Doors Open Richmond Hill

Passport to Culture - Collect your Festivals and Events Stamp at these locations. Learn morePre-registration is required to visit the David Dunlap Observatory and Lake St. George Field Centre during Doors Open.

Discover the Story Behind Every Door

Saturday, May 9, 2026, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Richmond Hill Doors Open is an event in conjunction with Richmond Hill Studio Tour that gives the public free access to explore fascinating cultural properties across the City of Richmond Hill. It showcases the historic buildings, natural spaces, infrastructure, and landscapes that shape and define our community. This event is part of Doors Open Ontario, launched in 2002 by the Ontario Heritage Trust.

Start your Passport to Culture

Collect your Passport to Culture stamp at Doors Open, and discover just how much culture there is to explore in Richmond Hill. Complete your passport for a chance to win a City of Richmond Hill Cultural Prize Pack.

Doors Open Participating Sites

Learn more about our participating sites on our Doors Open Ontario event page.

Plan your next stop using our site map.

*Please Note pre-registration is required to visit the David Dunlap Observatory and Lake St. George Field Centre, registration will be available soon.

Boynton House Art Exhibition Space | 1300 Elgin Mills Road East (Richmond Green Sports Centre and Park)
Burr House Spinners and Weavers Guild and The Hill Potters’ Guild | 528 & 530 Carrville Road
Circling Hawk Honey & Mead | 13433 Leslie Street
Curtain Club Theatre | 400 Newkirk Road
École secondaire Norval-Morrisseau, Richmond Hill High School | 51 Wright Street
George Quantz House, Kirby Chan & Co Real Estate | 8763 Bayview Avenue
Lake St. George Field Centre | 950 Bethesda Road (Pre-registration required)* - Spots are FULL
Mary-Lou Griffin Local History Room, Richmond Hill Public Library | 1 Atkinson Street
Richard Vanderburgh House, Richmond Hill Board of Trade | 376 Church Street South
Richmond Hill Artifact Collections Storage Centre | 1200 Elgin Mills Road East
Richmond Hill Cultural Centre | 10184 Yonge Street
Richmond Hill David Dunlap Observatory | 123 Hillsview Drive (Pre-registration required)*
Richmond Hill Heritage Centre, Amos Wright House | 19 Church Street North
Richmond Hill Hindu Temple | 10865 Bayview Avenue
Richmond Hill Lawn Bowling Club | 43 Church Street South (Elgin Barrow Arena)
Richmond Hill Presbyterian Church | 10066 Yonge Street
St. John the Baptist Community Church, Light on the Hill Church | 12125 Yonge Street
St. Mary & St. Joseph Coptic Orthodox Church | 11308 Yonge Street

Site Criteria

If you are considering participating as a site for Doors Open Richmond Hill, please review the criteria listed below. Preference will be given to sites that meet the following:

Sites that are not usually open to the public or have areas not usually open to the public, but have some significant architectural features and/or have historical, social or cultural significance to the city
Sites that are open to the public but have some significant architectural features and/or have historical, social, or cultural significance to the city (eg. churches, theatres, sports facilities)
Sites that can commit to opening their doors from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Sites that are celebrating significant anniversaries
Sites recognized by heritage, urban design and/or architectural awards
Sites with significant original interior features and/or successful adaptive features
Sites that feature contemporary design excellence and/or innovative green/sustainable elements
Sites in destination clusters (several venues in one area)
Sites representing the cultural diversity of Richmond Hill
Sites that can provide enhanced or thematic programming and/or entertainment

History

The first Doors Open Day (La Journée Portes Ouvertes) took place in France in 1984. The idea soon spread to neighbouring countries. In 2003, all 50 signatory states of the European Cultural Convention participated in European Heritage Days.

In 2002, the Ontario Heritage Trust launched Doors Open Ontario, the first provincewide event of its kind in Canada, attracting visitors to unique heritage sites and cultural tourism experiences. The Doors Open concept continues to spread across North America.

Since the program was launched in 2002, over 8.3 million visits have been made to heritage sites participating in this exciting initiative.

Can I volunteer for Doors Open?

Yes. If you have not previously volunteered with the City of Richmond Hill, you will need to create a profile and attend an orientation. We will be posting volunteer positions for Doors Open in April. For more information, visit our volunteer web page

Service Charter

Learn more about our Service Charter.

Service Commitments

General inquiries about Doors Open Richmond Hill received at Heritageservices@richmondhill.ca will be reviewed and you will hear from us within 2 business days.

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