Viele Personen unterschreiben auf einer großen Tafel auf der Signing Ceremony von WDC 2026.©Ben Kuhlmann

About WDC 2026

Looking forward – das Morgen gemeinsam gestalten©Ben Kuhlmann

This is our programme!

Ein blauer Kreis auf einer schwarzweißen Straßenszene

Open – Design Week Frankfurt RheinMain

Foto der Frankfurter Skyline bei Sonnenuntergang©Tobias Reich/unsplash

Become a partner!

Menschen laufen vor dem Museum Angewandte Kunst in Frankfurt. Im Hintergrund sieht man die aktuellen Ausstellungen 100 Jahre Neues Frankfurt.©Günzel/Rademacher © Museum Angewandte Kunst Frankfurt

Key themes

Illustration einer Person, die sich fragend auf ein Fragezeichen stützt

Voices on WDC

Personen sitzen und sprechen zusammen im Hinterhof mit Baum und Hängematte©Ben Kuhlmann

Who is WDC 2026?

WDC 2026 thrives on collaboration with stakeholders from the Frankfurt RheinMain region. These can include cultural institutions, universities, businesses, foundations, associations, collectives or individuals.

Overview
Menschen sitzen zusammen im Grünen.©Heiner Blum

Our motivation

We want to work with the Frankfurt RheinMain region on pioneering projects and numerous events to explore what design can achieve for everyone of us – for society, for how we live together and for democracy.

Vision

Our WDC Highlight Events

Personen sitzen beim Museum Angewandte Kunst zusammen unter Lampions und Bäumen.©Günzel/Rademacher © Museum Angewandte Kunst
January2026
23
Fr
Jan
29
Su
Nov
WDC Hub
The WDC Hub at Museum Angewandte Kunst is WDC 2026’s central home – a vibrant meeting point where the year’s themes come together. Here, international impulses and regional perspectives converge.
Colorful abstract graphic
April2026
02
Th
Apr
24
Th
Sep
WDC Pavilion
Sustainably built, modular, and mobile: The Pavilion will travel through the region from April to September 2026, stopping at five to seven key locations – from vibrant city squares to cultural landmarks.
Ein rosa Kreis auf einer schwarzweißen Straßenszene
June2026
04
Th
13
Sa
Open – Design Week Frankfurt RheinMain
In June 2026, Frankfurt RheinMain will become an international stage for designing tomorrow. For ten days, visionary design from the region will meet impulses from around the world.
Young Talent Design Campius©Ben Kuhlmann
June2026
WDC-Campus – young talents at work
Students, teachers and graduates from various disciplines present their projects, concepts and visions - application phase starts soon!
Eine Gruppe Personen, die einem Vortrag zuhören©Sinah Osner
August2026
WDC Summer
August 2026 will be the WDC Summer – a full month of creative happenings showcasing the diverse facets of design, making WDC 2026’s year-long activities tangible. From installations and discovery tours to exhibitions, everyone in the region is invited to participate and explore the world of design.
Foto von Menschen auf einem öffentlichen Platz©Ben Kuhlmann
August2026
12
We
15
Sa
Module – Festival of Form & Experiment
Module is an interdisciplinary festival taking place in August 2026. At its core is the experimental interplay between music, design, and socially relevant topics.
Foto der Paulskirche in Frankfurt©Ben Kuhlmann
November2026
10
Tu
13
Fr
Policy Days
The World Design Policy Conference 2026 will be the global gathering for design, politics, and science, aiming to establish design as a strong driver for addressing societal and political challenges. The conference will take place in Wiesbaden, Frankfurt, and Offenbach.
Colorful abstract graphic
World Design Spotlight
This format combines established media and various channels to feature exciting contributions revolving around WDC themes.

Upcoming events

Eine aus Holz gebaute Bohnenlaube auf dem Atzelbergplatz.©Umwelt-Exploratorium e.V.
November
07
Fr
14:00
Grüner Atzelbergplatz

Herbstfest 2025

Umwelt-Exploratorium e.V. in Koop mit der Planungsgruppe Seckbach & aufmerksam.info
Atzelbergplatz

What's new

see-Camp©Ben Kuhlmann
Impact
We aim to assess the impact of WDC 2026 – in the areas of Economic Impact, Environmental Impact, Cognitive Impact (attitudes) and Social Impact (living realities).
Young Talent Design Campius©Ben Kuhlmann
June2026
WDC-Campus – young talents at work
Students, teachers and graduates from various disciplines present their projects, concepts and visions - application phase starts soon!
Diskursformat Flyer mit einer Illustration eines Kopfes, der Kopfhörer auf hat.©Verena Mack
Format for discourse
In the podcast, we explore the relationship between society and design.
Der Schatten eines Käfers vor einem Lichtreflex©Robin Meier Wiratunga, Synchronicity, Video (Still), 2015–2024, © VG Bild-Kunst, Bonn 2025
September
20
Sa
Sep 25
14
Sa
Feb 26
Nachtleben
Art'n'Vielfalt – Podcast series "Nachtleben"
The two-part podcast series accompanies the exhibition Nachtleben. It explores the question of how dark we actually experience the night nowadays and different perspectives on darkness.
Ein rosa Kreis auf einer schwarzweißen Straßenszene
June2026
04
Th
13
Sa
Open – Design Week Frankfurt RheinMain
In June 2026, Frankfurt RheinMain will become an international stage for designing tomorrow. For ten days, visionary design from the region will meet impulses from around the world.