DETROIT MONTH OF DESIGN
DESIGN CORE
SEPT 1 - 30, 2026
VOL. 16 - DETROIT, MI
SEPTEMBER 2026, COMING SOON
OPEN CALL ⚡️ OPEN NOW ⚡️
Designing the future
in Detroit.
Every September, the festival brings design to life across the city. The 2026 calendar showcases how Detroit designers innovate to solve problems, build resilience, and move the needle on what’s possible.
FESTIVAL THEME
This year, we’re shifting focus from theory to practice, with the festival theme centering on the ways that Detroit designers are shaping the future of our city and beyond. The 2026 festival calendar highlights the ways in which our creative community innovates to solve problems, build resilience, and move the needle on what’s possible.
With 100+ events spanning every corner of the city, the festival calendar features exhibitions, product launches, talks, tours & more.
DESIGN SOLUTIONS FOR
Climate Resilience & Sustainability
Studios designing for the future of water, energy, and a warmer city.
Mobility, Transportation & Access
Streets, transit, and how Detroiters move.
Color & Materials
Local fabrication, repair and circular practice.
Civic & Community-led Design
Design with neighborhoods, not for them
With 100+ events spanning every corner of the city, the festival calendar features exhibitions, product launches, talks, tours & more.
This year, we’re shifting focus from theory to practice, with the festival theme centering on the ways that Detroit designers are shaping the future of our city and beyond.
The 2026 festival calendar highlights the ways in which our creative community innovates to solve problems, build resilience, and move the needle on what’s possible.
Design Moves
the Future.
SHIFTING FOCUS FROM THEORY TO PRACTICE
Design solutions for our future
Through exhibitions, product launches, talks, tours & events, the festival theme centers the ways Detroit designers are shaping the future of our city and beyond.
Climate Solutions & Sustainability
Studios designing for the future of water, sustainability & warmer cities.
Mobility, Transportation & Acess
Streets, transit & the way Detroiters move.
Color, Materials & Product
Local fabrication, repair & building circular economies.
DESIGN SOLUTIONS FOR
Climate Solutions & Sustainabilty
Studios designing for the future of water, sustainability & warmer cities.
Mobility, Transportation & Access
Streets, transit & how Detroiters move.
Color, Materials & Product
Local fabrication, repair & circular economies.
Civic & Community-led Design
Designing with neighborhoods, not for them.
Shifting focus from theory to practice
Through exhibitions, talks, tours, product launches, workshops & events centering the ways that Detroit designers are shaping the future of our city and beyond.
DETROIT MOVES THE FUTURE
EVENTS
2026 FESTIVAL
CALENDAR
EXHIBITIONS & GALLERIES
COMMUNITY-LED DESIGN
SIGNATURE EVENTS
Festival Opening CelebrationThu, Sep 03Little Village Detroit
Eastern Market After DarkThu, Sep 17Shed 2
PRE-FESTIVAL TIMELINE
SUMMER 2026
PARTNERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
BRANDS & PRODUCTS
SPONSOR & BRAND PARTNERS
Put your brand alongside Detroit's creative community.
Detroit Month of Design is the largest, most diverse design festival in the country, produced by Design Core Detroit in the US's only UNESCO City of Design. Partnership packages range from neighborhood-level activations to citywide presenting sponsorships.
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WHAT PARTNERSHIP LOOKS LIKE
01 Co-branded venue & wayfinding presence
02 Programming credit across design districts
03 Editorial features online & in print
04 On-the-ground brand activations
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WORKSHOPS
TALKS
EXHIBITIONS
OPEN STUDIOS
TOURS
ALL EVENTS
IN THE PRESS
SELECTED COVERAGE
MEDIA PARTNERS
2025 FESTIVAL
MONTH OF DESIGN SPONSORS
