CAC's 16th Annual Open House Chicago® Festival

Event Date: October 17-18, 2026

The Chicago Architecture Center (CAC) is proud to present the 16th Open House Chicago® (OHC) festival! One of the largest architecture and urban exploration festivals in the world, OHC provides special, free access to lofty skyscraper rooftops, historic landmarks, breweries, innovative workspaces, and houses of worship that are rarely open to the public.

No advance registration is required to participate—simply choose your sites, plan your itinerary at openhousechicago.org, and show up during daily Open House hours.

What’s New for 2026:
‍This year features 20 brand-new sites making their festival debut, including the Muddy Waters MOJO Museum, Smashed Plastic Record Pressing in Hermosa, and the Studio Gang-designed Chinese American Service League Kam Liu Building.

We are also debuting the Built on Belief program. Made possible by the Lilly Endowment Inc., this initiative explores the intersections of architecture, religion, and spirituality through site-specific exhibitions in the Woodlawn neighborhood at the Narrow Bridge Arts Club, First Presbyterian Church of Chicago, and Oak Woods Cemetery.

Site Highlights:

• New Additions: Blackhawks Ice Center, Sears Sunken Garden, TimeLine Theatre, Broadway in Chicago's Cadillac Palace Theatre, Xchange Chicago at Gary Comer Youth Center, FarmZero, Olson Kundig, Griffin Museum of Science and Industry, and more.
• Returning Favorites: House of Blues (Marina City), Adler & Sullivan’s Auditorium Theater, Stony Island Arts Bank, Walt Disney House and Birthplace, Chicago Board of Trade, Electrical Audio, and Chinatown’s iconic Pui Tak Center.

OHC Photography Competition:
‍Bring your camera! Returning for its third year, attendees of all skill levels can submit photos taken at OHC sites celebrating Chicago’s diverse neighborhoods. Six winners will have their photography displayed in the CAC’s Chicago Gallery. Visit architecture.org for submission details.

Getting Around:
‍Festivalgoers are highly encouraged to utilize public transportation. The CTA is a proud sponsor of the event, and routes between sites can be mapped directly through the OHC website.

Location:
‍Over 200 participating locations across 30 Chicago neighborhoods. (Please visit openhousechicago.org for the interactive site map and to build your custom itinerary).

Date and Time:
‍Saturday, October 17 – Sunday, October 18, 2026(Hours vary by location; please check individual site listings for specific opening hours).

Organizer:Chicago Architecture Center (CAC)
‍Celebrating 60 years of inspiring better living through design.
‍Contact: Rob Walton | RWalton@architecture.org | 312.399.8206
Website: architecture.org | Social: @chiarchitecture

JOIN FOR FREE