Header: CDW
London’s most famous design district is preparing for a landmark year. Marking its 15th anniversary, Clerkenwell Design Week returns on the 19-21 this May, to transform the streets of EC1 into a massive showcase of furniture, lighting, and textiles. The area has more architects and creative businesses per square mile than anywhere else on earth, and this festival uses that local energy to host hundreds of events across both historic buildings and modern showrooms.
This year is particularly special as the festival introduces ‘Design Interventions’. This is a new series of large-scale structures and public art placed in key spots around the neighbourhood. These pieces are meant to get people talking about materials and how we use our city spaces. One of the main highlights will be ‘The Fountain of Technicolour Beads’ at Clerkenwell Green, created by the team at One Bite Design.
New venues and historic backdrops
The festival is growing even larger for 2026, with several new locations joining the map. For the first time, the Museum of the Order of St John, a space dating back to 1504, will open its doors to house ‘Interiors from Spain’, a platform for contemporary Spanish design. Another new addition is Haberdashers’ Hall, which will host ‘The Luxury Edit’, a dedicated space for high-end brands working on commercial projects.
Other famous local spots are returning with fresh looks. The 900-year-old Church of St Bartholomew the Great will become the ‘Church of Design’, featuring a massive origami-style piece called ‘Confluence’ hanging from the ceiling. Meanwhile, the brick vaults of the House of Detention, a former Victorian prison, will once again host the ‘Light’ exhibition, showcasing the latest in international lighting design.
Talks, awards and industry insights
The ‘Conversations at Clerkenwell’ series will take place at the Church of Design, featuring a line-up of experts discussing the future of the industry. Topics this year will focus on things like sustainability, how to empower the workforce, and new ways to manufacture goods.
The CDW Awards are also expanding this year. These awards recognise the ‘doers of design’ – the people and brands making real changes in how products are made and used. From the ‘British Collection’ at St James’s Church to the ‘Workplace on the Square’ outside The Zetter hotel, there are plenty of places to see these award-winning ideas in person.
Global design names
Across the various venues of the festival, you will find hundreds of brands displaying everything from furniture and lighting to textiles and home accessories. This year, confirmed exhibitors are well-known names like Moroso, String Furniture, and Swedese, alongside high-end fixtures from Dornbracht and Vincent Sheppard. You can also explore dedicated areas featuring the newest collections coming out of Austria, Denmark, and Italy.
Showroom partners
The local showrooms are a massive part of what makes Clerkenwell Design Week work, as they open their doors for product launches, practical workshops, and industry talks. A small sample of the many partners taking part this year includes big names like HAY, Herman Miller, and Muuto. You will also find the latest from flooring and surface specialists like Milliken, Tarkett, and Cosentino, as well as design leaders such as Knoll, Hansgrohe, and Boss Design.
Clerkenwell Design Week 2026 offers a rare chance to see the very best of global and British design in one of the most historic parts of London. Whether you are an architect looking for new materials or just someone who loves good design, the mix of showroom parties, serious talks, and public art makes it a key event in the creative calendar. It is a celebration of 15 years of creativity that continues to push the boundaries of what the industry can achieve.
Event details
Dates: 19–21 May 2026
Opening Hours:
- Tuesday 19 May: 10:00 am – 6:00 pm
- Wednesday 20 May: 10:00 am – 9:00 pm (Late night)
- Thursday 21 May: 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
Location: Various venues and showrooms across Clerkenwell, London, EC1. The festival hub is located at Old Sessions House, 22 Clerkenwell Green, London EC1R 0NA.
Register for your free visitor ticket at clerkenwelldesignweek.com/d5-invite
Find out more at clerkenwelldesignweek.com
