Biennials and Design Weeks from the world: the complete 2025 guide

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Helsinki Design Week

The major design-related events around the world, from now until the end of the year — not to be missed

From Copenhagen to Mexico City, biennials and design weeks activate diverse cultural geographies, offering multifaceted perspectives on research, reshaping the relationship between design, society and technology. These hybrid spaces – part exhibition, part experimentation, part critical discourse – reflect an increasing focus on themes such as the ethics of innovation, urban complexity, artificial intelligence, advanced craftsmanship, circularity, the political dimension of design, and its “inner” psychological and spiritual aspects. In a landscape interwoven with speculative practices, new economies, material experimentation, and reflections on design as a critical infrastructure, the 2025 calendar offers a valuable thermometer of international agendas. All are in some way descendants of the design week par excellence – Milan Design Week – yet each of these events has since developed its own curatorial identity and aesthetic trajectory.

Some offer a children’s design week (Helsinki), others combine fashion shows (Prague), or create dedicated platforms for graphic design, illustration, and publishing (Mexico City). While some are ticketed, most events are open to the public, with rich schedules and unique opportunities to access usually closed spaces – abandoned buildings, historical palaces, creative studios – while activating entire city districts. These events bring sensitivity to relevant themes, paired with an energy that is both accessible and contagious – even for non-experts. A clear example of how this format fosters openness, inclusivity, interdisciplinarity, and above all, internationalism. Below, a curated and chronological overview of the year’s main appointments: events to bookmark, observe, and experience.

Seoul Biennale of Architecture and Urbanism

Copenhagen 3daysofdesign / June 18–20

“Keep it real” is the title of this edition, an invitation to stay authentic in a world that often values superficiality over substance. Founded by Signe Byrdal Terenziani, the event marks its 12th edition with an expanded programme of exhibitions, the “AI & I” symposium, and the unveiling of eight new design districts across the city.

London Design Biennale / June 5–29

Established in 2016 by Sir John Sorrell CBE and Ben Evans CBE, this year’s edition includes the Global Design Forum, Biennale Sessions, hands-on workshops, screenings, and performances at Somerset House and King’s College. Curated by artistic director Dr. Samuel Ross MBE, the theme “Surface Reflections” explores how ideas are shaped by both our external and inner experiences.

Seoul Biennale of Architecture and Urbanism / September 1 – October 31

“What kind of cities do we want to live in?” asks general director Thomas Heatherwick. Under the theme “Radically More Human,” the fifth edition positions Seoul as a city uniquely poised to explore trust, creativity, and human-centred futures in architecture and urbanism.

The Venice Glass Week / September 13–21

Launched in 2017 to celebrate and promote the glassmaking tradition that has made Venice world-renowned, the ninth edition spans Venice, Mestre, and Murano. Promoted by the City of Venice, it is organised by Fondazione Musei Civici, LE STANZE DEL VETRO – Fondazione Giorgio Cini, Istituto Veneto di Scienze, Lettere ed Arti and Consorzio Promovetro Murano.

London Design Festival / September 13–21

A citywide event that transforms London into a design landscape through material research, speculative installations, and commissioned works. Founded in 2003 by Sir John Sorrell CBE and Ben Evans CBE (also founders of the Biennale), the LDF reactivates London’s urban fabric through a dense programme of talks, exhibitions, and public interventions.

Helsinki Design Week / September 5–14

Celebrating its 20th edition, the Finnish design week features open studios, a Children’s Design Week, a Design Market, and numerous satellite events. Since 2005, under Luovi Productions Ltd (founded by Kari Korkman), the festival has revitalised disused urban spaces—such as Alvar Aalto’s “Sugar Cube” in Kanavaranta 1.

Lake Como Design Festival / September 14–21

“Fragmentation is everywhere – from ongoing wars to climate disasters, society is increasingly fractured by a collective individualism.” With this statement, the festival presents its 7th edition, titled “Fragments,” curated by Wonderlake Como, with a conceptual and reflective programme set in a unique natural and architectural context.

Vienna Design Week / September 26 – October 10

“Despite its complexity, the future remains the terrain of design,” states director Gabriel Roland. Austria’s leading design event includes exhibitions, talks, workshops, and thematic city tours on social design, craft, circular economy, and architecture. The FOKUS group show, curated by Sandra Nuut, will address the theme of “Ageing.”

Barcelona Design Week / October 7–17

Marking its 20th edition, the Barcelona Design Week is organised by the Barcelona Creativity and Design Foundation. This year’s theme, “Design for Human Future: Focusing on Creative Resilience,” explores creativity as a tool for navigating global complexity. Activities include exhibitions, workshops, talks, open houses, and product launches.

Designblok / October 7–12

“Courage!” is the theme of the 27th edition of Designblok in Prague—a tribute to courage and to women in design and architecture. Exhibitions will take place in the Křižík Pavilions at Výstaviště Praha, Queen Anne’s Summer Palace, the Museum of Decorative Arts, and Galerie Rudolfinum. Nová Spirála will host talks, fashion shows, and the awards ceremony.

Design Week Mexico / October 8–13

Under the slogan “Diseñado en México,” this vibrant week includes “Inédito,” a showcase of original design, and “Print,” a platform for graphic design and illustration. Organised by non-profit México Territorio Creativo (MXTC), the event fosters local and international exchange across design, architecture, art, and craft.

Dubai Design Week / November 4–9

Now in its eleventh edition, Dubai Design Week is open for applications from creatives interested in presenting exhibitions, urban installations (this year’s theme is “Courtyards”) and site-specific works, workshops, direct sales in the marketplace, and talks. The Awab section promotes designers from Asia and Africa, while Downtown Design is the leading design fair in the Middle East.

Seoul Design Festival / November 9–12

Organized by Designhouse Inc. and DESIGN magazine, the festival was launched in 2002 and has attracted 1.5 million visitors over 24 years, hosting nearly 3,000 brands and over 5,000 designers. Now a major reference point for design in Korea, it has grown to the scale of a large international festival.

Design Miami / December 2–7

The collectible design fair par excellence, Design Miami promotes the world of collectible design through its editions in Miami Beach, Los Angeles, Basel, and Paris. Founded by entrepreneur and collector Craig Robins, Design Miami has played a key role in the revitalization of the once-abandoned Miami Design District. Since 2015, Jen Roberts has served as the event’s CEO.