From May 14 to May 20, 2026, in New York City returns the NYCxDESIGN Festival, for the 14th year. The next edition expects to draw over 163,000 visitors – including international architects, interior designers, tech innovators, and design lovers, for a week-long celebration across all the city.

NYCxDESIGN, New York, May 14-20, 2026

For professionals and general public
Size: over 200 events, around 170,000 visitors
Various locations 
Visit NYCxDESIGN.org for info

The Theme: “Design Connects Us”

Under the leadership of Jeanny Pak (Interim President & CEO of the New York City Economic Development Corporation – NYCEDC), this year’s theme, Design Connects Us, highlights the interdisciplinary nature of the industry. The festival aims to show how design bridges the gap between technology, sustainability, and social equity. 

Discover NYCxDesign 2025

Signature Installations

Design Pavilion by Lexus – Times Square

In 2026, Lexus returns to Times Square with a monumental installation. This “Design Pavilion” serves as a public interface for the festival, blending art, technology, and the “Lexus Standard of Amazing.” It’s a must-see for anyone interested in how luxury and industrial design interact with public space.

SHINE at The Seaport

Curated by the award-winning Harry Allen and presented with COOL HUNTING and Kikkerland Design, the SHINE exhibition (May 14 – 20) focuses on light. Seventy designers will showcase original light objects that push the boundaries of craft and functional technology.

International Spotlights at NYCxDesign 2026: France & Italy

The 2026 festival emphasizes New York’s role as a global crossroads:

• Oui Design! (May 14 – 20): Organized by Villa Albertine, this fourth edition spotlights French craftsmanship. The highlight is a week-long exhibition at the Payne Whitney Mansion, featuring residents who are debuting their work in the U.S. for the first time.
• Italian Trade Agency Spotlight (May 18 – 19): For those who missed Milan Design Week, this series of four curated tours through SoHo and NoMad offers exclusive VIP access to the newest collections from Italy’s top manufacturing brands.

Keynotes & The Future of Technology

The festival’s educational and visionary core is stronger than ever in 2026:

• Santiago Calatrava (May 16, h. 5:30-7:30 PM): The legendary architect will give a keynote at the Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church, followed by a rare tour of the Oculus guided by Gabriel Calatrava.
• Future Now AI Summit (May 19, h. 10:00 AM-6:00 PM): Hosted at Cornell Tech and led by Will Hall (Chief Transformation Officer of PreSeason), this full-day summit is a deep dive into Artificial Intelligence. Speakers from Google DeepMind, Adobe, IBM, and MIT Media Lab will discuss how AI is redefining authorship and creative acceleration.
• New York in Light (May 17): A night boat tour guided by Hervé Descottes (supported by Signify Color Kinetics), offering a unique perspective on the city’s skyline.

Design Districts & Showroom Crawls

On May 15, the city stays awake for Friday Night on the Town. Participating districts include TriBeCa, Meatpacking, Flatiron, SoHo, and NoMad.

• Showroom Crawls: Includes AN After Dark, NoMad Night Out, and Interni’s Big Italy.
• FRATO Opening Breakfast: The Portuguese brand kicks off the day at their Midtown showroom.
• Fisher & Paykel Panel: A discussion on “Legacy” at their Experience Center, featuring a reception by Chef Sam Mason.

Trade Shows & The Salon Series

• ICFF & WANTED (May 17-19): Located at the Javits Center, these are the anchors for trade professionals. Key features include the Emerging Designers Spotlight, Launch Pad, and the Schools Showcase.
• Afternoon Light Design Fair (May 16-19): Held at WSA, this fair hosts 80+ exhibitors like Carl Hansen & Søn, Anglepoise, and USM, blending commerce with discovery.
• The Salon Series: Curated with INC Architecture & Design, these intimate gatherings occur in studios like Rolls-Royce Motor Cars’ Private Office, where Global Director of Design Domagoj Dukec will lead conversations on bespoke luxury.                                                                           
  

Discover ICFF 2026

Community & Social Impact Tours

NYCxDESIGN 2026 places a heavy emphasis on urbanism and equity:

• Brownsville – Live on Livonia: A tour by the NYC DOT focused on affordable housing and community-led placemaking.
• Harlem Sculpture Gardens: Led by Savona Bailey-McClain, exploring public art in West Harlem.
• Wagner Park Tour: A look at climate adaptation and flood resilience in landscape design.
• High School Student Tours: Engaging the next generation by visiting end-of-year shows at Pratt, Parsons, FIT, and Cornell Tech.

Closing the Festival: DUMBO x Design

The grand finale takes place on May 20 in DUMBO. The day features activations by world-class firms like BIG (Bjarke Ingels Group), Snøhetta, and Reform, culminating in the official Festival Closing Party.

Why visit? 

Visiting the NYCxDESIGN Festival offers a rare opportunity to witness the world’s largest concentration of creative talent through 200+ exclusive events across all five boroughs. You’ll gain firsthand insights into the future of the industry at the Future Now AI Summit and explore iconic landmarks through tours led by legends like Santiago Calatrava. From high-end showroom crawls in NoMad to immersive installations in Times Square, the festival blends global innovation with New York’s unique cultural energy.

NYCxDESIGN, New York, May 14-20, 2026

For professionals and general public
Size: over 200 events, more than 200,000 visitors
Various locations 
Visit NYCxDESIGN.org for info