Facility & Venue Information

Front of House staff are available for most (but not all) events at Walter Hall. When present, they are typically near the entrance wearing name tags, black pants, and white shirts. Feel free to approach them for assistance. For enquiries about Front of House staff availability, please contact the Concert Office for ticketed and non-ticketed events. 

Building access:

• Eastside (Queens Park Entrance): This accessible entrance (between the Faculty of Law and the planetarium) offers ramp access and automatic doors.
• Westside (Philosopher’s Walk Entrance): This entrance is not wheelchair accessible. Please use the eastside entrance if you require ramp access.

Wheel-Trans drop off:

• The drop-off area is located at the main accessible entrance on the east side of the building, off Queens Park.

Public Parking is not available on site. Street parking may be found on:

• Hoskin Ave., Charles St. West, near the Varsity Centre (west of Philosopher’s Walk), and along Bloor Street West between Bedford Road and Queens Park.
• The nearest accessible paid parking lots are:
  • 35 Hart House Circle - Lot R – Landmark Garage
  • 9 Bedford Road - Carpark 058 - Green P Parking
  • 71 Prince Arthur Ave - Lot I-OISE
  • Other accessible parking spaces on campus are listed here.
• For other options, visit Parking Map & Ratesor Green P Find Parking
   

Arriving by TTC: 

• Museum Station is the closest subway station. It is not accessible currently as construction is underway to add an elevator.
• Exit through the Queen’s Park exit and travel north toward the War Memorial.
• At the crosswalk, travel north and stay to the left side of Queen’s Park. You will come to a driveway with a sign that says, "Faculty of Law, Faculty of Music."
• Turn left and walk past Falconer Hall – the Edward Johnson Building is ahead.
• Be sure to check the TTC website for any service advisories and closures.

You can use the TTC Trip Planner to plan your route via subway, bus, or streetcar, and receive detailed directions for your journey. Trip Planner also includes an “accessible trip” filter to help you find the best route for your needs.

Elevator Access to Walter Hall: The elevator is in the main lobby on the north side. Take the elevator to the lowest level (“LB”) and Walter Hall will be directly ahead of you.

Stairs: There are stairs leading down to the lower lobby from both the main entrance (on the left as you enter) and the west entrance (from Philosopher’s Walk). These stairs lead down to the lower lobby, where Walter Hall is located.

Doors: There are three sets of doors leading into Walter Hall. The accessible entrance is the door located to the right when exiting the elevator. To ensure the automatic door is activated, please reach out to the Concert Office before your visit. When on site, Front of House staff can open the door for guests as needed.

Stairs: There are four sets of stairs within Walter Hall: one on the left side, two on either side of the centre, and one on the right side. Each set has 12 steps leading down to the front row of seats.

Handrails are available only on the outer aisles. There are no handrails in the centre aisles.

Accessible seating: A designated area for mobility devices is in the rear right side of the hall and can accommodate up to 2-3 wheelchairs. Depending on availability, additional seating can be provided for companions. The last row (Row O) offers stair-free access. To reserve accessible seating for ticketed events, please contact the Box Office well in advance. For non-ticketed events, please reach out to the Concert Office during business hours.

Storage and mobility devices: For safety reasons, mobility devices should not be left in the aisles. Devices may be stored at the rear of the hall or just outside the hall doors. During events with Front of House staff present, they can assist with the storage and retrieval of mobility devices upon request. If you need to plug in an assistive device, there is an outlet for your use on the east side of the lower lobby, directly under the high-top table.

When Front of House staff are on-site, guests are encouraged to approach them for assistance. To request assistance for non-ticketed events, please email the Concert Office well in advance of your visit. 

Women’s and men’s washrooms are located next to the Walter Hall lobby, under the stairwell to Philosopher’s Walk. An accessible, all-gender washroom is in Room 125 on the west side of the Edward Johnson Building’s main floor.

Additional washrooms are available on the main and second floors:

• Main floor: Women’s in Room 106, Men’s in Room 124.
• Second floor: Women’s in Room 204, Men’s in Room 228.

Programs: Some events offer printed programs. Some offer a QR code that you can scan to access the program digitally. To reduce waste, there may be limited printed programs. If you can access programs digitally, we encourage you to use that option. Digital programs are typically available through a QR code on our website. Student recitals typically upload a PDF file to a website and provide a link to it. To request a large print program, contact the Concert Office.

Running times, late call, and intermissions: Visitors who require running times in advance may contact the Concert Office. Most events will endeavour to start at the scheduled time. Front of House staff can provide estimated running times. Latecomers will only be admitted if and when there is a suitable break and may be asked to sit in a non-disruptive location to the performance. If applicable, these patrons may move to their assigned seats during intermission.

Sign language and interpretation: To request ASL interpretation for an event, please contact the Concert Office.

Text and translations: Programs will include text and translations whenever possible. Requests regarding text or translations can be sent to the Concert Office.

Sensory Features: Some performances include theatrical haze, loud noises, and flashing lights. Signs will be posted outside the venue to let visitors know.

Audio-enhancing features and technology: Assistive listening devices are not currently available within Walter Hall.

Scent sensitivity: Walter Hall is a scent-free space. To ensure a comfortable and safe environment for all attendees, especially those with scent sensitivities or allergies, we ask that guests refrain from wearing perfumes, fragrances, or other strong scents during events. Information about U of T’s guidelines on scents and perfumes is available here.Thank you for helping us maintain an inclusive atmosphere.

Food and drink: Aside from water, food and beverages are not allowed in the venue. If you have a dietary need that requires accommodation, please let Front of House staff members know when you arrive. 

Service animals: Service animals, as defined in U of T’s Service Animals Guidelines, are welcome to accompany persons with disabilities. 

Early access to the venue: Please reach out to the Concert Office during business hours to discuss early access to the venue prior to your visit.

Stage Access for Performers: If you are a performer or require access to the stage during your visit, please contact the Concert Office in advance to discuss.

Ticketed events: The Royal Conservatory of Music Box Office, 416-408-0208

Non-ticketed events: Faculty of Music Concert Office, 416-978-0492

Should you have questions or wish to provide feedback about this guide or more generally about equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI), please reach out to the Faculty of Music’s EDI Office:edi.music@utoronto.ca and 416-978-3782.