Doors Open Ontario presenting sponsor
Doors Open Ontario presenting sponsor

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Doors Open Ontario:

Ottawa

in-person event information

Saturday and Sunday, June 7 and 8, 2025, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Welcome to Doors Open Ottawa!

Get ready to explore the hidden gems of Canada's capital as we celebrate the 23rd anniversary of this incredible event. Whether you're a local or a visitor, Doors Open Ottawa offers a unique opportunity to peek behind the doors of over 100 significant buildings across the city, many of which are usually closed to the public or charge admission.

From embassies and breweries to churches and museums, you'll discover the rich history, culture and stunning architecture that make Ottawa so special. Imagine wandering through a Victorian jail-turned-hostel, or exploring a 1920s garage that's now a bustling community theatre. With a mix of in-person and virtual tours, there's something for everyone to enjoy.

So, mark your calendars, grab your friends and family, and join us for a weekend of fun, discovery and adventure.

The full list of participating buildings will be available online on May 16! Visit ottawa.ca/doorsopen for more details.

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Contact information

17 In-person Doors Open sites

1805 GaspéDoors Open Ottawa

New

  • In-person Doors Open Ontario

1805 Gaspé

Formerly the Terry Fox Centre, 1805 Gaspé is now a community, multi-tenant, multi-purpose building that houses a farmers’ market, private school, day care centre, Caribbean catering business and home to neighbourhood programs. This three-storey building has been beautifully renovated and repurposed, with an airy foyer that greets visitors. The addition of an elevator makes all floors fully accessible.

  • Adaptive reuse
  • Food vendors
  • Full wheelchair access
  • Photography allowed

Contact info

1805 Gaspé Avenue
Ottawa, Ontario

Architecture

Building type: Commercial Educational facility Food and drink

Dates/hours open

Jun 07 - Jun 08

AIDS Committee of OttawaDoors Open Ottawa

  • In-person Doors Open Ontario

AIDS Committee of Ottawa

The AIDS Committee of Ottawa has served the community for nearly 40 years, providing support, prevention, education and outreach services that promote the holistic well-being of those living with, affected by, impacted by and at risk of HIV/AIDS in Ottawa. Overlooking the Rideau Canal, this home offers services such as subsidized gym memberships, food bank, laundry and office support.

  • Full wheelchair access
  • Guided tours available
  • Parking
  • Washrooms

Contact info

19 Main Street
Ottawa, Ontario
http://aco-cso.ca

Architecture

Year built: 1961

Dates/hours open

Jun 07 - Jun 07

Annunciation to the Theotokos-Saint Nicholas Orthodox CathedralDoors Open Ottawa

New

  • In-person Doors Open Ontario
Annunciation to the Theotokos-Saint Nicholas Orthodox Cathedral

This building was constructed on the eve of the Second World War as a church and bomb shelter. During the war, people came to pray to the Theotokos of the Passion icon for the safe return of their loved ones. All the young community men returned from the war. This icon remains a source of comfort during times of need.

    Contact info

    15 Lebreton Street North
    Ottawa, Ontario
    https://ottawacathedral.org

    Architecture

    Building type: Place of worship

    Dates/hours open

    Jun 07 - Jun 07

    Arts CourtDoors Open Ottawa

    • In-person Doors Open Ontario

    Arts Court

    In 1978, Ottawa’s mayor recommended establishing a municipal arts centre, arts council, arts festival and a permanent art collection for the city. This building initially served as the Carleton County Court House, purpose-built in 1870-71. It was slated for demolition in 1980, but it was saved by the city and turned into the Arts Court. It officially opened in 1988.

    • Adaptive reuse
    • Full wheelchair access
    • Parking
    • Site is protected by the Ontario Heritage Trust
    • Washrooms
    • Photography allowed

    Contact info

    2 Daly Avenue
    Ottawa, Ontario
    https://artscourt.ca

    Architecture

    Year built: 1870-71
    Building type: Theatre Gallery
    Architect: Robert Surtees

    Dates/hours open

    Jun 07 - Jun 07

    Bank of CanadaDoors Open Ottawa

    New

    • In-person Doors Open Ontario
    Bank of Canada

    The Bank of Canada head office is known for its unique architecture — balancing modern and classical styles. The original granite building spoke of stability and tradition. In 1979, it was partially enclosed by modern glass office towers and a large indoor atrium. The complex has continued to evolve, with the addition of a conference centre, museum and an outdoor plaza.

      Contact info

      245 Sparks Street
      Ottawa, Ontario
      https://www.bankofcanada.ca

      Architecture

      Year built: 1938; 1969
      Building type: Government building
      Architect: Arthur Erickson (1969-79 addition)

      Dates/hours open

      Jun 07 - Jun 07

      Bayview YardsDoors Open Ottawa

      New

      • In-person Doors Open Ontario
      • Digital Doors Open Icon Ontario

      Bayview Yards

      Bayview Yards is Ottawa’s one-stop business acceleration shop — bringing together innovators, entrepreneurs, industry leaders, investors and community members. Built as a municipal works building, it once contained machinery storage and repair shops, stables, offices and stockrooms. Built of reinforced concrete with brick panels, it exemplifies the modern industrial architecture popular in Canada from the 1940s to the 1970s.

      • Digital Doors Open
      • Photography allowed
      • Virtual tours

      Contact info

      Bayview Station Road
      Ottawa, Ontario
      https://bayviewyards.org

      Architecture

      Year built: 1941-47
      Building type: Government building

      Dates/hours open

      May 03 - May 03

      Billings Estate National Historic SiteDoors Open Ottawa

      • In-person Doors Open Ontario

      Billings Estate National Historic Site

      The main house here is considered to be one of the oldest homes in Ottawa. The Billings family lived here for five generations. Once a large agricultural property, parts of the estate were given to different family members or sold off. Today, what remains is a museum, several outbuildings and a cemetery for more than 140 community and family members.

      • Adaptive reuse
      • Full wheelchair access
      • Guided tours available
      • National Historic Site (Canada)
      • Parking
      • Washrooms
      • Photography allowed

      Contact info

      2100 Cabot Street
      Ottawa, Ontario
      https://www.ottawa.ca/billingsestate

      Architecture

      Year built: 1827-29
      Building type: Cemetery Historical landmark Historical house Museum
      Architect: Braddish Billings

      Dates/hours open

      Jun 07 - Jun 08

      Britannia Water Purification PlantDoors Open Ottawa

      New

      • In-person Doors Open Ontario

      Britannia Water Purification Plant

      Constructed in 1961, this is one of two treatment plants operated by the City of Ottawa to supply drinking water to almost one million people. Its source water is the Ottawa River. The treatment process removes undesirable substances — such as colour, suspended particles, algae, bacteria and viruses. Over the years, the site has seen significant expansion and modernization.

        Contact info

        2731 Cassels Street
        Ottawa, Ontario

        Architecture

        Year built: 1961
        Building type: Government building

        Dates/hours open

        Jun 07 - Jun 07

        British High CommissionDoors Open Ottawa

        New

        • In-person Doors Open Ontario

        British High Commission

        This state-of-the-art building, located within the Earnscliffe National Historic Site, has been the official residence for British high commissioners for more than 90 years. The building has LEED Gold status, with reduced water consumption inside and native and drought-resistant vegetation throughout the grounds. Note: Due to renovations, the High Commissioner’s residence will not be open, but the grounds will be.

          Contact info

          140 Sussex Drive
          Ottawa, Ontario
          https://www.gov.uk/world/organisations/british-high-commission-ottawa

          Architecture

          Building type: Government building Green building

          Dates/hours open

          Jun 07 - Jun 07

          ByWard Market BuildingDoors Open Ottawa

          • In-person Doors Open Ontario

          ByWard Market Building

          The ByWard Market has been Lowertown’s focal point since 1848. This particular site has served as a market since 1875. The present building is the fifth to house the market. Home to food merchants, specialty boutiques and artisans operating in indoor and outdoor spaces, the ByWard Market Building is a landmark. For Doors Open, enjoy special tours, displays and presentations.

          • Adaptive reuse
          • Food vendors
          • National Historic Site (Canada)
          • Washrooms
          • Photography allowed

          Contact info

          55 ByWard Market Square
          Ottawa, Ontario
          https://www.byward-market.com

          Architecture

          Year built: 1928
          Building type: Attraction Commercial Food and drink Historical landmark
          Architect: Richards and Abra, Barry Padolsky

          Dates/hours open

          Jun 07 - Jun 08

          Canada Council Art BankDoors Open Ottawa

          • In-person Doors Open Ontario
          • Digital Doors Open Icon Ontario

          Canada Council Art Bank

          With over 17,000 artworks by over 3,000 artists, the Canada Council Art Bank houses the largest collection of contemporary Canadian art in the world. The collection houses paintings, sculptures, drawings, photographs and prints by emerging and established artists, including a significant number of Indigenous artists. The collection is also regularly featured at the Canada Council for the Arts main office.

          • Digital Doors Open
          • Full wheelchair access
          • Kid-friendly
          • Parking
          • Self-guided tours available
          • Washrooms
          • Photography allowed
          • Virtual tours
          • Collections and resources
          • Kid-friendly

          Contact info

          921 St. Laurent Blvd.
          Ottawa, Ontario
          https://artbank.ca

          Architecture

          Building type: Museum Gallery

          Dates/hours open

          Jun 07 - Jun 07

          Canadian Conservation InstituteDoors Open Ottawa

          • In-person Doors Open Ontario

          Canadian Conservation Institute

          The Canadian Conservation Institute (CCI) and the Canadian Heritage Information Network (CHIN), part of the Department of Canadian Heritage, were created in 1972 to advance and promote the conservation of Canada’s heritage collections. The building houses over 20 laboratories, metal and wood workshops and over 100 offices. Don’t miss “Captain Conservation,” an imposing fiberglass sculpture over the front entrance.

            Contact info

            1030 Innes Road
            Ottawa, Ontario
            https://www.canada.ca/en/conservation-institute.html

            Architecture

            Building type: Government building Historical landmark Museum

            Dates/hours open

            Jun 07 - Jun 07

            Cancer Research Lab at The Ottawa HospitalDoors Open Ottawa

            • In-person Doors Open Ontario
            • Digital Doors Open Icon Ontario

            Cancer Research Lab at The Ottawa Hospital

            The Ottawa Hospital is a world leader in cancer research. During Doors Open, discover fascinating cancer research with a behind-the-scenes tour of a lab, and an opportunity to explore the lab’s high-tech tools. For safety reasons, visitors must be 16 years or older. Forty-minute guided tours leave every hour from the Cancer Centre lobby. Space is limited. Registration is required.

            • Digital Doors Open
            • Full wheelchair access
            • Guided tours available
            • Parking
            • Washrooms
            • Videos
            • Virtual tours

            Contact info

            501 Smyth Road
            Ottawa, Ontario
            https://www.ohri.ca/Programs/cancer_therapeutics

            Architecture

            Year built: 2011
            Building type: Health-care facility

            Dates/hours open

            Jun 07 - Jun 07

            Centretown MosqueDoors Open Ottawa

            New

            • In-person Doors Open Ontario

            Centretown Mosque

            The Centretown Mosque was constructed in 1911 as the First United Church — the site of Canada’s first mixed-raced marriage. Since then, it was also the Ottawa Chinese-Canadian Heritage Centre. Today, it is the first mosque to serve Ottawa’s Muslim community. Fundraising campaigns are currently underway to help preserve the site’s history — including two beautiful halls, an organ and stained-glass windows.

            • Adaptive reuse

            Contact info

            397 Kent Street
            Ottawa, Ontario
            https://centretownmosque.ca

            Architecture

            Year built: 1911
            Building type: Place of worship

            Dates/hours open

            Jun 07 - Jun 08

            Christ Church Cathedral OttawaDoors Open Ottawa

            • In-person Doors Open Ontario

            Christ Church Cathedral Ottawa

            Built in 1872, this church was constructed to harmonize with the new Parliament buildings. Named the Cathedral of the Diocese in 1897, it continues to nurture faith in creative and traditional ways. Architectural features include soaring ceilings, magnificent windows and the bell tower, home to the 516-pound bronze bell cast for the original church in 1839.

            • Full wheelchair access
            • Guided tours available
            • Washrooms
            • Photography allowed

            Contact info

            414 Sparks Street
            Ottawa, Ontario
            https://www.ottawacathedral.ca

            Architecture

            Year built: 1872
            Building type: Historical landmark Place of worship
            Architect: King Arnoldi

            Dates/hours open

            Jun 07 - Jun 08

            Church of St. BartholomewDoors Open Ottawa

            • In-person Doors Open Ontario

            Church of St. Bartholomew

            St. Bartholomew’s Anglican Church was built of local limestone. It remains an active place of worship and a concert venue today, with a history that’s closely intertwined with that of the local community, the city of Ottawa and the nation. Artifacts and windows remind us of those connections — particularly the stained-glass window behind the altar and the magnificent Létourneau organ.

            • Site is protected by the Ontario Heritage Trust

            Contact info

            125 MacKay Street
            Ottawa, Ontario

            Architecture

            Year built: 1867
            Building type: Historical landmark Place of worship
            Architect: Thomas Seaton Scott

            Dates/hours open

            Jun 07 - Jun 07

            CKCU 93.1 FMDoors Open Ottawa

            New

            • In-person Doors Open Ontario

            CKCU 93.1 FM

            In 1975, CKCU became the first campus-based community radio station in Canada. It continues to be a pioneer in community broadcasting, serving as a voice for many Ottawa identities and communities not served by the mainstream media. Offering over 100 programs in over 10 languages, CKCU is committed to diversity. Come witness live radio in the making!

              Contact info

              1125 Colonel By Drive (in the Nideyinàn building, Carleton University campus)
              Ottawa, Ontario
              https://www.ckcufm.com

              Architecture

              Building type: Educational facility

              Dates/hours open

              Jun 07 - Jun 07