The international architecture festival Open House Zaragoza will celebrate its second edition from September 25 to 28, 2025, offering free access to iconic buildings, thematic routes, and cultural activities under the slogan «Let’s Make the Invisible Visible». Reservations for the more than thirty-two programmed proposals are already available at openhousezaragoza.org, following the success of the first edition in 2024, which filled all scheduled activities.
An expanded program with exclusive visits
The program is structured into different categories that include exclusive access to spaces normally closed to the public. Among the «Exclusive» sites are Casa Moneva, Aljafería Oculta, and Casa GAVÍN, which will host a contemporary jewelry exhibition. The Palacio de Larrinaga, Estadio Modular del Real Zaragoza, and the Central Energética DHC of the Expo Park can also be visited for the first time.
The «Regular» offerings will provide access to the «hidden side» of iconic buildings such as the Cámara de Comercio, the Auditorio de Zaragoza Princesa Leonor, CaixaForum Zaragoza, Hospital Miguel Servet, Hotel Hiberus, Edificio Aragonia, and Colegio Mayor Peñalba.
A pioneering urban lab with child participation
One of the main new features of this edition will be the urban lab focused on child and youth participation, which will be held on Eduardo Ibarra Street. The project «Ecotopías» will involve 125 Primary 6 students in three collaborative workshops, coordinated by teachers and architecture students from the University of Zaragoza and San Jorge University.
The participants will imagine desirable futures for their city through observation dynamics and collaborative design, creating a collection of postcards depicting the future Zaragoza with the collaboration of the company Imascono and artificial intelligence tools.
Immersive experiences and cultural events
The festival will include three highlighted immersive experiences: a multidisciplinary performance at the Hotel Hiberus, an exploration of synesthesia in painting with the artist Cuca Muro, and the concert «Calavera» in Cartuja Baja, accompanied by projections from Maresía Lightshow.
The Cúpula Sonora at La Granja park will host the second chapter of the concert-show that turns architecture into an instrument, featuring the groups «Rosin de Palo», «Mejor Sordo», «Los Manises», and «Maresía Lightshow».
Film, thematic routes, and tributes
CaixaForum Zaragoza will be the venue for the event «A Passage of Film», featuring the premiere of the documentary «Modern Zaragoza» by Vicky Calavia, along with screenings of «Emotional Architecture 1959» and «Little Pieces». Filmmakers will participate in a discussion after the screenings.
The program includes five thematic routes: Tranvi-Arq-Movie, Modern Zaragoza Mural Route, Torrero Cemetery, Cartuja Baja, and Expo 2008 Walk. There will also be visits to the Heraldo de Aragón Printing Plant and workshops of the Municipal Brigades of the City Council.
Academic activities and recognitions
The festival will kick off on September 25 with a tribute to Fernando García Mercadal at the Official College of Architects of Aragón. The Teatro Principal will host a Conference on «Heritage and Digital Culture», focusing on artificial intelligence, digital twins, and the virtualization of heritage, featuring participation from ITAINNOVA, Libelium, Imascono, and Aragon Tourism.
Open House Zaragoza is directed by architect José Javier Gallardo and has the institutional support of the Zaragoza City Council as the main partner, along with business partners and a broad network of collaborators including the Government of Aragon, local universities, and various Aragonese institutions, ensuring that the festival is free and accessible to all citizens.
