Doors Open Oshawa
Doors Open Oshawa
Doors Open Ontario is a province-wide celebration that provides a unique opportunity to explore and enjoy sometimes hidden and always interesting places and spaces in cities across Ontario - free of charge from May to October.
The City of Oshawa hosted Doors Open Oshawa, a free annual event held on the first Saturday in May. The event provided an opportunity to explore Oshawa's diverse heritage and cultural sites. Attendees were encouraged to spend the day discovering local history, unique Oshawa buildings and spaces while celebrating the communities heritage.
We look forward to seeing you for Doors Open Oshawa 2026, on Saturday, May 2.
Download the Doors Open Oshawa program PDF.
2025 Participating Sites:
420 Wing Oshawa Inc.
1000 Stevenson Rd. N.
Year built: 1943
The 420 Wing Oshawa was established to train pilots during World War II as part of the Air Training Plan. The facility was referred to as Building 10. After the war, the building was utilized by the 420 Wing, formerly known as the 420 (City of Oshawa) Wing RCAFA. The building has been in operation since 1948, when returning Air Force veterans formed a "Wing," a practice that was common in many cities and towns across Canada. Today, it remains a vital and fully accessible organization, open to all citizens.
Alexandra's Bounty Garden
360 Simcoe St. N.
Year built: 2016
The Oshawa & Durham Region Métis Council Community Garden, established in 2016, offers free vegetables, berries, and herbs during the summer months to Métis citizens and members of the community in need. Located at Alexandra’s Bounty, this garden connects people with the land by providing organic food from May to October. In addition, it honours the memory of murdered and missing women and children through an on-site display of red dresses. Visitors are encouraged to walk through the gardens to experience this uniquely designed space within the community.
BOND|ST Event Centre
44 Bond St. E.
Originally built for the General Motors United Auto Workers Union Local 222, the BOND|ST Event Centre opened in 2024, offering a taste of the "big city" at home. The venue provides a unique event space with multiple spaces, which include the Mainstage music venue, TwoTwoTwo, the Local Lounge, Cafe, and Snack Bar.
2008 Boundary Rd.
Architect: Lynn Philip Hodgson
Year built: 1941
Guests attended a walking tour of the famous top-secret spy camp; Camp-X. Camp X was a World War II training facility for agents operating behind enemy lines and served as the largest communication center in North America during that time. You can join one of two guided tours or stay and engage with guest speakers about the site's history.
99 Simcoe St. S.
Year built: c. 1920
The Canadian Automotive Museum was established in 1962 to promote the history of the automotive industry and tourism in the area. Currently, the Canadian Automotive Museum is the most significant collection of Canadian automotive history worldwide. Located in a former 1920s auto dealership building across from Memorial Park in downtown Oshawa. More than 70 vehicles are on display, including Lightning McQueen from Disney/Pixar’s Cars.
1000 Stevenson Rd. N.
The Canadian Tank Museum is home to North America's largest collection of operational historic military vehicles and the official museum of Durham Region's own Canadian Forces unit, the Ontario Regiment (Royal Canadian Armoured Corps). The Canadian Tank Museum is located on the grounds of an original Second World War airfield. The South field of the Oshawa airport was originally "Elementary Flight Training School 20" part of the Commonwealth Air Training Program during the Second World War. Pilots were trained here from all over the world to serve as fighter and bomber pilots during the war. Event patrons could also purchase a ride in the museum's M548 "Battle Bus" and M113 armoured personnel carriers for an additional cost throughout the one day event.
City of Oshawa – Howden Operations Depot *New*
235 Howden Rd. E.
Operations Services are responsible for maintaining the city's infrastructure, including roads, sidewalks, parks, trails, trees, and the fleet, among other areas. The Howden Operations Depot oversees the inspection and maintenance of city roads and municipal infrastructure. This includes street sweeping, pothole repairs, shoulder and boulevard maintenance, catch basin cleaning, litter control, signage, and winter operations. Visitors could see where City of Oshawa fleet vehicles refuel, as well as the oversized salt dome and fleet garage.
City of Oshawa - Parks Greenhouse
919 Farewell St.
Year built: 1964
Visitors could stroll through the City of Oshawa's Parks greenhouse, which is dedicated to housing tropical collections and producing annual bedding plants for city parks, gardens, City Hall, the Oshawa Valley Botanical Garden, and the downtown Oshawa planters and hanging baskets. By late March, the City of Oshawa will have sown 5,000 seeds and planted 2,000 cuttings, intending to have 60,000 beautiful plants ready by May to enhance the City’s gardens and planters. The Glass Parks Horticulture greenhouse in Oshawa is one of the few remaining city-run glass greenhouses in Ontario.
Club Carib of Oshawa *New*
600 Wentworth St. E.
Year built: 1993
Club Carib of Oshawa Inc. was founded in January 1966 and houses the Hummingbird Dancers and Oshawa Sounds of Steel. The Centre serves as a banquet hall for community events like weddings and conferences. Doors Open Oshawa visitors enjoyed two thirty-minute steel pan and dance performance and were able to try playing a steel pan drum!
Colonel R.S. McLaughlin Armoury
53 Simcoe St. N.
Year built: 1914
Hamilton-Oshawa Port Authority (HOPA)
1621 Simcoe St. S.
As an integrated port network, the Hamilton-Oshawa Port Authority (HOPA Ports) offers port and marine assets in Hamilton, Oshawa, and Niagara to support Ontario industries and facilitate trade. The Port of Oshawa is Durham Region's gateway to the world, handling more than 500 vessels carrying over 3 million metric tons of cargo over the past decade. Oshawa is one of the few cities that can boast an airport, rail lines, a deep-sea port, and 400-series highway all within proximity, offering importers and exporters a competitive edge. HOPA offered three guided bus tours throughout the space for event patrons to enjoy and receive a glimpse of daily operations.
McLaughlin Bandshell
110 Simcoe St. S.
The Bandshell, which officially opened in July 1942, was built to give the Oshawa Civic Band a place to perform and practice. Prior to this, band practices were held in the Orange Hall located over a grocery store near the four corners and the Armouries on Simcoe Street North. Opening, for Doors Open Oshawa's one day event, visitors could walk through the interior Oshawa Civic Band room to see the current practice location. The art deco-inspired bandshell was a gift from R.S. McLaughlin, founder of General Motors Canada, in 1942 to the City of Oshawa. During Doors Open Oshawa, visitors also enjoyed a live performance of the Oshawa Civic band.
In 2024, City of Oshawa Council officially designated this property as a Heritage Site under Part IV of the Ontario Heritage Act.
Oshawa Museum - Henry House and Guy House
1450 Simcoe St. S.
Year built: c. 1840 and 1883
The restored Victorian-era homes, situated on their original foundations, now serve as the Oshawa Museum. Built circa 1840, Henry House showcases a traditional Victorian home, depicting family life in the 1870s. In contrast, Guy House features a gallery and gift shop. Each home belonged to prominent harbour masters from the area. Visitors enjoyed self-guided tours of Henry House, where costumed hosts were available to answer questions.
Oshawa Public Library - McLaughlin Branch
65 Debwewin Miikan (Formerly Bagot St.)
Architect: Arthur Eadie
Year built: 1954
Forming part of Oshawa's Civic Centre, the Library was a gift of Col. R.S. McLaughlin in 1954. Architect Arthur Eadie was influenced by Frank Lloyd Wright in his design of the McLaughlin Public Library, now the central branch. Step back in time and relive Oshawa's past. Visitors could explore captivating videos, photographs, and cherished memorabilia on display in the Local History Room or participate in a guided tour showcasing the evolution of the McLaughlin Library as it has adapted to serve the community over the past 70 years.
Oshawa Second Marsh and McLaughlin Bay Wildlife Reserve
1908 Colonel Sam Dr.
The Friends of Second Marsh is a charitable organization dedicated to 'Connecting People with Nature' through interpretation, education, and stewardship services. Located in an outdoor area owned by the City of Oshawa, this site features approximately 7 kilometres of hiking trails. The McLaughlin Bay Wildlife Reserve, which was once the site of the Beaton Farm, offered self-guided tours of its naturalized areas and trail system, including a captivating bird hiking tour.
Regent Theatre
50 King St. E.
Designer: Norman McLeod Ltd.
Year Built: 1919
The Regent Theatre was constructed in 1919, and its King Street façade features symmetrical Georgian architectural lines. It stands as one of the few remaining examples of this classically inspired architectural style in Oshawa. Originally built for Famous Players theatres, the theatre's façade reflects these Georgian elements. After a period of closure, the building was reopened in 2010 and now serves as a lecture theatre for Ontario Tech University.
The Robert McLaughlin Gallery
72 Queen St.
Architect: Hugh Allward of Allward & Gouinlock, Arthur Erikson
Year built: 1969
The Robert McLaughlin Gallery (RMG) is an artist-centered and community-oriented public art gallery located in the heart of Downtown Oshawa. The gallery was founded in 1967 and expanded to add 36,000 square feet in 1987. Arthur Erickson, built his design around the existing structure, with the use of sky lighting. The RMG is the largest public art gallery in Durham Region, with a collection of over 4,700 works, focusing on the continuing story of Canadian Abstraction. During Doors Open, guests could visit the pop-up café and bar located on the upper level of Arthur's and attend one of three guided tours.
Turning the Wheel by Dani Crosby *New*
McMillan Parkade, 110 King St. W.
Installed: 2024
Turning the Wheel by Dani Crosby is a new temporary public artwork installed in September 2024. It was commissioned at the site of the former John Borlase Warren Flour Mill and reflects the history and legacy of the historic mill and its relationship to the Oshawa Creek.
Exclusive for Doors Open Oshawa, visitors could learn more about this amazing artwork during an artist talk with local artist Dani Crosby. The artist talk started with a 20-minute talk at the base of the mural followed by a walk along Oshawa Creek to the Oshawa Valley Botanical Gardens.
Doors Open Oshawa Scavenger Hunt Draw
Did you snap a photo of the Doors Open Icon on Saturday, May 3? Doors Open Icons were scatted amongst the 18 participating sites to find.
You could win a Doors Open Oshawa prize pack!
To enter, upload your photo to the City's Instagram @CityofOshawa or Facebook account @OshawaCity. See Rules and Conditions to apply.Draw closes May 11 at 11:59 p.m.
Virtual Sites:
| Oshawa Union Cemetery |
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Many famous people from Oshawa's and Canada's past are interred in Oshawa Union Cemetery, formerly “Thornton's Burying Ground”. Oshawa Museum’s podcast highlights the history of the cemetery. Today, the site covers 32 acres and includes private mausoleums and a Gothic-revival chapel. The mausoleum was built in 1924 and features an ornate marble interior and hand-painted stained-glass windows. The on-line interactive map is a new, searchable resource of burials. The gravestones are of particular interest; explore the iconography or the rare White Bronze markers. Listen to a video podcast about Oshawa in the 1860’s and the story of George Prentice and the Fenian Raids. Oshawa Union Cemetery Map interactive map
Oshawa Museum podcasts
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| Oshawa Valley Botanical Gardens |
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“Exploring the beautiful OVBG is fun and easy! You can now use you smartphone to scan QR Codes placed on signage to learn about the park, points of interest and use a navigation guide between landmarks. Durham College students designed and created an augmented reality platform as part of TeachingCity partnership with the City Of Oshawa. Visit the park, scan a QR Code and try it for yourself! Or view the virtual map. |
| Trent University Durham G.T.A. |
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Trent University Durham G.T.A. began delivering courses in 1974 at various facilities in the Oshawa community. In 2010, a standalone campus opened its doors at the site of the former St. Michael’s Catholic Elementary School on Thornton Road. An extensive renovation was undertaken to modernize the building at that time. It leveraged existing brick archways and cedar planked ceilings, which were complemented by a new modern and spacious light-filled atrium. In fall 2020, a new academic and residence building officially opened its doors. Adorned with striking copper-clad columns, state-of-the-art learning and living spaces, and wood themes that tie the two campus buildings together, this new addition to the campus continues in the University’s traditions of beautifully curated architectural features. Explore the beautiful spaces and campus amenities through the virtual tours. Trent University Durham G.T.A. sees education unfold on a personal scale and is a close knit, scholarly community in a diverse, urban environment with a robust offering of in-demand and unique academic programs. |
| Waterfront Trail |
| TeachingCity Oshawa is proud to announce the launch of new interactive experience to encourage the community to get out, explore and learn!
Now people walking along the Great Lakes Waterfront Trail in Oshawa can use their smartphone cameras to scan Quick Response (QR) codes placed on signage, to learn about the various parks, points of interest and amenities on the Trail, while also using a navigation guide to link you to other points of interest along the way. Durham College (DC) students in the School of Media, Art and Design researched, designed and created the interactive information portal that includes a wayfinding tool as part of a City Idea Lab course through TeachingCity Oshawa. The Great Lakes Waterfront Trail stretches 3,600 km along the Canadian shores of the Great Lakes region, and connects 155 communities, including those of the First Nations. Oshawa’s portion of the Trail stretches 11 km along the shoreline between the borders of Whitby and Clarington. This portal helps guide and inform exploration of the trail, parks, natural areas and points of interest along the way. Learn more about TeachingCity Oshawa. |
| Photography at City of Oshawa events |
| The City of Oshawa hosts open, free public events. Photographers will be present taking photos and video footage at these events. These images may be used without further notification on City-owned and non-City-owned property, print media, digital media, the Internet, social media sites, media releases and broadcasts. By attending, you consent to such use. |