Open City - Discover what's on at Open House Festival 2026 🔑

 

The latest news from Open City  Dear Open House Festival fans, Today's the day! We've just launched this year's London Open House Festival programme which returns for its 35th edition from 12 to 20 September 2026. You can now browse the first batch of 621 listings (more to be announced) with opportunities to get inside hundreds of London’s buildings that are normally closed to the public.  This year we're super proud to field some striking star buildings – The Lloyd's Building, the Zaha Hadid Foundation archive and, of course Downing Street which is perhaps (under new occupancy) set to be the Downing Street of the South?! We're thrilled that our free festival is shaping up to be the biggest yet. Already there are 143 places that are new to Open House Festival. Don't forget that some places require visitors to book tickets in advance – bookings opening at midday on 19 August. But the majority of the programme is open to spontaneous drop-in visitors. There are still many ways to explore London's architecture over the summer including our regular Open City tours. This Friday night we even have an evening boat tour. If you fancy getting out of London and perhaps learning more about the home town of the incoming PM, get a copy of our new pocket guide to Manchester.  I hope you enjoy browsing the programme and that if doing so inspires you to become a supporter of our work (it's pretty tough keeping everything free with rising costs,) we would love you to become a Friend, or to make a donation.   With love from London Open House Festival's number one fan, Celia Celia Mead is the Festival Director of London Open House Festival It's here! The Open House Festival 2026 programme  We're so excited to let you know what's in store at this year's Open House Festival, taking place 12 to 20 September. We've just revealed over 600 buildings that are taking part, with more to be announced over the coming weeks. The programme covers all types of places and spaces, from landmark sites to new developments, much-loved heritage, industry, infrastructure, places of work and homes, which will open for free to celebrate access for all, and the connection it brings. Take a look at our festival website now to check out the programme so far. 2026 festival highlights: The Lloyd’s Building (pictured) is an icon of London architecture. Designed by Richard Rogers and opened in 1986, it's in this year’s Open House Festival as part of its 40th birthday celebrations.  The Zaha Hadid Foundation archive which currently offers only limited access to the public, will be appearing in the festival programme for the first time this year. Ever popular tours of No 10 Downing Street, BT Tower and BBC Broadcasting House are back.  Punchdrunk Enrichment Stores (pictured) is a unique immersive theatre space in Wembley with is rarely open to the public and new to the festival. Coldershaw Road the home of Eric and Jessica Huntley, community activists and educators, the house is a Black British cultural archivist’s dream, filled with books, arts and craft and correspondence from the 1960s to the present day. St. George Villa a Studio Grieveson project that has transformed an unloved basement into a light filled, sustainable, calming home. West Ham Pumping Station also new to the programme, it was once powered the Westham Corporation Tramways. As a reminder, some places require visitors to book tickets in advance and bookings opening at midday on 19 August. But the majority of the programme is open to spontaneous drop-in visitors. Check out the programme for yourself including buildings, events and walking tours. The festival is FREE to attend and we welcome your donations to help us support Open City's commitment to making London accessible and equitable for all.  See the Festival programme Donate to Open City