Open your doors to thousands

Join Scotland's largest free festival of architecture and heritage. Open your building for four days in September and welcome 40,000 visitors curious to explore your space.

Enquire for 2027
Crowd exploring historic buses during a Glasgow event
Heritage building and community tour participants at an outdoor landmark

Heritage buildings

Listed buildings, museums, galleries and historic properties with architectural significance.

Community spaces

Local halls, community gardens & allotments,  art hubs, centres, libraries and gathering places that serve their neighbourhoods.

Religious buildings

Churches, chapels, synagogues and sacred spaces welcoming visitors to experience their heritage.

Private homes

Selected residential properties with architectural or historical significance opening by invitation.

Walking Tours

Trusted community members direct tours or trails across the city.

Outdoor Landmarks

Historic villages, parks, graveyards and other eye-catching monuments.

How it works

Four straightforward steps from application to opening day.

Enquire for 2027
Community guide speaking to visitors in a park

Step One:
Read Our Participant Pack

Get started by downloading our participant pack and familiarising yourself with what's involved in being a festival participant.

People visiting a public building during a guided tour, with a staff member explaining the facilities.

Step Two:
Submit Your Application

Complete your application to tell us about your building, walking tour or event, the people involved, and how you plan to welcome visitors during Doors Open Days.

Volunteers preparing and serving food at a community event

Step Three: 
We Review and Confirm

Once you've submitted your application, we'll review it and confirm your place in the festival programme.

Tour guide explaining local history to visitors in a park

Step Four: 
Plan Your Opening

We'll promote your event through our website and printed festival materials, while supporting you with final preparations for Doors Open Days.

How we promote you

All for Free

Print

Listing in our festival leaflet and our fold-out map (25,000 copies city-wide).

Our Official GDODF posters, leaflets delivered to your door for you to distribute at your venue.

Option to use our official pink 'We're Taking Part' festival banner at your venue.

Official pink flags for walking tour leaders (NEW).

Digital

Listing in our festival leaflet and our fold-out map (25,000 copies city-wide).

Our Official GDODF posters, leaflets delivered to your door for you to distribute at your venue.

Option to use our official pink 'We're Taking Part' festival banner at your venue.

Official pink flags for walking tour leaders (NEW).

Press & PR

Coverage across local and national media, including TV and radio

Extra Support

Access to our
Marketing Toolkit

Option to request a festival volunteer

Guidance from our team throughout

Black and white archive photo of women dancing together at a social event, wearing vintage 1960s-style dresses

2026 Festival Theme – Glasgow Goes Out: The Places That Made Us

This year, we’re celebrating the spaces where life happens – from grand cinemas and tearooms to grassroots venues, cultural hubs and legendary nights out.

It’s a chance to spotlight the places that have brought people together, sparked creativity, and made Glasgow feel alive – past and present.

Through walks, talks, exhibitions and events across the city, you can help visitors rediscover favourites, uncover hidden gems, and share the moments that shaped them.

GDODF 2025 At a Glance

40,000

Visits to the Festival

13,602

Unique Visitors

320

Pupils Engaged Through Schools Programme

200+

Buildings & events

178

Participating Venues

37

Years Running

FEEDBACK

Participants tell us

Positive feedback from venues and organisations who have taken part in the festival.

"Opening our doors was the best decision we made. Seeing people discover what we do, hearing their stories, understanding why our building matters to them—that changed everything."

Margaret Reid
Director, Tenement House

“[The Festival] allowed us to get more publicity… we had a lot of visitors who hadn’t heard of us.”

The Royal Highland Fusiliers Museum

“There is always a real buzz about the place.”

Govan Heritage Trust
(Govan Old / The Govan Stones)

“[We take part to] help people discover hidden heritage… places hiding in plain sight.”

Provan Hall

“It gives us a unique platform to tell our story.”

Italian Garden and Arandora Star Memorial

“[We want to] promote multiculturalism and unity within our community, while fostering integration and encouraging a positive understanding of cultural differences.”

Springburn Unity Network

“It created the space to shine a light on Glasgow’s only medieval castle.”

Village Storytelling Centre

“It brings people together and bridges understanding.”

Glasgow Gurdwara

FAQs

Find answers to the most common questions about visiting the festival.

Is there a cost?

No. Participation in Glasgow Doors Open Days is entirely free. We provide marketing, signage, and visitor materials at no charge to venues.

Do we need insurance?

Yes, public liability insurance is required. Most venues already hold this. We can advise on requirements and point you towards resources if needed.

How many staff do we need?

That depends on your building size and visitor numbers. We provide volunteer stewards to help manage crowds. Most venues manage with a small team plus festival support.

What opening hours are expected?

You decide. The festival runs four days in September. You can open for all four days or just the ones that suit your venue. Hours are flexible within the festival window.

Can we withdraw after applying?

Yes. If circumstances change, let us know as soon as possible. We understand that plans shift. Early notice helps us manage the programme.

What is Doors Open Days?

Doors Open Days is a celebration of historical and modern stories and locations, providing people with the opportunity to explore and learn, free of cost. You can find more information at the Community Guidelines page.

When is Glasgow Doors Open Days Festival?

The festival last for 4 days during the third week of September. You can find more information on the About page.

Do we need insurance?

Yes, Public Liability Insurance is required. If you are an employer, we will also required Employee Liability Insurance. We advise individuals that are participating, such as those leading a walking tour, to have insurance cover.

Do we need to carry out risk assessment?

BLANK for now.

Prefer to volunteer instead?

Help us welcome visitors and bring the festival to life.

Why Volunteer for Us

Cookies on this website

We use essential storage to make this website work. With your permission, we would also like to use analytics to understand how visitors use the website and help us improve it. Read our Privacy and Cookies Policy.