Posted on 13 Jan, 2026

International Design shows are increasingly becoming an important staple in the calendar for anyone interested in design, whether it be interiors, furniture, products, technology or architecture.

The London Design Festival has become one of the most important events in this creative movement, and it will have its 24th edition in 2026. Design events are going well all over the world, and London has shown that it is a leader in this field.

We thought that we’d look at why these are so important and a selection of popular design events happening this year.

How Exhibitions Show Big Changes in Visitors Interest

The 2026 London Design Exhibition had twice as many people come as the previous record. It was the museum's most popular exhibit ever, with more than 260,000 people coming to see it. This event brought in more people than the 156,000 who came to the Stanley Kubrick exhibition in 2019.

Not only has the Design Museum done well with this event, but with many others as well. By February 2025, The World of Tim Burton had been visited 171,000 times. Over the course of seven months, 144,480 people saw the Barbie display, making it the museum's third most popular show.

UK design events have also seen similar trends of growth. The second edition of Design London brought in 12,686 people in just four days. The number of people who went to the London Design Fair was 11% higher than the year before. 76% of the people who came were in the trade, and 49% were architects and designers.

The 2025 the London Design Exhibition had more visitors than ever before, thanks to a number of well-planned things. A great program included carefully chosen installations in 35 pavilions, as well as expert discussions, concerts, and workshops all month long. People from different backgrounds were able to connect with the event in different ways.

The London Design Exhibition 2026 shows how design practices are changing in the present. Each exhibit shows a different way that designers work and interact with the world around them.

Things That Matter London is the leader in new materials. Biomaterials, repurposed materials, and production methods that don't hurt the environment too much are used by experimental designers. The Future Observatory program supports this focus on sustainability by showing off research projects that change how we build homes, give health care, and use resources.

The Design and Disability exhibit at the Victoria and Albert Museum shows that modern design should be accessible to everyone. This groundbreaking show has 170 items from the 1940s to now. These pieces show how disabled people have helped design move forward. The show shows disabled people as inventors instead of just users, which is a good thing.

AI technology is now one of the most important things in design. The Surface Design Show and RIBA's AI in Practice Summit are both about how AI can change the way architects think and improve the industry. 

The two exhibits show a design future that takes into account cultural understanding, technology progress, environmental responsibility, and making things easier for everyone to use.

Your guide to design shows in 2026 that you can't miss

The design community is getting ready for a fun 2026 calendar full of big events and celebrations. The Salone del Mobile, the biggest design show in the world, will have its 64th edition. People can see furniture, lighting, fabrics, and surfaces both inside and outside.

There will be events all over New York City for seven days to celebrate NYCxDesign's 14th birthday. The 15th Clerkenwell Design Week will be a big event for design in the UK. During these nine days, there will be workshops, installations, and exhibitions that celebrate great design. The 18th DesignMarch festival will last for five days and have a lot of fun things for people to do, like exhibitions, presentations, and workshops.

The best design shows in early 2026 

In early 2026, Europe's design industry comes to life with amazing events that help fans and experts find new trends and cutting-edge works.

Maison&Objet, which starts the season, will be in Paris from January 15th to 19th. "Past Reveals Future," the title of the performance, connects the past to the present. Four main trends shape the event. Metamorphosis, Mutation, Revisited Baroque, and Neo Folklore. Harry Nuriev is the Designer of the Year 2026. The show has seven halls and 2,300 brands.

The Winter Edition of the Decorative Fair will be in London from January 20th to 25th. This famous event is celebrating its 40th year as a leader in the world of home design. There are more than 130 exhibitors showing things from the 1700s to the 1970s.

The imm Cologne event, which will take place from January 20th to 23rd, will be all about German design. There are now more than 300 exhibitors from 25 countries at the show, which has turned into a B2B trade fair. This four-day event has been shortened to focus on interior design trends that are good for customers and products that are ready to be sold.

From February 5th to March 8th, the Madrid Design Festival makes Madrid a design centre. There are 162 activities in 300 places for the ninth edition, which is called "Redesigning the World."

There won't be a Stockholm Furniture Fair in 2026 as the event happens every other year and will happen again in 2027.

The Salone del Mobile is back in Milan from April 21st to 26th, just as the city is getting ready for the Winter Olympics. Annalisa Rosso curates "Salone Raritas," a new platform, and Formafantasma sets it up for the 64th edition. This platform is all about making things in small quantities and making things that are well-known.

The NYCxDESIGN Festival will change New York City from May 14th to 20th. The 14th anniversary party lasts for seven days and takes place in Queens, Brooklyn, and Manhattan. There were more than 255 things to do at last year's festival, and more than 160,000 people came, 37% of whom were from other countries.

The best design festival in the UK, Clerkenwell Design Week, will be held from May 19th to 21st. There are more than 400 brands on display at this 15th edition through exhibitions, installations, and product launches. There are more creative businesses per square mile in the design district than anywhere else in the world. May makes this place a full-on modern design experience.

Events in late 2026 to end the year on a high note

Design Miami/Paris will take place from October 20th to 25th at the historic Hôtel de Maisons in Paris's 7th arrondissement. This fourth edition has museum-quality furniture, lighting, and art objects from famous American and European galleries. This beautiful 18th-century mansion used to belong to the Pozzo di Borgo family and fashion designer Karl Lagerfeld. Now, twenty-seven of the best galleries in the world show off their best works there.

Design Miami will be back on Miami Beach for its 22nd year in December. This international meeting brings together important critics, gallery owners, collectors, designers, and curators who support design culture and business. The event is more than just a market; it also has business opportunities and new cultural programs that bring designers and institutions together in interesting ways.

The design calendar for 2026 has a lot of great exhibitions all over the world that give experts and fans a lot of chances to learn about new ideas and trends. The 64th Salone del Mobile and the 22nd Design Miami expo are two examples of events that are important to the design industry's yearly cycle. Every show has its own point of view, like the heritage-focused themes of Maison&Objet or the bold "Redesigning the World" idea of the Madrid Design Festival.

At the beginning of the year, exhibitions set the tone for the rest of the year. Summer events build on that, and the last displays of the year let the design community look back on the year. These shows happen in a lot of different places, so fans can see how different cultures have affected each other, from Nordic minimalism to Mediterranean expressionism.

These events do more than show off designs; they also bring people together, discuss what will be popular, and get people to think outside the box. Their effects last long after they are over and shape design for years to come. You may not be able to go to every exhibition, but we hope this preview will help you pick ones that fit with your career goals or personal interests. 

If you are thinking about a new job or are just seeking advice then we are here to help. Just visit our website at www.careersindesign.com or give us a call on 01920 486125.

Posted in: Designers | Tagged: Design Exhibitions 2026