Volunteer with Open House Dublin this October

Open House Dublin is Ireland’s largest festival of architecture, featuring over 250 free events from 11-19 October 2025. The festival invites audiences of all ages and backgrounds to explore the city through building tours, talks, outdoor tours, workshops, exhibitions, and studio visits. The full festival programme will go live in September.

Without the participation of our incredible volunteers, Open House would not be possible. Every year, over 200 volunteers help us to steward events, host tours, assist with administration and ensure the smooth running of our programme. We welcome volunteers from all backgrounds and levels of experience. Whether you are available to volunteer for just a few hours or multiple days, your participation is deeply valued. 

Open House Dublin 2025

This year’s festival programme kicks off with the Open House Junior weekend (Saturday 11th to Sunday 12th October). Open House Junior is an exciting programme of tours and activities designed specifically for families and young people.

Throughout the week (Monday 13th to Friday 17th October), Open House Dublin hosts a variety of events, open panel discussions, and studio visits.

The festival will culminate in the Open House weekend (Saturday 18th to Sunday 19th), with 250+ events including building tours, film screenings, visits to private homes, outdoor tours, and exhibitions – to name but a few – across the city and county.

As an Open House Dublin volunteer, you’ll have access to: 

• Priority entry to many sites across the festival programme
• Online training (in collaboration with the National Gallery of Ireland)
• Specialised Volunteer Tour Guide training (if volunteering as a tour guide)
• References (and CPD points for architects)
• A dedicated volunteer party at the end of the festival
• The opportunity to develop self and group management, communication, and teamwork skills
• The chance to meet like-minded people and build networks
• Spaces to learn about art and architecture
• Time to explore Dublin through a new lens
• Eligibility to participate in Open House Europe’s 2026 Volunteer Exchange programme in partner cities across Europe. 

How to sign up

To manage our volunteers, we use a software called Better Impact. All personal data you provide is safeguarded in line with GDPR requirements. If you are a first-time volunteer, you will need to create a Better Impact account and complete the first-time volunteer application form. 

If you are returning to OHD, having volunteered in previous years, you will only need to fill out this shorter returning volunteer form. 

If you’re having any issues logging in or completing the form, please get in touch – we will be happy to help. If you think you might already have an account but cannot remember the login details, please send an email to Katie at volunteers@architecturefoundation.ie before making a new account. 

We want to make sure as many people as possible can be a part of Open House Dublin, so if you have any accessibility needs or requirements, please let us know in the registration form, by phone (+353 1 874 7200), or by email (volunteers@architecturefoundation.ie), and we will be sure to find a place for you in the festival. 

We look forward to welcoming you to the OHD25 team!

Photo by Ste Murray.