Canada Strong Pass returns, drawing families to National Museums for the holiday season

A photo of the Canadian Museum of Nature in Ottawa. Dec. 13, 2025. (Josh Marano/CTV News Ottawa)

The Canada Strong Pass is back this holiday season and the program is already bringing more families and young adults through the doors of Canada’s national museums.

The program, which was first introduced this past summer, offers free admission for children under the age of 17 and 50% admission for youth aged 18 to 24, making it easier for families to plan affordable outings while on holiday break.

The Canada Strong Pass runs from Dec. 12 to Jan. 15.

Outside several major museums on Saturday, visitors said the return of the mass made holiday planning simpler.

“It’s great to have families spend time together,” David Williamson says, spending the afternoon with his wife and son Theo at the Canada Agriculture and Food Museum.

“With the economy how it is, it’s good to save money and keep the family together and have something to do.”

The Canada Strong Pass can be used at national museums across the capital region, including the Canadian Museum of History, the Canadian War Museum, the Canada Science and Technology Museum, the Canada Agriculture and Food Museum, the National Gallery of Canada and more.

Outside of Ottawa, the pass also applies to national historic sites, galleries, and parks across the country, giving families and young adults more opportunities to explore Canadian history, science and culture throughout the holiday season.

The pass also offers free travel on Via Rail for those aged 17 and under, and 25 per cent off Via Rail rides for adults aged 18 to 24.

“We heard about the Canada Strong Pass and that’d be great for people who want to take advantage of this great pass going to these museums,” Williamson adds. “They put a lot of effort there too so it’s great to see.”

The federal government says no registration or physical pass is necessary to take advantage of the Canada Strong Pass.

The Canada Strong Pass was offered this summer from June 20 to Sept. 2, and museums across Ottawa saw a boost in attendance as a result.

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