FAQ
WHAT IS OPEN HOUSE MELBOURNE?
Open House Melbourne is a not-for-profit organisation that advocates for good design and empowers citizens to be active participants in the building of their city. Their annual program of talks, tours, and interviews explore issues, challenges and success stories of Melbourne’s built environment.
At the heart of the program is the much-loved Open House Weekend, taking place each year at the end of July, where a number of significant buildings and sites across the city are open so people can learn about how the built environment and urban planning initiatives and issues influence our culture and shape our future.
WHEN IS OPEN HOUSE MELBOURNE WEEKEND?
The date changes each year, but it is always the last weekend in July. In 2023, it will take place across Saturday 29 + Sunday 30 July.
DO I NEED TO BOOK TO ATTEND THE OPEN HOUSE WEEKEND?
Most buildings and events operate on an ‘open access’ basis and don’t required bookings. Capacity limits still apply, so please be prepared to wait for limited capacity or popular buildings. Ask our volunteers and building staff for more information on arrival.
Many buildings and events with extremely limited capacities or timed tours do require bookings. This will be clearly stated in the event listing, which will include a booking link. Check individual pages for further booking details.
The majority of buildings are FREE.
For more about ticketing, read our Ticketing Terms and Conditions.
CAN I PUT MY NAME ON A WAITLIST FOR A PRE-BOOKED TOUR OR EVENT?
Open House Melbourne will not be operating waitlists in 2023. Tours and events have been oversubscribed to account for any drop of in attendees in the lead up to the Weekend.
In some cases, a final release of tickets may become available in the week prior to the Weekend, dependant on availability.
WHAT DO I DO IF I NEED TO CANCEL A BOOKING REGISTRATION?
If you are no longer able to make your pre-booked tour or event, we kindly ask that you cancel your ticket so that someone else can attend.
Select ‘Update Order’ on your booking confirmation and then select ‘Refunds’ to process your cancellation.
Please email us at info@ohm.org.au if you have any issues with this process.
DOES IT COST TO ATTEND OPEN HOUSE MELBOURNE WEEKEND?
Open House Melbourne is a mostly free event, open to all.
Nearly all guided and self-guided building tours, talks and events are free. A small number of events and buildings have pre-booked tours due to their limited capacity and will require a small commitment fee to reserve your place. This is indicated on individual building and event pages.
WHERE CAN I GET A PRINTED PROGRAM?
It is important for the organisation to meet best practice standards for sustainability and environmental sensitivities, so we are no longer printing the OHM program book. All of the OHM Weekend sites and tours are available in detail here on our website.
In 2023, we are printing a broadsheet containing building and event information alongside precinct maps. This can be collected for free at the Open House Melbourne Info Hub, located outside Melbourne Town Hall from 10am-4pm, Friday 21 July-Sunday 30 July.
This is also available for download.
Please refer back to the digital program for any updates to buildings or events in your itinerary.
WHY CAN'T I FIND BUILDINGS THAT HAVE BEEN PREVIOUSLY OPENED?
Not all buildings will open every year for Open House Melbourne. In order to keep the program fresh and encourage you to explore new spaces, we cycle a variety of buildings through each year.
We rely on the generosity of our collaborators to give their time and energy to opening up for Open House Melbourne.
Keep a look out – you might see your favourite building back on the program next year!
HOW DO I VOLUNTEER FOR OPEN HOUSE MELBOURNE?
We love the hundreds of volunteers that volunteer for Open House Melbourne each year – the event simply could not go ahead without the dedication and time put in by them.
