The City of Ottawa is proud to present the Doors Open Ottawa, a free annual architectural event that celebrates our community’s built heritage.
Ottawa is built on un-ceded Algonquin Anishinabe territory. The City of Ottawa honours the peoples and land of the Algonquin Anishinabe Nation.
The City of Ottawa honours all First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples and their valuable past and present contributions to this land.
During the first full weekend in June, Doors Open Ottawa will be celebrating its 22nd anniversary, and we cordially invite residents and visitors alike to join us as we re-open the doors to some of the city's most beautiful buildings. That’s right…we are thrilled to be returning to a live, in-person event but with the added bonus of enhanced virtual content!
In 2002, the Doors Open concept became a reality when the very first Ottawa event welcomed nearly 80 building participants and 35,000 visitors. Since then, the event continues to expand and evolve with the everchanging times, and this year is no different. Buildings will have the option to participate virtually, in-person, or a hybrid of the two. As a visitor, you will simply have to plan your ‘visits’ accordingly and follow the most current public health policies in place.
Whether you choose a virtual or live experience, you will discover the secrets and stories that lie within some of Ottawa’s most interesting buildings by way of still photography, in-depth descriptions, 3D and/or virtual tours, YouTube videos, in-person guided and self-guided tours, and more…so stay tuned!
On June 1 and 2, join us for the 22nd anniversary celebration of Doors Open Ottawa, and pay homage to our city’s history, culture, and stunning architecture! It’s free, it’s fun, and it’s the perfect way to discover how Canada’s Capital has become the beautiful city it is today. And don't forget…you can follow and share your #DoorsOpenOttawa experience on Facebook!
For disability-related accommodations required to participate fully in this event, please contact us at doorsopen@ottawa.ca or call 3-1-1.
For media inquiries, please contact medias@ottawa.ca.
Get excited! Applications for Doors Open Ottawa 2024 are now open!
It’s that incredible time of year when so many events, festivals and attractions entertain residents and highlight what our beautiful city has to offer. For over two decades, Doors Open Ottawa has become an annual tradition that so many residents and visitors anxiously await every first weekend in June.
The 2023 edition of Doors Open Ottawa will take place on the weekend of June 3 and 4. It’s a unique opportunity to get a behind-the-door look at the many iconic and historic buildings that many of us walk, cycle or drive by every day and have always wondered what it looks like inside. Some of the buildings include the Ottawa Art Gallery, Diefenbunker: Canada’s Cold War Museum, Circle of Nations Learning Centre, and many more.
In addition to the in-person tours, Doors Open Ottawa is continuing to have virtual offerings as well – which allows residents to tour some of the buildings on their electronic devices.
To add a whole new flavour into the mix, this year’s theme focuses on food, and will highlight venues like the Parkdale and ByWard markets.
So, I personally invite you, your family and your friends – even those out-of-town – to take part in Doors Open Ottawa 2023 on June 3 and 4, to explore and celebrate Ottawa’s architecture, history and culture.
If you plan to go for the in-person tours, take advantage of transit and O-Train Line 1 for easy and convenient travel. Also, be sure to also explore the surrounding neighbourhoods to see what they have to offer – such as local shops and dining establishments.
Whether you visit online or in-person, I hope you enjoy Doors Open Ottawa 2023. And I extend my appreciation and my best wishes to Doors Open Ottawa for a successful event this year and in the many years to come.
Applications for Doors Open Ottawa 2024 are now closed. Thank you to everyone who applied. Stay tuned for the full building list coming in May!
For information and frequently asked question about the event, including building participation and criteria, please visit the Building owners and managers - FAQ section.
For all other enquiries, you may contact the event coordinator at doorsopen@ottawa.ca.
The Doors Open Ottawa Advisory Council is the committee responsible for determining whether a building is eligible to participate in the event based on specific criteria designed to value its historical, cultural, functional, and/or architectural significance.
If you think your building would be a suitable candidate for Doors Open Ottawa, please review the criteria outlined. Please note that while it’s not necessary to meet every criterion, buildings that largely meet the criteria listed below will have a stronger chance of being selected.
Preference will be given to buildings that meet the following criteria:
To identify your building as a Doors Open Ottawa site, information that you provide including a building description, photos, 3D tours, virtual tours, and/or more will be included in Doors Open Ottawa promotional materials, social media sites, press materials and the Doors Open Ottawa Web site. Your site may also appear on the Doors Open Ontario website operated by the Ontario Heritage Trust.
Doors Open Ottawa is not responsible for any costs incurred by those who wish to create new virtual content for the event. If your building chooses to create new content, such as a 3D or virtual tour, the costs associated with doing so will be paid for solely by the building participant. However, we think it’s important to note, that if you’re thinking about creating something new, it can always be used for your own promotional purposes after the event is over. It’s a win-win!
Disclaimer: Please note that all virtual content will be reviewed by the City of Ottawa. If the City deems any content unfit for publication (i.e. foul language, nudity, promotion of tobacco, alcohol, or drugs, etc.), we have the sole right to exclude the content from the event.
We understand that not all buildings are created equally. While we strongly encourage all of our buildings to provide bilingual content on their websites, 3D tours, and virtual tours, we know that it’s not always possible. However, if you plan on creating new virtual content for this year’s event, perhaps it’s the perfect time to include both official languages in your new promotional material.
No. Virtual admission must be free during the event. The focus of Doors Open Ottawa is to celebrate heritage and architecture, by making participating buildings open to all.
Buildings that fit the Doors Open Ottawa profile and that are normally open to the public (e.g., historic and/or architecturally important embassies, government buildings, theatres, churches, museums, etc.) will be included if admission is free. We encourage buildings that are normally open to the public to offer special activities or events, such as exhibits, talks, musical recitals, or behind-the-scenes tours as a way to showcase the building further.
Doors Open Ottawa is funded by partnerships between the City of Ottawa, corporate sponsors, and individual donations. If you own a business or are part of an organization that would like to sponsor Doors Open Ottawa, please contact:
Emily O’Kane, Coordinator
Doors Open Ottawa, City of Ottawa
Email: doorsopen@ottawa.ca
Since its inception, Doors Open Ottawa has welcomed both sponsorships and partnerships with local and national corporations, businesses, and organizations. By generously donating time, money, and resources to Doors Open Ottawa for nearly 20 years, we have been able to continue operating as a free event, and we look forward to doing so for many more years to come.
If you are a business or organization that wishes to sponsor or collaborate with Doors Open Ottawa 2023, we invite you to contact us today to discuss a wide range of opportunities.
As a trusted sponsor and partner, we will work with you to ensure that your brand is presented in a way that is beneficial to your business!
If you are interested in volunteering with Doors Open Ottawa or if you have any questions about the volunteer program, please contact doorsopen@ottawa.ca.
The Doors Open Ottawa Advisory Council works with the City of Ottawa to maintain the vision of this two-day celebration of Ottawa's architectural excellence and built heritage.
Which building would you like to see participate in Doors Open Ottawa 2024?
To recommend a building, please e-mail doorsopen@ottawa.ca. Provide as much information as possible to assist us in our research.
