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Special announcement.

Free admission on Sundays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. | Free admission March 23-31 for kids 12 and under

Human rights for the holidays

This release is more than two years old

This release is more than two years old. For additional information, please contact Amanda Gaudes from our Media Relations team.

News release details

Special family activities focus on hope and diversity 

Winnipeg – December 15, 2016 – Family activities designed to provoke thought and conversation about human rights will be offered every day from December 26 to January 8 at the Canadian Museum for Human Rights (CMHR).

The Museum will be open every day except December 25 during the school break, including Mondays, December 24 (closes at 3 p.m.), Boxing Day and New Years' Day. On Wednesdays, the Museum is open until 9 p.m. On January 4, admission is free between 5 p.m. and 9 p.m.

Visitors of all ages can share their holiday traditions through art, discovering unique ways that Canadians from diverse backgrounds spend their time during this season. Another activity uses origami paper folding to create tokens of hope, encouraging discussion about the importance of hope, peace and harmony to different cultures around the world.

Classical music performances by cellist Blair Burns and violinist Maya de Forest of the Manitoba Conservatory of Music and Arts reflect the importance of freedom of expression, December 26 and January 2 at 12:30 p.m. in the Stuart Clark Garden of Contemplation.

Hour‐long gallery tours or 75‐minute architecture tours are offered each day from December 26 to January 8 for an additional $5 (adult rate). Until December 22, all Explore the Galleries tours are free with admission. Check humanrights.ca for times.

The holiday season is also the last chance for visitors to see the exhibition Empowering Women: Artisan Cooperatives that Transform Communities with its immersive virtual reality experience, which runs until January 8. At the same time, visitors can explore the CMHR's newest exhibition which opened December 13, 1867: Rebellion & Confederation – the first in a series of Canada150 exhibitions and events at the Museum for our nation's sesquicentennial in 2017.

The 1867 exhibition also features in‐gallery family activities, including a discovery adventure where participants look for various artifacts and historical information that pertain to human rights in Canada. Another program called "What's Your Take?", beginning December 20, invites visitors to make their own 19th-century‐style newspaper and consider what issues and events affecting human rights were making news at the time of Confederation.

The Museum's Boutique is full of last‐minute gift ideas, including unique jewellery made from remnants of the alabaster and basalt used to construct the Museum, scarves that resemble its glass‐cloud façade, fair‐trade products from around the world, books about human rights and branded Museum merchandise. ERA Bistro offers warm and delicious food and drink specials – a great place to gather with friends and family for holiday cheer.

After the holidays, the Museum will be closed from January 9 to 16 for its annual maintenance week.

Holiday season schedule of programs and events at the CMHR:

Classical music in the Garden

Dec. 26 and Jan. 2, 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Stuart Clark Garden of Contemplation on Level 3

Performances by cellist Blair Burns and violinist Maya de Forest of the Manitoba Conservatory of Music and Arts reflect the importance of freedom of expression.

Share family traditions

Every day, Dec. 26 to Jan. 8, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

On Level 2

What does the holiday season mean to you? Share the traditions that are important to you and your loved ones through art. Discover the unique ways Canadians from diverse backgrounds spend their time during the holiday season.

Tokens of hope

Every day, Dec. 26 to Jan. 8, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Stuart Clark Garden of Contemplation on Level 3

Learn about the importance of hope, peace, and harmony to different cultures around the world in this family‐friendly art activity. Have fun creating a unique art piece from origami paper that represents your idea of hope!

Guided tours of the galleries and the architecture

Every day, multiple times

Main ticketing desk, $5 extra (adult rate)*
Between Dec. 26 and Jan. 8, "Explore the Galleries" tours (60 minutes)are offered in English at 10:30 a.m., 1 p.m., 2:30 p.m. and 3 p.m. and in French at 1:30 p.m.

Between Dec. 26 and Jan. 8, "Discover the Building" tours (75 minutes) are offered in English at 11:15 a.m. and 2 p.m. and in French at 11 a.m.

*Until Dec. 22, tours are free with admission; check humanrights.ca for times. On Dec. 24, there will be only two tours, both 90 minutes, at 10:30 a.m. in English and at 1 p.m. in English or French.

Find the perfect gift

Museum Boutique
Open every day that the Museum is open, 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and until 9:30 p.m. on Wednesdays. Early close on Dec. 24.
With a diverse selection of ethically sourced gifts and custom‐branded products, the Boutique will keep you inspired for your holiday gift‐giving!

Holiday warmth and cheer

ERA Bistro

Open 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on weekdays that the Museum is open (until 8 p.m. on Wednesdays) and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on weekends. Early close on Dec. 24.

Enjoy a delicious break in ERA Bistro, the ideal place to gather with friends for a quick snack, a full meal or a cocktail. Reservations recommended.

This release is more than two years old

This release is more than two years old. For additional information, please contact Amanda Gaudes from our Media Relations team.

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Maureen Fitzhenry (she/her)