Barcelona Design Week 2026

Barcelona Design Week 2026 is the 21st edition of Barcelona's annual design festival, running from 14 to 25 October 2026. Founded in 2006 and organised by the Barcelona Creativity & Design Foundation, it fills the city with exhibitions, talks, open studios and installations, and this year it is built around a single theme: PRO-TEST.

About the Festival

PRO-TEST takes its name from two stages of the design process: prototyping and testing, the moments when an idea leaves the drawing board and meets materials, users and real needs. The name has a second reading too. "Pro-" suggests moving forward and proposing, and "test" suggests trial and contrast; together they frame protest as proposition, answering uncertainty by building alternatives rather than only criticising.

The festival aims to bring design closer to citizens and to the city's economic sectors, and to show Barcelona's creative energy internationally. It is promoted with Disseny Hub Barcelona and Barcelona City Council, and its visual identity for 2026 was created by the studio Abuela.

What to Expect

• Main activities: the festival's own exhibitions, talks and events around the theme
• OFF BDW: a wide programme proposed by studios, schools, brands and collectives, from exhibitions and open studios to routes, workshops and debates, all open to the public
• Underground BDW: an experimental showcase, now in its third edition, focused on prototyping and testing
• A festival in the streets: activities take place in shops, studios, schools and public spaces, so much of the programme can be found simply by walking through the city's design neighbourhoods
• Schools and galleries: participating venues include design schools such as Elisava and ESDI and spaces such as the Roca Gallery

2026 Programme

The festival runs from Wednesday 14 to Sunday 25 October 2026. Underground BDW takes place from 22 to 24 October 2026 at the Parking Gallery of LCI Barcelona School of Design and Visual Arts. The full programme, with dates, venues and booking information for each activity, is published on the official Barcelona Design Week website.

Who Is It For?

• Designers, architects and students who want to see how prototypes become products
• Design schools and studios looking for exchange and new contacts
• Companies interested in design-led innovation
• Visitors to Barcelona in October who want a design route through the city

Tickets

There is no single festival ticket. Many activities are open to the public, especially in the OFF programme, but some talks and workshops require registration. Check each activity on the official programme.

Things to Know

• Pick a strand. The main programme, OFF BDW and Underground BDW run side by side; decide which you want to focus on.
• Register early for talks and workshops with limited places.
• Visit the schools. Open days and exhibitions at Barcelona's design schools are a good way to see new talent.
• Plan by neighbourhood. Venues are spread across the city.
• Visit the Disseny Hub. Disseny Hub Barcelona, by Plaça de les Glòries, houses the city's design museum and is a good starting point for any design visit to Barcelona.
• Getting around: Barcelona–El Prat Airport is linked to the city by metro, train and bus, and the metro reaches most neighbourhoods where festival venues are found.
• Book accommodation early. The festival has an official hotel booking link on its website.

Attend Barcelona Design Week 2026

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Visit Barcelona Design Week 2026

The full programme and registration for each activity are on the official Barcelona Design Week website.

Looking for more to see? Browse all events, festivals and exhibitions on Good Stuff Weekly.

Last verified: October 10, 2026