Doors Open Toronto 2025 returns on May 24–25, unlocking more than 150 buildings, including places most people will never get to see, like haunted jails, parliament chambers, ghost subway stations, and skyline-view office towers. And the best part? It’s completely free.
Whether you’re a traveler, a curious local, or a content creator with a camera in hand, this is your chance to explore Toronto like never before.
🗓️ Quick Event Details
- Event Name: Doors Open Toronto 2025
- Dates: Saturday, May 24 & Sunday, May 25
- Time: Most sites open 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM (last entry by 4:30 PM)
- Admission: 100% Free
MAP FREE!
🧭 What is Doors Open Toronto?
Doors Open Toronto is an annual city-wide event organized by the City of Toronto, inviting the public to explore buildings that are usually closed off or difficult to access.
That means:
- Walk through government buildings and civic landmarks
- Peek inside heritage sites, design studios, and abandoned subway stations
- Visit creative workspaces, media studios, and modernist architectural gems
Why It’s Worth Your Weekend
- ✅ See the behind-the-scenes side of Toronto
- 📸 Film or photograph spaces that are usually restricted
- 🎥 Ideal for TikToks, reels, and cinematic storytelling
- 🧠 Learn about the city’s history, culture, and design, directly from the source
🏆 Top 10 Sites You Shouldn’t Miss (2025 Highlights)
1. Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport
📍 Accessible by ferry or pedestrian tunnel
🗓️ Open: Saturday only
Explore the airport’s underwater tunnel, electric ferry, fire hall, and airside facilities. Capture dynamic footage of Canada’s first fully electric ferry, and don’t miss live music and activations.
2. Old City Hall
📍 60 Queen St W
🗓️ Open: Saturday & Sunday
One of Toronto’s most recognizable civic buildings, reopened after years. Explore historic courtrooms, the grand staircase, and towering stonework—great for Instagram-worthy verticals and city history videos.
3. Legislative Assembly of Ontario (Queen’s Park)
📍 111 Wellesley St W
🗓️ Open: Saturday & Sunday
Enter the chambers where Ontario’s laws are made. You’ll have access to the Legislative Chamber, the Lieutenant Governor’s Suite, and exhibits on Indigenous heritage and governance.
4. Don Jail
📍 550 Gerrard St E
🗓️ Open: Saturday only
Step into one of Toronto’s most historic (and eerie) jails, now preserved inside Bridgepoint Hospital. Film the iconic rotunda, steel cells, and ghostly corridors. A must for storytelling and cinematic B-roll.
5. R.C. Harris Water Treatment Plant
📍 2701 Queen St E
🗓️ Open: Saturday & Sunday
Known as the “Palace of Purification,” this Art Deco marvel supplies 30% of Toronto’s drinking water. Tour its majestic halls, learn about water treatment, and photograph its coastal structure.
6. Toronto-Dominion Centre
📍 66 Wellington St W
🗓️ Open: Saturday & Sunday
Designed by Mies van der Rohe, this black-and-glass skyscraper is a modernist icon. Access includes the Design Exchange and some upper-floor business towers with panoramic views.
7. Spin Master Headquarters
📍 225 King St W
🗓️ Open: Saturday & Sunday
Home to some of the world’s most loved toys (like PAW Patrol), this HQ offers interactive displays and behind-the-scenes insight into toy design and development. A fun, family-friendly creative space.
8. Ubisoft Toronto
📍 550 King St W
🗓️ Open: Saturday & Sunday
Get a rare look inside the game studio behind Assassin’s Creed and Far Cry. Tour development spaces and exhibitions that showcase how gaming meets art and tech.
9. Thornton-Smith Building
📍 340 Yonge St
🗓️ Open: Saturday & Sunday
A beautifully preserved commercial building from the early 1900s. Great for photographing decorative interiors and learning how heritage architecture blends with modern retail.
10. OCAD University
📍 100 McCaul St
🗓️ Open: Saturday & Sunday
Toronto’s top art & design school invites the public to explore its Sharp Centre for Design, student installations, and gallery spaces. Perfect for creative and aesthetic content.
🚶 Getting Around the City
Maximize your time and minimize stress with these transport tips:
🏙️ Walk
Downtown locations are walkable in clusters. Map your day in zones.
🚇 Use the TTC
Grab a TTC Day Pass for unlimited subway, streetcar, and bus rides ($13.50 adult). Plan routes via ttc.ca.
🚲 Use Bike Share Toronto
Quick, flexible, and affordable with docks near most Doors Open buildings.
What Else Is Open? (Categories Breakdown)
Here’s how the 150+ buildings are grouped:
🏛️ Government & Civic
- Legislative Assembly
- Archives of Ontario
- Toronto City Hall
🏢 Architecture & Design
- Toronto-Dominion Centre
- OCAD University
- MOCA (Museum of Contemporary Art)
- Q4 Architects Studio
🕰️ Heritage Sites
- Don Jail
- Old City Hall
- Scadding Cabin
- Danforth Garage
- Russell Carhouse
🎭 Cultural Venues
- Meridian Hall
- Hot Docs Ted Rogers Cinema
🚌 Transit & Infrastructure
- Lower Bay Station
- TTC Transit Yards
- Billy Bishop Airport
🧸 Industry & Media
- Spin Master HQ
- Ubisoft Toronto (if available)
- The ZoomerPlex (optional)
🌿 Community & Nature
- Evergreen Brick Works
- Wychwood Barns (skip if short on time)
👉 Full building list: City of Toronto – Doors Open 2025
📸 Tips for Visitors (and Content Creators)
- Arrive early: Popular sites like Don Jail and Billy Bishop Airport can have lineups.
- Plan breaks: Some buildings don’t have washrooms or food nearby.
- Charge your devices: Bring a power bank, there’s a lot to film.
- Tripods not allowed: Most sites permit handheld photography only.
- Use hashtags: Try #DoorsOpenToronto #DOT25 for reach on socials.
🎬 Final Thoughts
Doors Open Toronto 2025 is a love letter to the city’s soul, its architecture, history, and community. For two days, the keys are in your hands.
Go behind the scenes. Walk through stories. Discover Toronto’s hidden treasures, one locked door at a time.
What are the timings for Billy bishop?
10 AM to 5 PM