Glasgow Doors Open Days Festival 2025 Programme is LIVE!
DISCOVER GLASGOW, FOR FREE, THIS SEPTEMBER!
Scotland’s largest free heritage and community festival returns from 18 – 21 September 2025, inviting you to step – or wheel – behind the scenes of our visionary city!
Enjoy rare access to more than 150 captivating buildings, hidden spaces, factories, theatres, museum stores and architectural and cultural gems across the city.
Organised by Glasgow Building Preservation Trust, the festival celebrates the city’s rich built and cultural heritage, encouraging civic pride and connection through stories, spaces and shared experiences.
Get ready for four vibrant days:
- Open buildings
- Guided walks & talks
- Performances, exhibitions & ceilidhs
- Hands-on workshops for all ages
- Family-friendly activities
WHAT'S ON
With more than 150 events to choose from, whether you’re a lifelong Glaswegian, a new resident, or a curious visitor, Glasgow Doors Open Days Festival is your invitation to celebrate the soul of the city – its stories, its spaces, and the visionaries who built it.
GDODF – TALKS PROGRAMME 2025 LAUNCHED!
Discover a Visionary City at the GDODF Talks Programme
At the heart of this year’s festival is the GDODF Talks Programme, hosted at our Festival Hub within the Advanced Research Centre (ARC) at the University of Glasgow and French Street Studios.
Join us for a dynamic line-up of thought-provoking talks, inspiring stories, interactive children’s activities, and lively conversations — all centred around our 2025 festival theme: Glasgow – The Visionary City.
On Saturday 20 and Sunday 21 September, the Explorathon Festival takes place at the ARC – a vibrant celebration of research from across Scotland. Experience an exciting mix of shows, talks, hands-on family activities, comedy, and discovery for all ages, highlighting the creativity and diversity of today’s research landscape.
GDODF TALKS PROGRAMME 2025
WEDNESDAY, 17 SEPTEMBER
6:30PM – Talk: Harvie’s Dyke – Glasgow’s Forgotten Triumph with Prof. Chris Whatley More Info
THURSDAY, 18 SEPTEMBER
FRIDAY, 19 SEPTEMBER
5:30PM – Talk: SAVE at 50! Reimagining Glasgow’s Historic Future with Lydia Franklin More Info
6:00PM – Talk: Mackintosh Illuminated Talk with Liz Davidson, National Trust for Scotland More Info
7:30PM – Talk: Glasgow 850 – The evolution of a city with Niall Murphy, Glasgow City Heritage Trust More Info
SATURDAY, 20 SEPTEMBER
SUNDAY, 21 SEPTEMBER
PICK UP OUR NEW FESTIVAL LEAFLET
Grab a copy of our eye-catching festival leaflet from locations across the city and discover a full list of buildings, events, and trails, plus a handy key highlighting family-friendly spots and venues celebrating Glasgow 850.
Unfold it to A3 to reveal a festival map showing the locations of all participating venues, tour starting points, and four cycle routes specially curated by our partner, Bike for Good.
If you can’t wait to get your hands on the leaflet, we have a handy downloadable PDF version you can access online.
EXPLORE THE FESTIVAL BY BIKE!
Download our fold-out Festival Friendly Cycle Routes map to discover all participating venues, walking tour starting points, and four curated cycle routes created by Bike for Good.
It’s the perfect way to plan your festival day out on two wheels!
