Don’t miss Zurich Design Weeks 2026.

07.09.2026

From 17 to 27 September 2026, Zurich will be transformed for the fifth time into Switzerland’s biggest design stage. Under the annual theme “OUT OF…”, over 40 venues will open their doors – from museums and showrooms to private studios. For those with a keen sense of aesthetics, materiality and spatial awareness, the festival is more than just a cultural programme: it is a source of inspiration that has a direct influence on how one conceives of one’s own home.

A decentralised festival with a clear vision

The Zurich Design Weeks deliberately do not see themselves as a trade fair, but rather as a decentralised city festival. Over the course of eleven days, designers, brands, institutions and creative spaces invite visitors to experience design in the context of society, the economy and the environment. This year’s theme, “OUT OF…”, encourages participants to break away from familiar ways of thinking and develop new perspectives for the future – an ambition that goes far beyond pretty objects and views design as a tool for improving quality of life.

The highlights: From “neue räume” to the Poster Safari

The main hub is the Swiss Design Lounge at the Museum für Gestaltung Zurich on Ausstellungsstrasse, which serves as the festival headquarters and meeting point. A major highlight for the public is the international interior design exhibition ‘neue räume’ in Hall 550 in Zurich-Oerlikon, which brings together the latest trends in furniture and interior design.

Those who prefer to explore the city on foot will find eye-catching graphic design pieces at various locations in the city centre as part of the popular Poster Safari. The programme is complemented by curated design tours, where established names and up-and-coming talents come together, as well as talks and workshops that bring design to life as a topic of social discussion.

Big names, personal styles

International brands, too, are using the festival to bring their design philosophies to life: IKEA Switzerland, in collaboration with the Dutch studio Raw Color, is presenting the installation “Make space for…”, which explores colour as a space-defining element and invites visitors to reflect on their own understanding of space. Smaller, owner-run studios such as Torro Studio, meanwhile, focus on a sensory, almost intimate design experience spread over several days of workshops with their “OUT OF The Senses” programme. This breadth – from global corporations to independent studios – is what makes Zurich Design Weeks so appealing.

Why it’s well worth a visit for lovers of fine living

Anyone involved with exclusive residential property, whether professionally or privately, will find Zurich Design Weeks a rare opportunity to experience trends first-hand before they appear in furniture catalogues or trade journals. The exhibitions on interior, product and material design provide concrete inspiration for the design of living spaces – be it surfaces, lighting concepts or room layouts, which are also increasingly in demand in high-end properties. For buyers wishing to furnish their future home to a high standard, the festival also offers the chance to speak directly with designers. And it’s equally worthwhile for sellers to take a look: knowing which design details are currently appealing allows them to showcase a property more effectively.

Good to know

Much of the programme is free to attend; some workshops and special events require registration. The full programme is available at designweeks.ch. If you’re planning to visit several venues, you should allow a whole day – the distances between Oerlikon, the city centre and other neighbourhoods are easily covered on foot or by public transport.