As the fall approaches, the global design community prepares for some of its most significant gatherings. From architecture festivals and interior design fairs to lighting expos and industrial design conferences, late 2025 is packed with must-attend design events. Below, we highlight over 10 major design events taking place from September to December 2025, encompassing architecture, interior design, lighting, industrial design, and furniture design. Whether you’re seeking cutting-edge trends or networking with design luminaries, mark your calendars for these dates!
September 2025
- Maison & Objet + Paris Design Week (Paris, Sept 4–13): Kicking off the fall season in style, Paris hosts Maison & Objet (Sept 4–8) – one of the world’s premier home decor and design trade fairs – alongside the citywide Paris Design Week festival (Sept 4–13). Expect the crème de la crème of furniture, lighting, and interior design brands converging at Parc des Expositions, while chic installations and soirées take over Parisian showrooms and streets. It’s a très chic fusion of commerce and creativity that turns the French capital into a giant design playground.
- London Design Festival (London, Sept 13–21): Each September, London proves it’s still the reigning design capital. The London Design Festival (LDF) returns with hundreds of events and eye-popping installations scattered across the city’s boroughs. From avant-garde exhibits at the V&A to interactive public artworks, LDF celebrates innovation in product, furniture, graphic, and architectural design. Don’t be surprised if you find a whimsical pavilion on Trafalgar Square or a breathtaking light installation by the Thames – Brits take their design weeks as seriously as their tea.
- Singapore Design Week & FIND – Design Fair Asia (Singapore, mid-Sept): In the Little Red Dot, design makes a big splash. Singapore Design Week 2025 (Sept 11–21) brings exhibitions, forums, and workshops to venues citywide. It’s a showcase of Asia’s finest in design, featuring cutting-edge architecture and sustainable product design. Adding to the buzz is FIND – Design Fair Asia (September 11–13), a major trade show that draws furniture and interior designers from the region. Together, these events underscore Singapore’s growing status as an international design hub – all amid tropical heat, futuristic skyscrapers, and the lure of chili crab for post-event networking.
- Habitare (Helsinki, Sept 10–14): Up in Finland, Habitare stands as the Nordics’ largest furniture, design, and interior decoration event. Held at the Helsinki Expo Center, Habitare offers a cool dose of Scandinavian style – think minimalist furniture, sustainable materials, and playful Nordic aesthetics. This five-day fair inspires both professionals and the public with beautiful model interiors and the latest in Finnish and international home design. Plus, you might catch a glimpse of Helsinki’s renowned influence on design education, proving that even as temperatures drop, Nordic design is hotter than ever.
- IDSA International Design Conference (Detroit, Sept 16–19): The Motor City revs up its creative engines as Detroit hosts the Industrial Designers Society of America’s annual International Design Conference. Marking IDSA’s 60th anniversary, the 2025 conference theme, “Legacy: The Past, Present and Future of Design,” invites industrial designers from around the world to celebrate design’s heritage and its next frontiers. Over four days, attendees will unite, learn, connect, and dream about designing for the future – all in the inspiring setting of Detroit’s College for Creative Studies campus. In short, Detroit will be where design past meets design future, with a side of automotive soul.
October 2025
- Design Week Mexico (Mexico City, Oct 7–12): ¡Viva el diseño! Mexico City’s design scene shines during Design Week Mexico (DWM), an annual festival that has promoted local design talent and innovation since 2009. Exhibitions, installations, and talks emerge across CDMX’s museums and parks, celebrating a range of topics, from contemporary Mexican architecture to artisanal furniture and graphic design. This year’s program (running through early October) carries on DWM’s mission of bridging tradition and modernity in design.
- Dutch Design Week (Eindhoven, Oct 18–26): Europe’s largest design festival takes over the techy city of Eindhoven for nine days of pure creativity. Dutch Design Week (DDW) 2025 – the 24th edition – will transform Eindhoven into a hub of innovation, showcasing how designers are shaping the world of tomorrow. With over 2,600 designers and 300,000 visitors converging at 110+ locations, DDW encompasses exhibitions, lectures, award shows, and parties. The emphasis is on the future, with experimental concepts, social design solutions, and emerging technologies all on display. From sustainable materials to quirky gadgets, this is where you’ll glimpse “the design of the future and the future of design” – plus grab a local beer while discussing bio-design or AI with a Dutch designer.
- High Point Market – Fall 2025 (High Point, NC, Oct 25–29): For furniture and interior design professionals, High Point Market in North Carolina is the place to be each spring and fall. The Fall 2025 edition (Oct 25–29) will once again turn the small town of High Point into the center of the furniture universe. With 11.5 million sq. ft. of showroom space spread across the city, it’s the world’s largest home furnishings trade show. Thousands of exhibitors showcase the latest in furniture, lighting, textiles, and décor – from haute designs to mainstream trends. It’s a feast for the eyes (and a workout for your feet). Whether you’re sourcing pieces for projects or trend-spotting for 2026, High Point promises endless inspiration – and possibly sensory overload.
- Lagos Design Week (Lagos, Oct 23–28): West Africa’s most exciting design festival is back and bigger than ever. Design Week Lagos (DWL) turns Nigeria’s megacity into a living canvas of design brilliance. The 2025 edition, running from October 23 to 28, carries the theme “Made in Africa: Shaping Industries, Shaping Futures,” which highlights African innovation and craftsmanship. Through exhibitions, workshops, and panel talks, DWL brings together architects, interior and product designers, artisans, and thought leaders from across Africa and beyond. Inspired by global events like London and Milan design weeks, Lagos’s festival has a unique energy, blending bold contemporary ideas with the city’s vibrant culture. It’s more than an event; “Lagos is transformed into a breathing, living design celebration”, solidifying its status as a major global design hub. Don’t miss the chance to witness how African design is reshaping the world’s creative future.
- BIEL Light + Building (Buenos Aires, Oct 22–25): Shifting to the southern hemisphere, BIEL Light + Building Buenos Aires is Latin America’s key event for lighting design, electrical engineering, and building technology. This biennial trade fair (held Oct 22–25 at La Rural in BA) showcases cutting-edge developments in lighting, electronics, and automation. It’s a hotspot for lighting designers, engineers, and architects seeking the latest in smart building tech – from innovative LED systems to intelligent home networks. Over four days, BIEL features product exhibits, technical seminars, and networking that illuminate (pun intended) where the industry is headed. In short, Buenos Aires will be illuminated by innovation – a bright moment for the global lighting and building design community.
November 2025
- World Architecture Festival (Miami, Nov 12–14): Often dubbed the Oscars of architecture, the World Architecture Festival (WAF) is an annual traveling extravaganza, marking its first-ever edition in the USA in 2025. From Nov 12–14, architects from around the globe will descend on the Miami Beach Convention Center for three days of intense live critiques, keynote talks, and awards galas. The 17th WAF, themed “Hearts and Minds,” highlights the emotional impact of design. Finalists in 45 categories will present their projects in live judging sessions, vying for titles like World Building of the Year. With big-name firms (think Zaha Hadid Architects, BIG, Snøhetta) in attendance and a brand-new North American backdrop, WAF Miami promises a unique blend of global star power and local Art Deco flair. Additionally, expect special programs, such as a “40 under 40” showcase of emerging architects.
- Dubai Design Week & Downtown Design (Dubai, Nov 4–10): Each November, Dubai cements its status as the Middle East’s design capital with Dubai Design Week – a citywide celebration of design, innovation, and culture. From Nov 4–9, the d3 Design District and other venues host installations, talks, and workshops spanning architecture, product design, graphics, and more. A highlight is Downtown Design (Nov 6–10), the region’s leading design fair, where over 200 brands and studios exhibit high-end furniture, lighting, and decor. Together, these events draw designers, developers, and collectors from around the world to the UAE. Imagine cutting-edge design talks beneath futuristic skyscrapers, galleries showcasing Arab-world design talent, and evenings of networking under the desert stars. Dubai Design Week may be young compared to legacy design fairs, but it’s making up for lost time, with ambition as tall as the Burj Khalifa.
December 2025
- Design Miami/ (Miami, Dec 2–7): Capping off the year, Design Miami/ returns to Florida, running Dec 2–7, in parallel with the famed Art Basel Miami Beach. This elite fair is the marketplace for collectible design: think limited-edition furniture, one-of-a-kind objets d’art, and museum-quality design pieces. Top galleries from around the globe showcase their finest collectible design works, ranging from mid-century modern icons to experimental contemporary creations. It’s a dazzling intersection of art and design; you might find a sculptural chair that costs as much as a sports car (and see a well-heeled collector snap it up). With architects, interior designers, and celebrity collectors milling about, Design Miami/ feels equal parts design show and chic party. In short, sunny Miami Beach becomes the world’s most stylish design showroom for one week.
- Guangzhou Design Week (Guangzhou, Dec 5–8): Last but not least, Guangzhou Design Week in China closes out the design calendar with a bang. Founded in 2006 as China’s first design week, it has grown into Asia’s premier design industry event. The 2025 edition (December 5–8 at the Poly World Trade Center) spans a staggering 180,000 m² of exhibition space and is expected to draw over 1,000 exhibitors from more than 20 countries and 450,000+ attendees. From high-end custom furniture and interior materials to smart home tech and lifestyle art, this mega-event showcases the full spectrum of design innovation. It’s also a hub for networking and trend forecasting, connecting China’s design market with global creative industries. In essence, Guangzhou Design Week is where East meets West in design, and where you can glimpse the future of design in the world’s fastest-growing market.
Whether you’re an architect, interior designer, product innovator, or just a design aficionado, these events offer a chance to immerse yourself in what’s new and next in design. From September through December 2025, the world’s design capitals (and a few emerging ones) will host festivals, fairs, and conferences that are witty, worldly, and full of inspiration. Plan your trips, polish your business cards, and get ready to be dazzled – the future of design is on display in late 2025.
