GLASGOW DOORS OPEN DAYS FESTIVAL RETURNS!

17 – 20 September 2026

We are thrilled to announce that the 37th Glasgow Doors Open Days Festival (GDODF) will return from 17–20 September 2026!

Organised by Glasgow Building Preservation Trust since its inception in 1990, the festival has grown to be Scotland’s largest free celebration of architecture, heritage and community, welcoming thousands of visitors each year to explore the stories, buildings and cultural spaces that shape our city.

BE A SPECIAL PART OF GLASGOW DOORS OPEN DAYS FESTIVAL 2026!

The 37th Glasgow Doors Open Days Festival runs from 17 – 20th September 2026 and we’re looking for buildings, venues, walking tours, private homes, workshops, exhibitions, performances, green spaces, talks, and family-friendly events to join the programme.

Whether you run or own a building, organise tours, manage a green space, or are a creative or heritage enthusiastic with an idea – we want to hear from you.

Every year, 13,000+ visitors explore behind the scenes of Glasgow’s historic and modern spaces and it’s our participants who make it so special.

All the details to sign up are on our PARTICIPATE page – but hurry, applications close on Monday 8th June! 

Don’t miss your chance to be part of Scotland’s largest free heritage and community festival!

Deadline for Applications: Monday 8 June.

2026 FESTIVAL THEME – GLASGOW GOES OUT: THE PLACES THAT MADE US

 

This year, we’re looking back warmly on shared life in the city, celebrating how Glaswegians, visitors, and all those who have called Glasgow home have come together over the past hundred years to relax, express themselves, and feel part of something bigger.

From grand cinemas, tearooms and bandstands to dancehalls, artist‑led spaces, grassroots music venues and legendary club nights, this nostalgia‑fuelled theme invites visitors to explore or return to – the places that have made generations feel alive, day and night.

By shining a light on both lost and still‑thriving venues, the festival theme seeks to capture and celebrate the buzz, freedom and creative energy that have drawn people to Glasgow for decades.

Through walks, talks, exhibitions and inclusive events across the North, Southside, East End, West End and City Centre, we’re inviting everyone to share their memories of chance encounters, formative moments, and unforgettable days and nights out.

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TAKE A LOOK BACK AT OUR 2025 HIGHLIGHTS

From 18 – 21 September, more than 200 buildings, trailsevents and a sold out series of talks came together to make Glasgow Doors Open Days Festival 2025 happen and we are thrilled with the response we’ve had to the programme!

With almost 40,000 visits, 320 primary pupils engaged and 178 participants taking part, the festival was one of our biggest yet.

A huge thank you to everyone who visited GDODF 2025, we hope you enjoyed delving into Glasgow’s rich architectural and cultural history and uncovering hidden gems and long lost stories along the way! Stay tuned on our social media channels for all our latest news, updates and more wonderful moment from the 36th edition of the festival.