Contemporary design blends with the ancient maritime spirit of the city of Genoa. From June 3 to 7, 2026, Genova will again become the epicenter of design with the seventh edition of Genoa Design Week (GDW).

Organized by DiDe – Genoa Design District, the event is not merely a showcase for furniture and design objects, but a driving force for urban and cultural regeneration. For five days, the city transforms into a vast open-air stage that brings squares, historic buildings, and the ancient harborfront to life, engaging citizens, professionals, tourists, and enthusiasts in a collective experience.

Discover Genova Design Week 2025

Genova Design Week 2026

For professionals and general public
Size: 141 events, 142 exhibitors, 25,000 visitors
Various locations 
Visit Didegenova.it for info

The 2026 Theme: “Balance”

After exploring key concepts for the world of design such as Diffused Green (2021), Time (2022), Energy (2023), Design in Motion (2024), and Matter (2025), this year’s event focuses on a fascinating concept: Balance.

In an era marked by constant social, technological, and economic transitions, balance is interpreted as the intrinsic ability of design to harmonize seemingly opposing demands. This does not refer to a static state or a compromise, but rather to a constant dynamic capable of connecting:

• Form and function
• Manufacturing tradition and technological innovation
• Individual needs and ecological responsibility toward the environment

Events of Genoa Design Week 2026

The program for Genoa Design Week 2026 is structured around some of the most beloved and recognizable formats, which have ensured the event’s success over the years.

Container 03: “Il Cielo in una Stanza” and the Challenge of Microliving

Inspired by Gino Paoli’s famous and poetic vision, Genoa’s harbor and sky serve as the backdrop for a striking installation. Curated by Simona Finessi, the exhibition route winds its way between the Old Port and the Darsena. Here, ten architecture firms transform ten shipping containers into interior design projects. 

This year’s focus is Microliving. In a world ruled by limited spaces and flexible use, the container becomes a laboratory for experimentation, reimagining micro-living in a comfortable and innovative way.

Discover Tigullio Design District

Designers Under 35 & Design Talk Festival

The future of design lives here. Curated by Laura Palazzini, the Designers Under 35 exhibition offers a crucial showcase for emerging talent, stimulating the emergence of new design languages focused on functionality and minimalism. In addition to the exhibitions, young creatives will participate in meetings and workshops with established professionals.

At the same time, the city is opening its most prestigious institutional venues for the Design Talk Festival, a series of public talks moderated by Simona Finessi and Alfonso Femia. Here are the main events to mark on your calendar:

• Palazzo Tursi, June 4: “City: Culture as the Driving Force Behind Urban Processes” – With Sandy Attia and Matteo Scagnol (MoDus Architects), Paolo Verri, Mattia Palazzi (Mayor of Mantua), and Francesca Coppola.
• Palazzo della Regione Liguria, June 5: “Surf and Turf” – With architects Leonardo Cavalli and Francesca Pintus of the international firm Oneworks
• Palazzo della ex Borsa Valori, June 6: “Lectio Magistralis by Architect Odile Decq” – The French architect and founder of Studio Odile Decq will speak with Alfonso Femia and Filippo Manuzzi (President of Confindustria Ceramica) in the evocative Sala delle Grida 

What’s New in 2026

The event’s growth can also be measured by its new and ambitious curatorial, artistic, and local partnerships. 

– F / A FakeAuthentic at Santa Maria di Castello

For the first time in Genoa, the curatorial platform founded by architects Stefania Agostini and Luca Mostarda arrives. The splendid setting of Santa Maria di Castello (Sala della Cisterna), will host the exhibition SeeSaw (BILICO), an exploration of the unstable boundary between authenticity and artifice, function and irony. In parallel, the section MATERIALS IN TRANSIT | 28 Tables: From Discarded to Designed, created in collaboration with ETH Zürich and curated by Débora Mesa Molina, will showcase 28 experimental tables created from the recovery of discarded construction and industrial materials.

– PuntaSanLorenzo: The Urban Beach in the Heart of the City

Following the success of the “Annie” installation in 2025, the caarpa architecture and landscape studio returns to amaze the public with a new interpretation of Piazza San Lorenzo. The square will be redesigned to resemble a stretch of the Ligurian coastline: beach umbrellas, beach towels, and beach gear will temporarily take over one of Genoa’s most monumental squares. An invitation for the public to sit, linger, and interact, to experience the square beyond mere pedestrian traffic.

– Interior Architecture in Liguria

Hosted at Palazzo Saluzzo, this exhibition shines a spotlight on local excellence and craftsmanship, showcasing interior design projects from 50 architecture firms operating throughout the Liguria region. The exhibition, enhanced by a special publication from Platform magazine, will evolve into the Architecture Festival: two days of talks where selected architects will take the stage to share their design ideas and philosophies.

The Numbers Behind the Success: A Growing Trend

To understand the real impact of this event on the region, just take a look at the data from the 2025 edition:

• 141 events in total, including conferences, talks, and cultural events
• 142 exhibitors from major Italian cities (Milan, Turin, Bologna, Florence, Venice) and 5 major international cities (Paris, Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia, and Amsterdam)
• 25 designers under 35 actively involved
• A dense network of architects studios participating in special formats (21 in Container, 80 in Best Houses Design, 24 in Design Radar)

Why visit

• A Unique Backdrop: See cutting-edge contemporary design contrast beautifully with Genoa’s historic palaces and ancient maritime waterfront.
• Immersive Installations: Experience the city transformed into an interactive playground—from shipping containers turned into futuristic micro-homes to a monumental city square reimagined as a Ligurian beach.
• Global Inspiration: Hear directly from architecture icons like Odile Decq and discover the next wave of global talent shaping the future of sustainable living. 

Genova Design Week 2026

For professionals and general public
Size: 141 events, 142 exhibitors, 25,000 visitors
Various locations 
Visit Didegenova.it for info