“Redesigning the World” is the guiding theme of the Madrid Design Festival 2026. The new edition of the event – which puts design at the centre of the Spanish capital’s cultural, social and economic life for almost a month – extends an open and direct invitation to rethink contemporary life through the lens of creativity. It does so by bringing together 59 institutions and brands and 813 professionals, organising 55 exhibitions and installations, and 162 activities throughout the city. Organised by La Fábrica and Madrid City Council, the Festival was created with the specific aim of promoting design as a tool for transforming processes and lifestyles, embracing industry, craftsmanship and innovation. Now in its ninth edition, it confirms its identity and ability to attract new talent and influential voices in the sector, creating a participatory and inspiring ecosystem for professionals and enthusiasts alike.
FORMA Design Fair – Sculpture Research by Regina Dejimenez – Photo © Natalia Vazquez
FORMA Design Fair – Garna Gallery – Fernando de Ana & Veronica Mar
A highly anticipated new feature of the 2026 edition is the FORMA Design Fair, the first Spanish fair dedicated to collectible design, curated by Antonio Luna and Emerio Arena. Running from 4 to 8 March, the event inaugurates a professional space to strengthen the economic value of the sector, bringing together designers, studios, companies and galleries. Equally noteworthy is the exhibition programme, which focuses on some of the leading figures in the history of design in Spain: the retrospective “André Ricard. Design in Use”, the collective exhibition “Mediterranean Manifesto” (produced in collaboration with Consentino), and the exhibition curated by Guatemala (the festival’s guest country) entirely dedicated to contemporary local textile design. The three exhibitions will be open to the public from 5 February to 3 May at the Fernán Gómez Theatre.
Textile Art in Guatemala, design and identity
The successful Madrid Design PRO format is also back, with four days of conferences, debates, round tables, workshops and meetings bringing together national and international designers. There will be many voices (such as Patricia Urquiola, Luca Nichetto, Emma van der Leest, Marc Morro, Christien Meindertsma, Héctor Serrano, Loumi Le Floc’h, Benjamín Iborra…) and just as many topics for discussion: from social and circular design, bio-design, fashion and craftsmanship, alternative materials, to architecture, digital architecture, visual design and graphic design.
Madrid Design PRO – Custom Table by Casa Antillón – Photo © Antártica Estudio
Madrid Design PRO – Silla Sin Nombre by Sietes + Alex Bellotti – Photo © Cristina Inacio Ivobete
But the festival stands out for being an open space, enjoyed by all kinds of audiences. Fiesta Design (from 12 to 22 February, at the Institución Libre de Enseñanza) brings to life a circuit of installations, workshops and presentations for everyone, showing how contemporary design connects creativity, research and everyday life. Among the initiatives, Amazon returns this year with the project “Tejiendo Redes” (Weaving Networks), focusing on the transmission of knowledge between generations and the continuity of craftsmanship as a living heritage. then there is ‘Forest Bath’ presented by Finsa and designed by Enorme Studio and Álex Fenollar, an ephemeral garden that transforms the archetype of the forest into a sensory space for rest; and the interactive installation ‘We Need to Talk’ by Clinica Studio, which explores new forms of visual communication through kinetic panels. The festival’s extensive cultural programme also includes the exhibition “Nike. Design in Motion”, the brand’s largest exhibition to date, featuring 363 cult objects from its archives: prototypes and iconic models such as Air Jordans, and personal items belonging to sporting legends such as Nadal and Gasol.
Madrid Diseña – Nave Q17 by Huakal
The exhibition concludes with Madrid Diseña, an urban map that ideally connects 300 spaces participating in the festival through exhibitions, presentations, installations, tours, workshops, open studios, showrooms and meetings with designers. The mission is clear: to strengthen the city’s design ecosystem, enhance its productive and creative fabric, and activate emerging urban economies linked to innovation and cultural industries.
