Unlock the City

Graphic by Alfalfa Studio

A public celebration of New York and the "power of place"

It's the most wonderful time of the year.

Curbed New York

Join us for three days of exploration, access, and discovery

Rooftop gardens. Design studios. Historic houses. Infrastructure tours. And more!

This October 21-23, the 20th annual OHNY Weekend will unlock almost 300 places across the five boroughs through talks, tours, and behind the scenes access. All for free.

Start planning your Weekend adventures.

Sign up for our Newsletter for the latest updates on OHNY Weekend.

Upcoming Event

OHNY Weekend Launch Party: Surrogate's Courthouse, October 20

Credit: Ola Wilk

The 20th Annual Open House New York Weekend is taking place on October 21-23—and we invite you to celebrate with us at the Launch Party, happening Thursday, October 20 at Surrogate's Courthouse in the heart of Lower Manhattan's Civic Center. Shared experiences of the city are fundamental to our civic life, our democracy, and our humanity—and with your support, we can make OHNY Weekend accessible to ALL.

Weekend Boat Tour

Weekend Boat Tour: Coastal Resilience + Living Breakwaters by Boat, October 23

Credit: Dan Hui

Join SCAPE and NYC City Planning on this shoreline tour of the Living Breakwaters project to learn about the city's resilience efforts.

In this tour, learn about the project from two of its originators—Kate Orff, FASLA (Founding Principal, SCAPE) and Pippa Brashear, RLA (Resilience Principal, SCAPE)—alongside Michael Marrella (Director of Climate and Sustainability Planning, NYC Department of City Planning).

Weekend

The Countdown is On: 7 Reasons to Get Excited for OHNY Weekend

Interior of Kings Theatre
Kings Theatre, Credit: Whitney Cox

It's our 20th Annual OHNY Weekend and we're making big changes. From a 100% FREE festival, to a new lottery system (aka no more reservation day stress!), and an improved web experience for building your Weekend itineraries, there is tons to get excited about. Read on to learn more.

Membership

Enjoy access to year-round programming—Become a member today

The Morgan Library & Museum, Credit: Michael Lee

From discounted boat tour tickets to members events like our Summer Social, Open House New York demystifies the city—and our Members enjoy inside access, special events, and being part of a community of curious New Yorkers. Join us today – fully tax-deductible memberships start at $60 (Individual) or $110 (Dual).

I'm an Open House New Yorker because…

"I want to sneak into every building."

– Marc N., Member

"I want to be involved with and included in the places in my city that go unnoticed or are inaccessible."

– Diana Z., Member

"Open House New York gives you a key to places you would never discover on your own."

– Dan H., Member

Forget the Mayor, Open House New York holds the keys to the city.

Crains New York Business
Open House New York promotes unparalleled access to the city—to the places, people, projects, systems, and ideas that define New York and its future.
From the signature Open House New York Weekend festival to design-driven public programs and the dynamic Urban Systems infrastructure series, join us to take an inside look at how the city works.
Urban Systems

Radical Knowledge

Library interior with shelves

How do libraries serve as community catalysts?

Explore the profound transformations underway for public libraries in New York and across the nation in the latest installment of Urban Systems, a themed series investigating the forces that shape the city.

Building Capital

From municipal bonds to affordable housing tax credits, highway construction to park development, the flow of financial capital underpins the design and function of the built environment, shaping who has access to opportunity—and who does not.

Launching in summer 2022, Building Capital: The Value of Place is a multiyear investigation into how different forms of capital—financial, cultural, community—determine quality of place and quality of life in New York.

OHNY Stacks

Virtual Book Talks

All the Queens Houses :
An Architectural Portrait
with Rafael Herrin-Ferri

The Black Experience in Design:
Identity, Expression & Reflection
with the Editors

Epidemic Urbanism:
Contagious Diseases in Global Cities
with Dr. Mohammad Gharipour and Dr. Caitlin DeClercq

Global Network

Open House Worldwide

From Athens to Zurich, the Open House Worldwide network brings together 40+ cities to promote architecture, design, and urbanism. In 2019, almost 1 million people participated in Open House events with nearly 2 million visits to buildings enabled by more than 18,000 volunteers. Taken together, Open House Worldwide is the largest celebration of the urban landscape in the world. Learn more.

Volunteers help distribute OHNY Weekend materials
Get Involved

Volunteer

The enthusiasm and support of New Yorkers like you makes our programs possible.

Become an OHNY Volunteer to join a community of enthusiastic and curious New Yorkers!