Open House Chicago

Open House Chicago (OHC) is a free weekend festival held annually in Chicago that allows participants to visit dozens of buildings that are not typically open to the public.

OHC is organized by the Chicago Architecture Foundation over a two-day period each year in mid-October.

[1] Its organizers state that event objectives include enabling participants to “venture into new neighborhoods, learn the stories of Chicago’s architecture and experience the diversity and culture of each community.”[2] OHC is an important event for tourism in Chicago.

[3] Funding for the event comes from the Chicago Architecture Center and from corporate sponsors, government agencies, foundations, and individual donors.

Sites include spaces inside historic and architecturally significant buildings that aren't generally open to the public, including historic mansions, Frank Lloyd Wright homes, theaters, skyscrapers, exclusive private clubs, opulent hotel ballrooms and suites, rooftops, industrial sites and design and architecture offices.