Doors Open Toronto, Canada’s largest Doors Open event, is set to captivate visitors on May 27-28, showcasing over 140 architecturally and culturally significant sites that visitors can explore free of charge.
This year’s theme, “City of Sound,” explores the influence of music and sound on Toronto’s development. Guests can engage in special music and sound programming, including South Asian instruments and dance practices at the R.C Harris Water Filtration Plant and performances by renowned artists at Fort York National Historic Site.
Toronto City Hall offers family-friendly programming, granting access to restricted areas like the Council Chamber, Hall of Memory, and Observation Deck. Guided tours, exhibitions, and live music presented as part of City Hall Live will entertain visitors. Additionally, visitors can explore the rich musical past and present of Toronto through the “Sounds like Toronto” exhibition, featuring archival photographs from the Toronto Star.
Attendees can immerse themselves in the world of frame drums at the Labyrinth Modal Music Library and Workshops and contribute to a community mural in partnership with Mural Routes. The National Film Board of Canada presents an array of films focused on the city’s sights and sounds.
To further enrich the experience, ten guided walking tours will delve into the history and architecture of various neighbourhoods throughout the weekend. Pre-registration is required for these informative tours.
There are more than 140 buildings and museums you can visit for free this weekend. Here are 20 of them:
Canadian Film Centre at Windfields Estate
The Canadian Film Centre is situated on the picturesque Windfields Estate, a historic property with a neo-Georgian estate and beautiful gardens. The Northern Dancer Pavilion, a multipurpose space, was added in 2015. It’s a designated heritage site in Toronto and is known for its connection to Norman Jewison and E.P. Taylor. Details
Address: 2489 Bayview Avenue
Days Open: Sunday, May 28
Textile Museum of Canada
Dedicated to textiles and their cultural significance, the Textile Museum of Canada is home to a diverse collection and offers educational programs. Their current exhibition, “REFUSE: Padina Bondar,” explores creative uses of plastic waste in fashion and accessories. The museum is located on Centre Avenue and features a gift shop and fabric reuse program. Details
Address: 55 Centre Avenue
Days Open: Saturday May 27 & Sunday May 28
Osgoode Hall
A historic landmark in Toronto, Osgoode Hall houses the Law Society of Ontario and courts of justice. Visitors can explore the stunning Atrium, 19th-century courtrooms, the Great Library, and Convocation Hall. The property is surrounded by a notable fence and is a symbol of the province’s legal system. Details
Address: 130 Queen Street West
Days Open: Saturday, May 27 & Sunday, May 28
ZooShare Biogas Plant
The ZooShare Biogas Plant is a renewable energy facility that converts food waste and manure from the Toronto Zoo into biogas and electricity. As one of the few renewable energy sites open for public tours in Toronto, it offers visitors an opportunity to learn about the process of generating clean and sustainable energy. The plant operates 24/7 and is a significant step towards a greener future. Details
Address: 1749A Meadowvale Road
Days Open: Saturday May 27 & Sunday May 28
Ontario Association of Architects Headquarters
Visit the headquarters of the Ontario Association of Architects to see their major renovation project that showcases how existing buildings can be adapted for a sustainable future. Guided tours will highlight the upgrades made to reduce carbon emissions, including a geothermal system, solar panels, and motion sensors. Experience the innovative use of audiovisual technology and flexible spaces to address present and future needs. Details
Address: 111 Moatfield Drive
Days Open: Saturday May 27 & Sunday May 28
John McKenzie House
Step back in time at the John McKenzie House, a beautifully preserved heritage property built in 1913. The grand red brick house showcases Queen Anne Revival, Arts and Crafts, and Edwardian architectural styles. Explore the significant interior features, including art glass windows, panelled doors, and original radiators. As the provincial headquarters of the Ontario Historical Society, it stands as a testament to architectural preservation. Details
Address: 34 Parkview Avenue
Days Open: Saturday May 27 & Sunday May 28
Aga Khan Museum
Discover the rich culture and history of Muslim civilizations at the Aga Khan Museum. Marvel at the extensive Permanent Collection of masterpieces spanning from the 9th to the 21st century. Through innovative exhibitions and engaging programs, the museum aims to foster understanding and appreciation of Muslim cultures. Designed by renowned architects Fumihiko Maki and Charles Correa, the museum is located on a picturesque site with a landscaped park. Details
Address: 77 Wynford Drive
Days Open: Saturday May 27 & Sunday May 28
McCowan Carhouse
Explore the impressive McCowan Carhouse, Yard, and Substation, a massive facility that houses and maintains vehicles for the Scarborough RT. Learn about its construction in the 1980s and the role it plays in supporting the world’s first intermediate capacity transit system. Discover the various tracks and areas dedicated to maintenance and cleaning, highlighting the complex operations behind the scenes. Details
Address: 1720 Ellesmere Road
Days Open: Saturday, May 27
Lambton House
Step into history at Lambton House, a two-storey brick building with a rich past as a stagecoach stop and hotel. Admire the restored Victorian gingerbread trim and original wood-sashed windows. As the only remaining public building from the milling era on the Lower Humber, it offers a glimpse into the past with original halls and stairs. Explore the wildflower specimen garden inspired by Agnes Moodie Fitzgibbon’s drawings from the book “Canadian Wildflowers.” Details
Address: 4066 Old Dundas
Days Open: Saturday, May 27 & Sunday, May 28
TIFF Bell Lightbox
Discover the impressive multi-use space of TIFF Bell Lightbox, home to the Toronto International Film Festival. This five-storey building features cinemas, galleries, learning studios, dining spaces, and the Film Reference Library. Details
Address: 350 King St W
Days Open: Saturday, May 27 & Sunday, May 28
Toronto’s First Post Office
Step into history at Toronto’s First Post Office, a National Historic Site that operates as a museum and still functions as a post office. Learn about the early postal system in Canada and discover the story of the Town of York. Details
Address: 260 Adelaide Street East
Days Open: Saturday, May 27 & Sunday, May 28
Enoch Turner Schoolhouse
Experience a piece of Toronto’s educational history at Enoch Turner Schoolhouse, the first free school in the city. This small Gothic Revival schoolhouse, opened in 1849, now serves as a museum and special events venue. Explore its role in the development of Ontario’s education system. Details
Address: 106 Trinity Street
Days Open: Sunday May 28
The El Mocambo
Take a rock history tour at the legendary El Mocambo, one of North America’s most iconic music venues. Discover its rich history and enjoy live performances at this newly renovated venue. Details
Address: 464 Spadina
Days Open: Saturday May 27 & Sunday May 28
Elgin and Winter Garden Theatre Centre
Admire the grandeur of the Elgin and Winter Garden Theatre Centre, a double-decker theatre design and a rare architectural gem. Experience the captivating beauty of the Elgin and Winter Garden Theatres, the last operating double-decker theatre complex in the world. Details
Address: 189 Yonge Street
Days Open: Saturday May 27
Toronto City Hall
Immerse yourself in Toronto’s municipal government at the internationally renowned Toronto City Hall. This architectural masterpiece, designed by Viljo Revell, features a striking and sculptural design. Explore the civic square, council chamber, and office towers that make up this iconic landmark. Details
Address: 100 Queen St W
Days Open: Saturday May 27 & Sunday May 28
St. George Greek Orthodox Church
Experience the beauty of St. George Greek Orthodox Church, an architectural gem showcasing the Byzantine religious tradition. Originally a synagogue, this building underwent renovations to achieve a more thoroughly Byzantine aesthetic. Admire the unique interior painted by master iconographers from Mount Athos, Greece. Details
Address: 115 Bond St
Days Open: Saturday May 27 & Sunday May 28
Thomas Fisher Rare Book Library
Delve into the largest rare book library in Canada, housing an extensive collection of rare books, manuscripts, and archival materials. Explore the four mezzanine floors of this Brutalist-style building and discover treasures such as manuscripts dating back to the 11th century and the papers of notable authors like Margaret Atwood and Leonard Cohen. Details
Address: 120 St George St
Days Open: Saturday, May 27
Legislative Assembly of Ontario
Step inside the impressive Richardsonian Romanesque building that serves as the meeting place for Ontario’s Legislative Assembly. Marvel at the Italian marble finishes, oak floors, and intricate sandstone carvings. Explore exhibits that showcase the artwork and history of the province, including indigenous artwork and displays on women at Queen’s Park. Details
Address: 111 Wellesley St West
Days Open: Saturday, May 27 & Sunday, May 28
R.C. Harris Water Treatment Plant
Constructed in the 1930s, the R.C. Harris is the largest of the City’s four water treatment plants, providing an average of 400 million litres of safe drinking water. Visit the R.C. Harris Water Treatment Plant, known as “The Palace of Purification,” and witness its stunning Art Deco architecture. Learn about the essential function of providing safe drinking water to Toronto and York Region. Details
Address: 2701 Queen Street East
Days Open: Saturday, May 27 & Sunday, May 28
Bata Shoe Museum
Immerse yourself in the history and cultural significance of footwear at the renowned Bata Shoe Museum. Designed by Raymond Moriyama, this unique museum features thematic exhibitions, a retail shop, and a collection of over 15,000 shoes and shoe-related objects. Admire the architectural design inspired by a shoebox, complete with artistic touches like a sole-shaped front desk and bronze features by Canadian sculptor Dora De Pédery-Hunt. Details
Address: 327 Bloor Street West
Days Open: Saturday, May 27 & Sunday, May 28
Black Creek Pioneer Village
Step back in time at Black Creek Pioneer Village and explore the past through historic buildings, gardens, and engaging programs. Meet costumed historians who bring the 1860s Ontario to life and discover the region’s oldest buildings and a collection of nineteenth-century artifacts. This village, operated by the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority, offers a unique glimpse into the region’s heritage. Details
Address: 1000 Murray Ross Parkway
Days Open: Saturday May 27 & Sunday May 28
Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport
Recognized as a world-class airport, Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport provides convenient travel connections to numerous destinations. Located on Toronto Island, this award-winning airport plays a crucial role in driving tourism, trade, and resident connectivity in the city. Details
Address: 2 Eireann Quay
Days Open: Saturday May 27
Scadding Cabin
Toronto’s oldest surviving building, originally built in 1794. This historic one-room house, relocated and preserved on its present site, represents the earliest act of architectural preservation in the city. Explore the cabin’s rich history and its connection to the Toronto Industrial Exhibition, later known as the CNE. Details
Address: 3 Alberta Circle
Days Open: Saturday May 27 & Sunday May 28
Toronto Railway Museum
Immerse yourself in the fascinating world of Toronto’s railways at the Toronto Railway Museum, located in the historic John Street Roundhouse. Discover the stories behind Toronto’s rail history and marvel at the surviving roundhouse, which housed maintenance work on locomotives. Details
Address: #17 255 Bremner Blvd
Days Open: Saturday May 27 & Sunday May 28
Other Places which are free to visit (and are free year-round)
- The City of Toronto’s historic sites and galleries like Historic Zion Schoolhouse, Gibson House Museum, Scarborough Museum, Todmorden Mills, Montgomery’s Inn, Fort York National Historic Site, Mackenzie House, Spadina Museum and Market Gallery are free to visit round the year. They are also open this weekend with special tours and programs.
- Toronto’s First Post Office, 260 Adelaide Street East
- Legislative Assembly of Ontario, 111 Wellesley St West