Doors Open London 2025 Returns This Weekend with “Sights, Sounds & Stories” Theme

Londoners and visitors will have free access to dozens of museums, cultural sites, and community spaces on Saturday, September 20, and Sunday, September 21, 2025, as Doors Open London marks its 24th year.

Banting House National Historic Site of Canada

Organized by the London Heritage Council, this year’s program focuses on how arts, industry, and neighbourhood life have shaped the city, with guided tours, demonstrations, and one-off performances across the weekend.

Many locations operate limited hours; several sites host timed activities and pop-up events.

Look inside the city’s museums, heritage buildings, tours, see live performances, re-enactments, and more as you visit over 40 buildings and spaces, not otherwise available to the public.

Some of the unique sites you will get to see include the London Life building, 1st Hussars Museum – one of the last remaining original buildings at the Forks of the Thames, Banting House – the place where Sir Frederick Banting’s co-discovered insulin, Elsie Perrin Williams Estate – one of the few surviving estates built by wealthy Londoners in the 19th and 20th centuries.

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Places to Visit:

1st Hussars Museum – 1 Dundas Street (Sat – Sun, 10 am to 4 pm)
- Housed in one of the last original buildings at the Forks of the Thames, the museum traces the 1st Hussars militia regiment back to 1856.
- See outdoor displays on South African War, First and Second World War, and the peacekeeping service
- Hear stories of volunteer soldiers’ experiences abroad, serving their nation.
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, London Research & Development Centre – 1391 Sandford Street (Sat, 10 am to 2 pm)
- This federally run centre combines genomics, biotechnology and integrated pest management in state-of-the-art labs and greenhouses.
- Learn how crops are bred for disease resistance and lower fertilizer reliance; see plant-based vaccine work
- Enjoy a wagon ride and tour the farm to learn more about our history and enjoy fun activities in the Family Zone.
Argyle Ribbon Art Project at Clarke House – 1902 Avalon Street (Sat tours at 1, 2 & 3 pm)
- Built in 1857, Clarke House is the Argyle community’s only designated heritage property.
- Owner Sam Cox and contributing artists lead an outdoor tour of the ribbon-panel series on East London history
- Enjoy light refreshments and participate in post-tour socials.
Banting House National Historic Site of Canada – 442 Adelaide Street North (Sat – Sun, 10 am to 4 pm)
- Visit the historical site marking the discovery of insulin.
- Explore Banting’s life and career as a national hero through self-guided tours with expert commentary.
- View the “Forty for Forty” installation, including a 1922 insulin vial and syringe, a fragment of Banting’s burial wreath, and items from his fatal 1941 crash, and the lesser-known aspects of this Canadian hero.
- Enjoy a family Lego scavenger hunt
- Visit the adjacent Flame of Hope in Sir Frederick G. Banting Square.
Biatur Rasheed Mosque — 70 Charterhouse Cres. (Sat, 2 pm – 6 pm)
- This former banquet hall was adapted by the Ahmadiyya Muslim community as a mosque, and retains many original decorative elements.
- Enjoy guided tours, see exhibits on the Ahmadiyya movement, and receive free refreshments.
Brick Street Cemetery – 370 Commissioners Road W (Sat–Sun, 10 am –4 pm)
- Pioneer cemetery dating to 1813; ground-penetrating radar has identified numerous unmarked graves.
- Go on guided or self-guided walks on early settlers, gravestone symbolism, brick-making, and restoration methods.
Canada Life, Dufferin Building – 255 Dufferin Avenue (Sun, 10 am–5 pm; pop-up theatre 11 am, 1 pm, 3 pm)
- The 1926 landmark building is one of London’s most iconic landmarks.
- Take a self-guided tour from the Dufferin Lobby up to the restored fourth-floor proscenium space and view historic photos, artifacts, and Canadian art.
- Catch a staged vignette on the 1925 London Life Women’s Club.
Centre of Movement Arts – 925 Dundas Street (Queens Park) (Sat, 10 am – 2 pm)
- Focus on social dances that shaped local culture in the 1930s.
- Watch Lindy Hop/West Coast Swing demos at 10 am and noon.
- Join beginner workshops at 10:30 am and 12:30 pm; open dance sessions at 11 am and 1 pm.
City Hall — 300 Dufferin Ave. (Sat–Sun, 11 am – 4 pm)
London Heritage Council
- The civic headquarters of the city since 1971, this building houses various departments and offices responsible for managing public services and decision-making processes for the city.
- Enjoy stunning aerial views and colorful foliage of the Forest City from City Hall’s observation deck.
- Take part in a visual scavenger hunt, enjoy seasonal refreshments by donation to United Way Elgin Middlesex.
Clayworx: Ceramic Arts Learning Centre — 664 Dundas St. (Sat, 10 am – 4 pm; Sun, 11 am – 3 pm)
- This late-Victorian (1897) Old East Village building is Canada’s only guild-owned clay arts facility before its 2009 relaunch. It was renamed Clayworx in 2023.
- See wheel-throwing demos, hands-on kid activities (including wheel try-outs).
- Tours highlighting geothermal systems and stained glass.
Dundas Place & Nuit Blanche — Dundas St. (Wellington–Ridout) (Site: Sat–Sun, 11 am–4 pm; Nuit Blanche Sat 7 pm–Sun 2 am)
- Spanning four blocks, dundas place is a destination for shopping, dining, art, and celebration.
- Walk historic facades and businesses; Guided tours are available
- Experience London Society of Architects’ Nuit Blanche with installations; enjoy live music, and food and artisan vendors.
East Lions Community Centre — 1731 Churchill Ave. (Sat, 11 am–4 pm)
- This neighbourhood hub has recreation and wellness programming.
- Enjoy badminton (10:15–11:45 am), pickleball (12:15–1:45 pm), open gym (2:15–3:45 pm), and recreational swim (3:30–5 pm)
- Go on a guided tour of the facility and do kids’ crafts. Take home a free Child Emergency ID Kit provided by Lions Quest Canada.
- Participate in Art of Living yoga/meditation sessions for adults, kids, and families at set times. Learn about Art of Living through displays and shop their products.
Eldon House — 481 Ridout St. N. (Sat–Sun, noon–4:30 pm)
- This is London’s oldest residence, preserved since 1960 and home to four generations of the Harris family.
- Interpreters will lead the exploration through Georgian/Victorian interiors. Or go on self-guided house-and-garden routes, enjoy outdoor Victorian lawn games and children’s scavenger hunts.
Elmwood Lawn Bowling Club — 17-1/2 Edward St. (Sat, 11 am –4 pm)
- Established in 1911, the club has two greens (eight rinks each) and a 1916 clubhouse.
- Watch bowling demonstrations, try a few ends with provided equipment, and tour the vintage clubhouse.
Elsie Perrin Williams Estate — 101 Windermere Rd. (Sun, 10 am –4 pm)
- This 1916 Spanish Revival residence was designed by architect John Moore. The building was influenced by Williams’ travels to California and Florida
- Go on guided tours with Heritage London Foundation; play 1920s music in the house with a hands-on keyboard station.
EmpowerHer Fest — Covent Garden Market, 130 King St. (Sat, 3–8 pm; Sun, noon–6 pm)
- Hosted in the 1845-founded market building, this festive event is older than the city itself.
- Hear talks and performances centring women’s experiences; shop food vendors and artisan stalls.
Fanshawe Pioneer Village — 1424 Clarke Rd. (Sat–Sun, 10 am– 4 pm; Hindu Legacy 11 am–3 pm)
- This is an open-air museum with 30+ historic structures covering 1820–1920 rural life and London’s development to 1840.
- Play vintage games, do household chores (e.g., washboard laundry), try a historic printing press.
- Join educational sessions to learn about Hindu art, dance, music, clothing, and food.
Hamilton Road Culture Tour — start at 525 Hamilton Rd. (Sun only; tours 11 am–1 pm & 2–4 pm)
- Enjoy a two-hour “Taste of Hamilton Road” bus tour tracing London’s first road and highlighting East London’s public art and heritage sites.
- View chainsaw-carved tree-trunk sculptures, artists’ murals, and historic landmarks, with live music and samples from local food businesses along the route.
First-St. Andrew’s United Church — 350 Queens Ave. (Sat, 10 am–4 pm; Sun, 1–4 pm)
- Built in the Gothic Revival style, the church has over 190 years of rich history.
- Enhoy guided tours and organ performances throughout the day.
Hyland Cinema — 240 Wharncliffe Rd. S. (Sat, 10 am–3 pm)
- The city’s oldest surviving cinema is a single-screen, 400-seat arthouse from the 1930s.
- Watch on-screen history presentations; projectionist Q&A; lobby exhibits on film formats.
- AlvegoRoots Theatre performs The Last Temptation of Cinema at 11:30 am, 1 pm, and 2:30 pm.
Jet Aircraft Museum — 2465 Aviation Lane #2 (Sat–Sun, 10 am–4 pm)
- This working hangar preserves Royal Canadian Air Force jet heritage and Cold War artifacts.
- View airframes, engines, and missiles; timelines of London’s aviation industry and stories of local RCAF service.
Labatt Memorial Park — 25 Wilson Ave. (Sat, noon–4 pm; tours 1 & 3 pm)
- Recognized by Guinness World Records as the world’s oldest baseball park.
- Watch two 7-inning 16U games (Great Lake Canadians vs. Ontario Nationals, CPBL).
- See exhibits from Beachville District Museum and the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame; tour the 1937 Roy Mackay Clubhouse.
  
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London Amateur Radio Club at Secrets of Radar Museum — 2155B Crumlin Sideroad (Sat, 11 am–4 pm; Sun, noon–3 pm)
- Founded in 1920, this is Canada’s longest continuously operating amateur radio club.
- Tour HF and satellite stations; try operating with members’ supervision; learn licensing steps and emergency-comms roles.
London Children’s Museum — 100 Kellogg Lane (Sat, 9:30 am–5 pm)
- The new location of the museum was designed with input from 500+ community members.
- Explore interactive exhibits and the Discovery Lab; enjoy performances by local musicians and dance groups in the Annex.
London Fire Station No. 4 — 807 Colborne St. (Sat–Sun, 10 am–4 pm)
- This early-20th-century hall was designed by architect Arthur E. Nutter and features a Tuscan-style hose tower.
- See artifacts and images on firefighting history; safety education focused on preventing kitchen fires.
London Muslim Mosque — 151 Oxford St. W. (Sat–Sun, 11 am–5 pm)
- The oldest established mosque in Ontario has been serving the city for 54+ years.
- Adorn hands with henna and write in Arabic calligraphy; learn about hijab.
- On Saturday, shop at the international bazaar
London Police Service HQ — 601 Dundas St. (Sat, 10 am–2 pm)
- 900+ members support a city population of over 422,300.
- Take a guided tour of the London Police Headquarters, see specialized-unit displays, explore the firearms range, and a look inside a police vehicle.
London Public Library (Central) — 251 Dundas St. (Sat, 10 am–4 pm)
- The 1927 Hudson’s Bay building has housed the Central Library since 2002.
- Visit the London Room for genealogy/local history; explore multimedia Labs; tour Wolf Performance Hall; play outdoor musical instruments in the Reading Garden; enjoy kid crafts and historic photo fun.
Museum London — 421 Ridout St. N. (Sat, noon–4 pm)
- Holds about 45,000 artifacts on regional art and material culture.
- Tour exhibitions and enjoy studio activities; see Ron Benner’s As the Crow Flies garden installation with roasted corn from the maíz a la barbacoa cart.
- Preregister to build a luminous fish lantern with The Coves Collective on Sept 20 at 11 am
- From noon–4 pm, enjoy Latin-heritage program with Simple Reflections for Artists.
Platinum Training Facility — 61 Southdale Rd. E. (Sat & Sun, 12–4 pm)
- Founded in 2009, the gym has been named “Best Martial Arts Club” in the London Reader’s Choice awards multiple years.
- There will be short coach-led intros to Boxing, Muay Thai and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, plus guided facility tours and Q&A on beginner and family programs.
Rising Moon Bellydance — 190 Wortley Rd., Unit LL5 (Sat only, 4–7 pm)
- Operating since 2012 with inclusive instruction across Middle Eastern–rooted styles.
- Student showcase surveying styles, brief context talks, and a beginner workshop covering posture, isolations, and a simple combo.
Royal Canadian Regiment Museum (Wolseley Barracks) — 701 Oxford St. E. (Sat, 10 am–5 pm)
- Situated in the Wolseley Barracks, built in the 1800s to house the Infantry School Corps, the museum traces military and Canadian history from the 1860s onward.
- Go on self-guided tours, interactive family activities, and hear military music at 11:30 am and 2:30 pm.
Secrets of Radar Museum — 2155B Crumlin Sideroad (Sat–Sun, 10 am–4 pm)
- The museum documents Canadian radar personnel whose work remained classified for decades.
- See exhibits on wartime radar and new meteorology display; technology and social-history interpretation.
SoHo Neighbourhood Walking Tour — 255 Horton St. E. (Sat tours 10:30 am & 2 pm)
- SoHo is one of London’s oldest, most diverse neighborhoods. Irish, Indigenous, Black, Italian, Jewish, Polish, Russian, Syrian, and Chinese immigrant communities, plus the former Victoria Hospital complex.
- Join Western University’s Public History program in a tour of London’s historic SoHo neighbourhood.
- Discover the Vision SoHo Alliance housing redevelopment.
St. Martin-in-the-Fields Anglican — 489 Pinetree Dr. (Sat 10 am–4 pm; Sun 10 am–5 pm)
- This Mid-century modern church (1956–57; expanded 1963) has an indoor garden and distinctive stained glass.
- There will be tours, historical displays, organ performances, and a café
- Learn about the technologies of the Rodgers church organ from the music director.
St. Paul’s Cathedral — 472 Richmond St. (Sat 10 am–2 pm; Sun 11:30 am–4 pm)
- The Cathedral was built 1844–46 after its 1834 predecessor burned and is the seat of the Diocese of Huron.
- Guided architecture tour including a 28-foot inlaid-wood labyrinth; Tiffany and Christopher Wallis stained glass; St. Aidan’s chapel embroideries by Betty McLeod; hear the magnificent organ
- Watch short films and listen to talks on vestments, sacristy holdings, and outreach programs.
Talbot Street Church — 513 Talbot St. (Sat, 10 am–4 pm)
- This congregation has occupied the 1881 former First Baptist Church since the 1950s.
- Enjoy guided/self-guided building tours, see historic exhibits, pipe-organ mini-sets, kids’ scavenger hunt, and café service.
Urban Roots London — 21 Norlan Ave. (Sun, 10 am–2 pm)
- This non-profit urban farm grows a variety of crops, including heritage plants.
- Go on farm tours, take part in a seed-ball workshop with native pollinators, learn from the bee workshop, volunteer for activities, and shop at the produce stand.
  
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Wesley-Knox United Church — 91 Askin St. (Sat 12:30–5:30 pm; Sun 1–5:30 pm)
- The Church is known for stained glass and a large mosaic marking 100 years of the United Church of Canada.
- Go on tours, hear organ/choir sets, play pickleball on the in-house court, try the hands-on stations (handbells, celery regrowth), and do kids’ crafts.
- Delicious homemade chili will be available for purchase on Saturday between 12:30pm-2pm & 4pm- 5:30pm
Western Ontario Fish & Game Protective Association — 790 Southdale Rd. E. (Sat–Sun, 10 am–3 pm)
- Established in 1875, the site includes a nine-acre kettle lake formed ~14,000 years ago.
- Take guided lake-and-trail tours, see clubhouse displays from 1945, and demonstrations of fly-tying and angling skills.