WHAT: The 2025 NYCxDESIGN Festival, New York City’s official celebration of design, returns with hundreds of events citywide. Embracing the inclusive theme “Design is for Everyone,” the Festival brings together global creatives, leading brands, institutions, and the public for a vibrant program of exhibitions, keynotes, installations, tours, and neighborhood activations.
WHEN: May 15–21, 2025
Design Pavilion by Lexus at Hudson Yards opens early: May 10–19
WHO: Organized by NYCxDESIGN, an independent nonprofit, the Festival highlights the city’s diverse design ecosystem, featuring top designers, students, civic leaders, and cultural institutions.
WHERE: Events take place throughout all five boroughs, including: Hudson Yards, SoHo, Dumbo, Javits Center, Harlem, Domino Park, Central Park, Roosevelt Island, and more.
FESTIVAL HIGHLIGHTS:
Immersive Experiences and Shoppable Design Exhibits
- Design Pavilion by Lexus at Hudson Yards
Open to public: May 10–19, 10AM–9PM, Sunday 10AM-7PM
An immersive, sensory-driven experience highlighting Lexus’ cutting-edge design, interactive elements, and the spectral visual artwork of Australian artist Nick Thomm. - NYCxDESIGN xSouvenir Exhibition at the Oculus WTC
Kickoff: May 15 at 10AM | Public: May 15–21, 11AM–6PM
A curated collection of 73 original, NYC-inspired works by renowned designers including Karim Rashid and David Weeks—many available for purchase. Located within the Canvas Clothing Store. In partnership with Cool Hunting, sponsored by Kikkerland Design and exhibition design by Boym Partners
Captivating Keynote Presentations and Conversations
- Coca-ColaⓇ:“Contour” Exhibition & Panel: “A Decade of Photography for Coca-ColaⓇ Global Design by Guy Arcoch and Anna Palma” | May 15 at International Center of Photography, 11:30AM
Celebrating 110 years of the iconic Coca-ColaⓇ bottle, Contour is a new exhibition, running May 16-21, celebrating the decade-long creative partnership between photographers Guy Aroch and Anna Palma, and Coca-ColaⓇ’s VP of Global Design, Rapha Abreu. Together, they’ve crafted imagery that has shaped Coca-Cola’s global identity and captured the brand’s spirit of emotional connection and timeless joy. Festival-goers will get a sneak peek at the exhibit and hear from these three visionaries during the keynote presentation panel. Tickets available here. - IBM: “AI: Sci-Fi to Society” | May 16 at IBM Flagship, 2–6PM
Join IBM for an inside look at how one of the world’s largest and most established technology companies is adopting, developing, and integrating AI into the heart of its design practice. Speakers from IBM’s Blue Studio, IBM iX, and collaborators from the creative community, will explore how AI is being used to scale storytelling, generate brand imagery, and power immersive experiences. A reception and networking session will follow. Tickets available here. - Life Time: “By Design: The Healthy Way of Life” | May 20, 7PM
This conversation brings together leaders in wellness, hospitality, and design to explore the space where design and wellness intersect. Life Time’s Chief Creative Officer, Nic Berglund, will lead a panel featuring Nancie Min of Clodagh International, and Michael Newcombe of the Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts, exploring how brand design can inspire movement and create spaces that help people feel their best.
Cultural Tours and Activations
- Hudson Yards Art + Architecture Tour | May 16, 2-3PM
- Davis Center at Harlem Meer (Central Park) | May 16, 3-4:30PM
Exclusive tour of one of the most significant construction projects in Central Park history. Tickets available here. - Grand Central Madison Art & Architecture Tour | May 18, 1-3PM
Explore vibrant mosaics and public art installations with MTA Arts & Design. Tickets available here
Design Fairs + International Spotlights
- Shelter by Afternoon Light | May 17–19 at Starrett-Lehigh
The inaugural edition will showcase shoppable collections, panels, and product launches from established and emerging brands. - ICFF + WANTED | May 18–20 at Javits Center
North America’s leading contemporary design fair returns with 450+ global brands and a theme of “Designing in Harmony.” - The Italian Trade Agency (ITA) will spotlight Italian showrooms, meanwhile Villa Albertine’s Oui Design! will celebrate French design with open studios citywide, along with live craft demonstrations at the iconic Payne Whitney Mansion on May 15.
Neighborhood Celebrations
- NoMad Design Day | May 16, 11AM–6PM
- Hudson Yards Art + Architecture Tour | May 16, 2-3PM
- Atlantic Avenue Day of Design | May 17, 11–6PM
- SoHo Design District Design Day | May 17, 12–6PM
- Madison Avenue Design Week + Spring Gallery Walk | May 15–21
Spring Gallery Walk: May 17, 11AM–6PM - A Fresh Day in Harlem | May 20, 12-7PM
- DUMBO Design District Closing Party + Manhattan Bridge Projections | May 21, 6–9PM
Student Design Exhibitions & School Tours
- Cornell Tech (Roosevelt Island) | May 16–21
Featuring the Startup Awards, an exhibition of student work, design talks, and a guided tour of the campus and adjacent Four Freedoms Park designed by Louis Kahn - Student exhibits at Pratt Institute | May 15–20; Parsons School of Design | May 14–20, as well as at FIT, SVA, and NYIT
TICKETS & INFO: Visit nycxdesign.org for the full schedule and to download the official NYCxDESIGN app.
