Some events are characteristic of the World Design Capital: With these event formats, we aim to bring the themes of 2026 to life in diverse and engaging ways.
Sometimes the focus is on casual exchange, sometimes on design-specific questions, and at times, the events are simply fun. Together, we want to show how design can shape and transform our world.
FestivalHub & WDC Embassies – Spaces to discover, exchange and participate
The FestivalHub 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, sparking exchange, dialogue and creative experience. WDC Embassies are scattered across the region, On track towards WDC 2026 – Frankfurt RheinMain goes global connecting directly with the people. These embassies are located at central places of everyday life – in shopping streets, cultural venues, or tourism centres. They provide information about the programme, showcase selected projects, and serve as venues for local events, fostering exchange, information and connection.
WDC Academy
To create a programme that drives positive, lasting change beyond 2026, we want to inspire and empower creators from the start, helping them design their contributions in ways that are sustainable and forward-thinking. The Academy will provide participants with knowledge, methods and creative tools needed to make their WDC 2026 contributions not just impactful but also accessible and future-oriented. The Academy will launch in summer/fall 2025, with expert-led
sessions and team support.
World Design Spotlight – Each week highlights a different WDC 2026 theme across media platforms.
This format combines established media and various channels to feature exciting contributions revolving around Design for Democracy. Atmospheres for a better life. The World Design Spotlight can focus on projects, people, or companies and is designed to engage both a broad audience and design enthusiasts alike.
Month of Design
August 2026 will be the Month of Design – 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.
World Design Street Festivals
The highlight of this month are the World Design Street Festivals, which will transform various urban neighborhoods into vibrant creative spaces over 3 consecutive weekends. Here, street art meets music, performance blends with community spirit. Through interventions in public spaces, artistic expressions, and participatory projects, we celebrate the cultural diversity and creative energy of the region. Whether it’s interactive formats or subcultural impulses – this festival invites everyone to actively shape both the city and design.
WDC Pavilion – The Mobile Heart of Frankfurt RheinMain
Sustainably built, modular, and mobile: The Pavilion will travel through the region from April to October 2026, stopping at 5 to 7 key locations – from vibrant city squares to cultural landmarks. As a roaming event centre, people easily connect with WDC 2026, offering a tailored programme at each stop that reflects the region’s diversity and engages the local community.
World Design Experience
In early summer 2026, Frankfurt RheinMain will become an international stage for designing tomorrow. For 9 days, visionary design from the region will meet impulses from around the world. Exhibitions, open studios, interactive experiences, and inspiring encounters! The events will take place at converted industrial sites, innovative venues and
iconic spaces, linking the past and the future of the region.
World Design Policy Conference / World Design Network of Cities Meeting / WDC Convocation Ceremony: 3 Conferences, 3 Cities: The Future Needs Design
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 is divided into 3 themes – Politics, Administration and Attitude – and will take place in Wiesbaden, Frankfurt and Offenbach. The highlight: the Design Assembly in Frankfurt Paulskirche, bringing together all perspectives and fostering dialogue with regional politics.For this special occasion, we’re bringing together the international network of World Design Capitals and the key players in the region. During the festive Convocation Ceremony, we will proudly pass the WDC title to the next World Design Capital.
Some events are characteristic of the World Design Capital: with these event formats, we aim to bring the themes of 2026 to life in diverse and engaging ways.
Sometimes the focus is on casual exchange, sometimes on design-specific questions, and at times, the events are simply about having fun. Together, we want to show how design can shape and transform our world.
FestivalHub & WDC Embassies – Spaces to discover, exchange and participate
The FestivalHub 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, sparking exchange, dialogue and creative experience. WDC Embassies are scattered across the region, On track towards WDC 2026 – Frankfurt RheinMain goes global connecting directly with the people. These embassies are located at central places of everyday life – in shopping streets, cultural venues, or tourism centres. They provide information about the programme, showcase selected projects, and serve as venues for local events, fostering exchange, information and connection.
WDC Academy
To create a programme that drives positive, lasting change beyond 2026, we want to inspire and empower creators from the start, helping them design their contributions in ways that are sustainable and forward-thinking. The Academy will provide participants with knowledge, methods and creative tools needed to make their WDC 2026 contributions not just impactful but also accessible and future-oriented. The Academy will launch in summer/fall 2025, with expert-led
sessions and team support.
World Design Spotlight – Each week highlights a different WDC 2026 theme across media platforms.
This format combines established media and various channels to feature exciting contributions revolving around Design for Democracy. Atmospheres for a better life. The World Design Spotlight can focus on projects, people, or companies and is designed to engage both a broad audience and design enthusiasts alike.
Month of Design
August 2026 will be the Month of Design – 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.
World Design Street Festivals
The highlight of this month are the World Design Street Festivals, which will transform various urban neighborhoods into vibrant creative spaces over 3 consecutive weekends. Here, street art meets music, performance blends with community spirit. Through interventions in public spaces, artistic expressions, and participatory projects, we celebrate the cultural diversity and creative energy of the region. Whether it’s interactive formats or subcultural impulses – this festival invites everyone to actively shape both the city and design.
WDC Pavilion – The Mobile Heart of Frankfurt RheinMain
Sustainably built, modular, and mobile: The Pavilion will travel through the region from April to October 2026, stopping at 5 to 7 key locations – from vibrant city squares to cultural landmarks. As a roaming event centre, people easily connect with WDC 2026, offering a tailored programme at each stop that reflects the region’s diversity and engages the local community.
World Design Experience
In early summer 2026, Frankfurt RheinMain will become an international stage for designing tomorrow. For 9 days, visionary design from the region will meet impulses from around the world. Exhibitions, open studios, interactive experiences, and inspiring encounters! The events will take place at converted industrial sites, innovative venues and
iconic spaces, linking the past and the future of the region.
World Design Policy Conference / World Design Network of Cities Meeting / WDC Convocation Ceremony: 3 Conferences, 3 Cities: The Future Needs Design
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 is divided into 3 themes – Politics, Administration and Attitude – and will take place in Wiesbaden, Frankfurt and Offenbach. The highlight: the Design Assembly in Frankfurt Paulskirche, bringing together all perspectives and fostering dialogue with regional politics.For this special occasion, we’re bringing together the international network of World Design Capitals and the key players in the region. During the festive Convocation Ceremony, we will proudly pass the WDC title to the next World Design Capital.
