The Guardian will be opening their doors this weekend to launch the first ever Guardian Open Weekend for a festival of ideas, innovation and entertainment.

Alan Rusbridger, editor of the Guardian, told us more

Guest speakers from around the world will join our own writers, editors, digital developers and photographers, to participate in more than 200 programmed sessions on everything, from the American presidential elections to the Arab spring.

We're looking to welcome thousands of readers to take part in the weekend of 24-25 March for an extraordinary mix of debates, talks, workshops, music, comedy, poetry, food and fun.

We'll be using numerous spaces in the award-winning Kings Place in London, with its canal-side, concert halls, galleries, restaurants … and newsroom.

Visitors will have a chance to discuss the Guardian's future and hear from the Guardian's top journalists about what went on behind the scenes on leading stories such as WikiLeaks and phone hacking. Joining Guardian writers such as Charlie Brooker, Simon Jenkins and Polly Toynbee, will be leading figures from culture, politics and the media, including Ian McEwan, Robert Harris, David Hare, Steve McQueen,Ahdaf Soueif, Jeffrey Sachs, Jeanette Winterson, Jeremy Deller and Jon Snow.

If you are a crossword addict, this will be a rare chance to listen to theGuardian setter Araucaria. Hear from David Miliband, Tom Watson,Chris Huhne, Maurice Glasman, Caroline Lucas and Tristram Hunt.

Join the digital revolution and learn how to tweet and make audio podcasts. And join in a discussion about the journey the Guardian is on. A newspaper in 2012 is more than words printed on paper: everyone knows that. Virtually all newspapers now have websites; they use video and graphics to tell stories and are discovering that phones are good for reading as well as for calling.

But not all newspapers are on the same journey. The Guardian's commitment to openness takes many forms. We launched Comment is free in 2006 – the first open newspaper platform for multiple points of view, where readers and others can challenge, debate and discuss. We were the first UK paper to have an independent readers' editor. We have partnered with others to create the world's most comprehensive environment site. Our coverage of culture, books, science and media is enhanced by similar collaborations – and through the contribution of readers. We enable others to use our content in ever more innovative ways on other platforms.

The Guardian has no proprietor. Owned by the Scott Trust since 1936, it has been resolutely independent for more than 190 years, its main relationship always with its readers.

We hope many local people will want to come and meet some of their favourite Guardian faces, learn about the path the paper is on and add thier voice on how we shape our future. Readers can meet and share their passions, whether for sports, culture, politics, photography or crosswords. The journey the Guardian is on is an open one. It's an exciting one. Do join us on it.

Passes for the Guardian Open Weekend can be purchased at guardian.co.uk/openweekend. #GdnOpenWeekend