DesignMarch returns to Reykjavik from May 6-10, 2026, marking the 18th edition of Iceland’s largest design festival
Under the theme “Connections,” the event explores how design bridges gaps between nature, humanity, and technology across the Nordic capital.
The festival’s centerpiece, DesignTalks conference, takes place at Harpa Concert Hall on May 6. Curated by Hlín Helga Guðlaugsdóttir, the program examines design’s responsibility in a changing world.
A major highlight features renowned designer Stefan Sagmeister in conversation with award-winning Icelandic graphic designer Hjalti Karlsson, discussing their shared history and how lifelong friendships catalyze creative innovation.
DesignMarch 2026 emphasizes sustainability and material selection throughout its programming. The exhibition “Ripples: Shifting Realities in the Arctic” at Nordic House serves as a focal point, showcasing how climate change in northern regions drives new creative solutions in furniture design and interiors.
The festival continues Iceland’s “volcanic craft” trend, where designers utilize byproducts from the country’s unique geology to create lighting and glass objects. Furniture manufacturers like FÓLK Reykjavík are expected to present collaborations that challenge circular production boundaries using materials recovered from local industry.
“A city is incomplete without its networks, a building comes alive through its relationships with people, and a garment gains meaning through its wearer. Nothing affects us unless we create a connection to it,” states the festival’s 2026 program explanation.
The festival spans multiple locations across Reykjavik, featuring exhibitions in fashion, furniture, architecture, and product innovation. Early bird tickets for DesignTalks are available through the festival’s official website.