Christoph slowly comes to understand the genius of Beethoven and the beauty of his music.
You can expect audience participation in a kid friendly environment.
There are 1:30pm and 4:30pm performances as well as an 11:00am Relaxed Performance.
The Toronto Symphony Orchestra’s Relaxed Performance is designed for the Neurodiverse and Disability communities. You can also enjoy this inclusive performance for a more relaxed experience.
Before the Show…
You can arrive at Roy Thomson Hall an hour prior to your performance to enjoy Pre-Concert Lobby Activities.
You are able to try out instruments at the Instrument Discovery Zone.
Enjoy the Music Playground, and catch a special performance by TSO Principal Clarinet Eric Abramovitz and pianist Rachel Kerr.
Performances are from 1:00pm to 1:20pm and 3:30pm to 3:50pm in the North Lobby.
2024/25 Subscriptions
For a limited time enjoy the gift of a Toronto Symphony Orchestra subscription and save.
There are many subscription packages to choose from including the Young People’s Concert Series.
Become a subscriber to the Toronto Symphony Orchestra for an endless amount of rewards.
You can get the BEST seats at the BEST price when you buy a subscription package.
There is a large list of discounts included with your subscription which you can find here. While you visit the TSO you can plan to stay and dine-in Toronto or enjoy one of the many attractions with special discounts.
You can expect big discounts at the following attractions;
Royal Ontario Museum (ROM)
Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF)
And the following restaurants;
Milagro Restaurant and Cantina
Plan to Spend the Day in Toronto and Make the Experience a Day-cation!
We love levelling up experiences and spending the day in different Town’s and City’s. When we experienced the Young People’s Concert in 2023 we planned to visit the Museum of Illusions Toronto and Arcadia Earth!
Both experiences last less than an hour in length and were enjoyable!
There are many experiences near Roy Thomson Hall including the CN Tower at just a 10 minute walk and Ripley’s Aquarium is just steps from the CN Tower.
We love to venture around Toronto and explore all it has to offer! Here are a few of our reviews for popular destinations.
Enjoy Local Restaurants That are Kid-Friendly!
We know the toughest battle with kids is hunger! If a child is hungry you will not be able to enjoy an experience. We also know how hard it is to find restaurants that cater to kids (both in menu’s and atmosphere).
We took the guess work out of the equation and delivered you some of our favourite restaurants close by.
Storm Crow Manor was high on our list! All their food and beverage items are magical. They have a very cool kids menu. The restaurant itself is very uniquely decorated and a lot of fun.
Jack Astor’s Bar & Grill is always a top pick for my children. It is fun and very kid-friendly. Their kid-menu is great and they are very close to Roy Thomson Hall at just a 4 minute walk.
Scaddabush Italian Kitchen & Bar is always great option for the whole family! They have a great kids menu. They are located near Roy Thomson Hall at just a 2 minute walk.
There are so many great spots to enjoy lunch or dinner near Roy Thomson Hall that are fit for the whole family. Even if you need a quick bit to eat you can find a nearby Subway, Tim Hortons or Starbucks!
Plan to Stay the Night and Make Your Experience an Unforgettable Staycation.
Our family loves to travel around Ontario and experience everything there is to experience!
I always recommend to book a staycation at a kid friendly hotel when exploring a new city.
Fans who visit Roy Thomson Hall will receive rates of 20% off available room rates at Radisson Blu Toronto Downtown
The Radisson Blue has an outdoor heated pool with views of the CN Tower.
Chelsea Hotel is a highly recommend kid-friendly hotel in Toronto. It has an amazing indoor pool with slide. It also has a Kids Club, Club 33 Teen Lounge, Family Fun Suite and more!
Another highly recommended hotel is Hotel X in Toronto. We have been following their adventures lately and they do a great job of hosting fun and family friendly events.
They also host scheduled movie nights Thursdays through Sundays on their big screen. The perfect night cap for the family.
They have their own spa, Guerlain Spa. In case your staycation requires the reward of a massage or facial.
They even have a Kids Play Centre (temporarily closed on weekends).
They have in-room dining. Which is always one of my favourite features when travelling. When you have tired, hungry kids it’s nice to just order food to your room and relax.
An Experience You Will Never Forget.
I hope you will share your experience based on the recommendations I have provided. I am always eager to share experiences that benefit the whole family. I truly believe these are the memories that will never fade.