This year’s AGO Art Bash was more than a swanky celebration. The museum is also celebrating 125 years, and brought the birthday party to the bash. The event on September 25, 2025, brought more than 1000 Art Gallery of Ontario supporters together and raised more than $1.4 million to support the museum’s collections, exhibitions and access programs.

The museum was transformed into a swanky, red velvet draped affair by decor duo Candice & Alison. Walking through the museum, attendees were able to experience burlesque by Cake Cabaret and Dangerous Beauty Entertainment, DJing by Dre Ngozi and performances by Felix Cartal and Nat Beja Trio.

Photo: Ryan Emberley
The museum welcomed one-night-only art installations by contemporary artists Fiona Freemark, Jacob Robert Whibley, Marie Lambin-Gagnon, Marigold Santos, Moses Salihou, and Rachel Joanis. Salihou’s work focused on the many faces visiting Grange Park behind the galley. Lambin-Gagnon choreographed a dance number entitled Les Montagnes in front of beautiful art work taking up expansive space. Dancers enveloped themselves in reflective material, dancing in the space and becoming a mountain and embodying the work behind them.

Photo: Ryan Emberley
It wouldn’t be a birthday party without some cake. While the AGO did throw a separate birthday bash earlier this year, the museum still celebrated their many years with a serving of cake.

