sofia
11 – 14 June 2026
Set in one of Europe’s oldest and most layered capitals, the European Design Festival 2026, produced and curated by Studio Komplekt and Melba Foundation for Design and Visual Culture, brings designers together for four days of dialogue and exchange.
Through talks, exhibitions, workshops and celebrations, the festival explores contemporary communication design and connects the European design community.
June 4-17
20 Editions Communication Design Selection of the winners of EDA 2007-2026
Open 24 Hours
@Lover’s Bridge
Tuesday June 9
Meeting of the Executive Board of the International Council of Design (ICoD)
9am – 4pm
@Hall 4, Toplocentrala
Wednesday June 10
Meeting of the Executive Board of the International Council of Design (ICoD)
9am – 4pm
@Hall 4, Toplocentrala
City walk | Graffiti Tour
by Visti Sofia
5pm – 7.30pm
Thursday June 11
ICoD Global Meeting
9am – 4pm
Closed Event
@Peroto, NDK
Official opening of the ED Festival – Exhibition Balkan Mix
6pm – 8pm
Closed Event
@Gallery Cube Toplocentrala
Friday June 12
City walk | Architecture Tour
10am to 11.30am
Design Forum
11am to 4pm
@Toplocentrala, hall 1
Open Design Studios Visits
2pm – 6pm
@Various Locations
Exhibition Opening
Sebastian Curi
In the presence of the artist
6.30pm to 10pm
@L44 Design Space
Saturday June 13
Design Forum
11am to 4pm
@Toplocentrala, hall 1
Awards Ceremony 20th EDA
7pm – 9.30pm
@Lumiere Cinema
EDA Winners Party
from 10pm
@NDK
Sunday June 14
Vitosha hike
tbc
City Center Walk by VisitSofia
Ceremony and Party
European Design Awards 2026 ceremony
The ED-Awards crowning event at Lumiere Hall, National Palace of Culture
OFFICIAL ED-AWARDS AFTERPARTY
Continue the evening in a setting shaped by Sofia’s contemporary creative scene
Talks & Conferences
Exhibitions
Workshops
Parallel Events
Travel Information
Accommodation in Sofia
European Design Awards 2026
Discounted travel with Bulgaria Air
Get to Sofia with a special 10% discount
TICKETS
FULL PASS
Full Pass 378,20€ / Last-Minute until 5.6 — 25% off — €283.65 (code: LASTMINUTE)
Includes access to all sessions and networking events on Friday and Saturday, awards ceremony, after party with a welcome drink, 2x lunch, main exhibition, goodie bag and Friday welcome reception, 4 student exhibitions.
*The registration fee does not include Design walk, Type walk and Workshops TipoRenesansa.
Early Bird Full Pass (up to 15.5) 341,60€ / Student Full Pass 85,40€/ Last-Minute until 5.6 — 25% off — €283.65 (code: LASTMINUTE)
Includes access to all sessions and networking events on Friday and Saturday, awards ceremony, after party with a welcome drink, 2x lunch, main exhibition, goodie bag and Friday welcome reception, 4 student exhibitions.
*The registration fee does not include Design walk, Type Walk and Workshops TipoRenesansa.
*A proof of valid student status is required at the time of registration.
DAY PASS(ES)
Friday Pass 122,00€
Includes access to all Friday sessions and networking events, main exhibition, goodie bag and Friday welcome reception, 4 student exhibitions, 1x lunch (Friday).
*The registration fee does not include Design walk, Type Walk and Workshops TipoRenesansa.
2 Day Pass 244,00€ / Last-Minute until 5.6 — 25% off — €183,00 (code: LASTMINUTE)
Saturday Pass 122,00€ / Last-Minute until 5.6 — 25% off — €91,50 (code: LASTMINUTE)
Includes access to all sessions and networking events on Friday and Saturday, 2x lunch, main exhibition, goodie bag and welcome reception, 4 student exhibitions.
*The registration fee does not include Design Walk, Type Walk and Workshops TipoRenesansa, awards ceremony, after party with a welcome drink.
Award Ceremony €183,00 / Last-Minute until 5.6 — 25% off — €137,25 (code: LASTMINUTE)
Includes access to awards ceremony, after party with a welcome drink and a goodie bag.
LUNCH
Friday Lunch 18,30€
Drinks are not included.
Lunch is already included in all Full Passes, Friday Pass, and 2-day Pass.
Saturday Lunch 18,30€
Drinks are not included.
Lunch is already included in all Full Passes, Friday Pass, and 2-day Pass.
SPECIAL OFFERS
Quantity Discount
Companies, agencies, studios, university and high school lecturers interested in registering in groups of more than 5 people can contact edf2025@paideia-events.com for a special quantity discount.
Student Quantity Discount
If you would like to register a larger group of students, we can offer you a better price, please contact us at edf2025@paideia-events.com. *A proof of valid student status is required at the time of registration.
WORKSHOP & WALKS
Workshop Tiporenesansa Friday 73,20€
TipoRenesansa is the last place in Slovenia where one can experience how printing was done before contemporary technology took over the process.
*Duration: 2h. Limited number of places.
Workshop Tiporenesansa Saturday 73,20€
TipoRenesansa is the last place in Slovenia where one can experience how printing was done before contemporary technology took over the process. Print your own poster in a letterpress workshop!
*Duration: 2h. Limited number of places.
Studio Walk 12,20€
A Studio Walk is a guided tour to local design agencies who have taken upon them to welcome you into their offices, answer your questions and showcase some of their work. Duration: 3 hours. Limited number of places.
Type Walk 12,20€
A type walk will take us through the material, historical, cultural and linguistic diversity of letterforms in the heart of Ljubljana. The concept of a walk addresses a very important skill that is crucial to typographic education. How to observe type? How to understand what you are looking at? Duration: 2h. Limited number of places.