The Westdale was built in 1935 as Hamilton's first cinema equipped to show “talkies” — motion pictures with sound. It is the centerpiece of Westdale Village. In 2016, a group of arts and culture-minded Hamiltonians decided to save it from developers. Today, The Westdale has been beautifully restored into a stunning art deco, single-screen theatre and multidisciplinary performance space.

The Theatrix Costume House is located behind an Edwardian gable front beside the fabric district on Ottawa Street. Theatrix has one of the largest collections of costumes available in North America, with over 50,000 professional-quality costumes and accessories from every century. During Doors Open, they are thrilled to showcase music-inspired costumes. The team will be delighted to dress up, too!

This studio features the work of Ale Groen, whose practice explores themes of identity and objecthood. Across multiple series, Groen examines the tension between knowledge and the unknown, drawing parallels between the act of understanding and the act of creation. Visitors can expect an engaging selection of sculptures and paintings of various sizes.

Explore the Reformatory Side Trail, featuring two large ponds dug by incarcerated labourers, the Eramosa River and a beaver dam on Clythe Creek. Hiking club guides will lead 30-minute walks from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. The trail is partly paved and hilly. Parking is in the lot opposite York Road and Elizabeth Street.

Located in the Richmond Hill Presbyterian Church, this site features artwork by Dr. Narenhua and her adult and youth students. Exhibited works include original oil paintings, watercolours, sketches, art derivatives and handcrafted works such as weaving. Together, the pieces celebrate creativity across media and generations, highlighting shared learning, mentorship and diverse artistic expression. 

Located in the Richmond Hill Presbyterian Church, this site showcases the artwork of Roger Potts, featuring striking wildlife and landscape photography. The collection includes large-scale canvas prints that immerse viewers in natural scenes, as well as small- to medium-sized professionally matted prints suited for more intimate display. 

Located in the Richmond Hill Presbyterian Church, this site features the artwork of Ziba Salehi-Rahni. Designed to encourage conversation, connection, and a deeper appreciation of the art in an intimate gallery setting, visitors can tour the gallery and learn about the creative process behind each piece. Original works will be available for purchase, and visitors may place orders for custom paintings. 

The Lister Block features an L-shaped interior shopping arcade with terracotta and brick façade. Built in 1923 and restored in 2012, it is one of Hamilton’s first multi-purpose office and retail buildings. Explore Tourism Hamilton’s Visitor Experience Centre featuring the 2026 Exhibit: "Punching In: The Work of Hamilton Music". Tour the second level both days. 

This home studio showcases the works of Laurel Douglas Shugarman. It showcases drawings and paintings in graphite, acrylic, watercolor, oil, and mixed media, along with art cards, reproduction photos and archival prints. The studio is primarily a jewelry making studio, with both traditional metalsmithing workstations and precious metal clay. A selection of silver, bronze and gold jewelry will be on display. (Partial accessibility via stairs).

The Woodstock Art Gallery (WAG) celebrates artwork from local, regional and national artists over two floors. The site’s location is the former John White Company (1901-54) and Walkers of Woodstock (1964). This year, WAG is celebrating its 60th anniversary. Stop by to explore the current exhibitions, including an anniversary exhibit. And join them for their Fall Open House.

Come and explore the Old Town Hall, constructed in 1853 as Woodstock’s first public market, council chamber and concert hall. Serving later as the fire hall and jail, the building became the home of the Oxford County Museum in 1947. For Doors Open Woodstock, take a behind-the-scenes tour of this fascinating site.

This library ignites curiosity and connects our community to a world of ideas, resources and enriching experiences. It has a rich history. In 1905, the Carnegie Foundation awarded the City of Woodstock a grant for the construction of a library. In 1909, this beautiful building officially opened. Come and explore the space that continues to grow with the community.

The Workers Arts and Heritage Centre, housed in Hamilton's Custom House, was founded in 1995 by a group of labour historians, artists, union and community activists who saw a need for a community museum that could celebrate the history of workers and labour. Since its founding, they have expanded their vision of work to be as inclusive as possible.

Since 2007, YM Art Gallery has supported artists and art lovers in Richmond Hill, representing over 200 local and international artists. Year-round exhibitions feature works by artists such as John Kokinos, Christos Damianos, Lei Chang, Wanning Liao, and Charlie Cheng, showcasing original oils, watercolours, Chinese paintings, and limited editions, with expert consultation and custom framing services.