Doors Open Oshawa 2026: Head to Oshawa This Saturday to Explore Museums & ‘Secret’ Attractions For Free

Get ready to explore Oshawa’s hidden gems at Doors Open Oshawa, an annual event showcasing the city’s diverse heritage and cultural sites.

Canadian Automotive Museum

This event is part of Doors Open Ontario, a six-month-long initiative across various cities to showcase often inaccessible or unknown locales.

2026 attractions include:

420 Wing Oshawa Inc.: Step into aviation history at the 420 Wing, formed by returning WWII Air Force vets in 1948. Originally a pilot training building (Building 10), it remains an open, accessible gathering space for all. (1000 Stevenson Rd. N., tours during site hours)
Alexandra’s Bounty Garden: Discover a peaceful oasis at Alexandra’s Bounty Garden, offering free fresh produce to the community and honouring missing Indigenous women with red dress displays. A wonderful place to connect with nature and community. (360 Simcoe St. N., open May–October)
Camp X / Intrepid Park: Walk the grounds of the legendary WWII spy school at Camp X! Learn secret history on a guided tour and chat with guest speakers. Wear good shoes for uneven ground. (2008 Boundary Rd., guided tours 11 a.m. & 2 p.m.)
Canadian Automotive Museum: Car lovers, rejoice! Visit the Canadian Automotive Museum, showcasing rare vintage vehicles—including Lightning McQueen! Housed in a charming 1920s auto dealership building downtown. (99 Simcoe St. S., guided tours available)
Canadian Tank Museum: Get up close to tanks and military vehicles at Canada’s largest operational collection. Located on a historic WWII airfield, it also offers thrilling rides in armoured vehicles for an extra fee. This year, Doors Open coincides with Tank Saturdays, where visitors can explore a themed event featuring over 60 military vehicles, including tanks, along with exhibits spanning 150+ years of history. The experience includes live vehicle demonstrations in the Tank Arena at 1:00 p.m., plus “Tank Talks” offering closer insight into select vehicles and artifacts. (1000 Stevenson Rd. N.)

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City of Oshawa – Howden Operations Depot: See where Oshawa’s essential city work happens! From salt domes to fleet garages, tour the Howden Depot and learn how city crews keep the streets, parks, and sidewalks safe and beautiful. (235 Howden Rd. E., tours during site hours)
City of Oshawa – Parks Horticulture Greenhouse: Breathe in the beauty! Visit the city’s lush Parks Greenhouse, where 60,000 plants are grown annually to brighten Oshawa. It’s one of Ontario’s last city-run glass greenhouses. (919 Farewell St., open for self-guided tours)
Club Carib of Oshawa: Experience Caribbean culture with lively steel pan music and dance! Enjoy performances and sample treats at the Caribbean Café. You can even try playing the steel pan yourself! (600 Wentworth St. E., performances at 1 p.m. & 3 p.m.)

McLaughlin Bandshell and Cenotaph: Catch a live concert at this beautiful 1942 bandshell gifted by R.S. McLaughlin. Take a peek inside the Civic Band’s practice space and enjoy the community spirit. Cenotaph honours the dead of WWI, WWII, and the Korean War, featuring a bronze soldier and Remembrance Day ceremonies. (110 Simcoe St. S., concert 11 a.m.)
McLaughlin Bay Wildlife Reserve: Get back to nature! Explore 7 km of serene trails through wetlands and wildlife areas at McLaughlin Bay. A perfect spot for peaceful reflection. (1908 Colonel Sam Dr., self-guided tours)
Oshawa Museum: Step into the 1800s at the Oshawa Museum! Explore Victorian-era homes, learn about early harbour masters, and chat with costumed hosts about Oshawa’s past. (1450 Simcoe St. S., site hours 10 a.m.–4 p.m., )
Oshawa Public Library – McLaughlin Branch: Visit Oshawa’s beautifully designed 1954 central library! Take a guided tour to learn its Frank Lloyd Wright-inspired history and explore the Local History Room’s amazing archives. (65 Debwewin Miikan, site hours: 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.)
Regent Theatre: Walk into Oshawa’s elegant past at the Regent Theatre. Built in 1919, it now hosts lectures and events in a stunning, classically inspired space. (50 King St. E., site hours 10 a.m.–3 p.m., guided tours available)
The Robert McLaughlin Gallery: Discover Canadian art at the RMG! Tour stunning exhibits in a light-filled, modern space designed by Arthur Erickson. Don’t miss the pop-up café and bar during Doors Open. (72 Queen St., guided tours at 11 a.m., 12 p.m., 1 p.m., and 2 p.m)
City of Oshawa: Art and Culture in the Hall: City Hall’s Art and Culture in the Hall showcases local creativity, featuring exhibits by Friends of Second Marsh and students from Maxwell Heights Secondary School. (50 Centre St. S.)
Market at 70 King: Built in 1925, this heritage-designated building, once the Genosha Hotel, hosted notable WWII-era figures and now blends residential living with a commercial space featuring eight food vendors. (70 King St. E. Guided tours of studio apartments on the hour.)
The Ontario Regiment: RCAC: The Airport Armoury supports training for Ontario Regiment members and vehicle maintenance, with visitors invited to meet personnel and learn about their roles. (1220 Keith Ross Dr.)
Oshawa Executive Airport: Set on 484 acres, this airport serves as a key gateway to Oshawa and the Greater Toronto Area, supporting business and general aviation with modern facilities. ( 1200 Airport Blvd.)
Oshawa Little Theatre: After decades in borrowed spaces, a former industrial building was transformed into a theatre, opening in 1983. Visitors can now enjoy behind-the-scenes access during Doors Open. ( 62 Russett Ave.)
St. George’s Memorial Church: A landmark in Oshawa for over 100 years, reflects the city’s history with its serene and architecturally rich interior. (51 Centre St. S.)
St. John the Baptist Ukrainian Orthodox Church: Founded in 1935, this historic church offers insight into Ukrainian culture, with opportunities to explore traditions and purchase authentic takeout food. (31 Bloor St. E., food takeout: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.)

While in Oshawa, pop into Pingles Farm for their Tulip Festival set to begin on May 2 (weather permitting).

Trip Planning:

What: Doors Open Oshawa gives the public a chance to explore historic architecture and fascinating sites found throughout Oshawa. Explore the diverse and interesting sites that Oshawa has to offer on Saturday, May 3. With free admission to all sites and plenty of options to choose from, Doors Open Oshawa is a great way to spend a day discovering local history and celebrating our community heritage.