3daysofdesign 2026: A Beautiful Reminder To Be Present

Renowned as the wonderland for creative enthusiasts, Copenhagen's spirit of creativity is further celebrated with the return of 3daysofdesign - the largest annual design festival in Scandinavia and Northern Europe. From June 10 to 12, this fair featured 572 exhibitions and 894 events taking place in showrooms, galleries, museums, studios, historic buildings and public spaces, bringing 125.000 visitors from more than 140 countries to the Danish capital. The city-wide presence of these events and visitors transformed Copenhagen into a laboratory of creativity, an exhibition of contemporary design and a storehouse of perspectives.

Choosing the theme “Make This Moment Matter,” 3daysofdesign delivered a call to action: it encourages designers and consumers to focus on the present, while being conscious that each of their considered choices has a significant impact on the future. Furthermore, this theme reflected a shift from "more" to "meaningful" in the industry, where design is no longer created solely for aesthetic purposes but also embraces thoughts, emotions and ethics. “It involves choosing materials that won’t be harmful to the planet, creating interiors that enhance our wellbeing, and building communities that will foster a sense of belonging,” said 3daysofdesign. “Make This Moment Matter” therefore aligned with long-standing Nordic values, including sustainability, functionality, craftsmanship and human-centred design.

This theme was demonstrated throughout hundreds events taking place in 8 design districts of 3daysofdesign. Exhibited at the festival were exceptional products made by established names and rising talents. From furniture, lightning, audio visual design to materials and more, these products depicted an uncompromising dedication to creating designs that improve everyday life, shape atmospheres and redefine people’s relationship with spaces. By placing exhibitions on corners of Copenhagen - where visitors can enter for free - 3daysofdesign fostered conversations between people from different cultures, thereby reinforcing diversity and inclusion. Moreover, this approach allowed visitors to experience Copenhagen’s architectural heritage and urban culture.

Alongside exhibitions, 3daysofdesign fostered a sense of community through curated Design Walks tours and the recently launched Long Table Dinners, communal evening gatherings for participants to share perspectives on the festival. Another highlight of the fair included the “Entering the Now” Symposium, which “brought together leading voices from design, architecture, art, culture and business to examine the importance of presence in an increasingly complex world,” according to 3daysofdesign. From exhibitions to talks, the design festival connected like-minded souls and ignited purposeful design ideas - that’s what made this moment matter.

The festival had ended. Copenhagen returned to the normal rhythm of life. What’s left is the message from 3daysofdesign: meaningful change begins in the present. Therefore, every moment is an opportunity for us - to create purposeful products, make thoughtful choices and contribute to a better future.