Open House Melbourne Reveals its Program for 2026

Open House Melbourne’s Weekend 2026 program has been revealed to the public, with over 180 programs of tours, talks and first looks at Melbourne’s most exciting places and spaces. Open House Melbourne’s annual festival is the public’s best chance to peek behind the closed doors of the city’s most intriguing buildings and private homes and discover the secrets within. With a huge lineup of design and family events, there is something for every Victorian to love at this year’s action-packed Weekend.

New and notable in this year’s program are: a tour of The Primrose Potter Australian Ballet Centre, its costume department and rehearsal studios; a tour of cafe icons ST. ALi Coffee Roastery; the Rock Posters printing factory in Thornbury; the new Transurban Freeway Control Centre in Footscray, which operates CityLink and the new West Gate Tunnel; the Melbourne Electronic Sound Studio; 10 private and historical homes.

This year’s program also features several exciting first looks – tour Melbourne Airport’s new Drop Off and Pick Up Zones, the sprawling Melbourne Quarter precinct at the meeting point of the CBD and Docklands, Foodbank Victoria’s brand new purpose-built facility, South Yarra Prahran Social Housing and see Olivine Place and Gumnut Park lit up after dark for Oli Glows, a captivating after-dark light display experience.

Unusual favourites people know and love include the Albanian Mosque in Carlton North, Hawthorn Tram Depot, Melbourne Park (including a behind-the-scenes VIP access to Rod Laver Arena), the National Institute of Circus Arts, New Preston Tram Depot, Parliament of Victoria, Sun Theatre, Victorian Archives Centre, and much, much more.

Open House Melbourne’s Executive Director and Chief Curator, Tania Davidge, explained this year’s theme, Generous City and the organisation’s mission.

“A generous city is something we should all aspire to have. When we think about what makes a city generous, we are exploring how design, creativity and architecture can foster a culture of openness, offering space, care and possibility for its citizens.”

“Our mission is to champion good design and inspire public engagement in conversations about the future of our city. Open House Melbourne Weekend is not only the best time to explore and celebrate the places and spaces that make our city the best in the world, but also learn how we can make it a more generous place for all Melburnians.”

The Open House Melbourne Weekend is Asia Pacific’s largest architecture and built environment festival, celebrating the importance of good design in shaping our communities. Over 70,000 people are expected to attend this year’s event and explore the unique and intriguing spaces in every corner of the city and suburbs. Attendees are encouraged to plan their weekend as the most coveted experiences will book out in advance.

Open House Melbourne Weekend 2026 Program Highlights

● Tour the Primrose Potter Australian Ballet Centre, its costume department and rehearsal studios

● Visit the new Transurban Freeway Control Centre in Footscray, which operates CityLink and the new West Gate Tunnel

● Explore the ST. ALi Coffee Roastery and learn how Melbourne’s best coffee is made

● Tour Melbourne Airport’s new Drop Off and Pick Up Zones – the largest development in the airport’s history

● Go behind the scenes at the Rock Posters printing factory in Thornbury and see 40 years of music and print history from their archives

● Visit the New Preston Tram Depot

● Unleash your inner clown at the National Institute of Circus Arts

● Get the VIP tennis treatment at the players’ areas at Melbourne Park

● Delve into the state’s history in the vaults at the Victorian Archives Centre

● Tour leading architecture and design studios, including ARM, Wardle and Snøhetta’s studios

● Take a tour of some of Melbourne’s best multi-residential buildings, like Stanhill Apartments and Cairo Flats

● Visit 10 private homes of architectural significance, including Materia: A St Kilda Passivhaus

● Learn more about the state-of-the-art health facilities of the new Footscray Hospital

● See one of the most historically significant collections of electronic musical instruments worldwide at the Melbourne Electronic Sound Studio

● View The Salvation Army Australia Museum, which preserves and presents Salvation Army history

● Melbourne Arcades–join author and heritage consultant Kristine Slawinski on a guided walking tour through some of Melbourne’s most beautiful and historic city arcades, uncovering the rich stories and intricate details often overlooked in everyday city life

● Go behind the scenes at leading art institutions and museums, including the Melbourne Recital Centre, ACCA, Melbourne Holocaust Museum, Artbank, Collingwood Yards, Villa Alba Museum and La Mama Theatre.

For more information, and to view the program visit Open House Melbourne website