ANDREW BATCHELOR: We should encourage more Dundee attractions and institutions to open for free for Doors Open Days

Today marks the beginning of this year’s Doors Open Days festival, running across the city today and tomorrow.

It’s one of those initiatives that doesn’t just put places on a map – it invites us in, encourages us to step through doors we may never have thought to try, and lets us see our home from a fresh perspective.

There’s something truly special about walking into spaces that usually sit behind locked gates or ticket booths and discovering their stories. Whether it’s HMS Unicorn, the Dundee Rep, or the University of Dundee, which are among the local highlights taking part this weekend, the sense of openness is heartwarming. It’s a reminder that culture and heritage are at their best when shared widely.

The festival is also a celebration of curiosity. We all pass buildings in Dundee and wonder what’s inside – this is the weekend when many of those questions are answered.

Yet I can’t help but feel that Dundee could push this further. We have so many world-class venues that would benefit from taking part. Imagine if the V&A Dundee opened up its paid exhibition space free of charge for the weekend, adding to its already free galleries and creating a new incentive to visit.

Discovery Point, Verdant Works, Dundee Science Centre, Camperdown Wildlife Centre, and Dundee Museum of Transport could also add to the buzz, showing off their collections to new audiences who might not usually visit.

It’s not as if this hasn’t been tried before. Discovery Point and Verdant Works have previously run “Dundee Goes Free” initiatives, opening up their exhibitions at no cost for a limited time – and the results spoke for themselves.

The crowds poured in, with families, tourists and locals alike making the most of the chance to explore. Those initiatives proved beyond doubt that there’s real appetite for accessible culture in Dundee, and Doors Open Days is the perfect vehicle to build on that success.

Venues that are already free to enter are also playing their part by going beyond what they normally offer. Doors Open Days isn’t just about free entry – it’s about opening up spaces and stories that the public rarely sees.

This year, the Dundee Rep are offering backstage tours and a glimpse into how the theatre operates, while the city’s universities are welcoming visitors into areas usually reserved for staff and students. If more of Dundee’s free-to-visit attractions followed that example – whether that’s the McManus Galleries or Central Library – it would add a whole new dimension to the weekend.

This kind of access is especially valuable for families. Days out can be expensive, and many households are keeping a close eye on costs during the ongoing cost of living squeeze.

Free entry weekends give families the chance to explore together without worrying about ticket prices adding up. It means more children can experience museums, science centres, and wildlife parks, planting the seeds of curiosity and creativity that last a lifetime.

The benefits also ripple out beyond the attractions themselves. When people are drawn into the city by events like this, they often spend time in Dundee’s cafes, restaurants, and shops.

Doors Open Days doesn’t just showcase culture – it helps the local economy too, bringing extra footfall at a time when high streets need it most. It’s a reminder that free access doesn’t mean lost value; it creates value in different ways.

This is why I believe the festival deserves a bigger spot on Dundee’s cultural calendar. It shouldn’t just feel like a side-note for heritage enthusiasts – it should be a flagship event that the whole city embraces.

Other cities across Scotland have made Doors Open Days a major fixture, with huge participation from attractions, businesses, and even community spaces. Dundee, with its mix of historic gems and cutting-edge design, has the potential to lead the way.

There are also opportunities to be imaginative. I’ve previously suggested a pop-up comic book and newspaper museum at DC Thomson’s Meadowside headquarters – an idea I still think could capture the imagination, given the city’s heritage as a publishing powerhouse.

It’s disappointing that it hasn’t gained traction yet, but why not test it during a festival like this? If there’s any moment to experiment with temporary exhibitions and behind-the-scenes experiences, this is it.

And it’s not just museums and galleries. Imagine opening up spaces that rarely, if ever, welcome the public – like Xplore Dundee’s depots for transport enthusiasts, or parts of Dundee’s many industrial and creative hubs.

Even walking tours of places tied to the city’s music, art, or gaming scenes could give Doors Open Days a modern twist while still staying true to the festival’s spirit of discovery.

Ultimately, Doors Open Days is more than a weekend curiosity – it’s an opportunity to reshape how we think about access to culture in Dundee. We should be bold enough to open up more, share more, and make this festival a centrepiece of our city calendar. Dundee has the stories, the spaces, and the spirit. Now all that’s needed is the ambition to match them.