About
Doors Open Days is Scotland’s largest free festival that celebrates places and stories, new and old.
Every September you can explore hundreds of fascinating buildings across Scotland for free. Some open up once a year, some just once a lifetime.
When Doors Open Days began in 1990, 44 events took place in Glasgow and Ayr. In the past 33 years our festival has expanded to reach all 32 council regions of Scotland with visitors enjoying access to nearly 1,000 events.
Doors Open Days is coordinated nationally by the Scottish Civic Trust and is part of European Heritage Days alongside Scottish Archaeology Month, coordinated by Archaeology Scotland. Both are supported by Historic Environment Scotland.
A dedicated team of regional coordinators across Scotland work closely with venues and groups to develop and produce local programmes for their communities.
Keep up-to-date with Doors Open Days
To learn more about the places across Scotland you can explore for free this September, subscribe to our e-newsletter.
Take part in the festival
Is your group or building interested in hosting an in-person or online event for Doors Open Days? We'd love to have you!