Doors Open Site Participation

Applications for consideration are now open for sites and guided tours. Review the criteria below and submit by January 9, 2026.

May 23 & 24, 2026

Each year, over 150 buildings and sites open their doors for Doors Open Toronto, a city-wide celebration of architecture, design and urban space. The City of Toronto is excited to work with the community to showcase their sites to residents and visitors.

The World in a City

As Toronto prepares to welcome fans across the globe to the FIFA World Cup 26™, Doors Open looks at the people, places and stories that make the city a global mosaic. Featuring guided neighbourhood tours, insightful talks and more than 150 buildings and sites, Doors Open considers the histories, cultures and nations that continue to shape the city.

With more than half of its population born overseas, Toronto is one of the most multicultural cities in the world. This Doors Open looks at how diversity has been Toronto’s strength since its founding.

Whether through architecture inspired from global cultures, histories that reflect the many societies and traditions who call Toronto home or the ways in which buildings act as community gathering spaces, this Doors Open considers Toronto’s past and future, together.

Preference is given to sites that:

  • Are not usually open to the public or have areas not usually open to the public, but have some significant architectural features and/or have historical, social or cultural significance to the city
  • Are open to the public, but have some significant architectural features and/or have historical, social or cultural significance to the city, e.g. churches, banquet halls and theatres
  • Can commit to opening their doors for two full days, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
  • Are celebrating significant anniversaries
  • Recognized by heritage, urban design and/or architectural awards
  • Have significant original interior features and/or successful adaptive reuse features
  • Feature contemporary design excellence and/or innovative green, sustainable or LEED elements
  • Located in destination clusters (several venues in one area)
  • Represent the cultural diversity of Toronto
  • Sites located throughout Toronto, including Scarborough, North York, York, Etobicoke and East York, as well as downtown
  • Can demonstrate enhanced or thematic programming

Submit Your Site for Consideration

Doors Open Toronto welcomes applications for its 2026 Guided Neighbourhood Tours program by January 9, 2026. Tours must take place on the weekend of Doors Open, May 23 & 24, 2026. Proposals are welcome from Business Improvement Associations, arts groups, heritage professionals and organizations as well as architectural and design professionals and studios.

Preference is given to tours that:

  • Align with the 2026 theme, The World in a City
  • 60 to 75 minutes in length, maximum
  • Can accommodate 40 to 60 people per iteration
  • Can be delivered a minimum of twice per day of Doors Open, i.e. four times over the weekend
  • Do not require attendees to go indoors
  • Represent the cultural diversity of Toronto
  • Are located throughout Toronto, including Scarborough, North York, York, Etobicoke and East York as well as downtown
  • Focus on unique neighbourhoods, stories, individuals and sites
  • Highlight multiple locations, sites and buildings, i.e. not just one building or site
  • Are accessible to a variety of physical abilities.

Submit Your Tour for Consideration

Contact doorsopen@toronto.ca with any questions.

Developed as a millennium project in 2000, Doors Open Toronto has attracted more than two million visits since its inception. People of all ages and backgrounds have had the opportunity to learn about Toronto’s history, become involved, and celebrate Toronto’s built heritage for free!

Toronto was the first North American city to offer a Doors Open program, and has inspired similar events across the continent. Many participants organize guided tours, exhibits, displays and activities to enrich the visitor experience.

In 2002, inspired by the successful Toronto program, the Ontario Heritage Foundation (now the Ontario Heritage Trust) launched Doors Open Ontario.

Doors Open International

The inspiration for Doors Open Toronto came from Europe. France was the first country to launch its Doors Open program in 1984, followed by Glasgow in 1990. Currently, 48 European countries participate every September during European Heritage Month. In addition, Australia and the United States have also joined the highly successful Doors Open movement.