About Doors Open Days
Doors Open Days is Scotland’s largest free festival that celebrates places and spaces, new and old. This annual event gives local residents and visitors of all ages the opportunity to visit historic, civic and interesting places that are either not usually open or that normally charge for entry; all for free!
Doors Open Days is one of Scotland’s two contributions to European Heritage Days – alongside Scottish Archaeology Month. European Heritage Days are a pan-European cultural celebration which bring citizens together year after year. It was launched by the Council of Europe in 1985 and now boasts up to 20 million visitors across Europe each year.
Doors Open Days takes place throughout Scotland in September and is co-ordinated nationally by The Scottish Civic Trust. In Perth and Kinross, Doors Open Days is co-ordinated by Perth and Kinross Heritage Trust and funded by The Gannochy Trust. The Trust has been organising the festival in Perth and Kinross since 1996 and we estimate that our programmes have allowed over 90,000 people the opportunity to visit historic and civic gems across the region. Every year the festival focuses on a different theme.
The festival wouldn’t be possible without the enthusiastic and dedicated support of thousands of building owners, custodians, volunteers and staff who contribute their time and energy to opening venues to the public each year. We are always incredibly grateful for the time and effort that vendors and volunteers put into events to make them a success. For full details and access the nationwide online programme, visit the dedicated Doors Open Days website.
Doors Open Days 2025
Our Summary Report for Doors Open Days 2025 is now available to read here. We would like to thank the venues, volunteers and people who took part in 2025 and ensured we delivered a fantastic Doors Open Days.
If you or your venue would like to take part in Doors Open Days 2026, please email our Outreach Officer, Rory Bryce, at [email protected].
Information for Organisations and Venues
We are always on the look out for new venues, groups and individuals to join our Doors Open Days festival.
If you manage an historic building, venue or experience, or if you would like to volunteer and assist with the delivery of Doors Open Days, we want to hear from you!
.
It is free to take part in Doors Open Days. All you need to do is complete an application form and you will be included in the printed programme which is distributed throughout Perth and Kinross. Your entry will be included on the Doors Open Days website, managed by Scottish Civic Trust.
Other marketing materials such as posters, banners and bunting is also available.
If you would like to discuss taking part, please get in touch with us by emailing our Doors Open Days co-ordinator, Rory, at [email protected]. Whether you’ve been involved before or you’re entirely new to the festival, we’d love for you to sign up!
