Festivals - European Design Awards

2024

Naples

30 May – 2 June

From the enchanting waterfront, bathed in the shadow of Vesuvius, to the vibrant heart of its historic center, Naples is a city of stunning beauty.

Serving as a crossroads for diverse cultures since antiquity, Naples has emerged as a vibrant cultural hub. Its rich history is palpable in every street, where artistic and architectural wonders abound. The city exudes a unique charm, enhanced by its natural beauty and lively atmosphere. With its exquisite cuisine and myriad entertainment options, Naples promises an unforgettable experience.

But Naples is at the same time a city of contemporaneity, with a community of artists and designers that turns the life of the city center into a true open-air gallery. Bringing the European Design Festival to Naples (in colaboration to AIAP, the Italian Communication Design Association) also means paying homage to some great figures in the history of Italian graphics such as Franco Canale, Pino Grimaldi, Gelsomino D’Ambrosio, designers who have lived their professional history as a mission for the cultural modernization of the new generations in the South.

2023

Luxembourg

31 May – 4 June

Located at the heart of Europe and with deep historical roots, Luxembourg is home to a vibrant cultural scene and international institutions, all in a relaxed, green environment. In a constantly evolving city, you can connect with people from 170 nations and enjoy a truly cosmopolitan flair. Everything is within walking distance – restaurants, cafés, bars, museums, and shops – and public transportation is free, countrywide.

The European Design Festival 2023 is organised by Design Luxembourg, the association representing design professionals in the Grand Duchy. It will be hosted by several cultural institutions, including the Rotondes, Cercle Cité, Casino Luxembourg – Forum d’art contemporain, luca – Luxembourg Center for Architecture and the City of Luxembourg.

2022

Tallinn

17-19 June

After two years of pandemic-caused hiatus, the European Design Festival returns with an optimistic and positive attitude. This time the festival travels to the cosiest of nordic capitals: Tallinn, a modern, sustainable and innovative city known for its relaxed vibe. A city where the historical and cultural legacies from different eras contrast with its vibrant and creative urban environment.

This year’s festival is themed “Beyond Design” and explores issues such as “Beyond governance, beyond resistance, beyond tranquility….” The programme includes conferences, exhibitions, design walks, design talks, parties, nature walks and of course the European Design Awards ceremony!

2021

Online Event

Canceled

We are sad to confirm that for 2020 there is not going to be an ED-Festival. The reason is of course very obvious and it has to do with the outbreak of COVID-19. Europe is having a hard time, and in particular Spain, our host for 2020 is paying a heavy toll. It is a decision that does not make us happy, but we strongly believe that it is of the utmost importance to put the health of our guests, staff and community above everything else. It has been decided that Valencia will instead host next year’s event: the European Design Festival 2021. By then we hope that everything will look much, much brighter! At this point, we want to stress that apart from the Award Ceremony and the European Design Festival everything else will follow the initial schedule. The notification of finalists will commence on April 6th and everyone will have been contacted by April 13th at the latest.

2020

Valencia

Canceled

2019

Warsaw

6th June

Poland’s buzzing capital city is this year’s host of the European Design Festival. Helping curate its schedule are two of the most established local design players: the Element Talks conference and the Polish Graphic Design Awards. An amazing schedule of events is therefore, 100% guaranteed! It includes exhibitions, film shows, parties, lectures, workshops, networking sessions, studio walks and much, much more. The award show and annual winners’ party is scheduled for Saturday night at the iconic Nowy Teatr. Make sure not to miss a thing!

2018

Oslo

1st June

Curated by Grafill, Norway’s national organisation for visual communication, the programme for the European Design Festival this year is all about making new connections! It all starts with an exciting tour of some of Oslo’s best studios before everyone heads over to Oslo’s beautiful City Hall for a grand opening of the Festival. The actual festival takes place at an amazing Oslo harbour venue called Skur 13 and we have invited speakers whose work truly challenges the way we think and feel – about design, sustainability for the future and even life in general. The award show and party Saturday night will be a blast. Remember to bring your dancing shoes!

Stay tuned for updates and new events happening during the first three days of June.