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NMC Tours

National Music Centre Tours

Dive deeper into Canada's music story and explore the National Music Centre's collections, exhibitions, and studios through guided tours at Studio Bell.


Greatest Hits Tours

Dive into the world of music technology and explore unique instruments from the National Music Centre’s world-renowned collection.

This is your chance to see how music is made and experience one-of-a-kind instruments in action. Step beyond the exhibits as interpreters go behind the glass to demonstrate historic artifacts, revealing the mechanics, sounds, and stories that make each instrument extraordinary.

Plus, this tour includes a sneak peek into NMC’s recording studios! For an in-depth studio experience, check out the Backstage Pass tours.

  • Studio Bell admission is required.
  • Space is limited and first-come, first-served. We recommend booking your tickets in advance.
  • Tours are one hour in length. Please arrive 15 minutes prior to your tour.

Are you an NMC Member? Visit the front desk to book your free Greatest Hits tour!

*TONTO is subject to studio availability. This tour does not feature demonstrations of TONTO.

Backstage Pass Tours

Take an exclusive tour backstage at Studio Bell and see music come to life in the National Music Centre’s recording studios!

Catch a behind-the-scenes glimpse at the working spaces of our world-class recording facilities* and hear the stories behind notable artifacts — spanning 450 years of music innovation and technology — guided by NMC’s talented music educators.

Visitors will gain insight into some of NMC’s most treasured items — that few members of the public have seen — from the earliest instruments in the NMC Collection, such as a 16th century Trasuntino Harpsichord, to modern electronics, like TONTO, considered to be the ‘holy grail’ of synthesizers.

Plus, you’ll get to see the legendary Rolling Stones Mobile Studio, where countless hit records were recorded.

  • Studio Bell admission is required.
  • Space is limited and first-come, first-served. We recommend booking your tickets in advance.
  • Tours are one hour in length. Please arrive 15 minutes prior to your tour.
  • Recommended for ages 12 and up. Strollers are not permitted on Backstage Pass tours.

Are you an NMC Member or a musician? Visit the front desk to book your tickets at a discounted rate!

*Tours subject to change based on studio availability.


Greatest Hits Tour Tickets

TypePrice
Adults$12
Students/Seniors$8
Youth (4-12)$8
Kids 3 and underFree
NMC MembersFree

Backstage Pass Tour Tickets

TypePrice
Adults$16
Students/Seniors$12
Musicians$12
NMC Members$10

Upcoming Greatest Hits Tours

DateTime
Saturday, November 1511:00 am and 2:30 pm
Sunday, November 1611:00 am and 2:30 pm
Saturday, November 2211:00 am and 2:30 pm
Sunday, November 2311:00 am and 2:30 pm
Saturday, November 2911:00 am and 2:30 pm
Sunday, November 3011:00 am and 2:30 pm
Saturday, December 611:00 am and 2:30 pm
Sunday, December 711:00 am and 2:30 pm
Saturday, December 1311:00 am and 2:30 pm
Sunday, December 1411:00 am and 2:30 pm
Saturday, December 2011:00 am and 2:30 pm
Sunday, December 2111:00 am and 2:30 pm
Saturday, December 2711:00 am and 2:30 pm
Sunday, December 2811:00 am and 2:30 pm

Upcoming Backstage Pass Tours

DateTime
Saturday, November 1512:00 pm and 1:30 pm
Sunday, November 1612:00 pm and 1:30 pm
Saturday, November 2212:00 pm and 1:30 pm
Sunday, November 231:30 pm
Saturday, November 2912:00 pm and 1:30 pm
Sunday, November 3012:00 pm and 1:30 pm
Saturday, December 612:00 pm and 1:30 pm
Sunday, December 712:00 pm and 1:30 pm
Saturday, December 1312:00 pm and 1:30 pm
Sunday, December 1412:00 pm and 1:30 pm
Saturday, December 2012:00 pm and 1:30 pm
Sunday, December 2112:00 pm and 1:30 pm
Saturday, December 2712:00 pm and 1:30 pm
Sunday, December 2812:00 pm and 1:30 pm
Monday, December 2912:00 pm and 1:30 pm
Tuesday, December 3012:00 pm and 1:30 pm
Wednesday, December 3112:00 pm and 1:30 pm

Purchase Studio Bell Admission & Book a Tour

Book a tour by purchasing general admission, then select either the Greatest Hits Tour add-on or the Backstage Pass Tour add-on during the checkout process — only available on the dates listed above.

Purchase Admission & Tours