Einige Personen sitzen in einem schönen Raum mit viel Fensterfläche. Im Hintergrund ist ein großes Plakat von World Design Capital 2026.©Ben Kuhlmann

Programme

For us, democratic design begins with programme development. WDC 2026 sees itself as a participatory platform – meaning: It's not just the outcome that matters, but also the process of getting there.

Open calendarKey themes

Project Highlights from the region

Historische Aufnahme aus der Ausstellung „A Step Ahead – Mathildenhöhe Darmstadt at 125“©Institut Mathildenhöhe
June 2026
January 2027
06
Sa
Jun 26
31
Su
Jan 27
A Step Ahead
Mathildenhöhe Darmstadt
In 2026, the Mathildenhöhe in Darmstadt will celebrate the 125th anniversary of its first exhibition.
Mathildenhöhe Darmstadt
Vorplatz Jüdisches Museum Frankfurt©Jüdisches Museum Frankfurt
April
September
17
Fr
Apr
27
Su
Sep
Mishpocha – The Art of Collaboration Jüdisches Museum Frankfurt
Das Jüdische Museum Frankfurt, Atelier Markgraph and the IMA Clique invite you to an extraordinary experiential exhibition.
Jüdisches Museum Frankfurt
Am Radweg zwischen Frankfurt und Offenbach stehen große, bunte Leuchten.©Tobias Trübenbacher, Andreas Lang
May
October
06
We
May
30
Fr
Oct
Main Light
Tobias Trübenbacher & Andreas Lang
Climate-neutral, environmentally friendly lighting for public spaces in Hesse.
Project Street as a Runway©Francesco Schifano
Die Straße als Startbahn / The Street as a Runway
Lorenza Manfredi, Licia Soldavini, Lorenzo Malloni & Caterina Selva together with Saloony e.V.
The Street as a Runway explores the use of public spaces. Streets weren’t always meant for cars. In workshops focused on kite-building and flying, people of all ages will come together in the streets.
Grafik mit gezeichneten Elementen©Falko Schnelle
Urbane Raumforschung Frankfurt
studio gross klein & Schülern:innen der Georg-August-Zinn-Schule
Young people shaping their neighborhood! Together with experts and the local community they explore and transform public spaces. The city becomes their own project.
Georg-August-Zinn-Schule
Project Typography for Democracy©Golnar Kat Rahmani
Typography for Democracy
Jewish Community of Frankfurt K.d.ö.R. and Bureau Mitte, Frankfurt
Typography for Democracy features several events that explore the cultural significance of typography as a bridge between cultures.
Project Kiosk of Solidarity©Monika Keiler
Kiosk of Solidarity X Bahnhofsviertel
Moritz Ahlert & Felix Egle
Kiosk of Solidarity X Bahnhofsviertel is a project in Frankfurt that addresses drug use, homelessness, and social exclusion.
Project Booty Bounce©Booty Bounce
Booty Bounce
C.C.B.B.
Booty Bounce is a performance project over several months that puts queer BIPoC FLINTA* individuals in Frankfurt in the spotlight, while fostering their participation in the cultural scene.

The 3 pillars of the programme

WDC events with regional and international focus

Menschen sitzen auf den Emporen im WDC Hub©Ben Kuhlmann
January
November
24
Sa
Jan
30
Mo
Nov
WDC Hub
WDC 2026
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.
Museum Angewandte Kunst, Frankfurt
Illustration des WDC Pavillon©Constructlab
April
September
13
Mo
Apr
27
Su
Sep
WDC Pavilion tour
WDC 2026
The Pavilion will travel through the region, stopping at key locations.
Ein rosa Kreis auf einer schwarzweißen Straßenszene
June
05
Fr
14
Su
Open – Design Week Frankfurt RheinMain
WDC 2026
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
April
August
WDC-Campus
Students, educators, and graduates from various disciplines present their projects, concepts, and visions.
Foto von Menschen auf einem öffentlichen Platz©Ben Kuhlmann
August
13
Th
16
Su
Module Festival
WDC 2026
Module is an interdisciplinary festival taking place in August 2026. At its core is the experimental interplay between music, design, and socially relevant topics.
Kulturcampus Frankfurt
Die Frankfurter Paulskirche©Ben Kuhlmann
November
11
We
14
Sa
Policy Days – Future needs Design
WDC 2026
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.
Ein Boot mit der Aufschrift World Design Capital Frankfurt RheinMain fährt vor der Skyline von Frankfurt über den Main.©Atelier Markgraph
June
05
Fr
15
Mo
Floating Space – das WDC-Schiff auf dem Main
WDC 2026
The Floating Space is a mobile exhibition vessel and part of the Open – Design Week Frankfurt RheinMain.
Graue Fläche mit Text auf dem "Anfangen" steht.
#anfangen – WDC Spotlight
This format combines established media and various channels to feature exciting contributions revolving around WDC themes.

Ongoing formats

Eine aus Holz gebaute Bohnenlaube auf dem Atzelbergplatz.©Umwelt-Exploratorium e.V.
Grüner Atzelbergplatz
Interkulturelles Frauen-Café
Umwelt-Exploratorium e.V. in Koop mit der Planungsgruppe Seckbach & aufmerksam.info
Atzelbergplatz
Eröffnung des Loebers Kulturcafé©Hans-Walter Schewe
January
December
Loebers Kulturcafé – Neu-Isenburg
Miruna Costa
A place where words wander, thoughts fly and generations meet.
Bansamühle
RiSOBARRiO – Offene Riso-Werkstatt in Bockenheim©RiSORiOT / Institut für Gebrauchsgrafik
January
December
RiSOBARRiO – Offene Riso-Werkstatt in Bockenheim
RiSORiOT - Konrad, Stiehl & Genoss*innen Risografie GbR
Print workshop for creating your own products using the eco-friendly RISO process.
RISORIOT
Skizze der Wallanlagen mit beispielhaften Projekten.©bb22
OFF THE WALL
making frankfurt mit bb22 (architekten + stadtplaner)
Spaces in this centrally located recreational area are to be used temporarily to showcase the potential of public spaces that are heavily affected by traffic.
Auf dem Foto stehen zwei Personen Hand in Hand auf einer Mauer und schauen streng in die Kamera. Die Person links hält eine pinke Decke in der Hand, die Person rechts einen Blumenstrauß.©ASJA / Schmidt-Colinet 2022
February
June
14
Sa
Feb
24
We
Jun
The Art of Protest (Intermediate)
ASJA und Jonathan Schmidt-Colinet
A participatory performance project.
Studierendenhaus Campus Bockenheim, Frankfurt am Main
Blick über die Ackerfelder von Oberrad mit Sicht auf die EZB in Frankfurt©Stadt.Land.Wirtschaft e.V.
March
June
14
Sa
Mar
13
Sa
Jun
Food Forest for Democracy
Stadt.Land.Wirtschaft e.V.
An initiative for permaculture design in agriculture and serves as an educational space for sustainable development.
Die Kooperative eG

Exchange and offers

Personen sitzen und sprechen zusammen im Hinterhof mit Baum und Hängematte©Ben Kuhlmann
WDC Regular's Table
Exchange is at the heart of WDC 2026. The consultation hour is one of the regular WDC exchange formats.
Foto von Mitarbeiter*innen des WDC im Projektbüro©Ben Kuhlmann
WDC consultation hour
Exchange is at the heart of WDC 2026. The consultation hour is one of the regular WDC exchange formats.
online
Material für Alle©Ivan Murzin
MFA – Material für Alle
MFA – Material für Alle
A central platform for reusing materials from the arts and cultural sector.
Gwinnerstraße 46
Checklisten©Ben Kuhlmann
Checklists
Here are our checklists on inclusion and sustainability.
Auf dem Foto stehen zwei Personen Hand in Hand auf einer Mauer und schauen streng in die Kamera. Die Person links hält eine pinke Decke in der Hand, die Person rechts einen Blumenstrauß.©ASJA / Schmidt-Colinet 2022
February
June
14
Sa
Feb
24
We
Jun
The Art of Protest (Intermediate)
ASJA und Jonathan Schmidt-Colinet
A participatory performance project.
Studierendenhaus Campus Bockenheim, Frankfurt am Main
Blick über die Ackerfelder von Oberrad mit Sicht auf die EZB in Frankfurt©Stadt.Land.Wirtschaft e.V.
March
June
14
Sa
Mar
13
Sa
Jun
Food Forest for Democracy
Stadt.Land.Wirtschaft e.V.
An initiative for permaculture design in agriculture and serves as an educational space for sustainable development.
Die Kooperative eG

More Information on the Programme

Menschen bei einem Workshop auf dem El Barrio Festival©Ben Kuhlmann
Calendar
Together with numerous partners from Frankfurt RheinMain, World Design Capital 2026 invites you to join a diverse programme in 2026!
Junge Menschen sitzen gemeinsam in einem grünen Innenhof©Ben Kuhlmann
Shaping Living Environments together
Our programme puts a spotlight on issues that affect us all. Discover projects from our current programme theme.
Am Museum Angewandte Kunst hängt ein Banner von WDC 2026.©Ben Kuhlmann
Key programme themes
Our programme puts a spotlight on issues that affect us all.
see-Camp©Ben Kuhlmann
Programme background
For us, design begins with participation. This is what lies behind our programme.
Checklisten©Ben Kuhlmann
Checklists
Here are our checklists on inclusion and sustainability.
Zwei Personen sitzen an einem Tisch im Büro und diskutieren über ein Plakat.©Ben Kuhlmann
Programme development
Our programme is largely based on our Open Call — shaped by submitted projects and ideas, our own events and a wide range of cooperations.
Stammtisch©Ben Kuhlmann
Programme Contributors
WDC 2026 thrives on collaboration with institutions, universities, companies, foundations, individuals and many others.
Menschen sitzen in einem Kreis auf einer Wiese bei gutem Wetter©Ben Kuhlmann
Code of Conduct
Our Code of Conduct sets out the values and principles that matter to us. These guidelines are grounded in our democratic constitution and shape the way we work—both internally and externally.
Zwei Personen stehen vor der Ausstellung des Werkstattwagens und unterhalten sich.©Ben Kuhlmann
Participate
Take a look at the participation opportunities currently available.
Footer image