The Design Weeks & Events Guide

KBIS - Kitchen and Bath Industry Show 2026
2026-02-17 09:00 - 2026-02-19 17:00 (America/New_York) | Orange County Convention Center, 9800 International Drive, Orlando, FL, 32819, United States
The Kitchen and Bath Industry Show (KBIS) returns to Orlando from February 17 to 19, 2026. Founded in 1964 by the American Institute of Kitchen Dealers (AIKD), its first name was AIKD Kitchen Show. In 1981, it was renamed the Kitchen and Bath Industry Show (KBIS). Since 2014, it has taken place each year alongside the International Builders’ Show (IBS) during Design & Construction Week (DCW). The primary locations are Orlando and Las Vegas.
KBIS figures

Over 43,000 registered attendees
Nearly 700 KBIS exhibitors
Over 500,000 square feet exhibition space
Over 150 first-time exhibitors
Nearly 270 international exhibitors

DCW figures

DCW 2025 highlights
Over 124,000 registered DCW attendees
Over 2,500 exhibitor
Over 1.2 million square feet exhibition space

Discover Cersaie

Kitchen and Bath Industry Show: 2026 Innovation Tour
For 2026, the Kitchen and Bath Industry Show (KBIS) has announced a new program to highlight exhibitor excellence. Innovation Hour is a fast-paced, design-forward “show + tell” session that showcases new materials, product functionalities, and design details that are shaping the future of kitchen and bath spaces. The event will feature up to eight live presentations focused on innovations or lesser-known products that deserve more attention – new finishes, smart applications, or sustainable materials. While “newness” is always celebrated at KBIS, this format is designed to widen the spotlight to include the many products and professionals deserving greater visibility.
Each presentation will last 5 minutes and will rely on tactile storytelling supported by physical samples. This is a must-attend event for designers, specifiers, and creatives of all kinds. At the end, the audience will vote live for presenters in three categories: Most Innovative, Most Unexpected, and I’d Specify It Tomorrow.
The event will take place on February 17, 2026, at 12:00 PM on the KBIS NEXT Stage.
KBIS 2026 Hard Hat Media Tour
In addition to Innovation Hour, KBIS is introducing the 2026 Hard Hat Media Tour. On February 27, from 7:30 to 10:00 AM, a selection of exhibitors will have the opportunity to present their latest products to an invitation-only group of influential media. Selected brands will have 10 minutes to discuss their product and showcase their booth on February 17, 2026, from 7:30 to 10:00 AM.
Discover CIFF Guangzhou 2025

VFTI – Voices from the Industry: the conference
As technology reshapes every sector of the design world, the NKBA | KBIS Voices From the Industry (VFTI) conference addresses this transformation head-on. From February 17 to 19, 2026, in Orlando, VFTI will again serve as the educational cornerstone of KBIS, with a special focus on AI and its growing influence on the kitchen and bath industry. Industry experts will share their expertise across categories such as building and remodeling, leadership and management, design, kitchen and bath trends, marketing, sustainability, and technology. Topics range from the evolving landscape of AI and social media marketing to the integration of technology, universal design, and sustainability in projects, as well as client management, hiring strategies, design insights, and trend-driven products.

AI in action: from design to delivery
Participants will explore the many applications of AI in the Kitchen & Bath sector. Sessions such as “From Friction to Flow: AI-Powered Customer Journey Transformation” and “AI in Action: Smarter Workflows, Smarter Designs” will illustrate how designers and businesses are integrating AI to streamline operations, enhance creativity, and anticipate client needs. From marketing automation to the creation of moodboards and visual concepts, these sessions will demonstrate AI’s potential as a support for human creativity rather than a replacement. These discussions will provide attendees with actionable ideas on how to use AI as a strategic and creative partner in their work.

Beyond technology: the full VFTI experience
AI is only one component of the broader VFTI 2026 program. The most popular categories, including Building & Remodeling, Leadership & Management, Design, Kitchen & Bath Trends, and Marketing, are joined by new tracks in Technology and Sustainability. VFTI continues to deliver practical insights and relevant content for professionals at every level. Sessions such as “Smarter Kitchens & Baths: Elevating Design with Technology,” “Real-World Sustainability for Kitchen Designers,” and “Home Sweet Home: Tailoring Spaces for Autism and Aging in Comfort” round out a program that is as diverse as it is impactful.

Networking and education

New for KBIS 2026: each day from 3:00 to 4:00 PM, the “Wine & Design” panels will feature experts discussing three themes

Tuesday: From Ruin to Renewal: The Role of Design After Disaster
Wednesday: Inclusive by Design: Creating Spaces for Diverse Needs and Life Stages
Thursday: The Wellness Blueprint: Spaces that Nurture Body, Mind, and Spirit

The events are free and open to VFTI attendees, but advance registration is required because space is limited
Click here to register

Best of KBIS 2026 Awards
The Kitchen and Bath Industry Show has opened submissions for the Best of KBIS Awards program, which will spotlight industry excellence in 2026. Sponsored by LUXE Interiors + Design, this long-standing program has expanded in recent years to reflect the evolution of the design landscape and recognize the companies pushing the kitchen and bath sector forward. Finalists will be announced in early 2026, and winners will be revealed live during the awards ceremony on NEXT Stage on February 18, 2026, from 4:00 to 5:00 PM.
Kitchen and Bath Industry Show, KBIS, Orange County Convention Center, February 17-19, 2026
The Kitchen and Bath Industry Show – KBIS is for professionals only
Size: 700 exhibitors (around), over 43.000 visitors
Paid admission upon registration
Registration link here
Visit NKBA-KBIS website for more info

Introducing New Zealand Design Week
2026-03-02 - 2026-03-10 | Auckland, Auckland, 0600, New Zealand
New Zealand Design Week (NZDW) 2026 – formerly Auckland Design Week (ADW)

Rebranded since 1 January 2026
Festival Dates: 2-10 March 2026
Location: Shed 10 (The Design Depot), Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland
2026 Theme: People + Place
Key Speakers: Briar Hickling (Linehouse), Vincent Lowe (Nike/Apple/Google), Tom Dixon

Auckland Design Week rebrands to New Zealand Design Week (NZDW)
Auckland Design Week (ADW) has officially transitioned to New Zealand Design Week (NZDW) to reflect its rapid growth and national mission. Effective 1 January 2026, the rebrand aligns with a long-term strategy to champion Aotearoa’s design industry on a global scale. The third and largest edition of the festival will run from 2-10 March 2026, anchored at the Shed 10 ‘Design Depot’ in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland.
The Launchpad Collective
Expanding the National Design Footprint
The move to NZ Design Week represents a maturing creative economy. While Shed 10 remains the central hub – currently nearing full capacity due to high exhibitor demand – the program has expanded to include:

The Launchpad Collective: A new platform specifically spotlighting emerging designers and young businesses
Regional Collaborations: A special partnership with Whanganui & Partners and Chatham Air featuring a chartered day trip to the UNESCO City of Design
City-Wide Events: A curated selection of partner-led workshops and exhibitions featuring brands like IKEA, Dulux, Coco Republic, and Konei

New Zealand Design Week 2026 Highlights & Partnerships
The upcoming festival will blend Public and Pro Design Days with a curated selection of partner-led activations. Notable collaborations include:

Presenting Partner: Lexus returns for a second year, reinforcing its commitment to human-centered innovation.
Key Industry Players: Collaborative efforts with IKEA, Dulux, Coco Republic, and Konei.
Regional Spotlight: A unique partnership with Whanganui & Partners and Chatham Air, featuring an exclusive chartered day trip to the UNESCO City of Design

2026 Theme: People + Place
The curatorial theme for 2026, People + Place, guides the week’s programming. It invites designers to examine how communities and environments intersect to shape the future of Aotearoa. This theme emphasizes sustainable, inclusive, and indigenous-informed design practices nationwide.
Global Voices at the 2026 Design Conference
The Design Conference returns as a cornerstone of the festival. Hosted at the NZDW Design Depot: Shed 10 on Auckland’s Queen’s Wharf; this day-long event includes six sessions – headlined by Tom Dixon and Briar Hickling – along with networking, exhibitor access, and exclusive entry to the coveted Lexus Soirée. Breaks are scheduled throughout the day, with food and beverages available for purchase from local vendors.
Tom Dixon
The rebrand ensures New Zealand’s design story is recognized internationally. “The new name reflects our identity as a national platform that fosters connection and elevates Aotearoa’s presence in the global design conversation,” says founder Jen Jones.
New Zealand Design Week – first edition
For professionals and general public, exhibitions free admission
Design Conference March 10, paid admission
Design Days March 8-9 paid admission
Size: around 30 activities, 50 brands
Visit nzdesignweek.com website for more info

DW! São Paulo Design Week 2026
2026-03-05 - 2026-03-22 | São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
DW! São Paulo Design Week 2026 is not just an event on the calendar; it’s a milestone. Celebrating its 15th anniversary from March 5 to 22, 2026, the festival has established itself as the most important urban design festival in Latin America and one of the most influential events in the international scene. What began in 2012 as an ambitious challenge has grown into a widespread network connecting the entire metropolis, redefining the way we experience design.
DW! São Paulo Design Week, São Paulo, Brazil
March 5-22, 2026
The events are open to professional and general public
Size: 415 events, 132 locations, 500,000 visitors
Visit DWSemanadedesign.com.br website for info and registration
Discover DW! São Paulo Design Week 2025
DW! São Paulo Design Week, 2025, foto from Casa Vogue
A strategic evolution: March instead of September
The decision to hold DW! in March is no coincidence. Throughout its history, the festival has explored different time frames, but the organizing team and the market have identified March as the ideal time. This strategic choice allows the major launches of collections and new creative visions of the Brazilian market to be aligned with global dynamics, making São Paulo the natural starting point for the trends that will guide the current year. It is a synergy designed to influence professionals, media, architects, and creatives at a time when the market is most receptive.
Read the interview to Lauro Andrade, founder of the DW! São Paulo Design Week
DW! São Paulo Design Week 2025
The City as a stage: the soul of the districts
The disruptive power of DW! lies in its being a “widespread festival.” There is no single fair that contains everything; it’s the city itself that becomes the container. This democratic approach, summed up by the motto “Design em tudo. Para todos. Perto de você” (Design in everything. For everyone. Close to you), breaks down the physical barriers between the design product and the citizen.
The festival is divided into Design Districts, each with its own specific identity:

Alameda Gabriel: The beating heart of high-end and luxury design
Centro: A mix of history, urban architecture, and creative redevelopment
Pinheiros, Vila Madalena, and Oeste: the bohemian and creative neighborhoods, epicenters of independent innovation
D&D Shopping and Shopping Lar Center: Hubs that combine the retail experience with design culture
Fashion Hub DW!: An area dedicated to the intersection of fashion and design
Digital Districts: To allow anyone, from anywhere in the world, to enjoy the event online

In the latest edition of the festival, DW! SP 2025 reached around 132 locations with over 415 events
Discover Milan Design Week
DW! São Paulo Design Week 2025
DW! São Paulo Design Week: design as social impact and future
In addition to aesthetics and the market, DW! 2026 places a strong emphasis on the social role of design. Conferences, workshops, and urban interventions encourage discussion on crucial issues: inclusive urban planning, material sustainability, the circular economy, and the impact of technology on the quality of daily life.
At São Paulo Design Week, design is not intended as a mere consumer item, but as a process and solution to the challenges of the modern metropolis.
DW! São Paulo Design Week, photo from Revista House
Visitor’s Guide: how to experience DW!
Given the immensity of the event – which exceeded 400 events in its last edition – approaching DW! requires a strategy. Here are some tips for navigating the festival to the fullest:
– Create your own itinerary: There is no universal program. Each visitor builds their own personalized agenda. Use the official website to filter events by district, type of activity (talks, tours, exhibitions), and personal interest.
– Monitor the mini-sites: Each participating brand manages its own online space. This is where you’ll find details on registration, limited workshop places, and specific times.
– The Hybrid Approach: Take advantage of the digital component. If you can’t be in all places at once, the Acontece and Blog sections of the official website, along with social media channels (Instagram and TikTok), offer a complete immersion even for those following remotely.
– Accessibility: Most attractions are free and open to the public. However, for workshops, guided tours, or exclusive events, it is essential to check in advance whether accreditation is required (via platforms such as Lu.ma, email, or WhatsApp).
Why visit DW! São Paulo Design Week 2026
Participating in DW! means immersing yourself in an ecosystem of boundless creativity. In the previous edition (2025), the festival involved 132 locations with over 415 events, recording over 32 million digital impacts and 50,000 in-person visits.
Visiting DW! means experiencing São Paulo as an open-air creative laboratory, discovering the latest trends in Brazilian furniture and design. Whether you are a professional looking to network or an art and architecture enthusiast, DW! offers you a unique opportunity to experience the energy of the Latin American design capital, celebrating beauty and functionality in every corner of the metropolis
DW! São Paulo Design Week, São Paulo, Brazil
March 5-22, 2026
The events are open to professional and general public
Size: 415 events, 132 locations, 500,000 visitors
Visit DWSemanadedesign.com.br website for info and registration

MATTER and SHAPE 2026: the design event of the season
2026-03-06 09:30 - 2026-03-09 18:00 (Europe/Paris) | Jardin des Tuileries, Place de La Concorde, Paris, 75001, France
If you find yourself in Paris this March, you’re likely bracing for the whirlwind of Fashion Week – the frantic pace, the runway shows, the sheer saturation of style. But tucked away in the serene greenery of the Jardin des Tuileries, something much calmer, yet equally vital, is happening: MATTER and SHAPE.
At a Glance: MATTER and SHAPE 2026

Dates: March 6th – 9th, 2026
Location: Jardin des Tuileries, Paris
Exhibitors: 60+ global exhibitors
Visitors: Over 20,000 total visitors since its 2024 debut (with over 8,000 attending the previous edition alone)

Discover DesignMiami Paris

It’s an annual design salon that refuses to behave like a standard trade show. Born in 2024, it has rapidly become the place where the worlds of design, architecture, art, and fashion collide. It’s not just about selling furniture; it’s about a dialogue. And for its third edition, taking place from March 6th to March 9th, 2026, the conversation is going big- or perhaps, very small.

MATTER and SHAPE 2026 theme: A Study in “Scale”

This year, Artistic Director Dan Thawley has set a compelling anchor for the salon: Scale.
Drawing inspiration from Rem Koolhaas and Bruce Mau’s iconic S, M, L, XL, the 2026 edition invites us to rethink our relationship with the objects around us. Whether it’s the minute detail of a handcrafted vase or the monumental architecture of a pavilion, scale is the lens through which we view our contemporary world.
It’s not just a theoretical exercise, either. You’ll find exhibitors presenting work across every conceivable production level – from one-off collectible pieces born in intimate artisan workshops to the complex outputs of global supply chains. It’s an honest look at the “scales of justice” in design: where things come from, who made them, and the ethical weight of our consumption.
Discover DesignMiami Seoul
Matter and Shape, NO GA stand
Why design is having a “fashion” moment
For a long time, the design world lacked the po – -cultural megaphone that fashion enjoys. But as Dan Thawley aptly puts it, “If I had done this interview 10 years ago, I probably would have said to you that fashion has never been more fashionable. Now that’s true of design.”
MATTER and SHAPE is the celebration of that shift. It’s a space where the aestheticized public—those who obsess over runway collections—are finding a new home in the world of high-end industrial and object design.
There’s a beautiful crossover of sensibilities happening here. You’ll find fashion buyers, architects, interior designers, and curious design enthusiasts all rubbing shoulders in the Jardin des Tuileries. It’s less “stiff trade fair,” more “curated cultural exploration.”

Discover DesignMiami
Matter and Shape 2025, stand Transparent
What to expect at the 2026 Salon

The Architecture: Two ephemeral pavilions designed by the multidisciplinary London/New York-based JA Projects (led by Jayden Ali).
The Curation: A global lineup featuring icons and innovators like Ann Demeulemeester — Serax, Byredo, Flos, Iittala, Mutina, and Vitra, alongside a host of emerging talent.
The Experience: It’s not all standing and staring. With a dedicated café, a reading corner, and a robust calendar of talks, the salon is designed for lingering.

Matter and Shape 2025, stand Vitra
Whether you’re a seasoned collector or just someone who appreciates the intersection of craft, industry, and aesthetics, this is the place to be. MATTER and SHAPE isn’t just about showing products; it’s about questioning why we show them, where we show them, and how they define our modern homes.
Why Visit?
Visiting MATTER and SHAPE offers a rare chance to see the design world through the high-energy lens of Paris Fashion Week. This isn’t your typical, static furniture fair; it is a living dialogue between craft, industry, and culture.
The 2026 edition centers on the theme of “Scale,” inviting you to explore how proportions—from the micro-detail of a collectible object to the macro-impact of industrial production—shape our daily lives. You’ll experience a world-class curation within two stunning ephemeral pavilions designed by JA Projects, set against the historic backdrop of the Tuileries.
Beyond the exhibitions, the salon serves as a vibrant social hub. Whether you’re grabbing a coffee in the designer café, browsing the new reading corner, or attending a talk with global thought leaders, you’ll be part of a community that is actively redefining what 21st-century design looks and feels like.
Matter and Shape 2025, stand Ymer & Malta
MATTER and SHAPE, March 6-9, 2026
Location: Jardin des Tuileries, Paris
Size: 60+ exhibitors, with over 8,000 visitors
Open to general public and professional
Paid admissions, special price for students
Visit Matterandshape.com for info and tickets

CIFF Guangzhou 2026: the future of living
2026-03-18 09:00 - 2026-03-21 18:00 (Asia/Shanghai) | Canton Fair Complex, 382 Yuejiangzhong Road, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510335, China
As global markets evolve and consumer expectations become increasingly sophisticated, the home furniture sector is entering a new phase of transformation. From immersive retail formats to digital experiences, and toward environments that are more personalized, emotional, and lifestyle-oriented, brands must rethink not only what they design but also how they relate to people. In this context, CIFF – China International Furniture Market – Guangzhou 2026 strengthens its role as a strategic reference point for the industry. It acts as an international platform where design, innovation, and business converge to explore what lies ahead.
Discover CIFF Guanzghou 2025

CIFF Guanghzou 2026: new lifestyles
Scheduled for March, 18-21, and 28-31, 2026, the 57th edition of CIFF Guangzhou presents an exhibition dedicated to Home Furniture that goes beyond a simple product showcase. It is conceived as a future-oriented ecosystem. It reflects a market that is expanding beyond traditional categories and embracing new creative forces, new consumption models, and new forms of value creation. At the same time, it promotes a more dynamic dialogue among manufacturers, designers, retailers, and digital players.

New creative forces redefining the market
One of the defining features of CIFF Guangzhou 2026 is the arrival of a new generation of partners and creative voices. In the fields of commercial and contemporary design, a growing number of innovative brands are introducing fresh perspectives that move beyond the boundaries between functionality, emotion, and cultural expression. Companies such as Camerich, Neodko, Pablo, Dickson, and Yeswood represent this new wave. They combine strong design identities with a global vision.
This evolution further strengthens the positioning of the CIFF Contemporary Design Fair, which continues to develop as a laboratory for experimentation, interdisciplinary dialogue, and original product languages. Here, design is no longer just about form. It becomes storytelling, sustainability, and meaningful user experience—elements that are increasingly central to the international differentiation of brands.
Discover CIFF Guangzhou 2024

The future of retail: from product to experience
Retail is undergoing a profound redefinition, and CIFF Guangzhou 2026 captures this shift with a strong focus on experience-based consumption models. Digitalization, social commerce, and immersive technologies are transforming how people discover, interact with, and purchase furniture. Virtual showrooms, scenario-based installations, and hybrid online-offline strategies are no longer experimental. They are quickly becoming the new standard.
In this evolving context, brands are moving away from static product presentations. They are embracing storytelling, community building, and emotional engagement. CIFF encourages exhibitors to rethink how furniture is communicated and experienced. It invites them to transform each product into part of a broader lifestyle narrative that resonates with contemporary consumers.

Different lifestyles, new markets
Beyond established categories, CIFF Guangzhou 2026 highlights two of the most dynamic and promising lifestyle segments: Silver Life and Pet Life. These areas reflect deep demographic and cultural changes that are reshaping how homes are designed and lived in.
Furniture and spatial solutions are increasingly oriented toward well-being, accessibility, and intergenerational living. They respond to the needs of an aging population. At the same time, the growing emotional bond between people and their pets is generating new product types and new design approaches. These changes are turning domestic environments into inclusive, adaptive, and emotionally intelligent ecosystems.
These are not niche trends. They are long-term structural transformations that open new market opportunities and redefine the very meaning of “home.”
Discover CIFF Shanghai 2025
Pet furniture at CIFF Guangzhou
A new ecosystem: where design, technology, and lifestyle converge
CIFF Guangzhou 2026 presents the Home Furniture sector as a fully integrated ecosystem, where design culture, manufacturing intelligence, and consumer behavior come together. The Upholstered Furniture segment, for example, is evolving far beyond the concept of comfort. Brands such as HTL, AICO, Ashley, Chateau d’Ax, and Egoitaliano are redefining this category by focusing on ergonomics, modularity, wellness-oriented solutions, and smart functions. They respond to increasingly diverse living needs. Technology becomes invisible yet essential, integrating seamlessly into everyday life.
At the same time, the Dining & Living sector reflects the transformation of domestic spaces into fluid, multifunctional environments. Furniture is no longer designed for static scenarios. It now supports hybrid lifestyles that blend work, leisure, and social interaction within the same space.

Why visit
Across all sectors, CIFF acts as a connector. It brings together manufacturers, designers, retailers, distributors, and digital innovators. It helps them understand global changes, build new partnerships, and create more resilient value chains.
CIFF Guangzhou 2026 is not just a showcase of what is new. It is a platform for what comes next. By bringing together creativity, craftsmanship, technology, and market intelligence, the Home Furniture exhibition offers a comprehensive vision of how the industry can evolve toward living environments that are more sustainable, inclusive, and emotionally engaging.
We look forward to welcoming you to CIFF Guangzhou to discover where the future of living begins.
CIFF Guangzhou
First Phase, March 18-21, 2026
Second Phase, March 28-31, 2026
CIFF Guangzhou is for professionals only
Size: 4.900 exhibitors, 390,000 visitors (total) in 2025
Visit CIFF-gz.com website for more info

Design Shanghai 2026: Asia’s leading international design event returns to its roots
2026-03-19 12:00 - 2026-03-22 17:00 (Asia/Shanghai) | Shanghai Exhibition Center, 1000, Middle Yan'an Road, Shanghai, 200040, China
Design Shanghai 2026 will take place March 19-22, 2026, at the Shanghai Exhibition Centre. As one of Asia’s leading international design events, the exhibition will feature over 500 brands from more than 20 countries across furniture, lighting, kitchen and bathroom design, materials, and lifestyle sectors. The event highlights the growing influence of premium Chinese design alongside global brands. The programme includes the Kohler Design Shanghai Global Design Conference, the CMF Conference, and curated platforms focused on emerging designers, craftsmanship, and material innovation. Design in the City (March 5-22) will extend the event across more than 100 locations throughout Shanghai.
Design Shanghai, March 19-22, 2026
For professionals and general public
Size: 500 brands, 76,000 visitors
Shanghai Exhibition Center
Visit Designshanghai.com for info
Opening hours 2026:
19 March, h. 12:00 pm – 9:00 pm
20 March, h. 10:00 am – 6:00 pm
21 March, h. 10:00 am – 6:00 pm
22 March, h. 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
Discover Design Shanghai 2025
Shanghai Exhibition Center
The Chinese high-end design furniture market
The 2026 edition arrives at a time of transformation in the Chinese high-end furniture market. Valued at approximately $160–180 billion, China’s furniture sector is experiencing a shift toward premium local brands, particularly among younger consumers. These brands combine advanced manufacturing, strong cultural identity, and contemporary design language. The home furnishings segment alone exceeds $65 billion and is projected to surpass $79 billion by 2030, while high-end design furniture made in China is expected to grow steadily at a 4.8% CAGR through 2032.
Reflecting this evolution, Design Shanghai will showcase over 500 brands from more than 20 countries and regions across four key sectors: furniture and lighting; kitchen, bathroom, and system design; new materials and applications; and living and lifestyle. The exhibition presents design as an integrated system where technology, material research, craftsmanship, and human experience converge.
Design Shanghai: new craft culture
Curated platforms will interpret the emerging new craft culture shaping contemporary Asian design. Made in JDZ explores experimental ceramics from Jingdezhen, while Beyond Craft highlights the dialogue between traditional techniques and modern design thinking.
Discover Design Shanghai 2024
Moonline (Made in JDZ, Design Shanghai 2025) – Photo courtesy Design Shanghai (2026)
Additional sections include Talents for designers under 35, Collectible Design & Art for limited-edition works, and Materials First, the interactive materials laboratory curated by Chris Lefteri.
Collectible Design & Art – Photo courtesy Design Shanghai (2026)
A wide design selection
Following a 2025 edition that welcomed over 76,000 visitors, Design Shanghai 2026 confirms its position as a benchmark platform for architects, designers, brands, and industry professionals. With its return to a historic venue, a strong focus on premium Chinese design, and an expanded city-wide programme, the event offers a comprehensive view of how design, technology, and cultural identity are shaping the future of the global design landscape.
Design Shanghai Global Conferences
Alongside the exhibition, the content programme features the Kohler Design Shanghai Global Design Conference, focused on Beyond Sustainability: Designing with Nature, and the CMF Conference, exploring Vitality as a design and cultural driver.
Lounge sofa by Roche Bobois – photo courtesy Roche Bobois
Design in the city
The event’s cultural reach extends beyond the venue with Design in the City (March 5–22, 2026). More than 100 locations across Shanghai will host installations, workshops, talks, and interactive experiences, transforming the city into a dynamic design ecosystem and strengthening the connection between global creativity and local urban culture.

Over 20 interactive experiences and satellite exhibitions – including installations, workshops, and talks – will extend the design journey beyond the exhibition venue, turning the city into an immersive design festival. Designers Sheen Tao, Roger Qian, Wang Deyang, and Zhang Yaotian will serve as regional ambassadors for Changning, Huangpu, Jing’an, and Xuhui, guiding the public through design narratives. A further indication of how Chinese design is redefining its role by focusing on identity, quality, and new generations.
Why visit
Design Shanghai 2026 (March 19-22, 2026) at the Shanghai Exhibition Centre brings together over 500 brands from more than 20 countries, making it one of Asia’s leading international design events. The exhibition covers furniture, lighting, kitchen and bathroom design, materials innovation, and lifestyle products, while highlighting the growing importance of premium Chinese design. Alongside the show, the Global Design Conference and the city-wide Design in the City programme offer valuable insight, networking, and a comprehensive view of current trends shaping the global design industry.
Design Shanghai, March 19-22, 2026
For professionals and general public
Size: 500 brands, 76,000 visitors
Shanghai Exhibition Center
Visit Designshanghai.com for info
Opening hours 2026:
19 March, h. 12:00 pm – 9:00 pm
20 March, h. 10:00 am – 6:00 pm
21 March, h. 10:00 am – 6:00 pm
22 March, h. 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
Some images from Design Shanghai 2018, at the Shanghai Exhibition Center

Milan Design Week 2026: The Ultimate Guide
2026-04-19 - 2026-04-26 | Milan, 20100
Milan Design Week 2026 is the most influential design event in the world. Every April, the city transforms into a global stage where the commercial power of the Salone del Mobile.Milano meets the creative energy of the Fuorisalone.
With over 1,000 events, navigating this week requires a strategic approach. This guide covers the essential districts, high-traffic “catalyst” locations, and professional advice for visitors and exhibitors alike.
Milan Design Week Map 2025

Click to load the interactive map

Milan Design Week 2026: Key Info
Dates: April 19 – 26, 2026
Fuorisalone (City Events): April 19 – 26
Salone del Mobile (Fair): April 21 – 26 (at Rho Fiera Milano)
Official Fair Website: salonemilano.it
Scale: 10+ Design Districts, 1,000+ Events, 500,000+ Visitors
Discover Milan Design Week history
Alcova at Milan Design Week 2026, Baggio Military Hospital
Understanding the Framework: Salone vs. Fuorisalone

Salone del Mobile.Milano: The official international furniture fair held at Rho-Fieramilano. It is a curated trade event focusing on furniture, EuroCucina (Kitchens), FTK (Technology and appliances) Salone del Bagno (International Bathroom Exhibition), and SaloneSatellite (for designers under 35). Ticket mandatory

Located at Rho Fiera Milano, this is the massive trade fair at the heart of the week. It is highly organized and sector-specific:
EuroCucina: The biennial focus on high-end kitchens and appliances
Salone del Bagno: Innovations in bathroom wellness and technology
Euroluce: The world’s leading lighting exhibition
SaloneSatellite: The launchpad for designers under 35. If you are looking for the “next big thing,” this is the place

Fuorisalone: A decentralized collection of independent events across the city. Most are free and held in galleries, warehouses, or historic palazzos. It is a spontaneous, vibrant festival involving luxury fashion houses (like Hermès and Louis Vuitton) and tech giants (Samsung, Huawei, Google). Here, design meets lifestyle, art, and technology
There is no single “official” Fuorisalone website, as events are private; however, platforms like Fuorisalone.it offer extensive crowd-sourced listings

Discover the guide to Salone del Mobile.Milano 2026
Installation by Google at Milan Design Week 2025
The 2026 Design Districts: where to go
Milan is organized into districts, each with a distinct creative identity:

Brera Design District: The luxury heart of Milan, home to prestigious showrooms and galleries
DDDesign – via Durini Design District
Certosa Design District: A rising star in the North-West, focusing on industrial regeneration and large-scale innovation hubs, in 2026 it hosts SuperPlayground, at Superstudio Village

Tortona District: Featuring Superdesign Show and Tortona Rocks, it remains a hub for international brands and immersive installations
Isola Design Festival: The place for emerging talent, circular economy projects, and collectible design.
5VIE: A blend of history and avant-garde design in the city’s oldest neighborhood.
Sarpi Design District: An emerging circuit integrating Milan’s Chinatown into the design conversation

Discover Milan Design Week 2025 map & agenda

Design Week Milan: Brera Design District
The “Catalyst” Locations in 2025: High-Traffic Powerhouses
According to the Salone del Mobile industry reports, certain events, in 2025, acted as catalysts, drawing massive crowds due to their prestige and scale.
Pro Tip: These locations served as excellent starting points for curated itineraries. For those looking to exhibit, positioning your event near a catalyst location is a powerful strategy to capture high “spillover” traffic and visibility.

INTERNI (Università Statale): The undisputed center of gravity for large-scale architectural installations in the historic courtyards of the Statale University

DDDesign – via Durini Design District
Alcova 2026: Famed for activating forgotten spaces, Alcova expands this year into two iconic venues: Villa Pestarini and the Ospedale Militare di Baggio (Military Hospital).
MoscaPartners “Variations” (Palazzo Litta): A refined showcase of contemporary design set against the baroque splendor of one of Milan’s most beautiful palaces
Masterly | The Dutch in Milano (Palazzo Giureconsulti): Situated next to the Duomo, this is the essential hub for Dutch craftsmanship and innovation

Exhibitor Strategy: How to Stand Out
Exhibiting in Milan is a major investment. You have two main paths:

Independent Events: Total creative control, but requires significant budget for location rental, PR, and logistics. Renting a private gallery or warehouse, offers maximum visibility but requires a dedicated PR agency and an exhibition architect.
Collective Exhibitions: Ideal for smaller brands. Hubs like Superdesign Show, Isola, or Fabbrica del Vapore provide a curated environment and shared visibility.

Strategy: Ensure you have a defined communication plan. Media and buyers typically stay only 3–4 days; being “in the right place” (near a district hub or catalyst event) is vital. Unless you are a world-famous brand, one-day events often get lost in the noise. Aim for at least 4-5 days of presence to ensure press and buyer coverage.

Travel & Survival Logistics for 2026
Transport: Getting Around the Crowds
Milan’s public transport is excellent but will be under pressure.

Metro & Trams: Use contactless payment (Credit Card/Smartphone) directly at the turnstiles.
Avoid Taxis: During peak hours, wait times can exceed 40 minutes.
Apps to Download: ATM Milano (Metro/Bus), Moovit (best for city routes), and Trenit (for trains).

Where to Stay (and How to Save)
Milan becomes extremely expensive in April

Stay Outside the Center: Look for hotels in cities like Monza, Saronno, or Legnano. They are connected to Milan by Trenord trains in 20-30 minutes and are significantly cheaper.
Book 6 Months Early: If you wait until January, prices will double.

Again in 2026, a strategic choice could be MiTo Design Connections, a unique initiative that bridges the gap between Turin and Milan.

Turin as a Design Hub: Only 40 minutes by high-speed train Milan-Turin-Milan, Turin becomes a vibrant extension of Milan Design Week. It offers a curated blend of art, culture, and gastronomy at a more accessible pace. The high-speed train stops at Rho-Fieramilano, during Salone del Mobile.Milano
Seamless Logistics: MiTo offers complete hospitality services, including premium hotel packages and seamless rail connections directly to the heart of the design events.
Exhibitor Benefits: For brands and professionals, MiTo provides a dynamic setting for networking and relaxation, away from the frantic crowds of central Milan, without sacrificing proximity to the Salone

Why visit
Visit Milan Design Week 2026 to witness the global epicenter of innovation, where the world-class Salone del Mobile and 1,000+ city-wide events merge into a living museum. It’s a unique chance to network with industry leaders and explore the future of living across iconic districts and high-traffic “catalyst” locations
Milan Design Week 2026: Key Info
Dates: April 19 – 26, 2026
City Events: April 19 – 26
Salone del Mobile (Fair): April 21 – 26 (at Rho Fiera Milano)
Scale: 10+ Design Districts, 1,000+ Events, 500,000+ Visitors
Visit the websites of the Design Districts for more info

Salone del Mobile.Milano 2026: the complete guide
2026-04-21 09:30 - 2026-04-26 18:30 (Europe/Rome) | Rho-Fieramilano, Strada Statale del Sempione 28, Rho (Milano), Milano, 20017, Italy
Salone del Mobile.Milano 2026: the ultimate guide to AI innovation, collectible design, and the future of living
The 64th edition of Salone del Mobile.Milano, set to run from 21st to 26th April 2026, represents a pivotal moment for the global furniture and design industry. Under the strategic theme “A Matter of Salone,” the event returns to the primal essence of matter – the origin of every gesture and form – while simultaneously charting the digital and sustainable coordinates of the near future.
With over 1,900 exhibitors from 32 countries and a completely sold-out net exhibition space of 169,000 square metres, the Salone is no longer just a trade show; it is an active cultural infrastructure. Led by President Maria Porro, the 2026 edition is designed to be more connected, accessible, and inclusive, cementing Milan’s role as the global capital of contemporary design innovation.
Salone del Mobile.Milano 2026 Quick Guide

Dates: 21-26 April 2026
Location: Rho Fieramilano
Opening hours: 9:30 am – 6:30 pm
Key biennials: Eurocucina (FTK) and Salone Internazionale del Bagno (International Bathroom Exhibition)
Main themes: AI integration, longevity, and sustainable luxury
Key curators: Annalisa Rosso, OMA (Rem Koolhaas), formafantasma

Discover more on Salone del Mobile.Milano
Entrance at Salone del Mobile.Milano, photo Alessandro Russotti, courtesy Salone del Mobile.Milano
The strategic evolution of the 64th edition
In an era of geopolitical shifts and market instability, the Salone del Mobile.Milano serves as a “fixed point”, a strategic driver for a sector that continues to push the boundaries of industrial excellence. The 2026 strategy focuses on deep internationalization and the creation of a “cultural leverage” that adds value to every commercial interaction.

International Reach: With 36.6% of exhibitors coming from outside Italy, the fair represents the highest concentration of global design talent.
Global Roadshows: Extensive missions across the US, UK, and Germany have built a bridge between the European design tradition and emerging global trends.
Saudi Expansion: The “Red in Progress” pilot mission in Riyadh has successfully positioned the Salone as a key partner for the massive architectural developments in the Middle East.
Economic Impact: The fair serves a wood-furniture supply chain that generates over €52 billion in production turnover, making it the most important B2B platform in the world.

Discover Milan Design Week
Pierre Yves Rochon, Villa Heritage. Photo Monica Spezia, courtesy Salone del Mobile.Milano
Global connectivity and the new geography of design
The 2026 edition is the result of a rigorous plan to diversify markets and strengthen relationships with international decision-makers. The Salone is not just waiting for visitors to arrive; it is actively going to meet them in their home markets through high-level institutional channels and digital platforms.

Market Intelligence: Dedicated strategies for the US and China focus on luxury residential and hospitality sectors.
Institutional Channels: New missions in India, Morocco, and Turkey are opening doors for Italian manufacturers to engage with large-scale developers.
The Art Basel Connection: Strategic collaborations in Miami and Hong Kong are blurring the lines between high-end furniture and the world of collectible art.
Digital Integration: The Salone’s digital platform now serves as a year-round hub for connection, offering exhibitors and buyers a continuous ecosystem for trade and inspiration.

Discover Milan Salone del Mobile 2025
Milan Salone del Mobile 2025. Photo Andrea Mariani, courtesy Salone del Mobile.Milano
Eurocucina and FTK: when artificial intelligence meets the heart of the home
The return of the biennial EuroCucina, alongside FTK – Technology For the Kitchen, is perhaps the most anticipated highlight of 2026. This year, AI kitchen integration redefines the kitchen, moving beyond mere utility toward an emotional and multisensory experience.

Invisible Induction Hobs: Cutting-edge surfaces where induction technology is embedded directly into the countertop material (ceramic or stone), creating a seamless workspace.
Smart Kitchen Technology: Ovens equipped with AI vision to identify food and suggest perfect cooking parameters, alongside refrigerators that manage inventory and minimize food waste.
Emotional Minimalism: A trend toward “quiet luxury” where the technology is hidden, leaving only natural materials like FSC-certified wood and recycled glass visible.
Home Automation Ecosystems: Integrated lighting and sound systems that adjust based on the time of day and the specific activity occurring in the kitchen.

Salone Internazionale del Bagno: the era of longevity and the home spa
In the Salone Internazionale del Bagno (International Bathroom Exhibition), featuring 163 exhibitors, the narrative has shifted from the “bathroom as a service” to the “home spa” as a sanctuary of wellness. The keyword for 2026 is longevity, reflecting a commitment to products that stand the test of time both aesthetically and functionally.

Water-Efficient Bathroom Technology: Smart taps and showerheads that monitor real-time water consumption and use AI to prevent leaks and optimize temperature.
Repairable Modular Furniture: A new industrial standard where components are designed to be easily replaced or upgraded, extending the product lifecycle indefinitely.
Wellness Materials: The use of antibacterial, non-toxic, and circular materials that promote a healthy domestic environment.
Silent Tech: Digital plumbing and ventilation systems designed to operate without acoustic interference, ensuring the bathroom remains a space of total relaxation.

Salone Raritas: a new curatorial atlas for collectible design
Debuting in Pavilion 9, Salone Raritas is a bold new project curated by Annalisa Rosso that addresses the increasing convergence of art and design. This “atlas of collectible design” creates a space for unique objects and limited editions that are becoming essential for high-end luxury interiors.

Galleries and Designers: 25 world-class galleries, including Nilufar and Formafantasma, showcase pieces that challenge the boundaries of functional art.
The Architectural Lantern: An exhibition design that uses light and transparency to create a sober, museum-quality atmosphere within the fairgrounds.
Sabine Marcelis: A dedicated project by the Dutch designer explores the sensory relationship between light, matter, and the human observer.
Bespoke Potential: This sector serves architects looking for one-of-a-kind solutions for prestigious hospitality and private residential commissions.

Salone Contract: a masterplan by OMA and Rem Koolhaas
A major strategic shift for 2026 is the official opening toward the Contract sector. The Salone Contract project, developed with the architectural powerhouse OMA (Rem Koolhaas and David Gianotten), provides a structured response to the complexity of global supply chains.

Hospitality Design Trends 2026: Focused sessions on how hotels can integrate high-end Italian design with the rigorous performance standards required by the industry.
Marine Interior Design Solutions: A dedicated look at the booming yacht and cruise ship industry, where durability and luxury must coexist in extreme conditions.
Real Estate Forums: International talks between designers and developers to discuss how furniture and architecture can increase the value of global property developments.
Integrated Supply Chains: A new wayfinding itinerary helps contract buyers identify exhibitors who are ready and equipped for large-scale, integrated projects.

Technogym at Milan Salone del Mobile 2025. Photo Andrea Mariani, courtesy Salone del Mobile.Milano
SaloneSatellite: craftsmanship and innovation for the next generation
Celebrating its 27th edition, SaloneSatellite remains the world’s most vital laboratory for young designers under 35. The 2026 theme, “Skilled Craftsmanship + Innovation,” highlights the return to “making” as a cultural and political act.

700 Young Talents: Designers from 32 countries and 23 international schools present prototypes that prioritize sustainability and social impact.
Digital Artisans: Projects that combine traditional manual skills (woodworking, ceramics) with advanced digital tools like 3D printing and AI-generated forms.
The Satellite Award: A jury of experts recognizes the most innovative projects that can be translated into industrial production.
Cultural Exchange: Providing a platform where the energy of youth meets the experience of the world’s largest furniture manufacturers.

SaloneSatellite 2025. Photo Ludovica Mangini, courtesy Salone del Mobile.Milano
Aurea and the architecture of luxury fiction
In Pavilions 13-15, the “A Luxury Way” circuit hosts Aurea, an Architectural Fiction, an immersive installation by the Parisian studio Maison Numéro 20. This project explores the intangible elements of sustainable luxury.

Sensory Narration: An imaginary hotel setting where light, scent, and sound are treated as architectural materials.
Art Deco Meets Surrealism: A visual language that borrows from heritage while using ultra-contemporary, low-impact materials.
Immaterial Value: The installation challenges the idea that luxury is defined by price, suggesting instead that it is defined by the quality of the atmosphere and the ethics of the production.
The Experience Economy: Demonstrating how physical spaces must now offer an emotional “event” to remain relevant in a digital world

Neuroscience-based wayfinding and the visitor experience
To manage the complexity of the fair’s 169,000 square metres, the Salone has introduced a revolutionary wayfinding system designed by Leftloft. This system is rooted in neuroscience and the logic of urban railway networks to ensure a friction-free visitor journey.

Logical Hierarchy: A visual system that helps visitors prioritize their time between the biennials, the cultural installations, and the general pavilions.
Intuitive Signage: Using colors and shapes that the human brain can decode instantly, reducing “navigation fatigue” for international visitors.
Optimized Flows: Strategic placement of “hubs” and resting areas to ensure a balanced density of people across the Rho Fiera Milan campus.
Accessibility First: A commitment to making the fairgrounds navigable for everyone, regardless of language or physical ability

Sustainability as a systemic industrial choice

Sustainability at the Salone del Mobile.Milano 2026 is not a trend, but a baseline requirement. The event’s ISO 20121 certification is a testament to its commitment to social and environmental responsibility across the entire lifecycle of the fair.
Circular Design Furniture: Encouraging exhibitors to design booths that are 100% reusable or recyclable, with a focus on modular construction.
Drafting Futures: A public talk programme curated by Formafantasma that brings together global thinkers to discuss the ecological transition.
FSC-Certified Materials: A strong push toward transparency in the wood supply chain, ensuring that luxury never comes at the cost of global forests.
Ethical Innovation: Highlighting brands that are pioneering new materials made from bio-waste or ocean-bound plastics

Milan as the Global Capital of contemporary design
The synergy between the Salone and the city of Milan remains the event’s most powerful asset. From the opening night at Teatro alla Scala to the hundreds of events during Milan Design Week, the city becomes a living museum of innovation.

Salone in the City: Over 200 showrooms participate in a coordinated programme that bridges the gap between the fairgrounds and the urban fabric
The K-Way Itinerary: An architectural tour of the city curated by Bianca Felicori, helping visitors discover Milan’s modern heritage
Global Networking: Milan serves as the ultimate “relational driver,” the place where people sign the most important deals in the furniture industry

Milan Salone del Mobile in Milan, photo courtesy Salone del Mobile.Milano
Why visit?

Innovation and AI: discover the integration of artificial intelligence in kitchens and the latest wellness solutions for the bathroom sector, at Eurocucina, FTK and Salone Internazionale del Bagno
New curatorial territories: explore the debut of Salone Raritas for collectible design and the preview of the OMA-curated Salone Contract project
Global network: access a unique strategic platform with over 1,900 international exhibitors from 32 different countries
Cultural experience: enjoy an immersive program of installations, high-level talks, and emerging talent at SaloneSatellite

Salone del Mobile.Milano
For professionals only
Open to the general public on Saturday and Sunday
Size: 1,900 exhibitors, 350,000 visitors
Visit Salonemilano.it website for more info

Montréal Design Week 2026
2026-04-28 - 2026-05-07 | Montréal, Montréal, H1A
Spring 2026 marks a historic milestone for North American design. From April 28 to May 7, Montréal Design Week 2026 transforms the city into a global design capital. Conceived by Index-Design, organized by Archi-Design QC, and presented by Tafisa Canada, this event also celebrates a prestigious double anniversary: 20 years of Index-Design and 20 years of Montréal as a UNESCO City of Design.
A new vision for the built environment
This first edition expands the renowned Index-Design professional trade show (formerly Complètement Design) into a unifying festival. It brings together the entire built environment industry – architects, designers, makers, and the public – through a constellation of over 60 free events and 10 exclusive professional dates.

Discover DesignTO 2026
Complètement Design 2025. Photo: Alex Lesage, courtesy Semaine Design de Montréal
Montréal Design Week 2026 at a glance

Duration: 10 days of immersion into Quebec’s creative soul.
Accessibility: Around 60 free destinations including open studios, exhibitions, and architectural tours.
Professional Impact: Over 10 ticketed or invitation-only events for industry insiders.
Guest of Honor: The iconoclastic British designer Bethan Laura Wood, who will headline the Conference Day on April 29.
Key Highlights: The Index-Design Salon at the Grand Quay (April 30), featuring original scenography by Humà Design + Architecture

Double Entendre Collective: Audrey Demers, Sarah Yao Rishea, Étienne Vernier
Exclusive professional events
For industry members, the program offers high-level networking and educational opportunities:

Opening Breakfast (April 28): Presented by Montoni at Sid Lee Architecture (Invitation Only).
Index-Design Conference Day (April 29): Presented by Kohler at the Montréal Museum of Fine Arts. A day of deep dives with guest of honor Bethan Laura Wood (Ticketed).
Salon Index-Design Trade Show (April 30): The flagship event at the Grand Quay of the Port of Montréal. Expect 2,500 visitors and 70+ exhibitors (Presented by Tafisa, Ticketed).
Trade Show Cocktail (April 30): Presented by Vicostone at the Grand Quay.
In situ Masterclass (May 1): “Behind the Scenes of a Design Destination” hosted by ROYALMOUNT (Invitation Only).
Design Session – Meet Eugeni Quitllet (May 4): Hosted by Roche Bobois (Invitation Only).
Design Session – Graphic Design (May 5): Featuring Mathieu Cournoyer, hosted by Centura (Invitation Only).
Design Session – Collection Reveal (May 6): With Marie Saint Pierre, hosted by Baril (Invitation Only).
Soirée Index-Design 20/200 (May 7): Presented by Ciot, hosted by Ciot (Invitation Only)

Discover Interior Design Show
Foil Gallery. Photo: Alex Lesage, courtesy Semaine Design de Montréal
Public Program: 60+ events & destinations
The city opens its doors to everyone with a rich program of installations, tours, and exhibitions.
Architectural tours & installations

DRAMA TABLE (April 28 – May 3): A participatory installation by The NNS.
Art & Design Dialogue (April 30): 5 PM at Desjardins Bherer, with Avant-Scène and Robertson Ares Gallery.
Lighting Up Montréal City Hall (April 29): At Place Vauquelin by HLB Lightning.
Villa-Maria Station (May 2): “Between Collective Memory and Movement” by COEX at 11 AM.
Esquisse (May 7): Interaction design and musical collaboration by Daily tous les jours at Technopôle Angus (4 PM).
Reimagining the Franciscans’ Convent (May 1–3): Building tomorrow’s city by Entremise, SURCY, and Nouveau Milieu.
Architectural Run (May 1): 7:30 AM departure from 435 rue Beaubien O., by Modulor x LeClub.
History Tour of the CCA (May 1): 10 AM at the Canadian Centre for Architecture.
Corps Habité (May 2): Immersive experience at Studio Idéal by MAAT Gallery

The Franciscains ConventPhoto: Entremise, Nouveau Milieu, Surcy, courtesy Semaine Design de Montréal
Essential Design Exhibitions at Montréal Design Week 2026

Soft Goods (April 28 – May 3): By Double Entendre at White Wall Studio.
Ourse x Lambert et Fils (April 28 – May 7): At Galerie 6250.
Living Color (May 5–8): At Chapelle de la Cité-des-Hospitalières with Sophie Gaillot, Richard Pontais, Laboratoire Textile, Atelier b, Annie Legault, and Studio Minéral.
Passengers by MOLD Gallery (April 30 – May 1): At WIP. Featuring: Emile Algue, Geneviève Grenier, Jacqueline Beaumont, Jean-Michel Gadoua, Juliette Dupont, L.L.Y. Atelier, Olivier Bonnard, Philippe Saint-Denis, Rachel Bussin, Simon Johns, and Sophie Murphy.
Ex-tension by Procedures Industry (May 1–8): At Atelier L’Abri. Featuring a massive collective: Alex Lesage, Arseni Khamzin, Atelier Igor Zigor, Atelier Zébulon Perron, Carmine Tagliamonti, Ceragres, David Raymond, Emmanuelle Roque, Fomenta, Gabriel Page, Henry Acteson, Inat, Jacob Boyd, Jeremy Le Chatelier, Jeremy Paguet, Jeta, Lambert et Fils, Le Centerpiece, Mycoaudio, Olivier Bonnard, Philippe St-Denis, Rebecca Murdock, Reggy St-Surin, Rosemarie Faille-Faubert, Stamatios, and Studio Botté.
While We are Still Here (May 1–3): At Studio Beaumont with Stamatios, Henri Acteson, Jérémy Le Chatelier, and Arseni Khamsin.
Avenue du Parc (April 29 – May 2): At boutique JETA with JETA, Sarah-Jeanne Riberdy, Sangaré, Séjour Studio, Atelier Fomenta, and Jérémy Paguet.
Full Room (May 1–7): Furniture from the 1960s to today.
Montreal 1976: An Olympic Feat: Ongoing at the McCord Stewart Museum

Complètement Design 2025. Photo: F-O Paquin, courtesy Semaine Design de Montréal
The Fine Crafts Itinerary & Open Studios
In collaboration with CMAQ, discover the richness of fine craft expertise.
Open Studios & Workshops:

Atelier Le Traon: “The woven secrets of tweed” (May 2–3, by reservation).
MDT Mobilier, Hamster Objets de Compagnie & Essai: (May 1–2).
Fjord Intérieurs × Prune Les Fleurs: (April 28 – May 1).
Atelier Gris: “From Drawing to Welding” (May 6).
Glass Studios: Clara Jorisch and Verre d’Onge (May 5–6).
Futil Studio: “The Modern Scagliola Laboratory” (April 28 – May 7).
Supergrand: Rugs redefining space (April 28 – May 3).
L’Autre Atelier: “Design Artisan immersion” (May 1–3).
Atelier Vaste x Mark Krebs: Showroom opening (May 6).
Ināt: Open studio (April 28 – May 7).
Atelier Retailles: “Point de chute” (April 29 – May 2).
Centre de céramique Bonsecours: “Deux Artisans” by Vincent Castonguay, Alexandra Gélinas, and David Simard (April 28 – May 7).

Discussions and Dialogue

Design, City, and Identity (April 28): 4 PM at Le Rodier – La Piscine.
The Designer as Author (May 2): 7 PM at FOIL Gallery.
Cadre bâti Podcast (May 4): Live recording with Hubert Pelletier (6 PM, Espace Ville Autrement).
Bois Magique Story Series (May 2–5): Bilingual conversations at Atelier Bon Train with Daria Fontaine Pasquali, Dihua Wei, Prune Paycha, Han-Ruì Jahn, Alexandra Gélinas, Anny-Jane, Michael Fiset, Lauren Goodman, and Mitz Takahashi

Alexandre Berthiaume, TACTIL-PUNCHBAG. Photo: Futil Studio, courtesy Semaine Design de Montréal
Why visit
Montréal Design Week 2026 is a must-visit celebration marking the city’s 20th anniversary as a UNESCO City of Design with over 60 free events across its most iconic neighborhoods. By visiting, you gain rare access to the private studios of master artisans and the chance to hear from global icons like Bethan Laura Wood and Eugeni Quitllet. The program transforms the city into a living gallery, blending high-profile trade shows at the Grand Quay with immersive architectural tours of hidden convents and interactive urban installations. Whether you are discovering the next generation of talent in collective exhibitions or exploring the “Parcours Design” circuit, you will experience the absolute peak of Quebec’s creative energy during a historic springtime milestone.
Montréal Design Week
April 28 – May 7, 2026
Size: around 60 free destinations
Key Highlights: The Index-Design Salon at the Grand Quay (April 30)
Visit Semainedesigndemontreal.com for more info

Munich Creative Business Week (mcbw) Design Summit 2026
2026-05-04 09:00 - 17:30 (Europe/Berlin) | Munich Urban CoLab, Freddie-Mercury-Straße 5, Munich, 87097, Germany
How do we design for a world defined by uncertainty? On May 4, 2026, the Munich Urban Colab becomes the epicenter of global creative discourse. As the flagship event of Munich Creative Business Week (mcbw), the Design Summit 2026 invites visionaries to explore this year’s evocative theme: “Playground of Possibilities.”
In an era where AI solves problems and global shifts create doubt, design is reclaiming its role as a space for sensual, playful, and courageous experimentation.
Event Overview: mcbw Design Summit 2026

Date: Monday, May 4, 2026
Location: Munich Urban Colab, Munich, Germany
Core Theme: Playground of Possibilities
Evening Event: Networking, drinks, and snacks starting at 6:00 p.m.

Why Attend the Design Summit 2026?
The Design Summit is not merely a conference; it is a collaborative laboratory. Bringing together designers, researchers, and decision-makers from politics and marketing, the summit fosters an interdisciplinary approach to societal challenges.
Discover World Design Congress 2025
Munich Creative Business Week 2025
1. From Problem Solving to Meaning Making
As highlighted by summit speaker Roberto Verganti, while AI now excels at technical problem solving, the future of human design lies in “creative meaning making.” The summit explores how design acts as a tool for social, political, and environmental change.
2. A Space for “Productive Stumbling”
The “Playground of Possibilities” represents a shift toward trial and error. It is a venue for:

Experimentation: Stepping into the unknown to reimagine the future.
Multiperspectivity: Overcoming digital polarization through diverse design lenses.
Circular Economy: Embedding sustainability at the core of product development.

Featured Speakers & Thought Leaders
The 2026 lineup features international pioneers who are redefining the boundaries of the creative industry:
Alice Rawsthorn: Design as an Agent of Change
The award-winning critic and author of Design Emergency argues that design is a fundamental tool for ensuring that technological and social shifts affect us positively rather than negatively.
Roberto Verganti: The Future of Human-Centric Innovation
A leading voice from the Stockholm School of Economics, Verganti explores how designers must pivot from traditional problem-solving to creating deep meaning in an AI-driven world.
Marije Vogelzang: The Power of Play in Food Design
The pioneer of food design views “play” as an essential method for creative research. Her work encourages us to stay humble and humane through the sensory experience of food.
Friedrich von Borries: AI and Social Development
A professor at HFBK Hamburg, von Borries uses his platform getminds.ai to demonstrate how AI can open up new creative possibilities and bridge social divides.
Emmi Salonen: Designing for Well-being
Founder of studio Emmi, she introduces “Positive Creativity,” focusing on how design can reduce burnout and enhance human flourishing through “micro-passions.”
Hideaki Ogawa: Art as a Catalyst
The Artistic Director of Ars Electronica questions the purpose of possibility, using art to give future visions a tangible meaning.
Filippo Pagliani: The Intersection of Tradition and Audacity
The co-founder of Park Associati explores the intersection of tradition and innovation, giving form to new futures through a plurality of architectural perspectives.
Jessie Storey: Redefining the Future of Work
As a leader at Steelcase, she explores the intersection of technology, behavior, and space, embedding circular economy principles into product development.
Networking and Dialogue: Shaping the Future Together
The summit concludes with a focus on enduring ideas. By connecting designers with leaders from government agencies and global brands, mcbw creates a network that extends far beyond the Munich Urban Colab.
The day’s discussions will be moderated by Leonhard Nima, an expert in social innovation, and Max Fraser, Editorial Director at Dezeen, ensuring a deep and provocative exploration of every topic.
Munich Creative Business Week 2025

Global Design Forum Istanbul 2026: the first edition
2026-05-13 10:00 - 2026-05-16 17:00 (Europe/Istanbul) | Topkapi Complex Palace, Cankurtaran, Babı Hümayun Cad No: 1, Istanbul, 34122, Turkey
From 13 to 16 May 2026, the inaugural edition of Global Design Forum Istanbul takes place, marking the first time the London Design Festival’s flagship platform for global discourse expands its footprint to the banks of the Bosphorus.
Presented in collaboration with the strategic creative platform People Places Ideas (PPI), the Forum is set to transform İstanbul into a vibrant stage for creativity. This four-day event is not just a series of talks; it is a citywide celebration comprising public installations, digital storytelling, and high-level debate, all rooted in the city’s rich heritage and contemporary dynamism.
Istanbul: The Ultimate Design Hub
Istanbul, a metropolis of 15 million people bridging two continents, provides a backdrop like no other. As a city where ancient craftsmanship meets cutting-edge innovation, its creative economy is a powerhouse. According to UNESCO, the sector employs over 140,000 professionals and generates a staggering 74.5% of Türkiye’s creative turnover.
With 27 university design programs and over 20 international design events annually, İstanbul has firmly established itself as a regional hub. Global Design Forum İstanbul leverages this unique position, reestablishing the city as a gateway between East and West and a vital platform for design exchange.
Visionary Leadership: The Creative Minds Behind the Forum
The event is led by Melek Zeynep Bulut, serving as the Artistic Director. Bulut oversees the creative ideation and programming, ensuring the forum celebrates the specific idiosyncrasies and creative energy of İstanbul. She works alongside Ben Evans, Co-Founder and Chairman of the London Design Festival & Global Design Forum.
The intellectual heart of the event – the discussion program – is curated by Beatrice Galilee, the Forum Content Advisor. Galilee has introduced the theme “Worlds in Contact,” which explores the material, political, and bodily collisions that occur when different worlds meet.
Discover the World Design Congress 2025
World in Contact
The Four Pillars: A Program Built on Meaning
The Forum is structured around four core principles that guide the audience through the city’s creative landscape:
Discussion: “Worlds in Contact” at Hagia Irene
The centerpiece of the event is two days of curated keynotes and panels (14-15 May) held in the historic courtyard of Hagia Irene, within the Topkapı Palace Complex.
Day One: Thursday, 14 May

Worlds in Contact: A rapid sequence of provocations from architects and designers from Thailand, Mexico, and Europe, exploring how design can share authorship with ecosystems and non-human minds.
Liam Young’s Planet City: A radical film and performance piece that imagines the entire human population living in one hyper-dense city, allowing the rest of the planet to rewild.
In Conversation: Tom Dixon & Lina Ghotmeh: A rare dialogue between industry icon Tom Dixon and award-winning Lebanese architect Lina Ghotmeh on sustainability, materiality, and sustaining a practice through change.
Keynote: Hussein Chalayan: The legendary designer reflects on his rigorous practice at the intersection of fashion and technology.

Discover the World Design Summit 2025
Tom Dixon and Lina Ghotmeh
Day Two: Friday, 15 May

In Conversation: Lesley Lokko: One of the most influential voices in architecture discusses the colonial structures within the industry and what architecture owes to those it has historically excluded.
Keynote: Marina Tabassum: Based in the climate-vulnerable Bengal delta, Tabassum will close the forum by asking the ultimate question: What are we actually designing for?

Serpentine Pavilion 2025, by Marina Tabassum
Placemaking: “Praise of Transience”
Curated by Melek Zeynep Bulut, this pillar features public installations that challenge the idea of architecture as a permanent object.

Pavilion of the Moment: Designed by Waugh Thistleton Architects using slender pine boards, this timber structure abstracts the geometry of Hagia Irene. It is lightweight, demountable, and designed to be experienced as something temporal and rhythmic.
NUN Architecture’s Talk Space: An experiential space designed specifically for the forum’s sessions in the Hagia Irene courtyard.

Storytelling: The “İstanbullar” Creative Archive
To connect the global audience with the city’s pulse, the Forum presents İstanbullar, a dynamic digital map spotlighting 40 creative people, places, and ideas. Highlights include:

Barın Han: The studio of calligrapher Emin Barın, where traditional bookbinding is still practiced.
Zeytinburnu Mosaic Museum: A contemporary “floating box” structure covering 6th-century Roman mosaics.
Zeyrek Çinili Hamam: A 500-year-old Mimar Sinan bathhouse that now hosts a museum and contemporary art in a Byzantine cistern.
Şehrin Panoları: An online project archiving the unique, identity-defining signboards of the city.

Rethinking: The Yedikule Garden Competition
The event will conclude with the launch of an international design competition for the Yedikule district. This project aims to revive the area through contemporary garden and lighting design, engaging future generations in the preservation and evolution of their urban environment.
A Global Gathering of Minds
The Forum will convene over 30 leading international voices. The roster of delegates includes:

Architects & Designers: Ma Yansong, Boonserm Premthada, Florian Idenburg, Alper Derinboğaz, Melike Altınışık, Han Tümertekin, and Stephen Burks.
Thinkers & Curators: Beatrice Leanza, Suhair Khan, James Bridle, Beral Madra, and Olaf Grawert.
Creative Pioneers: Cooking Sections (Alon Schwabe & Daniel Fernández Pascual), Fernando Laposse, and many more.

Global Design Forum: Design as a Shared Language
Global Design Forum İstanbul is more than a conference; it is a multi-voiced gathering and a platform for research. By using design as a shared language for soft power and collaboration, it positions Istanbul not just as a host, but as a leader in the global creative sector.
Global Design Forum İstanbul | 13 – 16 May 2026 | Topkapi Palace Complex | Istanbul
Two Days of Discussion: 14-15 May, 2026 at Hagia Irene, Topkapi Complex Palace

NYCxDESIGN Festival 2026
2026-05-14 - 2026-05-20 | New York, New York, NY, 10001, United States
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 Map 2026

Click to load the interactive map

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.
Discover NYCxDesign 2025

NYCxDesign Opening party 2025
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.
Screenshot
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.

The Portal, installation at Flatiron – NoMad, 2024
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.

NYCxDESIGN, IBM Keynote, 2025
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
ICFF entrance, 2025. Photo Jenna Bascom, from ICFF website
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

ICFF 2026: the future of global design
2026-05-17 10:00 - 2026-05-19 17:00 (America/New_York) | Jacob Javits Convention Center, 429 11th Ave, New York City, NY, 10001, United States
The design world is descending upon New York City once again. As the anchor of NYCxDESIGN, the International Contemporary Furniture Fair (ICFF) returns to the Javits Center from May 17-19, 2026.
This year’s theme, Common Ground: A Global Dialogue on Design and Shared Values, marks a pivotal shift for North America’s leading contemporary design platform. ICFF 2026 isn’t just a marketplace; it’s a cross-disciplinary forum tackling the urgent social, environmental, and material questions of our time.
Here is everything you need to know about the partnerships, exhibitions, and speakers defining this year’s fair.

Dates: May 17-19, 2026 (May 19 public day)
Location: Javits Center, NYC
Key Event: ICFF Editors Awards – May 17 at 5:00 PM
Registration: Visit icff.com to secure your pass

Discover ICFF 2025
ICFF entrance, 2025. Photo Jenna Bascom, from ICFF website
Design with purpose: the Habitat for Humanity Partnership
In a landmark move, ICFF has announced its first-ever charity partnership with Habitat for Humanity NYC and Westchester. This initiative focuses on equitable housing and affordable homeownership. A portion of all ICFF 2026 registration proceeds will go directly to Habitat’s mission; beyond financial aid, the partnership includes material resources and in-kind support to build a more inclusive New York.
Dan Rosen at ICCF Editor Awards 2025. Photo Jenna Bascom, from ICFF website
Landmark Exhibitions: Bauhaus to healthy materials
ICFF 2026 is bridging the gap between design history and future innovation through two major curated showcases:

Rarify x Bauhaus Archive Berlin: In a historic first, Rarify – in partnership with Tecta and the Bauhaus Archive Berlin – will display original Bauhaus drawings, prints, and artifacts. This exhibition marks the first time a living manufacturer has united with the official archive at ICFF
The Materials Section: Led by Jonsara Ruth (Healthy Materials Lab at Parsons), this new exhibit explores sustainable sourcing and non-toxic building. Sponsored by Hydro, Cosentino, and Habitat Matters, it’s a must-visit for eco-conscious architects

ICFF recharge Lounge 2025
Emerging Talent & WANTED Expansion at ICFF 2026
The WANTED segment continues to be a relevant section of ICFF, focusing on the next generation of designers:

Emerging Designer Spotlight (EDS): Partnering with Clever and Amy Devers, this year-long program culminates in a live presentation
Schools Showcase: Featuring 20+ international design schools, presented alongside Design Milk
Launch Pad: Sponsored by American Standard, this remains the premier platform for independent designers to debut new prototypes
Look Book: An expanded gallery of 70+ North American design studios, presented in partnership with Dezeen

The Talks Program: 90+ Voices on Common Ground
The 2026 talks program is the most expansive in the fair’s history. Key speakers and moderators include:

Future of Housing: William Hanley (Dwell) discusses affordable housing solutions
Design Media: Tiffany Jow (Untapped Journal) leads a panel with Lila Allen, Dan Rubinstein, and Jill Singer on the evolution of design journalism
New York’s Economy: Julie Lasky (The New York Times) moderates a deep dive into the city’s design fiscal landscape
Global Dialogue: Amit Gupta (STIRworld) explores cross-cultural design influences

ICFF 2025: Bespoke area
Immersive Lounges & Networking
ICFF 2026 transforms the Javits Center into a living ecosystem of hospitality and residential design:

Bespoke Salon: Designed by Post Company, focusing on “The Art of Making”
The Oasis: A relaxation space sponsored by Ethnicraft, Leon Speakers, and Mohawk Group.
Juniper Recharge Lounge: Featuring expanded lighting programming
ICFF Night Out: On May 15, the celebration hits the streets of NoMad, SoHo, and the Flatiron districts

Dates: May 17-19, 2026 (May 19 public day)
Location: Javits Center, NYC
Key Event: ICFF Editors Awards – May 17 at 5:00 PM
Registration: Visit icff.com to secure your pass

Genova Design Week 2026: "Balance"
2026-06-03 - 2026-06-07 | Genoa, Genova, 16100, Italy
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
View of Genoa
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
Container 2, 2025
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

Piazza Giustiniani, Genova Historical centre
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.
Piazza San Lorenzo
– 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

3daysofdesign in Copenhagen 2026: Make This Moment Matter
2026-06-10 - 2026-06-12 | Copenhagen, Copenhagen, 1000, Denmark
The world of design often finds itself caught between two worlds: the reverence of the past and the speculation of the future. For 3daysofdesign 2026, the focus shifts to the most profound place of all: the present.
The newly announced theme, “Make This Moment Matter,” serves as a call to action for designers, architects, and creatives worldwide to find purpose in the “now.”
Quick Facts for 3daysofdesign 2026
3daysofdesign, Copenhagen, June 10-12, 2026
For professionals and general public
Size: 460+brands, 600+ events, 60,000+ visitors
Various locations, 8 Design Districts
Visit 3daysofdesign.dk for info
Discover 3daysofdesign 2025
Discover the events in our curated map for 3daysofdesign 2026

Click to load the interactive map

3daysofdesign 2026: the main theme
The theme for the 2026 edition of Copenhagen’s premier design festival is “Make This Moment Matter.”
While Danish design is rooted in a legendary past and a visionary future, this theme emphasizes that the only moment with the power to create change is the present. It encourages the global design community to move beyond speculation and take proactive, meaningful action.
Key pillars of the 2026 theme:

Defining the “Why”: Design without purpose is static. Meaningful design requires a clear intention behind every creation.
Sustainability & Planet: Choosing materials that do not harm the environment.
Human Wellbeing: Crafting interiors and spaces that improve our daily lives.
Community & Belonging: Building inclusive environments that foster connection.

Discover the history of 3daysofdesign
3daysofdesign 2025
The visual identity: Artwork by “On Display”
Every year, 3daysofdesign unveils a new visual identity. For 2026, the artwork was created by On Display, a cross-disciplinary design studio and collective founded by Anders Gerning, Marie Heissel, and Tor S. Johannesen.
Symbolism of the 2026 Artwork
The 2026 visual identity is a poetic collage featuring two primary elements:

The Black Lily in a Vase: A still life representing the beauty and stillness of the present.
The Origami Teller: Superimposed over the lily, this playful, universal object represents hidden answers and the anticipation of discovery.

The juxtaposition of these elements captures the “moment in between”—the transition from what was to what will be.
Why “Make This Moment Matter” matters for the design industry
As we look toward 2026, the design industry faces a pivotal moment. The theme suggests that every choice—from material sourcing to spatial layout – has a ripple effect. By focusing on the present, designers can create a legacy that starts today rather than waiting for an uncertain future.
Discover Dutch Design Week 2025

3daysofdesign 2026: a Guide to the 8 Design Districts, making this moment matter
Copenhagen is once again preparing to transform into the global epicenter of creativity. As June 2026 approaches, the city isn’t just hosting a festival; it’s providing a blueprint for how design can – and should – interact with our world. This year’s theme, ‘Make This Moment Matter’, serves as a call to action for intentionality, clarity, and care in everything we create and consume.
3daysofdesign 2025
Exploring the 8 Design Districts
– Islands Brygge: The Waterfront Renaissance
Once a gritty landscape of warehouses and manufacturing, Islands Brygge has evolved into a masterclass in urban transformation. Since the late 1990s, former industrial zones have been reimagined as public spaces.

What to expect: Contemporary architecture meeting historic industrial structures, with the harbor front acting as a vibrant social hub.

VIPP Garage, at Islands Brygge District
– District Christianshavn: The Artisan’s Anchor
Founded by King Christian IV in the 17th century, this district feels like a “city within a city.” Its Dutch-inspired canals were once the lifeblood of Danish trade.

What to expect: A deep focus on craftsmanship and maritime history, where workshops still echo the skills of centuries past.

Material Matters, exhibition in the Christianshavn District
– District Holmen: Where Legacy Meets the Launchpad
Holmen is a 300-year-old naval district that has traded warships for workstations. It is home to the Royal Danish Academy, making it the literal starting point for the next generation of designers.

What to expect: A contrast between old dockside buildings and cutting-edge galleries, featuring many of the most iconic Danish design brands.

Fantoni at Emfima showroom, in Holmen District
– District Frederiksstaden: The Height of Sophistication
If you’re looking for the “monarchy” of design, this is it. Planned as a coherent urban ensemble in the 18th century, it remains one of the finest examples of Rococo architecture in Europe.

What to expect: Stately mansions, intricate ornamentation, and a sense of power and continuity that remains largely intact.

Mutina exhibition, at Frederiksstaden District
– District Kongens Nytorv: The Ceremonial Center
The “King’s New Square” is the hinge where Copenhagen’s history, culture, and luxury meet. From its Baroque roots to its current status as a cultural crossroads, it is impossible to miss.

What to expect: High-energy exhibitions near landmarks like Charlottenborg Palace and the Royal Danish Theatre.

The sixth edition of the exhibiton Framing, in the Kongens Nytorv District
– District Rosengård: The Medieval Gateway
Rosengård represents the transition of Copenhagen from a fortified, walled enclave into an open, modern capital.

What to expect: A walk through the city’s medieval foundations, where street names still whisper the location of ancient bastions and moats.

Fritz Hansen event at 3daysofdesign 2026 (Rosengård District)
– District Nordhavn: The Blueprint for the Future
Nordhavn is the most radical experiment in the festival. Built on former industrial piers, it is being developed into a “five-minute city” – where everything a resident needs is within a five-minute walk.

What to expect: Refurbished silos and warehouses that now serve as offices and homes, showing how raw industry can become high-end, sustainable living.

Audo Copenhagen, in the Nordhavn District
– District Kultur: The Intellectual Heart
This district is where design meets democracy. It celebrates how cultural values and traditions imbue objects with meaning beyond simple aesthetics.

What to expect: Royal gardens and museums that frame contemporary cultural exchange, proving that heritage is a living, breathing thing.

Discover Homo Faber exhibition at Milan Design Week 2026
Homo Faber exhibition (Kultur District)
Navigating the Festival: The i-Points
Exploring 8 districts can be overwhelming, which is why 3daysofdesign has expanded the i-Points concept for 2026. These six hubs serve as the nervous system of the festival.

Guidance: Each i-Point is staffed by District Managers and Design Ambassadors ready to help you curate your route.
Connection: Use these as physical meeting places to pause and plan.
Exploration: The i-Points are the official starting blocks for Design Walks and other curated tours.

Why visit
Visit 3daysofdesign 2026 to experience design as a proactive act of purpose and presence. Under the theme “Make This Moment Matter“, the event showcases innovative projects focused on sustainability, human wellbeing, and community. It is the ultimate destination to connect with global creatives, explore meaningful installations, and discover how intentional design can create an immediate, positive impact on our world today.
Quick Facts for 3daysofdesign 2026
3daysofdesign, Copenhagen, June 10-12, 2026
For professionals and general public
Size: 460+brands, 600+ events, 60,000+ visitors
Various locations, 8 Design Districts
Visit 3daysofdesign.dk for info

Gdynia Design Days 2026
2026-06-20 12:00 - 2026-06-28 20:00 (Europe/Warsaw) | Pomeranian Science and Technology Park Gdynia, Aleja Zwycięstwa 96/98, Gdynia, 81-451, Poland
Gdynia Design Days return for the 19th edition, from June 20 to 28, 2026. The festival is a design platform – culminating in its summer festival – dedicated to finding tangible solutions to contemporary challenges. Rather than treating design as an elite luxury, the organizers view it as a democratic, universal tool for positive change that impacts everyone’s daily life.

Gdynia Design Days 2026
June 20-28
18+ exhibitions
Opening hours:
At PPNT h. 12:00 – 8:00 pm
Exhibitions at other locations around the city will be open according to the descriptions

Gdynia Design Days 2026
The core theme of this year’s Gdynia Design Days, “Closer,” marks a pivotal shift in perspective, moving away from catastrophic narratives, information overload, and the paralyzed pursuit of perfection. Instead, it champions a grounded approach that focuses on what is immediate, tangible, and within human agency. Rather than inventing endless new solutions, the festival explores how to optimize, care for, and improve what already exists.
The theme is articulated through five interconnected pillars:

Empowering Stories & Agency: In a world paralyzed by fear and complex data, design is utilized as a tool to simplify and organize reality. By replacing anxiety with attentiveness and isolation with collaboration, the festival brings back the joy of experimentation, processing, and mutual learning.
Community & The “Third Place”: Shifting focus from grand gestures to everyday bonds, this pillar highlights the importance of the spaces between home and work. It fosters a new kind of local patriotism rooted in shared responsibility, accessibility, and turning urban infrastructure into spaces for genuine human connection.
Designing for Health & Bioregionalism: Environmental care becomes tangible when linked to personal well-being (air quality, temperature, and comfort). By adopting a bioregional perspective, design works in harmony with local natural ecosystems—such as local landscapes, water, and greenery—rather than separating humans from nature.
Human–Technology Proximity: Instead of viewing Artificial Intelligence as a threat or a replacement, the festival explores how technology can support human intuition. Paradoxically, the rise of AI highlights the irreplaceable value of human imperfection, empathy, and relationship-building.
One Step Bette (Protopia over Utopia): Rejecting unattainable utopian ideals, the festival introduces protopia—the concept of building a better future through gradual, small, and tested adjustments. Looking toward Gdynia’s upcoming centenary, the theme emphasizes that the future is not a distant, perfect destination, but a daily process shaped by incremental, resilient choices.

Gdynia Design Days 2025 – Photo Jan Rusek, Gdynia Design Days
The program: the exhibitions
Zero Waste Lab – Design from Bacteria
This exhibition bridges the gap between advanced laboratory bio-science and everyday consumer design. It explores the potential of raw, 100% biodegradable biopolymers (such as PHA and PHB) as an eco-responsible alternative to traditional plastics, showcasing real, durable, and contemporary prototypes of furniture and home accessories.
Antyaltana – reversed gazebo
Installed outside the festival venue, this spatial and architectural intervention completely flips the traditional concept of a garden gazebo. The piece challenges visitors to rethink the boundary between public and private space, questioning how we shield ourselves from, and interact with, urban weather elements.
Project Furniture: Futuro Classic
An exhibition dedicated to industrial and interior furniture design that examines the evolution and future standards of design classics. It focuses heavily on manufacturing optimization, demonstrating how everyday seating and objects can be redesigned to be resilient, ergonomic, and closer to real human needs.
CASTCERAMICS – International Ceramic Exhibition
An international collective showcase focusing on the art and craftsmanship of ceramics. It sets up a dialogue between ancient manual techniques, cultural memory, and contemporary experimentation, celebrating material imperfections and the spirit of cross-border artistic cooperation.
Castceramics, photo Maja Tybel, Gdynia Design Days
Living Forms: Symbiosis
Adopting a deeply bioregional and ecological perspective, this exhibition highlights design projects born from a harmonious dialogue with nature. It explores how human structures (buildings, objects, and furniture) can live in perfect symbiosis with local ecosystems, strengthening regional flora and fauna rather than isolating us from them.
Doing Nothing
A highly conceptual and provocative display analyzing the luxury of time, mental health, and modern information overload. Through minimalist objects and artistic installations, the exhibition tackles urban anxiety, burnout, and the psychological necessity of rediscovering the therapeutic value of taking a pause.
Plaything | A Statue Of Felicity, A Monument to Pure Bliss
Situated in the outdoor green areas of the venue, this large-scale interactive installation serves as a physical monument to carefree, unapologetic play. It intentionally disrupts the rigid, serious monotony of urban architecture to foster spontaneous joy, laughter, and lighthearted interactions among strangers.
Momento Sospeso. Towards Connection
Hosted within the unique atmosphere of the Barańska Design studio, this sensory exhibition explores the profound concept of physical and emotional connection. Through the artistic manipulation of glass and light, it creates a suspended, meditative atmosphere that urges visitors to reflect on interpersonal proximity.
100 Vases
A vast display of one hundred unique pieces celebrating the archetypal form of the vase. Each artifact explores varying materials, raw textures, organic imperfections, and artisanal insights, serving as a visual metaphor for the creative wealth that emerges when diverse design styles and approaches unite.
Spiders
This exhibition modernizes and reinterprets pająki – traditional Polish straw and paper geometric chandeliers historically hung from rural ceilings. Contemporary designers take these complex, fragile structures and scale them into modern spatial installations, showing how ancestral heritage can serve as an emotional anchor today.
Pajaki (Spiders), Pawel Blecki, photo Pawel Blecki, Gdynia Design Days
Desire Paths
Dedicated to urban planning guided by actual human behavior, this exhibition studies “desire paths” (the spontaneous shortcuts people tread across grass). It champions a move away from rigid, top-down city planning, arguing instead for an empathetic, flexible urbanism based on citizens’ true habits.
Closer to trashes
A raw and direct exhibition addressing the systemic crisis of urban and industrial waste management. Instead of hiding rubbish from view, the display physically confronts the visitor with discarded materials, highlighting innovative recycling and upcycling technologies that transform waste into valuable structural resources.
DyplomyFest
The official showcase collecting the finest graduation projects and theses from the young designers of the Academy of Fine Arts in Gdańsk. It offers a fresh, unedited look into the future of the discipline, highlighting the anxieties, dreams, and drive for agency within the new generation.

Why visit
As one of Poland’s premier cities and a popular Baltic Sea tourist destination, Gdynia’s seaside location brings a unique and fascinating perspective to its Design Week. The festival’s diverse exhibitions deeply delve into the vast potential of design, complemented by a rich lineup of guest speakers addressing critical topics like well-being, harmonious living with nature, and how design can pave the way toward a better life. From cultivating hydroponic vegetables and researching algae to utilizing recycled materials, Gdynia Design Days truly serves as a treasure trove of practical solutions for a more sustainable lifestyle.
Gdynia Design Days, June 20-28, 2026
For professionals and general public
Size: 18+exhibitions, 20,000 visitors
Main venue: PPNT – Pomeranian Science and Technology Park Gdynia
(Pomorski Park Naukowo-Technologiczny)
Opening hours:
At PPNT h. 12:00 – 8:00 pm
Exhibitions at other locations around the city will be open according to the descriptions
Visit Gdyniadesigndays.eu for info

China International Building Decoration Fair (CBD Guangzhou) 2026
2026-07-08 09:00 - 2026-07-11 18:00 (Asia/Shanghai) | Canton Fair Complex, 382 Yuejiangzhong Road, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510335, China
In today’s rapidly evolving global construction landscape, the ability to anticipate design trends, optimize supply chains, and secure reliable partners has become a decisive competitive advantage. Industry professionals can no longer rely on traditional sourcing methods to keep pace with market demands.
Against this backdrop, the China International Building Decoration Fair (globally recognized as CBD Guangzhou) continues to solidify its role as the premier global platform for sourcing, innovation, and business development. It offers international professionals direct, unparalleled access to China’s advanced manufacturing ecosystem.
Discover CIFF Guanzghou 2026
China International Building Decoration Fair – CBD Guangzhou 2026
China International Building Decoration Fair – CBD Guangzhou

Guangzhou, July 8-11, 2026
For professionals only
Size: 2000 exhibitors, 200,000+ professional visitors
Location: Canton Fair Complex
Visit China International Building Decoration Fair for info
A One-Stop Ecosystem for the Entire Supply Chain
Established in 1999 and organized by the esteemed China Foreign Trade Centre Group (CFTC), CBD Guangzhou takes place annually from July 8 to 11 at the world-class Canton Fair Complex. Sharing the same institutional and logistical framework as the iconic Canton Fair, this massive exhibition spans over 300,000 square meters.
The upcoming CBD – China International Building Decoration Fair 2026 is set to gather more than 2,000 leading Chinese manufacturing enterprises. It covers the entire spectrum of the industry – ranging from raw components and cutting-edge building decoration materials to finished architectural solutions and advanced production machinery. For international buyers, it represents a seamless, comprehensive sourcing platform that connects them directly with scalable production capacity and integrated project solutions.

China International Building Decoration Fair – CBD Guangzhou: Data at a Glance
The previous 2025 edition proved that the world is looking to Guangzhou for the next wave of industrial evolution. The event saw a massive surge in global interest, particularly from high-growth regions like the Middle East, where the appetite for export-ready, high-quality solutions is booming.

This rapid international trajectory highlights how the fair has evolved from a regional powerhouse into an indispensable global business hub.
The Blueprint for CBD Guangzhou 2026
Mark your calendars for July 8-11. The CBD Guangzhou 2026 is sharpening its focus with a highly intuitive, structured layout divided into three core pillars:

INTERIOR: Highlighting interior design, premium finishes, and integrated whole-house living solutions.
EXTERIOR: Focusing on building envelope systems, including doors, windows, and advanced architectural facades.
MATERIALS: Showcasing next-generation building decoration materials, hardware, high-performance coatings, and manufacturing machinery.

This structured approach directly reflects a broader industry shift where aesthetics, structural performance, and manufacturing efficiency converge. Expect sectors like smart home technology, modern sanitary ware, and intelligent manufacturing to take center stage.

A wide-ranging trade fair
No matter your specific niche within the built environment, the trade show offers tailored advantages to upgrade your business operations:

Real Estate Developers & Contractors: Gain direct access to verified, scalable suppliers equipped with the experience and capacity to handle complex, high-volume international projects.
Architects & Designers: Discover groundbreaking building decoration materials and architectural solutions that perfectly balance bold aesthetics with top-tier technical performance.
Distributors & Sourcing Managers: Eliminate intermediaries, negotiate direct commercial partnerships, and secure highly competitive product lines ready for global export.
Manufacturers & Industrial Operators: Explore the latest smart factory machinery and intelligent production technologies to upgrade your own operational efficiency and product quality.

A Strategic Accelerator for Global Business
When supply chain resilience, cost efficiency, and speed-to-market are the deciding factors between profit and loss, CBD Guangzhou offers an unmatched entry point into one of the most dynamic industrial ecosystems in the world.
More than just a standard trade show, it acts as a genuine business accelerator. It is a strategic arena where companies can expand their international footprint, optimize sourcing portfolios, and forge resilient, long-term partnerships.
The next phase of your business growth is waiting in Guangzhou from July 8 to 11, 2026. Plan your visit today and step directly into the future of global construction and design.

Why visit

Visiting the fair allows you to bypass middlemen and negotiate directly with over 2,000 factory owners, securing your entire annual supply chain in just four days across a massive 300,000 sqm venue. It is your unique opportunity to experience next-generation smart home and material trends before they hit Western markets, while instantly connecting with export-ready partners built for high-volume, complex projects.
China International Building Decoration Fair – CBD Guangzhou

Guangzhou, July 8-11, 2026
For professionals only
Size: 2000 exhibitors, 200,000+ professional visitors
Location: Canton Fair Complex
Visit China International Building Decoration Fair for info

CIFF Shanghai 2026
2026-09-05 09:00 - 2026-09-11 18:00 (Asia/Shanghai) | National Exhibition & Convention Center Shanghai Hongqiao, 168 East Yinggang Road, Shanghai, China
Against a global backdrop of deep transformation in the furniture sector, CIFF – China International Furniture Fair Shanghai 2026 arrives with a sharpened strategic vision built on three pillars: design, digital intelligence and sustainability. The 58th edition opens this September at Shanghai Hongqiao, and its ambitions reach well beyond those of a conventional trade fair. The event positions itself as an international platform where business, innovation, content and global connections meet – an industrial hub where design culture, digital technologies and new visions of living converge to redefine the sector.
CIFF Shanghai, September, 5-8, 2026
CIFF Shanghai is for professionals only
Size: over 1,500 exhibitors, 100,000 visitors in 2025
Venue: National Exhibition and Convention Center Shanghai Hongqiao
Visit CIFF-sh.com website for more info

Discover CIFF Shanghai 2025

Design: creating new value for brands
Design now sits at the heart of brand identity, product value and competitive differentiation, and CIFF Shanghai is leaning into that shift. The fair reinforces its role as a reference point for contemporary design and original furniture in China, anchored by Design Eden · Contemporary Design Trade Fair—a 50,000-square-metre area given over to design brands, creative studios and emerging independent designers, with exhibitions, forums, awards and product launches.
The programme also hosts the CIFF Shanghai Design Conference, bringing together international designers and some of China’s most influential creatives, alongside the launch of the Golden Creation Award, dedicated to product innovation and the new benchmarks of design.
Discover CIFF Shanghai 2024

Digital intelligence: new retail models, greater efficiency
Digitalisation and intelligent technologies are reshaping the entire supply chain, from production and distribution through to the point of sale. Among the headline additions this year is a redesigned New Retail Hall, an 8,000-square-metre space where 15 leading brands present integrated retail scenarios that blend online and offline channels with data-driven management.
Virtual and augmented reality bring immersive product and spatial experiences, while an enhanced online platform—supported by a multilingual official website and an integrated social media ecosystem—offers a full suite of digital services to exhibitors and international buyers. In partnership with Red Star Macalline, CIFF Shanghai is also launching a national matchmaking programme designed to forge more efficient connections between brands, distributors and retail channels.

Sustainability: competitiveness for the long term
Sustainability has become a shared priority across the industry, from eco-friendly materials to low-carbon production processes. Running alongside the fair, the CIFF Shanghai WMF International Woodworking Machinery Fair showcases advanced technologies for more sustainable woodworking and more efficient use of resources.
The Golden Creation Award 2026 introduces a dedicated Green Sustainability Award to champion recyclable structures, eco-compatible materials and low-emission construction solutions. A new International Materials Selection Center presents next-generation sustainable materials, supporting the green transformation of production chains.

Discover CIFF Guangzhou 2026

Three content areas at CIFF Shanghai 2026
CIFF Shanghai 2026 is organised around three main content zones: Design Eden, devoted to original design and new product launches; New Retail, focused on immersive retail scenarios and data-driven business models; and Integrated Home Building, developed together with the China International Building & Decoration Fair 2026 (Shanghai) in response to growing demand for integrated interior design solutions.

An increasingly global platform
To strengthen its international presence, CIFF Shanghai continues to invest across five strategic segments: woodworking machinery, upholstered furniture, outdoor living, office spaces, and living and dining spaces. In parallel, the fair is expanding its international roadshows, its collaborations with design media and institutions, and its matchmaking programmes for global buyers. In 2025, these initiatives generated more than 470 business meetings and on-site orders worth over 8.14 million US dollars. Building on those results, the 2026 edition aims to raise the quality of connections between exhibitors and international markets further still.

Content and immersive experiences
CIFF Shanghai 2026 also deepens its role as a cultural platform through five curated exhibitions: The Hidden Realm Thematic Exhibition, HOTLINE – Joint Exhibition of Design Creators, Grand Tea Gala, The Design & Imagination Contemporary Design Exhibition, and Design Gravity. Together they explore new relationships between design, lifestyles, sustainability and commercial transformation through immersive experiences and interdisciplinary experimentation.
From trade fair to industrial platform
As it steadily strengthens its capacity for content creation and resource integration, CIFF Shanghai is evolving on several fronts: from a single fair into a year-round active platform, from the simple distribution of information into collaborative content creation, and from exhibition services into a broader ecosystem of industrial services.
With design as the creative engine, digital intelligence as the tool of transformation and sustainability as the strategic foundation, CIFF Shanghai 2026 sets out a forward-looking vision for the global furniture industry. This September, at Shanghai Hongqiao, the international sector gathers once again to open a new chapter for design, manufacturing and global trade.

Why visit
Because it’s no longer just a trade fair, but a year-round industrial platform built on three pillars—design, digital intelligence and sustainability. You’ll find Design Eden (50,000 sqm of contemporary design and emerging talent), the CIFF Shanghai Design Conference with leading Chinese and international creatives, and the new Golden Creation Award. The New Retail Hall showcases integrated online-offline retail models, while a strong sustainability agenda runs through materials, machinery and a dedicated Green Sustainability Award. With expanded matchmaking, five curated exhibitions and proven business results, it’s the key gateway to China’s furniture and interior design market this September at Shanghai Hongqiao.
CIFF Shanghai, September, 5-8, 2026
CIFF Shanghai is for professionals only
Size: over 1,500 exhibitors, 100,000 visitors in 2025
Venue: National Exhibition and Convention Center Shanghai Hongqiao
Visit CIFF-sh.com website for more info
In the gallery, some images from CIFF Shanghai 2025

London Design Festival 2026
2026-09-12 - 2026-09-20 | London, London, SW1, United Kingdom
Soho joins the Map, China and Japan take centre stage
London Design Festival‘s 24th edition runs from 12 to 20 September 2026. Soho becomes the eleventh district, joining Bankside, Brompton, Chelsea, Dalston to Stokey, EC1, Fleet Street Quarter, Mayfair, Park Royal, Blackhorse Creates and the renamed Shoreditch Design Week. The Mayor of London is Principal Supporter this year, while Bloomberg Philanthropies continues to back the Festival through the Bloomberg Connects digital guide. The stated theme for 2026 is dialogue – East and West, past and future, human and non-human – and it shows most clearly in three projects built around Chinese and Japanese craft.
Discover London Design Festival 2025
Quick Facts for London Design Festival 2026
London Design Festival, London, September 12-20, 2026
For professionals and general public
Size: 11 Design Districts, 350,000+ visitors
Hub: V&A South Kensington
Other venues: Barbican, Somerset House, the Strand, Wapping
In general, free admission, some events require paid tickets
Check the complete guide & calendar for opening hours
Visit londondesignfestival.com for info
Framing LDF 2026, Courtesy Pentagram & London Design Festival
The Asia Programme
At Somerset House, Chinese media group Sun Media Group presents Reviving Craft — Chinese Intangible Cultural Heritage and Contemporary Design. It’s the third edition of the exhibition, after the Musée des Arts Décoratifs in Paris in 2024 and Palazzo Serbelloni in Milan in 2025. Curators Su Dan (Tsinghua University, Academy of Arts & Design) and Yang Lan (broadcaster, chair of Sun Media Group) bring together more than sixty Chinese and international artisans under the theme Reflection of the Mind. Sun Media Group is also a Programme Partner of the Global Design Forum this year.
The Japanese artisans pair with designers
Craft x Tech returns for its second edition, curated by Maria Cristina Didero and founded by Hideki Yoshimoto of design studio Tangent. It pairs craftspeople from Japan’s Tokai region with international designers: Australian designer David Caon with third-generation ceramicist Yohei Ito, Singapore studio Lanzavecchia + Wai with paper-maker Takanori Senda, Canadian designer Philippe Malouin with Ando Cloisonne, a metalwork house founded in 1880.
Discover Material Matters 2026
Craft x Tech Tokai Project group photo. Photo: Noritoshi Kuroki, courtesy London Design Festival
MixZ, a new platform connecting Asia and the UK, stages two projects: a Dehua porcelain exhibition at the V&A, and an installation at the Old Selfridges Hotel on future living through Shenzhen’s design and tech sector, with several Chinese brands making their UK debut.
The Landmark Project
The Festival’s Landmark Project, The Pangolin Shield by Studio Saar and Atelier One, adds an adjacent reading of the same theme: a bamboo pavilion on the Strand built from Indian police shields and rain shields, positioned facing the bust of Jawaharlal Nehru outside India’s High Commission.
Detail of The Pangolin Shield drawing, courtesy London Design Festival
Other Special Projects at London Design Festival 2026
MADE x Barbican launches an interiors collection at the Barbican, developed from archival research into the estate’s interiors and the work of designer Miriam Howitt. The 23-piece collection covers furniture, lighting, textiles and accessories, available from MADE.COM from August 2026.
Made x Barbican collection
At the V&A, this year’s edition of V&A x LDF is titled Awakenings, co-curated by Carrie Chan and Kristian Volsing. The programme spans the museum’s galleries and includes work from Henry Svendsen, Sam Ghantous, Andre Williams, Nina Davies and Albert Yonathan Setyawan, alongside new commissions from Aziza Kadyri, Eunjo Lee and V&A Emerging Designer 2026, Playfool.
The Design Museum’s LDF programme includes NIGO: From Japan with Love, the first retrospective on NIGO, KENZO’s Artistic Director. The museum’s annual PLATFORM series presents new work by designer and artist Simone Brewster, with a guided tour by curator Hadeel Eltayeb on 12 September and a panel on design practice and motherhood on 15 September, featuring Brewster, Laxmi Hussein, Emefa Cole and Hettie Judah.
L-Acoustics presents an immersive sound installation at Wapping Hydraulic Power Station, built in 1890 and open to the public for the first time in 13 years.
The eleven Design Districts
Soho and Shoreditch Design Week carry the most defined programmes this year.
Soho joins the Festival for the first time, led by Informare’s Anna King, with a programme involving architects, property developers and branding agencies.
Shoreditch Design Week, the evolution of the former Shoreditch Design Triangle, is now the Festival’s largest district: more than sixty showrooms and galleries, running 15–20 September, with four main exhibition venues concentrated in the first three days around emerging designers and new materials.
Discover Shoreditch Design Week first edition
Material Matters at Unlocked
The remaining nine districts — Bankside, Brompton, Chelsea, Dalston to Stokey, EC1, Fleet Street Quarter, Mayfair, Park Royal and Blackhorse Creates — complete the Festival’s map.
Medals, Launch Pad and Identity
The London Design Medals will be awarded on 14 September across four categories: London Design Medal, Lifetime Achievement Medal, Emerging Design Medal and Design Innovation Medal. Winners are announced in early September.
Pith® sponsors five emerging designers through the Festival’s Launch Pad initiative this year, giving participants a physical or digital platform plus editorial coverage across LDF and Pith® channels. Applications closed 31 July 2026, with participants announced in August.
Pentagram, the Festival’s design partner for more than two decades, developed this year’s graphic identity under the theme Framing LDF.
Why visit
Combined with a new district, an enlarged Global Design Forum and the Festival’s usual concentration of museum and gallery programming, it is one of the few weeks in the calendar where these conversations are staged at this scale in one city. For an Asia-focused audience, LDF26 offers three exhibitions built directly around Chinese and Japanese craft, backed by institutional partners on both sides — Sun Media Group, Tsinghua University, and a first UK platform for a number of Shenzhen design and tech brands.
The V&A’s Awakenings, the Design Museum’s NIGO retrospective and MADE’s Barbican collection give the week a strong museum-led draw on their own. Soho’s debut and Shoreditch Design Week’s expanded format also make this an edition worth tracking for anyone following how the Festival’s district model evolves.
Quick Facts for London Design Festival 2026
London Design Festival, London, September 12-20, 2026
For professionals and general public
Size: 11 Design Districts, 350,000+ visitors
Hub: V&A South Kensington
Other venues: Barbican, Somerset House, the Strand, Wapping
In general, free admission, some events require paid tickets

Check the complete guide & calendar for opening hours
Visit londondesignfestival.com for info
Related events: Shoreditch Design Week, Material Matters, Global Design Forum

Shoreditch Design Week: dates of the first edition
2026-09-15 - 2026-09-20 | Shoreditch, London, E2 8DA, United Kingdom
Shoreditch Design Week (SDW), a major new annual event taking place as an official part of the London Design Festival (LDF), returns from 15 to 20 September 2026. Evolving from the highly successful Shoreditch Design Triangle, which ran for 18 years, Shoreditch Design Week will be the largest event of the London Design Festival 2026. This transformation establishes the neighborhood as the most dynamic district within the festival, dedicated to connecting architects, interior designers, specifiers, developers, brands, and design enthusiasts.
Quick Facts for Shoreditch Design Week 2026
Shoreditch, East London, September 15-20, 2026
For professionals and general public
Size: 60+galleries, showrooms and brands, 10,000+ visitors (Shoreditch Design Triangle data, 2025)
The four main venues/core exhibitions Material Matters, House of Icon, Design at Work, and Kachette on Old Street, run 15-17 September
Neuroplaces first edition, at Protein Studios, runs 15-17 September
Visit Shoreditchdesignweek.com for info
Discover London Design Festival 2026
Material Matters at Unlocked
The extensive, district-wide festival will unite over 60 partners. Among them, showrooms, independent studios, galleries, and pop-up creative spaces host hundreds of events, product launches, installations, talks, and networking opportunities. At the core of this ambitious programme is a curated network of four major exhibition venues.
A Strengthened Exhibition Line-up
At the center of Shoreditch Design Week is a powerful, curated exhibition offering that spans workplace, hospitality, retail, and residential design, bringing together global brands, material innovation, and emerging talent across four key venues.

Material Matters at Unlocked: The exhibition dedicated to materials and materiality is relocating to Shoreditch Design Week, taking over the industrial event space UNLOCKED Shoreditch from 15-17 September. As the London Design Festival’s only other trade-focused fair, this move significantly reinforces the district’s status as a prime destination for innovation.

House of ICON at Shoreditch Town Hall: Returning after a highly successful launch last year, this venue reinforces the area as a hub for contemporary design, commercial interiors, and cultural programming. It will feature Isola Design as a key special project.

Discover Material Matters Copenhagen 2026

Design at Work at Protein Studios: Also returning after its successful debut last year, this venue serves as a focal point for contemporary product design and workplace solutions. It also hosts the inaugural Neuroplaces exhibition.

Design at Work

Kachette on Old Street: This venue is dedicated to spotlighting contemporary product design and next-generation talent. The railway arches will house New Designers Selects, highlighting the future of British design; the annex will host Design Burger for the launch of The Product Design 100, celebrating influential international industrial design.

Kachette on Old Street
Beyond these primary venues, Shoreditch Design Week is collaborating with a diverse network of designers and studios to deliver special projects and experimental installations throughout the entire district.
The first edition of Neuroplaces
This inaugural edition also marks the debut of Neuroplaces, the UK very first B2B exhibition and conference dedicated to neuroinclusive and accessible design solutions for workplaces and public spaces. Neuroplaces will co-locate with Design at Work by OnOffice at Protein Studios, Shoreditch, from 15-17 September 2026. This collaboration brings the first commercial marketplace for universal design principles directly into the heart of the London Design Festival’s largest trade hub, maximizing reach and visibility for all involved.
Programme Structure and Future Vision
The festival lasts six days, to maximize both business and community engagement. The first half of the week, from September 15 to 17, will feature a strict commercial and trade focus, optimized for industry decision-makers looking to connect directly with brands. As the week progresses toward the weekend, the schedule will transition into a broader, public-facing programme featuring immersive tours and cultural activations.
Ultimately, Shoreditch Design Week is built to showcase the absolute best in British and international design culture. By seamlessly blending commercial platforms, independent creators, and institutional talent into a single connected ecosystem, the event focuses heavily on specification and industry engagement. It is designed to unlock meaningful opportunities for global business, collaborative innovation, and creative discovery, firmly cementing Shoreditch’s position at the absolute forefront of global design.

Why visit?

Visiting Shoreditch Design Week offers an unparalleled opportunity to experience the largest, most dynamic official district of the London Design Festival. It plays host to the groundbreaking debut of Neuroplaces, the UK’s first B2B exhibition for pioneering neuroinclusive and accessible design solutions. Attendees can explore four major exhibition venues, uncovering cutting-edge material innovation at Material Matters and next-generation global talent through curated showcases. Ultimately, this event serves as the definitive networking and specification hub, seamlessly connecting architects, specifiers, and leading brands to discover future-facing solutions that will transform public and commercial spaces.

Quick Facts for Shoreditch Design Week 2026
Shoreditch, East London, September 15-20, 2026
For professionals and general public
Size: 60+galleries, showrooms and brands, 10,000+ visitors (Shoreditch Design Triangle data, 2025)
The four main venues/core exhibitions Material Matters, House of Icon, Design at Work, and Kachette on Old Street, run 15-17 September
Neuroplaces first edition, at Protein Studios, runs 15-17 September
Visit Shoreditchdesignweek.com for info
Exhibition opening hours:
Tuesday 15 September:
h. 10:00 – 18:00
Wednesday 16 September:
10:00 – 21:00
Thursday 17 September:
10:00 – 17:00
Showroom and partner opening hours vary, 15-20 September

Material Matters at Shoreditch Design Week 2026
2026-09-15 10:00 - 2026-09-17 18:00 UTC | Unlocked, 118 Curtain Rd, London, EC2A 3PJ, United Kingdom
The Material Matters design fair was founded in September 2022 bt Grant Gibson and William Knight, and launched as an official fixture of the London Design Festival.
The first edition took place at Bargehouse at Oxo Tower Wharf. This raw, industrial, four-story former factory on London’s South Bank provided the perfect atmospheric backdrop. Its gritty, unrefined architecture contrasted beautifully with the cutting-edge design on display.

Event Details

Event: Material Matters London
Dates: 15-17 September 2026

Exhibitors: over 50 brands
Visitors: over 6,000

Discover Shoreditch Design Week 2026
Material Matters 2023

2022–2025: The Bargehouse Era and Curation Focus
Over its first few years, the fair rapidly grew from a bold experiment into one of the most anticipated and heavily attended events of the festival. Its success was anchored by a distinct editorial approach to curation, focusing on three core pillars:

Material Innovation: Showcasing experimental biomaterials (such as mycelium, algae, and agricultural waste composites) alongside advanced manufacturing and 3D printing techniques.
The Circular Economy: Providing a platform for brands and designers dedicated to waste reduction, recycling, and sustainable lifecycle design.
The Talks Programme: A live extension of the podcast, bringing together leading global voices in architecture and design to debate the future of resources.

Material Matters 2023
The New Eastern Chapter: Moving to Shoreditch
For its upcoming edition, the event is relocating eastward from its prior central London locations to Shoreditch, a district with deep historical roots in the city’s creative sectors. By integrating into Shoreditch Design Week, Material Matters will sit within a larger network of exhibitions, presentations, and installations hosted throughout the neighborhood during the festival.
The Venue: UNLOCKED Shoreditch
The exhibition will be staged at UNLOCKED Shoreditch, a multi-story cultural hub located on Curtain Road. This converted warehouse provides approximately 24,000 sq ft of adaptable space, perfectly tailored for hosting exhibitions, pop-up showcases, and major creative gatherings.
Material Matters at Unlocked
Core Elements Remain Intact
Despite the change of scenery, the core components of the event stand unchanged. Material Matters London continues to assemble a handpicked blend of international brands, up-and-coming designers, and material innovators. Past editions have put the spotlight on everything from biomaterials and recycled composites to cutting-edge manufacturing methods, complemented by a lecture series featuring prominent figures from the fields of architecture and design.
Shoreditch’s Creative Heritage
Relocating the fair to Shoreditch also mirrors the district’s modern-day prominence within London’s design landscape. Historically celebrated as a hub for furniture manufacturing, the area now serves as a home for galleries, creative studios, and design gatherings that spotlight the city’s continuously changing creative culture.
Event Details

Event: Material Matters London
Dates: 15-17 September 2026

Exhibitors: over 50 brands
Visitors: over 6,000

Tallinn Design Festival 2026
2026-09-28 - 2026-10-04 | Põhjala Factory, Marati tn 5, Tallinn, 10151, Estonia
The Baltic region’s premier design event, Disainiöö (Tallinn Design Festival), returns from 28 September to 4 October 2026 at the iconic Põhjala Factory. For over two decades, the festival has served as a vital international hub where designers, creative professionals, students, and enthusiasts converge to foster innovation and collaboration. Drawing an annual crowd of over 10,000 attendees, the event has gained widespread recognition worldwide.

Tallinn Design Festival, September 28 – October 4, 2026
For professionals and general public
Size: one main venue, Põhjala Factory, plus satellite events, over 100 brands and designers
Around 10,000 visitors
Free admission upon registration for many events
Design night party: paid ticket
International Design Conference: paid ticket
General opening hours: Tuesday-Saturday, h. 11:00 am – 8:00 pm
Opening hours may vary in the different venues
Please check Disainio.ee for more info and the complete program
Discover Tallinn Design Festival 2025
Design exhibition at Tallinn Design Festival 2025
Theme 2026: Future of Product Design

The 2026 edition explores the function of product design within our rapidly evolving landscape, emphasizing sustainability, flexibility, inclusivity, and an awareness of materials.
Festival director Ilona Gurjanova observes: “While contemporary focus has largely shifted toward immaterial design, we must pivot back to the fundamental values of physical product design. Every choice—covering material selection, form, manufacturing, and product lifespan—directly impacts both our daily lives and the health of the planet.”
Throughout the week, the festival offers an extensive schedule featuring conferences, exhibitions, interactive workshops, community gatherings, and commercial design showcases, integrating design into everyday urban life. Over 100 events are scheduled throughout the city.
Read more on “Design For Equality, International Design Conference 2025“

Design For All at Tallinn Design Festival 2025
Design Festival Highlights

International Conference “Future of Product Design” on 1 October, featuring renowned experts such as Tom Lloyd (Pearson Lloyd, UK), Richard Hall (UK), Raffaella Mangiarotti (Italy), Jean‑Louis Frechin (France), Jonas Pettersson (Sweden), Jaume Domenech (Germany), and others.

International Design Conference at Tallinn Design Festival 2025

“Well Made – What It Means Today,” a major exhibition curated by Tom Lloyd. Opening 28 September, it presents nearly 50 international design objects alongside insights from over 20 prominent Estonian contributors

BRUNO Product Design Award 2026 exhibition, celebrating top-tier Estonian product design across lifestyle, environmental, and engineering sectors

France Impact Design Award exhibition, organized in partnership with APCI, showcasing exemplary French design work

Arts Thread Global Graduate Show, highlighting works from emerging international designers

Showcases from leading Estonian design institutions: Pallas, EKA, TÜ Viljandi Culture Academy, TalTech, and TLÜ Haapsalu College

An international poster exhibition courtesy of the Haapsalu Graphic Design Festival
The DOM sustainable fashion performance, serving as the festival’s opening event on 28 September
Design Street and the SISUSTUS+ interior and outdoor design section
PechaKucha Night, the Design Auction, and a diverse range of workshops suitable for all ages
A family-friendly area created in partnership with Vivita Tallinn
Curated design bike tours through the city’s key design landmarks and venues
A bustling satellite programme featuring open studios, art galleries, and guided city tours

French Culture Day – 29 September Partnering with Jazzkaar, the festival presents French Culture Day, welcoming top French designers and cultural leaders, and concluding with a Parisian chanson concert performed by the Rebecca Kontus Trio
A Festival Shaping the Future “The BRUNO award, which we present during the festival, serves as our shared definition of what responsible, future-ready product design looks like today,” says Gurjanova. “It honours innovative work that establishes a new benchmark for aesthetics, functionality, and sustainability.”

Why visit
Visiting the Tallinn Design Festival is an essential experience for anyone looking to explore the cutting edge of global innovation within the unique, atmospheric setting of the historic Põhjala Factory. As the largest design event in the Baltics, it offers an immersive program of over 100 activities, including inspiring international conferences, world-class exhibitions, and interactive workshops. Whether you are a professional designer seeking insights into the future of sustainability or an enthusiast eager to discover new creative trends, the festival provides an unparalleled opportunity to network and engage with the absolute best of contemporary design.
Some images from Tallinn Design Festival 2025

Tallinn Design Festival, September 28 – October 4, 2026
For professionals and general public
Size: one main venue, Põhjala Factory, plus satellite events, over 100 brands and designers
Around 10,000 visitors
Free admission upon registration
Design night party: paid ticket
International Design Conference: paid ticket
General opening hours: Tuesday-Saturday, h. 11:00 am – 8:00 pm
Opening hours may vary in the different venues
Please check Disainio.ee for more info and the complete program
