Seven architecture and design events in May from Dezeen Events Guide
Design festivals NYCxDesign, Global Design Forum Istanbul and London Craft Week are among the architecture and design events featured in Dezeen Events Guide this May.
Other events taking place during the month include Melbourne Design Week, Design March, Clerkenwell Design Week and Frieze New York.
DesignMarch
6 to 10 May, Iceland
Hosting its 18th edition, DesignMarch returns with a five-day programme following the theme Connections, exploring the human need for meaningful connections and its impact on communities and urban design.
The Reykjavík-based festival hosts exhibitions, talks, tours and workshops, including the DesignTalks series that explores diversity in the industry at the Harpa concert hall.
London Craft Week
11 to 17 May, UK
London Craft Week returns for its 2026 edition with a showcase of around 1,000 established and emerging makers, designers, brands and galleries from across the world.
The annual festival highlights crafts across sculpture, glass, jewellery, ceramics, interior design, mosaic, embroidery, decorative painting, weaving, woodworking, 3D printing and restoration.
During the seven days, attendees can choose from a range of events, including fairs, exhibitions, demonstrations, courses, performances and markets.
Global Design Forum Istanbul
13 to 16 May, Turkey
This year, the Global Design Forum hosts its annual platform event in Istanbul, debuting its new city-wide programme of talks, installations and a design competition over four days.
This edition follows the theme Worlds in Contact, hosting two days of panels and conversations featuring international industry experts.
Previously part of London Design Festival, the Forum will also extend to host fringe events celebrating the culture of Istanbul, spotlighting the intersections of innovation and tradition.
Frieze New York
13 to 17 May, USA
Art fair Frieze New York celebrates its 14th anniversary this year, hosting its sixth consecutive edition at The Shed in Manhattan, featuring global artists, galleries and collectors.
Among the exhibitors are major international institutions, such as Gagosian, Hauser & Wirth and Galerie Perrotin, as well as emerging names Campeche, Ulrik and Gordon Robichaux, who are taking part in the Focus section for galleries operating for 12 years or less.
The event also acts as a city-wide activation for museums and galleries across New York City featured in Frieze Week. Participating institutions include the Guggenheim, the Metropolitan Museum of Art and MoMA PS1.
Melbourne Design Week
14 to 24 May, Australia
Melbourne Design Week returns with 10 days of exhibitions, workshops, talks, tours and product launches.
The 1oth anniversary of the Australian festival follows the call to action 'Design the world you want', including smaller-scale and globally-influential projects.
Introducing the themes Living legacy, Australian-made, Luminaries, Design futures and Circularity, this edition emphasises local culture and heritage, community focus, environmental sustainability and source replenishment.
NYCxDesign
14 to 20 May, USA
Annual festival NYCxDesign hosts its 14th edition in 2026, celebrating architecture, technology, art and design through a week of events spanning across various locations in New York City.
The programme features fairs, exhibitions, award galas, parties, talks, launches, tours and pop-up markets, including the International Contemporary Furniture Fair (ICFF).
Dezeen has launched a digital guide for the festival, accompanied by an interactive map pinpointing the key events.
Clerkenwell Design Week
19 to 21 May, UK
London-based festival Clerkenwell Design Week features participation from over 200 showrooms and more than 16 exhibition venues across London's Clerkenwell neighbourhood.
Over three days, visitors can attend talks, exhibitions, workshops, open showrooms, launches and parties around the EC1 area.
The 15th edition of Clerkenwell Design Week also launches the Design Interventions installation series, the result of an open call to architects and designers.
About Dezeen Events Guide
Dezeen Events Guide is our guide to the best architecture and design events taking place across the world each year. The guide is updated weekly and includes virtual events, conferences, trade fairs, major exhibitions and design weeks.
Inclusion in the guide is free for basic listings, with events selected at Dezeen's discretion. Organisers can get standard, enhanced or featured listings for their events, including images, additional text and links, by paying a modest fee.
In addition, events can ensure inclusion by partnering with Dezeen. For more details on inclusion in Dezeen Events Guide and media partnerships with Dezeen, email eventsguide@dezeen.com.
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