Things to Do
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Open House Chicago 2026 is Saturday and Sunday, October 17 and 18. More than 200 buildings open for free, many closed the rest of the year.
The festival is run by the Chicago Architecture Center, and 2026 is its 16th year. Sites are spread across more than 30 neighborhoods, from the Loop to the South Side and the far Northwest Side. Most sites need no ticket or reservation. You just show up, and it is first come, first served.
This year the lineup adds 20 new sites. A few that stand out:
Other sites on the 2026 list include the Avalon Regal Theater in South Shore, Avondale Bowl on Milwaukee Avenue, and the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago and its Money Museum in the Loop. Some sites are open one day only. For example, the Central Park Theater is listed for Saturday only and the Chicago Loop Synagogue for Sunday only. Hours are different at each site, so check the official Open House Chicago site before you go.
With 200+ sites, you cannot see them all. Pick one or two areas and stay close. A few ways to do it:
Get to popular sites early. Lines can build fast by late morning. Chicago Architecture Center members get a Priority Pass that lets them skip the lines.
Many people use CTA trains and buses for Open House Chicago. But the sites are spread out, and a trip from Uptown to South Shore can take a big part of your day. Parking near the popular downtown sites is also hard to find on a busy fall weekend.
With our hourly chauffeur service, your driver drops you at the door, waits nearby and takes you to the next site when you are ready. You see more buildings, keep a jacket and water in the car, and rest your feet between stops. See hourly limo prices to plan your budget.
Book an hourly chauffeur for Saturday, Sunday or both. Flat hourly rates, a professional driver and a fleet of 2026 and 2027 models.
Open House Chicago falls in the middle of the 62nd Chicago International Film Festival, which runs October 14 to 25, 2026. It is the longest-running competitive film festival in North America. You can spend the day inside historic buildings and end it at a screening, with a night out car service to get you home. Check the festival website for films and showtimes.
For Open House Chicago 2026, an hourly chauffeur lets you see more buildings and spend less time on buses and parking.
One car, one driver, as many neighborhoods as you can fit into the weekend.
