16th annual Open House Chicago unlocks the city’s top architectural treasures

Everyone has a key to the city this weekend as residents and visitors alike embrace the opportunity to explore from a new perspective with the return of Open House Chicago on Saturday, Oct. 17 and Sunday, Oct. 18. The event opens the doors to more than 200 architectural, historic, and cultural sites across approximately 30 neighborhoods, giving attendees a rare look behind the curtain at beloved sites across town. 

Organized by the Chicago Architecture Center, the 16th annual festival is free and does not require advance registration. The event invites participants to discover buildings and spaces that are often inaccessible to the public, highlighting the architecture, history, and community life that shape Chicago’s identity.

This year’s festival features 20 new locations alongside popular returning destinations, offering experiences that range from historic theaters and religious buildings to creative studios, sports facilities and urban green spaces.

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New sites this year include the Griffin Museum of Science and Industry in Hyde Park, the Muddy Waters MOJO Museum in Kenwood, the Blackhawks Ice Center on the Near West Side, and Broadway in Chicago’s Cadillac Palace Theatre downtown.

Visitors can also explore places like the Smashed Plastic Record Pressing in Hermosa, TimeLine Theatre in Uptown, the Sears Sunken Garden in North Lawndale and the Chinese American Service Building in Chinatown.

Returning sites include the Chicago Board of Trade Building, the Stony Island Arts Bank, Chess Records and the Chicago Magic Lounge, giving longtime festivalgoers opportunities to revisit familiar landmarks while discovering new destinations.

For visitors, the event also provides a chance to explore neighborhoods they may not ordinarily visit. By bringing attention to both well-known landmarks and less familiar destinations, Open House Chicago encourages participants to consider how architecture reflects the city’s history, cultural diversity and ongoing development.

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The festival is produced under the umbrella of Open House Worldwide, an international network of organizations that host events and conversations about architecture, design, and urban life.

With more than 200 sites available, organizers encourage visitors to plan their itineraries in advance. The official Open House Chicago website allows participants to browse locations by neighborhood, check opening days and hours, and identify sites that match their interests.

Not every location will be open on both days, so attendees should confirm individual schedules before traveling. Popular destinations may also experience lines, and admission is generally handled on a first-come, first-served basis. However, Chicago Architecture Center members can attain a Priority Pass that provides premier access at participating festival sites.

With a beautiful network of culturally vibrant neighborhoods and an immense history at the forefront of architecture, there is no better town to explore every nook and cranny than Chicago. So get out and enjoy a fall day this weekend and take in all the sites that the 16th annual Open House Chicago has to offer.