Toronto – The City of Toronto unveils the full lineup for Doors Open Toronto, the free weekend-long celebration of architecture and public space that will take place from Saturday, May 25 to Sunday, May 26. This year’s theme, “Hidden Histories”, spotlights more than 160 of Toronto’s architectural, historical, cultural and socially significant buildings and sites for exploration. Visitors can also register for free city-wide guided neighbourhood tours and a series of themed talks. Details to sign up are available on the City’s Doors Open Toronto webpage: www.toronto.ca/doorsopen.
Doors Open 2024 offers new opportunities to get behind the scenes, go off the beaten path, learn a skill and gain a different perspective. There are participating sites across the city offering workshops, fun activities and even outdoor adventure. With rare access to so many Toronto institutions and awe-inspiring interiors, returning favourites continue to delight and new additions will surely impress.
The historic University Club of Toronto, Massey College, the state-of-the-art KITE Research Institute and the Redpath Sugar Plant are new to the program while popular sites including Osgoode Hall, the R.C. Harris Water Treatment Plant and Bay Lower Subway Station are back again. A complete list of participating sites is available on the City’s website.
City Hall Hub
Toronto City Hall and Nathan Phillips Square will once again be a hub for family-friendly programming that invites the public to go behind the scenes at this important civic site. Visitors can see the Mayor’s Office, find out what happens inside Council Chamber, explore the Hall of Memory and enjoy remarkable views from the 27th floor Observation Deck. The Red Chair Sessions, a portraiture series by Toronto Photo Laureate Nadya Kwandibens, will also be on display.
Visitors can take part in hourly guided drop-in tours of Nathan Phillips Square to learn about the historic neighbourhood called “The Ward” and the 1956 design competition that resulted in “New” City Hall. The full list of activities at City Hall and Nathan Phillips Square is available on the City’s website.
Guided Neighbourhood Tours
There are 17 guided tours of Toronto’s vibrant neighbourhoods over the weekend that delve deeper into hyper-local history and architecture.
Ten of the neighbourhood tours offered are new for 2024 including:
- The Women of Park Lawn Cemetery
- Hidden Queer Histories of Hanlan’s Point
- Restoring the Canada Malting Silos
- Welcome to the Rouge!
- Downsview’s Aviation Legacy
Registration in advance is required. Tour descriptions are available on the City’s website.
Doors Open Talks
The 2024 series of captivating talks will feature insights from architects, urban designers and thought leaders who have left their mark on Toronto:
- Doors Open Keynote: The Hidden History of the Port Lands on Thursday, May 23
- Toronto Book of the Dead & The City’s Morbid Past on Saturday, May 25
- Discover Your Hidden History with Heritage Toronto on Saturday, May 25
- Toronto Society of Architects Talk: Layered City on Sunday, May 26
Registration in advance is required. Descriptions are available on the City’s website.
The City is grateful to sponsors Carpenters’ Union Local 27, Redpath Sugar and Schlage Canada Locks for their support of Doors Open Toronto 2024. The City is proud to have Boom 97.3, CP24, 93.5 Today Radio and the Toronto Star as media partners. Information about accessible, barrier-free buildings and sites is available on the Doors Open Buildings and Sites webpage.
Since its inception in 2000, Doors Open Toronto, Canada’s largest Doors Open event, has attracted more than two million visits to more than 800 unique locations across the city. The event is dedicated to celebrating built heritage, architecture, and design and is produced by the City in partnership with the broader community. More information and updates will be available at www.toronto.ca/doorsopen, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/doorsopento 
, on X at www.twitter.com/doors_opento and on Instagram at www.instagram.com/doors_opento . The event hashtag is #DOT24.