Call Out: Be Part of Open House Festival 2026

Open House Festival is back – and this year marks a major milestone.

London’s biggest celebration of architecture and design returns for its 35th edition, and applications are now officially open.

Every year, Open House invites people across London to step inside buildings, places and spaces that aren’t always accessible to the public.

From behind‑the‑scenes tours to creative events, walks, workshops and talks, it’s a festival shaped architects, community groups, historians, volunteers, venue teams and passionate local residents.

Croydon has become a firm favourite on the Open House map in recent years, with over 20 events taking place across the borough as part of last year’s festival.

It’s been an opportunity admire Croydon’s diverse and eclectic buildings and architecture – from backstage tours of the Fairfield Halls, to guided tours of iconic modernist tower blocks, hidden heritage gems like the Shirley Windmill and Whitgift Almshouses, community-led events and sneak-peek tours.

Want to take part? Now’s the time to apply. If you’d like to open a building, run a tour, or host an event, you can start your application now by logging into your Open House Festival account here.

If you’re planning something new, such as opening a building that’s never been part of the festival before, you’ll need to submit a fresh expression of interest here.

Helpful Guidance and Support

To make the process as smooth as possible, the Open House team has created a range of resources:

• Curatorial criteria – what the festival is looking for this year
• When to open – guidance based on your borough
• Online contributor surgeries – live sessions covering how to plan your open day or event
• Written application guidance
• Practical advice for running your open day

Whether you’re opening a striking architectural landmark or hosting a smaller community‑led event, your contribution helps make Open House Festival a unique celebration of London’s people and places.

Final deadline for completed applications: 1 July 2026