In just a few short weeks, Doors Open Toronto will return for a weekend of celebrating the city's heritage, architecture, and design.
Kicking off Saturday, May 28 and carrying into Sunday, May 29, this year's Doors Open event is set to have more than 100 sites around the Toronto to explore (free of charge) including the Aga Khan Museum, the Toronto Railway Museum, the Campbell House Museum, and the Fort York Historic Site.
Nine free guided walking tours will be offered throughout the weekend, each focusing on an area of the city from Downsview to the Harbourfront to York University's Glendon Campus. There will even be a "TTC Art Crawl," taking people on a tour of window murals at three TTC subway stations. For those interested in attending the tours, reservations need to be made in advance.
Four speaking events, all about various aspects of architecture, will also be part of the weekend. They'll address topics like what happens when you combine hip hop culture with architecture, and the role of art and architecture in Truth and Reconciliation.
“Our annual Doors Open weekend has been a great way for residents and visitors to visit buildings across Toronto and to understand the architecture found within our city," said Mayor John Tory. "This truly unique behind-the-scenes experience offers a chance to discover and explore our buildings and vibrant neighborhoods. I encourage everyone to, once again, experience Toronto’s hidden gems and to take part in all of the in-person activities we are ready to welcome back as a city.”
For those who'd like to experience the event from the comport of their own home, there are a number of virtual experiences. Three full-length feature documentaries, all centered around this year's Doors Open theme of renewal, will be available to stream from the City's website. Other Toronto institutions like the Ontario Science Centre, the Toronto Zoo, and the Art Gallery of Ontario all have at-home activities to do and educational videos to watch.
