Doors Open Toronto

Doors Open Toronto is an annual event when approximately 150 buildings of architectural, historic, cultural, and social significance to the city of Toronto open their doors to the public for this free citywide event.

Doors Open Toronto logo

Doors Open Toronto was developed as a millennium project in 2000, by the City of Toronto (developed from a European model) and has since attracted over 1.7 million residents and tourists. Doors Open Toronto gives people of all ages and backgrounds the opportunity to learn about Toronto's history, get involved and celebrate Toronto's built heritage.

Doors Open Toronto was the first city in North America to launch this type of program. Many participating buildings organize guided tours, exhibits, displays, and activities to enrich the visitor experience.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Doors Open Toronto 2020 events which were to be held on May 23 and 24 2020 were cancelled.

Highlighted buildings
Canadian Broadcasting Centre
Toronto City Hall
Guided tour at the Archives of Ontario
Artscape Wychwood Barns
Victoria College ("Old Vic")

Most buildings are open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on both Saturday and Sunday; however some only open for limited hours. The public is advised to check the "buildings to visit" section of the official website. The list of buildings is made public on May 1 of the calendar year. Some Doors Open Toronto highlighted buildings include: R.C. Harris Water Treatment Plant, Mackenzie House, and TTC carhouses.

Sponsors

Doors Open Toronto relies heavily on the support of sponsors. The Toronto Star releases the official Doors Open Toronto program guide in May of each year and has been a vital supporter of the program. In 2012, City TV and Omni Television also came on board as Doors Open Toronto media sponsors.

Volunteers

Doors Open Toronto is managed by the Cultural Services and Special Events Departments at the city of Toronto. Doors Open Toronto relies on the support, as well as enthusiasm of hundreds of volunteers.

Applications are available each fall and can be found on the Doors Open Toronto website.

Awards
  • 2009 Canadian Urban Institute at the Urban Leadership awards - City Soul Award
  • 2010 City Manager's Award for Toronto Public Service Excellence
  • 2010 The Canadian Museums Association Awards of Outstanding Achievement

Dates and themes

The first Doors Open Toronto was held in May 2000. Since then, Doors Open Toronto has been held on the fourth weekend of May. In recent years, each festival has been curated around a theme.

  • 2000: May 27, 28
  • 2001: May 26, 27
  • 2002: May 25, 26
  • 2003: May 24, 25
  • 2004: May 29, 30
  • 2005: May 28, 29
  • 2006: May 27, 28
  • 2007: May 26, 27 – Sustainability
  • 2008: May 24, 25 – Sacred Space
  • 2009: May 23, 24 – Toronto's Literature
  • 2010: May 29, 30 – Architecture
  • 2011: May 28, 29 – Photography
  • 2012: May 26, 27 – 200 Years of Building Our City
  • 2013: May 25, 26 – Creators, Makers and Innovators
  • 2014: May 24, 25 – Secrets and Spirits; Exploring the Mysteries Behind the Door
  • 2015: May 23, 24 – Sports, Recreation and Leisure
  • 2016: May 28, 29 – Re-used, Re-visited and Revised
  • 2017: May 27, 28 – Fifteen Decades of Canadian Architecture
  • 2018: May 26, 27 – Film: The Great Romance
  • 2019: May 25, 26 – 20 Something
  • 2020: unknown – The event was originally scheduled for May 23 and 24; however, due to the evolving situation surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic, and with major events and festivals being banned by the City of Toronto until at least June 30, 2020, the event the May dates were cancelled.[1]

Complete list of participating venues since 2004

Sources for the above table:[2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7][8] [9] [10] [11] [12] [13]

See also

Notes
  1. "Toronto cancels all major festivals and events through June, including Pride Parade". CP24. March 31, 2020. Retrieved April 17, 2020.
  2. "City of Toronto - Doors Open 2007". City of Toronto. Archived from the original on February 9, 2008. Retrieved May 25, 2007.
  3. "City of Toronto - Doors Open 2008". City of Toronto. Archived from the original on October 16, 2008. Retrieved June 16, 2008.
  4. "City of Toronto - Doors Open 2009". City of Toronto. Archived from the original on March 23, 2010. Retrieved June 1, 2009.
  5. "City of Toronto - Doors Open 2010". City of Toronto. Archived from the original on October 4, 2010. Retrieved May 2, 2010.
  6. "City of Toronto - Doors Open 2011". City of Toronto. Archived from the original on January 28, 2012. Retrieved April 29, 2011.
  7. "City of Toronto - Doors Open 2012". City of Toronto. Archived from the original on May 6, 2014. Retrieved May 1, 2012.
  8. "City of Toronto - Doors Open 2013". City of Toronto. Retrieved June 9, 2013.
  9. "City of Toronto - Doors Open 2014". City of Toronto. Retrieved May 6, 2014.
  10. "City of Toronto - Doors Open 2015". City of Toronto. Retrieved April 28, 2015.
  11. "City of Toronto - Doors Open 2017". City of Toronto. Retrieved May 30, 2017.
  12. "City of Toronto - Doors Open 2018". City of Toronto. Retrieved June 12, 2018.
  13. "City of Toronto - Doors Open 2019". City of Toronto. Retrieved May 15, 2019.
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