This guide sets out what the official Brisbane Open House website says about the event, as read on 10 November 2026. It draws on the site’s About, FAQs, 2026 Program, 2026 Buildings, Past Events, volunteer and 2027 expressions of interest pages, plus one news post. Dates below are stated only as the site gives them, and each is dated to the day the page was read. For heritage buildings generally, see our Brisbane Heritage-Listed Buildings Guide.
What the event is and who runs it
At 10 November 2026, the About page described Brisbane Open House as a “flagship cultural event” that invites the public to discover the hidden stories, spaces and structures that shape the city. At 10 November 2026, the FAQs page described it as an annual free event in which selected buildings across the city are opened for the public for guided or self-guided tours. As read on 10 November 2026, the About page said it has grown since 2010 from 16 buildings and 12,000 visits.
At 10 November 2026, the About page had a governance section with a board and a team. At 10 November 2026, the FAQs page said each Open House city is run as an independent organisation adhering to a shared set of values and ideals. As read on 10 November 2026, the About page said the event is part of the Open House Worldwide network, active in 63+ cities.
When it recurs
Here the site’s own pages differ, and this guide does not reconcile them. At 10 November 2026, the About page said Brisbane Open House will return on 18 and 19 July 2026, although the page’s metadata gave a dateModified value of 2026-11-04T04:42:29+00:00. At 10 November 2026, the FAQs page, with a dateModified value of 2026-11-04T04:48:38+00:00, said Brisbane Open House 2027 will be held 16-18 July 2027. At 10 November 2026, the 2027 expressions of interest page also gave the dates as Friday 16, Saturday 17 and Sunday 18 July 2027.
The Past Events page lists earlier editions. At 10 November 2026, it said the 2026 event ran over the weekend of 18 and 19 July with 47,014 visits, a 12 per cent increase on 2025. As read on 10 November 2026, it said 92 buildings, structures and spaces across six precincts of Greater Brisbane opened in 2026, and that the weekend featured 45 walks, tours, talks, music performances and special events. At 10 November 2026, it said the 2024 edition ran on 13 and 14 July 2024, and described the 2023 edition as the weekend of July 15-16. As read on 10 November 2026, it also said the 2022 edition followed a two-year hiatus due to COVID-19. At 10 November 2026, the news post said that, for the first time, the program extends to the Friday, and the expressions of interest page said participating on Friday must be in addition to Saturday and/or Sunday. For other annual events, see our Brisbane’s Recurring Festivals and Events: A Month-by-Month Guide.
How building visits and bookings work
At 10 November 2026, the FAQs page said the vast majority of buildings are free to visit and do not require tickets. At 10 November 2026, the same page said a small number of limited-capacity or high-security buildings, such as residential homes or construction sites, require pre-booking. As read on 10 November 2026, the page said all pre-booked tickets incur a small non-refundable booking fee.
The 2026 Buildings page showed how this was labelled for the 2026 edition. At 10 November 2026, it labelled some buildings “General access (self guided)”, some “Pre-booked guided tours only” and some “General access and guided tours”. At 10 November 2026, the 2026 Program page said, for the 2026 edition, ticket bookings open on Wednesday 24 June at 12:00pm. At 10 November 2026, the FAQs page said the 2027 Program will be announced in June 2027. No 2027 booking details were read, so none are given here.
Practical points from the FAQs
At 10 November 2026, the FAQs page said Brisbane Open House is a family-friendly event with many buildings offering children’s activities. As read on 10 November 2026, it said photography is generally allowed although a small number of buildings do not allow it. At 10 November 2026, it said most buildings and the hop-on hop-off bus have access for people with disabilities, and a small number of buildings have limited or no wheelchair access. At 10 November 2026, it said there is no special parking at each building and recommended public transport. For what else is on in a given week, see our Things to Do in Brisbane This Weekend: How to Find Out guide.
Volunteering
At 10 November 2026, the volunteer page, with a dateModified value of 2026-10-02T07:49:40+00:00, said registrations for the 2026 event had closed. At 10 November 2026, the same page said registrations for the 2027 event will open soon. As read on 10 November 2026, the FAQs page said to complete the volunteer registration form to be involved.
At 10 November 2026, the volunteer page said around 260 volunteers supported the 2026 event. As read on 10 November 2026, it described tasks as welcoming visitors, guiding tours, answering questions or helping with directions. At 10 November 2026, its terms said volunteers must be 18+ years of age and able to safely fulfil the function at the buildings and shifts selected. As read on 10 November 2026, the terms also said the role is undertaken voluntarily and without financial compensation, and that volunteering may require standing and or walking, managing queues and liaising with visitors.
Opening a building in 2027
Building owners are also part of how the event works. At 10 November 2026, the expressions of interest page listed a collaborator commitment to open the building for a minimum of 4 hours across the weekend and/or accommodate at least 50 people for events and tours. At 10 November 2026, the news post said EOIs close Friday 19 February 2027, and said walks, talks, workshops, children’s activities and exhibitions are also welcome.
Frequently asked questions
When is Brisbane Open House?
At 10 November 2026, the FAQs page said Brisbane Open House 2027 will be held 16-18 July 2027. The About page, read the same day, said the event will return on 18 and 19 July 2026; this guide does not reconcile the two.
Is Brisbane Open House free?
At 10 November 2026, the FAQs page said the vast majority of buildings are free to visit and do not require tickets. It said a small number of limited-capacity or high-security buildings require pre-booking, with a small non-refundable booking fee on pre-booked tickets.
Can I volunteer?
At 10 November 2026, the volunteer page said registrations for the 2026 event had closed and that registrations for the 2027 event will open soon. Its terms said volunteers must be 18+ years of age.
Is there parking at the buildings?
At 10 November 2026, the FAQs page said there is no special parking for Brisbane Open House at each building and recommended public transport.
