Header: 3daysofdesign
Scandinavia’s biggest and most coveted design event, 3daysofdesign, is finally back this June for its 12th edition. As the city of Copenhagen transforms into a global platform showcasing the best of the best in design today, from cutting-edge design to inspiring installations, this is your chance to experience the city’s most iconic districts through a design-focused perspective.
KEEP IT REAL: The 2025 Theme Unpacked
In an attempt to counter the noise and fleeting nature of today’s digital age, 3daysofdesign has announced its theme: KEEP IT REAL. The goal? To reconnect us with intention and authenticity.
Simple yet striking and to the point, almost in your face, this year’s theme challenges us to embrace true substance and remain authentic to ourselves in the face of inevitable change, especially in an increasingly digital world where external validation still reigns supreme.
“Our KEEP IT REAL theme for 2025 honours individual expression and experiences, echoing our deep desire for a world that’s more caring, inclusive, and conscious.” — Signe Byrdal Terenziani, Managing Director of 3daysofdesign
3daysofdesign invites visitors to take this year’s theme as an invitation to “explore the power of design that’s authentic, original, caring of people — and the planet”.
Introducing 8 New Design Districts
3daysofdesign has come a long way since its humble beginnings, having hosted its first-ever event in an old warehouse in the small harbor area of Nordhavn.
This year, the festival will be spread across eight new Design Districts in Copenhagen, each marked by i—Points, stretching from the Nordhavn district all the way to Christianshavn. These i—Points serve as landmarks or meeting points for all visitors to quickly access festival information and explore the grounds without hassle.
Here’s what you can expect from each Design District, which will take you across the city on a “journey through design, innovation, and transformation”.
District Holmen: Transformations
To pay homage to its evolution from a historic maritime district to a thriving arts hub and creative space, District Holmen will feature works dedicated to the theme of transformation. Today, this locale is proudly home to art galleries, design schools, and an array of creative spaces in renovated industrial warehouses, which stand alongside new architectural structures, showcasing the harmony between the old and new.
i-Point location: Royal Danish Academy
District Christianshavn: Crafts & Materials
Christianhavn is known for its artisanal history, with a district that’s focused on crafts, materials, processes, and true artistry that brings traditional creative arts with modern techniques. Here, guests can expect an immersive experience as they dive deeper into traditional craftsmanship and innovative material, and learn from the artists who use them as mediums to create revolutionary creations that shape the spaces that surround us.
i-Point location: Kanalhuset
District Amerikakaj: Atmospheres
Formerly a central point for transatlantic travel in Denmark, Amerikakaj has grown to become a vibrant design hub, now home to established local brands with a strong focus on lighting. This summer, District Amerikakaj will shine a light on how illumination shapes atmosphere and, in turn, influences emotion, creativity, and well-being.
i-Point location: Ocean Saloon
District Nordhavn: Communities
Designed with sustainable and community-centric urban planning in mind, Nordhavn is rapidly evolving into a model ‘five-minute city’ where walkable communities and connectivity take center stage—hence the festival’s focus on community in this district.
i-Point location: Nordhus
District Kultur: Perspectives
Better known as the city’s ‘cultural heart’, District Kultur explores the spaces where design meets history and heritage. The exhibitions and installations here highlight how cultural values and traditions inspire creations that go beyond aesthetics to embrace diverse perspectives in design.
i-Point location: Bryghuspladsen
District Frederiksstaden: Authenticity
Frederiksstaden perfectly embodies authenticity with its iconic 18th-century Rococo architecture, which honours heritage and craftsmanship while reminding us to value our roots amidst shifting trends and the notion that “newer is always better”.
i-Point location: Designmuseum Danmark
District Rosengård: Insights
Set within old town Copenhagen, District Rosengård is a former fortified city that perfectly represents breaking free from societal constraints, gaining new insights, and embracing your personal truth.
i-Point location: Cinemateket
District Kongens Nytorv: Connections
Drawing from its long history as a famous meeting place in Copenhagen, the focus at District Kongens Nytorv will lie on real-world connections, encouraging visitors to engage with one another, the surroundings, and the exhibitors beyond the digital world.
i-Point location: Kongens Nytorv Square
Navigation Made Easy with Curated Walks & Design Ambassadors
For seamless navigation across districts, Head of Design and Founding Partner at OEO Studio, Thomas Lykke, created a visual cue designed exclusively for the festival to help visitors navigate the exhibitions and installations with ease.
Dedicated District Managers will also be present at all times to guide and inspire both visitors and exhibitors throughout the festival.
To top it all off, guests can also look forward to eight curated Design Walks, which are unique guided tours through each district led by the fair’s Design Ambassadors.
These tours will offer visitors an in-depth experience of each district and give them the opportunity to connect with like-minded creatives, designers, and industry professionals.
The 2025 edition of 3daysofdesign will be running from 18 to June 2025, across various locations throughout the city. Visit the 3daysofdesign website for the full programme and schedule of workshops.
